Friday, January 31, 2014

I'm not sure about you, but I'm really glad to leave the month of January behind us. The office staff had the pleasure of hearing Mrs. Burn's kindergarten class sing a couple of songs celebrating the Chinese New Year today. 

I would like to thank the community for attending the Primary/Junior Concert last night. It was a pleasure watching the kids' percussion performance. I'd like to thank Dr. Grant for the work that she has put into her music program this term. She really wants the students to enjoy music while at the same time improving their skills and focus. I think the students' performance was a good indicator that both those things are happening. 

This week, our staff meeting  was focused on reviewing curriculum and events happening outside the classroom. Updates from staff were given. I am so proud of the kinds of activities that we are currently offering the kids both inside and outside the classroom. Here is a sampling of the many things that are happening: Movie Night, Film Club, Photography Club, Architecture Club, Eco-Club, Peer Mediators, Sports, Student Safety Reps, Seeds of Hope, Grade 8 LIVE Program, Student Council, Grade 7 Girls/Boys Club, Dance Club, Grade 1 Games Club and Forest of Reading. Each of these clubs gives the kids an opportunity to connect with new people, learn new skills and they also provide leadership opportunities for our older students. I am so thankful to all the staff and parents who make sure these things happen at our school. 

As many of you know, we have a huge volunteer base at the school; approximately 275. Please remember that you must have a criminal record check if you are going to volunteer at the school. If you don't have your check and would like to volunteer, please come into the office to get your form or connect with Mrs. Stefanowicz to renew your existing status. 

Finally, I do want to bring to your attention a very important reminder.   This week, staff reviewed TDSB policies and regulations regarding our "duty to report" any reasonable suspicions of child abuse or neglect to Children's Aid. Under the Child and Family Services Act, the same duty applies to members of the community and our school volunteers. If you have a reasonable suspicion of abuse or neglect of a child, please see me at the school and I will assist in this process. It is our duty to ensure the safety of children and I thank you in advance. 

I hope everyone has a great weekend. 


February-Fairness

3rd-Grade 4-8 Sharing Assembly 
4th-Sr and Jr Hockey vs Humbercrest; Parent On-line Interview Schedule Closes 
5th-Grade 2 and 2/3 Skate @ Mastercard; Grade 8 Science Displays in the afternoon; Jr Boys Basketball @ Portage Trail; National Winter Walk Day (please walk to school)  
6th-Grade 1-3 Sharing Assembly; Jr Hockey Practice 
7th-Student Council School Olympics (weather permitting)  
10th-Report Cards Go Home 
11th-Kindergarten Registration; Sr Girls VBall @ LKS 
12th-Kindergarten Registration 
13th-Grade 7 Scientist in the School; Jr Girls VBall @ LKS; Sr Hockey vs Humber Valley 
14th-Middle School Dance; Happy Valentine's Day   
17th-Family Day 
19th-Mrs. Wilson, Ms. Kim and Ms. Mandel are skating;  Grade 6-8 Ski Trip; Kindergarten Registration in the morning   
20th-Grade 7 Band @ Kiwanis; Jr Hockey at Humbercrest and Sr at Runnymede; LKS Movie Night @ 6:30-Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2   
24th-Parent Council at 7:00 p.m.; Grade 8 Orchestra @ Kiwanis; Hockey West Semi-Finals  
26th-Grade 3 and 2/3 to AGO 
27th-1-8 Sharing Assembly; Hockey West Conference Finals 

28th-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Pizza Day; Grade 6 Band @ Kiwanis 

March-Honesty

7th-PA Day

10th-14th-March Break
17th-Author Visit-Grade 4-8-Eric Walters 
24th-Parent Council 
26th-Grade 8 Graduation Photos 

27th-1-8 Sharing Assembly; School Wide Film Festival 

28th-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Pizza Day

April-Co-operation
1st-Scientist in the School-Mrs. Burn's Class 
3rd-Film Festival Evening Gala (for filmmakers, friends and family) 
16th-Earth Ranger's Presentation 
18th-Good Friday and Easter Monday 
23rd-Grade 8 Grad Photo Retake 

24th-1-8 Sharing Assembly

25th-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Pizza Day

May-Integrity

19th-Victoria Day

26th-EQAO Begins

29th-1-8 Sharing Assembly

30th-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Pizza Day

June-Perseverance

6th-PA Day
13th-Grade 8 Graduation 

18th-1-8 Sharing Assembly

19th-Kindie Sharing Assembly

23rd-Report Cards Sent Home

27th-Last Day for Students; Lunch on the Lawn (Last Pizza Day)

On Monday night, Mrs. Norton and I had the pleasure of meeting with our existing junior kindergarten parents to answer questions surrounding our full-day kindergarten program that is coming in September 2014. LKS is part of the final phase of the Ministry of Ontario's implementation process. After our new kindergarten register in February, we will have a better sense of the student numbers, although we will get our final projections in March, along with the other grade 1-8 students. Currently, we have approximately 650 students. 

In order to accommodate the potential 4 full-day kindergarten classes, the Board will be installing a washroom in Mrs. Burn's room this year; hopefully closer to the end of the year. During the renovation, we will move the existing class to room 176. It will be a relief to have the renovations completed before September. 

Each kindergarten class will also have a full-time ECE (Early Childhood Educator) working with the classroom teacher. In addition, we have been allocated 4 lunchroom supervisors. In the spring, we will begin the hiring process as outlined by our Board. 

It's been quite fun planning for the new program already. Anticipating the new program, we have purchased and installed new Smart Boards in our kindergarten classes and the teachers and students are already using them to extend their learning. It is a great opportunity having this type of technology in the classroom. 

On that note, Mr. Littlejohn and Mr. Kuru presented an overview of the Smart Board technology at the Parent Council meeting on Monday. They showed a variety of lessons that are being used in the primary, junior and intermediate lessons and answered many questions. Their presentation showed how the Smart Board engages both students and teachers. Staff are thankful to the community for supporting these purchases financially by monies raised through Pizza Lunches and Springfest. As previously stated, we are hoping to have all the classrooms outfitted with a Smart Board before the end of 2016. 

We had another proud moment on Tuesday night at Counselor Peter Milczyn's community meeting regarding Lambton Park, or the Shale Pit. As many of you know, Mrs. Clarke, an LKS parent, and others have asked the City to renovate the park as it is looking a bit "tired". In the fall, our Eco-Club got on board and started redesigning the Shale Pit with the hopes that the city would consider their perspective in the process. During the last few months, Mr. Blais and myself worked with the group to brainstorm ideas and draw up plans. The final initiative was to gather suggestions from the whole school to incorporate into the design.

On Tuesday night, three members in grade 4 and 5, namely Heather, Daria and Angelina presented the group's work at the city meeting. They were articulate, mature and dynamic. Mr. Milczyn and the city planner, Eric, were so impressed with the quality of work and the effort the club put forth into the project. At one point, Eric told the girls he was a little afraid of losing his job to them! We are so proud of the girls and furthermore the whole Eco-Club for taking such a strong lead to complete this project. We are looking forward to planning our next project-Earth Week! 

Mr. Milczyn and Eco-Club 

Thanks Mrs. Clarke 

Finally, tomorrow is a Professional Activity Day. Teachers will be completing final evaluations and report cards. Our on-line interview schedule will open up on Friday for those parents needing to book an interview. The code and website will be in this week's grade parent email. Please remember that second term interviews are generally for teachers needing to discuss a child's progress with a parent. Teachers have been asked to contact parents if he/she will be requiring an interview. 

I hope everyone has a great weekend and we will see you on Monday. 


January-Teamwork 

24th-PA Day; Parent On-line Interview Schedule Open 
28th and 29th -Scientist in School-Grade 2 and Combined Grades; Safety Rep Meeting @ Lunch 
29th-Scientist in the School-Grade 2/3 Combined Grades; Mrs. Taylor and Mr. Bracht skating @ Mastercard 

30th-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Primary Concert @ 6: 30 p.m.; Sr and Jr  Hockey vs Runnymede 

31st-Grade 1-3 Sharing Assembly; Pizza Day; Sr Boys VBall Tourney @ LKS 

February-Fairness

3rd-Grade 4-8 Sharing Assembly 
4th-Sr and Jr Hockey vs Humbercrest; Parent On-line Interview Schedule Closes 
5th-Grade 2 and 2/3 Skate @ Mastercard; Grade 8 Science Displays in the afternoon; Jr Boys Basketball @ Portage Trail 
7th-Student Council School Olympics (weather permitting)  
10th-Report Cards Go Home 
11th-Kindergarten Registration; Sr Girls VBall @ LKS 
12th-Kindergarten Registration 
13th-Grade 7 Scientist in the School; Jr Girls VBall @ LKS; Sr Hockey vs Humber Valley 
14th-Middle School Dance; Happy Valentine's Day   
17th-Family Day 
19th-Mrs. Wilson and Ms. Kim skate at Mastercard; Grade 6-8 Ski Trip  
20th-Grade 7 Band @ Kiwanis; Jr Hockey at Humbercrest and Sr at Runnymede; LKS Movie Night @ 6:30-Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2   
24th-Parent Council at 7:00 p.m.; Grade 8 Orchestra @ Kiwanis; Hockey West Semi-Finals  
26th-Grade 3 and 2/3 to AGO 
27th-1-8 Sharing Assembly; Hockey West Conference Finals 

28th-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Pizza Day; Grade 6 Band @ Kiwanis 

March-Honesty

7th-PA Day

10th-14th-March Break
17th-Author Visit-Grade 4-8-Eric Walters 
24th-Parent Council 
26th-Grade 8 Graduation Photos 

27th-1-8 Sharing Assembly; School Wide Film Festival 

28th-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Pizza Day

April-Co-operation
1st-Scientist in the School-Mrs. Burn's Class 
3rd-Film Festival Evening Gala (for filmmakers, friends and family) 
16th-Earth Ranger's Presentation 
18th-Good Friday and Easter Monday 
23rd-Grade 8 Grad Photo Retake 

24th-1-8 Sharing Assembly

25th-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Pizza Day

May-Integrity

19th-Victoria Day

26th-EQAO Begins

29th-1-8 Sharing Assembly

30th-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Pizza Day

June-Perseverance

6th-PA Day
13th-Grade 8 Graduation 

18th-1-8 Sharing Assembly

19th-Kindie Sharing Assembly

23rd-Report Cards Sent Home

27th-Last Day for Students; Lunch on the Lawn (Last Pizza Day)

It's been a fabulous week at LKS. The weather wasn't always accommodating, but we played outside as much as possible. Although it was icy, with lots of care from the children, we managed to have some good times outside at recess and lunch. If it is too unsafe, we will not go outside. We don't want anyone, including staff nor students, getting hurt. 

The congestion in the parking lot has improved and we are thankful for your support. As in the past, we have been putting pylons out in the no parking zones and this has helped. Our grade 6 students are helping out with this as a leadership opportunity. We are looking for one or two parents who can help us out in the morning for a few minutes. Please see me if you can help us. 

On Thursday, staff participated in a planning session. As many of you know, we are learning about "student inquiry", a TDSB and Ministry initiative, and what it means to teachers' programs. An inquiry approach to learning is providing opportunities for students to ask questions about a topic. These questions drive the learning for the remainder of the unit of study. The teachers are finding that when students are given the opportunity to ask their own questions, they tend to be more excited and motivated about their studies compared to when they study a prescribed, teacher driven curriculum. Teachers give guidance and  help develop those questions into "higher level thinking" type questions. Furthermore, the teachers have really enjoyed  watching the "creativity" that has come from the students' conversations and discussions.

Over the next couple of months, the teachers will be using a common template on generating questions and we will reconvene as a staff to dialogue about our findings. 

We are also very busy with our special education annual reviews. Every child who has gone to an IPRC (Identification, Placement, Review Committee) and has formally received an identification (i.e. Gifted, Learning Disability, etc), is entitled to an annual review to discuss progress, placement and identification. Meetings will be on-going over the next month. 

Also, we have done a mid-year review of our early primary students and identified and provided additional support to our students who just need a little more attention in their reading.  We know that by providing a "boost" now will benefit the children in later grades. If you would like to help out with our reading program, please come and talk to me. We have lots of little ones who could use your help.  

Have a great weekend!

January-Teamwork 
20th-Parent Council @ 7:00 p.m -Room 235; 6:15-Question/Answer Period for LKS JK Parents (FDK)- Lunchroom 

22nd-Community Meeting in Lunchroom at 6:30 p.m. regarding Park 

24th-PA Day; Parent On-line Interview Schedule Open 
28th and 29th -Scientist in School-Grade 2 and Combined Grades 

30th-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Primary Concert @ 6: 30 p.m.; Sr and Jr  Hockey vs Runnymede 

31st-Grade 1-3 Sharing Assembly; Pizza Day; Sr Boys VBall Tourney @ LKS 

February-Fairness

3rd-Grade 4-8 Sharing Assembly 
4th-Sr and Jr Hockey vs Humbercrest; Parent On-line Interview Schedule Closes 
5th-Grade 2 and 2/3 Skate @ Mastercard; Grade 8 Science Displays in the afternoon  
10th-Report Cards Go Home 
11th-Kindergarten Registration; Sr Girls VBall @ LKS 
12th-Kindergarten Registration 
13th-Grade 7 Scientist in the School; Jr Girls VBall @ LKS; Sr Hockey vs Humber Valley 
14th-Middle School Dance  
17th-Family Day 
19th-Officer Rich visits Grade 5 and 6; Mrs. Wilson and Ms. Kim skate at Mastercard; Grade 6-8 Ski Trip  
20th-Grade 7 Band @ Kiwanis; Jr Hockey at Humbercrest and Sr at Runnymede  
24th-Parent Council at 7:00 p.m.; Grade 8 Orchestra @ Kiwanis; Hockey West Semi-Finals  
26th-Grade 3 and 2/3 to AGO 
27th-1-8 Sharing Assembly; Hockey West Conference Finals 

28th-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Pizza Day; Grade 6 Band @ Kiwanis 

March-Honesty

7th-PA Day

10th-14th-March Break
17th-Author Visit-Grade 4-8 
24th-Parent Council 
26th-Grade 8 Graduation Photos 

27th-1-8 Sharing Assembly

28th-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Pizza Day

April-Co-operation
1st-Scientist in the School-Mrs. Burn's Class 
16th-Earth Ranger's Presentation 
18th-Good Friday and Easter Monday 
23rd-Grade 8 Grad Photo Retake 

24th-1-8 Sharing Assembly

25th-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Pizza Day

May-Integrity

19th-Victoria Day

26th-EQAO Begins

29th-1-8 Sharing Assembly

30th-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Pizza Day

June-Perseverance

6th-PA Day
13th-Grade 8 Graduation 

18th-1-8 Sharing Assembly

19th-Kindie Sharing Assembly

23rd-Report Cards Sent Home

27th-Last Day for Students; Lunch on the Lawn (Last Pizza Day)

Welcome back to 2014! I hope you had a relaxing holiday with your family and friends. It's nice that the temperature outside has "warmed" up for us. It was bitter for a few days.  It's great to be back to school. I've always loved this part of the school year as it tends to be quite busy both inside and outside the classroom; sports were actually running the first day back! 

I'd like to welcome Kimm Norton to our school and community. We wish her much success in her role as our new VP. Mrs. Norton has been busy this week getting to know the students and routines. Please do not hesitate to drop in to say hello. 

We are very busy getting ready to welcome our new junior kindergarten students.   Kindergarten registration is February 11th and 12th. If you know anyone who lives in our catchment area and needs to register, please have them call the school at 416-394-7890. We try to get as many people to register in February so we can get a better understanding of the potential number of students for September. 

The students will be very busy over the next few weeks as teachers are completing units and evaluations to prepare for final report cards. Report Cards will be going home February 10th. 


January-Teamwork 
14th-Special Education Grade 8 Reviews 

15th-Officer Rich visits Grade 1 and 2 
17th-Pizza Lunch  
20th-Parent Council @ 7:00 p.m.; 6:15-Question/Answer Period for LKS JK Parents (FDK); 
21st-Grade 1-7 Special Education Reviews 

24th-PA Day
28th and 29th -Scientist in School-Grade 2 and Combined Grades 

30th-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Primary Concert @ 6: 30 p.m. 

31st-Grade 1-3 Sharing Assembly; Pizza Day; Sr Boys VBall Tourney @ LKS 

February-Fairness

3rd-Grade 4-8 Sharing Assembly 
5th-Grade 2 and 2/3 Skate @ Mastercard 
10th-Report Cards Go Home 
11th and 12th-Kindergarten Registration 
13th-Grade 7 Scientist in the School; Jr Girls VBall @ LKS  
17th-Family Day 
19th-Officer Rich visits Grade 5 and 6 
20th-Grade 7 Band @ Kiwanis 
24th-Parent Council at 7:00 p.m.; Grade 8 Orchestra @ Kiwanis 
26th-Grade 3 and 2/3 to AGO 
27th-1-8 Sharing Assembly

28th-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Pizza Day; Grade 6 Band @ Kiwanis 

March-Honesty

7th-PA Day

10th-14th-March Break
17th-Author Visit-Grade 4-8 

27th-1-8 Sharing Assembly

28th-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Pizza Day

April-Co-operation
1st-Scientist in the School-Mrs. Burn's Class 
16th-Earth Ranger's Presentation 
18th-Good Friday and Easter Monday 

24th-1-8 Sharing Assembly

25th-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Pizza Day

May-Integrity

19th-Victoria Day

26th-EQAO Begins

29th-1-8 Sharing Assembly

30th-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Pizza Day

June-Perseverance

6th-PA Day
12th-Grade 8 Graduation 
16th-Grade 9 Graduation Trip 

18th-1-8 Sharing Assembly

19th-Kindie Sharing Assembly

23rd-Report Cards Sent Home

27th-Last Day for Students; Lunch on the Lawn (Last Pizza Day)