Happy Holidays

A big thank you to the community for supporting our Stonegate Holiday Baskets! Delivery happened today with great appreciation from the Stonegate community. Thanks to Student Council and our drivers; Karen DeBortoli (organizer),  Deric Jacklin, Joanna Sharp, Kerry Collings, Sara Beveridge, Susie Raymond, Karen Miller and Julie Riach.

Stonegate Delivery 2014 

We just finished our staff meeting at lunch. Ms. Kim and Mrs. Perrin led the staff in a variety of activities highlighting what they learned at the I-Think workshop they attended at Rotman awhile back. It was a lot of fun brainstorming our technology needs and prototyping solutions. Staff can use these strategies in the classroom with their students to promote critical thinking and problem-solving.

I just finished reading an article on holiday stress and the impact on adults and children. The holidays can be so much fun and exciting, but it can be very stressful on children.The author reminds parents and teachers to talk about stress with children and acknowledge that it exists. Talking about the negative feelings might allow kids to be "less hard" on themselves. Teaching children stress-reduction strategies like breathing techniques and mental imagining can also be helpful and finally, as adults, we need to be patient. For sure there will be arguments and some acting out, so we, as adults need to be the patient ones.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday celebrating with friends and family.

January 2015

5-School Begins
6th-Grade 1 Houseleague at lunch 
8th-Grade 2 Houseleague at lunch 
9-Grade 7 and 8 Madd Presentation; Grade 3 Houseleague at lunch  

19-Parent Council Meeting @ 7:00 p.m; Grade 6-8 Science Fair; Grade 1-3 Author visit 
22nd-Scientist in School visits Grade 2 (Mrs. Gibson, Mrs. Zappi, Mrs. Hoffman); Grade 6-8 Author visit   

23-PA Day

27-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly

28-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Seeds of Hope Field Trip to Daily Food Bank 

29-Parent On-Line Interview Bookings Open
30th-Pizza Lunch 

February 2015

5-Parent On-Line Booking Closed

9-Report Cards Go Home

10 and 11-Kindergarten Registration

13-PA Day

16-Family Day

19-Kindie Sharing Assembly

20-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly

23-Parent Council meeting @ 7:00 p.m.

March 2015

16-20-March Break

24-Kindie Sharing Assembly

27-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly

30-Parent Council meeting @ 7:00 p.m.

April 2015

3 and 6-Good Friday and Easter Monday

20-Parent Council @ 7:00 p.m

21-Kindie Sharing Assembly

28-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly

May 2015

18-Victoria Day

20-Kindie Sharing Assembly

25-Parent Council @ 7:00 p.m

27-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly

June 2015

5-PA Day

12-Grade 8 Graduation

15-19-Grade 8 Quebec Trip

17-Kindie Sharing Assembly

19-Grade 1-7 Sharing Assembly

24-Report Cards Go Home

25-Day 0; Student Assembly; Lunch on Lawn

Gym Flooded

As you probably know by now, our gym was flooded on Friday. A sprinkler head was hit as we put the chairs away after the concerts. The fire alarm went off and we had to evacuate the building. After the fire department cleared us, we quickly got the kids back inside and then began clean up. Everyone pitched in to clear anything that was in the path of the flowing water. Staff picked up mops and shop vacs and worked for 3 hours or so to get the water under control.  The gym is being aired out over the weekend and should be ready for Monday. Although it was a very tiring day, I want to thank everyone who helped clean, supervised children and those who made sure Pizza Lunch still went ahead. Again, I can't say enough of this great staff and community. 

January 2015

5-School Begins
9-Grade 7 and 8 Madd Presentation 

19-Parent Council Meeting @ 7:00 p.m; Grade 6-8 Science Fair; Grade 1-3 Author visit 
22nd-Scientist in School visits Grade 2 (Mrs. Gibson, Mrs. Zappi, Mrs. Hoffman); Grade 6-8 Author visit   

23-PA Day

27-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly

28-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Seeds of Hope Field Trip to Daily Food Bank 

29-Parent On-Line Interview Bookings Open
30th-Pizza Lunch 

February 2015

5-Parent On-Line Booking Closed

9-Report Cards Go Home

10 and 11-Kindergarten Registration

13-PA Day

16-Family Day

19-Kindie Sharing Assembly

20-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly

23-Parent Council meeting @ 7:00 p.m.

March 2015

16-20-March Break

24-Kindie Sharing Assembly

27-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly

30-Parent Council meeting @ 7:00 p.m.

April 2015

3 and 6-Good Friday and Easter Monday

20-Parent Council @ 7:00 p.m

21-Kindie Sharing Assembly

28-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly

May 2015

18-Victoria Day

20-Kindie Sharing Assembly

25-Parent Council @ 7:00 p.m

27-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly

June 2015

5-PA Day

12-Grade 8 Graduation

15-19-Grade 8 Quebec Trip

17-Kindie Sharing Assembly

19-Grade 1-7 Sharing Assembly

24-Report Cards Go Home

25-Day 0; Student Assembly; Lunch on Lawn

Thursday, December 11, 2014

A big thank you for coming to our concerts this week.  The concerts are so special as it gives the kids an opportunity to perform for an audience and you get to see the great things that are happening in the program. We are looking forward to our last performance at the Raptors game on Monday night when the Grade 8 Girls' Choir will be singing.

Along with our Parent Council Executive, we have many parents who sit on numerous committees. Their commitment has provided many enriching activities for the students and LKS community. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the following parents for their support.

Secretary: Mrs. Chechlik is the newest member of the Executive joining us in the Fall. Thank you for stepping up to the plate Mrs. Chechlik!

Pizza Lunches: Thank you to Mrs. Hodgson, Mrs. Copeland and Mrs. Trinder for feeding us every month!

Grade Parents: What would we do without our weekly memos? A big thank you to Ms. Mezger, Ms. Hynes, Ms. Barrett, Ms. Clarke, Ms. Drewnowska, Ms. Needham, Ms. Marcolin, Ms. Fox, Ms. Copeland, Ms. Race, Ms. Giancos, Ms. Beveridge, Ms. Busch, Ms. Keogh, Ms. Arrowsmith, Ms. Bracken, Ms. Stecher, Ms. McFadgen, Ms. Forte, Ms. Fenn, Ms. Sharp, Ms. Odorico, Ms. Barclay, Ms. Bonanno, Ms. Solby, Ms. D'Brass Donahue, Ms. C. Needham, Ms. Dmetrieva, Ms. Mehta, Ms. Fisher, Ms. Lowenborg Frick, Ms. Newton, Ms. Greifenberger, Ms. Suomi, Ms. Thompson, Ms. Teron, Ms. Vaux, Ms. Abbott, Ms. Zimmer, Ms. Stinson, Ms. Kim, Ms. Dodig, Ms. Strother, Ms. Kerfers, Ms. Parzyck, Ms. Miller, Ms. DeLonghi, Ms. Plewes and Mrs. Robinson

Literacy-Thank you to Ms. Tortorice and Ms. Sharp for helping Mrs. McGee organize our author visits and Book Fairs.

Music: Thank you to Mrs. Greifenberger for helping Mr. Samotowka organize the music nights and the grade 6 music camp.

Classroom Enrichment: Thanks to Ms. Forte for helping Mrs. Norton plan a variety of visitors to the classrooms including Scientists in the School and Artists. Mrs. Forte also organizes guest speakers for parents throughout the year.

Physical Education: Thanks to Mrs. Raymond, Mrs. Beveridge and Ms. Mohtashani for helping Mr. Bracht organize special visitors to enrich our physical education classes, purchase equipment and organize our clothing sales.

Fundraising: A big thank you goes to Mrs. Delonghi, Mrs. Moorehead and Mrs. Barrett for organizing our LKS Social this year. A Dinner Dance is being planned for the Spring. Thank you also needs to be extended to Ms. Fisher for organizing our fall QSP fundraiser. Although we are still looking for a Chair or Co-Chairs to head up Springfest, we'd like to thank Mr. Cunningham and Ms. Forte for organizing the Games and Food so far! Looking forward to it!

Community Outreach: Thank you to Ms. DeBortoli, Ms. Sharp, Ms. Gardner and Ms. Collings for organizing our fall food and lego drives and our current Stonegate Holiday Baskets. All donations have been appreciated by our local schools.

Environment: Thanks to Ms. Clarke for helping book our special guests for our Earth Week Assemblies!

TDSB Liaison: Thanks to Ms. Almeida for keeping the council posted on Trustee information.

Grade 8 Graduation: Finally, a big thank you goes to Ms. Taylor and Ms. Miller for striking a committe and planning this very special year end celebration for our grade 8 families.

I hope I haven't missed anyone. Please let me know if I have as everyone deserves the recognition for the good workt that is being done. As you can see, it really does take a lot of help to run such a successful school. We haven't even mentioned the countless number of friends the above committee Chairs have recruited, the drivers of our sports teams, the parents who come in every week to read to the children or those who volunteer for craft day. Your support is endless and is truly appreciated!

I hope everyone enjoys the weekend.

December 2014

15-Grade 8 Girls sing "O Canada" at Raptors Game; Grade 1-3 Sharing Assembly; Huddle Up Leadership meeting  

16-Grade 4-8 Sharing Assembly; Skills Ontario presentation for grade 7 and 8 
18-Grade 6-8 Dance 
19th-Carol Sing in the morning 

22-Holidays Begin

January 2015

5-School Begins
9-Grade 7 and 8 Madd Presentation 

19-Parent Council Meeting @ 7:00 p.m; Grade 6-8 Science Fair; Grade 1-3 Author visit 
22nd-Scientist in School visits Grade 2 (Mrs. Gibson, Mrs. Zappi, Mrs. Hoffman); Grade 6-8 Author visit   

23-PA Day

27-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly

28-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Seeds of Hope Field Trip to Daily Food Bank 

29-Parent On-Line Interview Bookings Open
30th-Pizza Lunch 

February 2015

5-Parent On-Line Booking Closed

9-Report Cards Go Home

10 and 11-Kindergarten Registration

13-PA Day

16-Family Day

19-Kindie Sharing Assembly

20-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly

23-Parent Council meeting @ 7:00 p.m.

March 2015

16-20-March Break

24-Kindie Sharing Assembly

27-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly

30-Parent Council meeting @ 7:00 p.m.

April 2015

3 and 6-Good Friday and Easter Monday

20-Parent Council @ 7:00 p.m

21-Kindie Sharing Assembly

28-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly

May 2015

18-Victoria Day

20-Kindie Sharing Assembly

25-Parent Council @ 7:00 p.m

27-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly

June 2015

5-PA Day

12-Grade 8 Graduation

15-19-Grade 8 Quebec Trip

17-Kindie Sharing Assembly

19-Grade 1-7 Sharing Assembly

24-Report Cards Go Home

25-Day 0; Student Assembly; Lunch on Lawn

Thursday, December 4, 2014

This week, Mrs. Norton and I finished meeting with staff to review their program, including assessments and final evaluations. Throughout our discussions, it became clear how great our teachers and support staff are at the school. What I admire is their willingness to always try new things and implement current best practices in their program. I admire the skill level involved to improve student achievement and instill a love of learning. I am very fortunate to be working with such a staff. 

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs. Kidd, Mrs. Fuda, Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Riach, the Parent Council Executive. The committee has worked hard this term to organize meetings, establish goals, and carry out some wonderful, fundraising activities this term in order to provide enriching programs for your children. Again, we are all very fortunate to be working with such talented individuals. 

Just a friendly reminder to always remind your children about safety procedures when walking home from school. Tips are on our website. There have been a couple of incidents in nearby neighbourhoods involving cars stopping young adolescents. 

I hope to see many of you at the concerts this week. Don't forget to check out our lost and found as we will doing a final clean up in a couple of weeks. 

December 2014
9-Grade 5 Queens Park 
10-Grade 1-3 Concert @ 6:30 p.m. 
11-Grade 6-8 Concert @ 6:30 p.m. 

12-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Pizza Lunch 
15-Grade 8 Girls sing "O Canada" at Raptors Game 

16-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly; Skills Ontario presentation for grade 7 and 8 

22-Holidays Begin

January 2015

5-School Begins
9-Grade 7 and 8 Madd Presentation 

19-Parent Council Meeting @ 7:00 p.m; Grade 6-8 Science Fair; Grade 1-3 Author visit 
22nd-Scientist in School visits Grade 2 (Mrs. Gibson, Mrs. Zappi, Mrs. Hoffman); Grade 6-8 Author visit   

23-PA Day

27-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly

28-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Seeds of Hope Field Trip to Daily Food Bank 

29-Parent On-Line Interview Bookings Open
30th-Pizza Lunch 

February 2015

5-Parent On-Line Booking Closed

9-Report Cards Go Home

10 and 11-Kindergarten Registration

13-PA Day

16-Family Day

19-Kindie Sharing Assembly

20-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly

23-Parent Council meeting @ 7:00 p.m.

March 2015

16-20-March Break

24-Kindie Sharing Assembly

27-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly

30-Parent Council meeting @ 7:00 p.m.

April 2015

3 and 6-Good Friday and Easter Monday

20-Parent Council @ 7:00 p.m

21-Kindie Sharing Assembly

28-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly

May 2015

18-Victoria Day

20-Kindie Sharing Assembly

25-Parent Council @ 7:00 p.m

27-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly

June 2015

5-PA Day

12-Grade 8 Graduation

15-19-Grade 8 Quebec Trip

17-Kindie Sharing Assembly

19-Grade 1-7 Sharing Assembly

24-Report Cards Go Home

25-Day 0; Student Assembly; Lunch on Lawn