Thursday, December 1, 2016

We had the pleasure of attending our Parent Council meeting on Monday night. Congratulations to Mrs. Needham and her committee for organizing our Social last Friday. We had a good time meeting each other, and the night raised around $13,000. Amazing job everyone! 

Ms. Kim updated the parents on our April Inquiry Night and about the process of student inquiry in the classroom. It is a tool used by teachers to engage their students in the learning process. In January, Mr. Ellerker will attend PC to talk about our monthly Well-Being activities.

Congratulations to the grade 8 students for completing their nutrition projects. They had the opportunity to share their learning at today's fair. Many of our older students, parents and staff got to visit and hear their presentations. Well done!

I've attached a link to Toronto Public Health regarding the Norovirus. If the school had an outbreak, we would be in contact with Public Health and you would be notified. Please read the information sheet on the link:

 http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=11462d6855e02410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD

Friday is a Professional Activity Day, therefore there is no school. Have a great weekend.

December 2016 

4-Hour of Code Activities 
5-16-School Begins collecting for Stonegate Gift Baskets 
7-Grade 2s to Famous People Players; Some grade 4s to fitness class 
8th-Jr Boys' Vball Tourney 

14-Grade 1-5 Concert

15-Grade 6-8 Concert

16-Grade 7 and 8 MADD presentation

22-Kindergarten Sharing Assembly
23-Last day before Break 

January 2017
9-School Begins

20-PA Day

February 2017

17-PA Day
20-Family Day

March 2017

13-17-March Break

April 2017

14-17 Good Friday/Easter Monday
22-Earth Day

May 2017

8-12-Children’s Mental Health Week
22-Victoria Day

June 2017

9-PA Day

1. Co
   1. Complex problem solving        1.    Complex problem solving
   2. Coordinating with others        2.    Critical thinking
   3. People management            3.    Creativity
   4. Critical thinking                4.      People management
   5. Negotiation                        5.    Coordinating with others
   6. Quality control                    6.    Emotional Intelligence
   7. Service orientation                7.    Judgement/decision-making
   8. Judgment/decision-making        8.    Service orientation
   9. Active listening                    9.    Negotiation
   10. Creativity                        10    Cognitive flexibility
2. mplex problem solving        1.    Complex problem solving
3. Coordinating with others        2.    Critical thinking
4. People management            3.    Creativity
5. Critical thinking                4.      People management
6. Negotiation                        5.    Coordinating with others
7. Quality control                    6.    Emotional Intelligence
8. Service orientation                7.    Judgement/decision-making
9. Judgment/decision-making        8.    Service orientation
10. Active listening                    9.    Negotiat

Thursday, November 24, 2016

This week, Mrs. Norton and I had the opportunity to meet with our teachers in grade teams to work through an activity that focused on assessment. One of our goals is to continue to work together to share best practises in this area in order to always be improving student achievement. 

Don't forget that Parent Council is on Monday, November 21st at 7:00 in the library. During the meetings, we always focus on a curriculum area as part of my report. Next week, Ms. Kimm will speak to our upcoming Inquiry Fair. 

Don't forget to sign up for our Movie night on the 1st. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased on-line at http://tdsb.schoolcashonline.com/ . If you haven't already created an account, you'll have to do so to purchase tickets for school events and pay for field trips. 

We have a meeting next week regarding our Turf Project. So far, we are in stage 1 of the project-Approval. We are working with TDSB to create the design. Once we sign off on Stage 1, we will be ready to move forward with fundraising. During Stage 2, a Design Co-ordinator (TDSB staff) will organize a Topographic Survey (approximately $2000) and Architecture Plans to be completed before proceeding to tender. We are hoping to complete the project within a couple of years with Parent Council and the community support. 

A big thank you to Mrs. Heathe who has organized our Hour of Code Activities. Thanks also to Mrs. Decaria. 

Friday the 2nd is a PA Day. Staff will be involved with professional activities. 

Have a great weekend. 

November 2016 
28-Parent Council in library at 7:00 p.m.; Grade 1 Houseleauge  

29-Officer Rich visits grade 5 , 2 and 3
 30-Kindergarten Sharing Assembly; Grade 2 Houseleauge; Grade 8 Health Fair 

December 2016

1-Movie Night: Secret Life of Pets at 6:30 p.m.; Grade 3 Houseleauge 
2-PA Day
4-Hour of Code Activities 
5-16-School Begins collecting for Stonegate Gift Baskets 

14-Grade 1-5 Concert

15-Grade 6-8 Concert

16-Grade 7 and 8 MADD presentation

22-Kindergarten Sharing Assembly
23-Last day before Break 

January 2017
9-School Begins

20-PA Day

February 2017

17-PA Day
20-Family Day

March 2017

13-17-March Break

April 2017

14-17 Good Friday/Easter Monday
22-Earth Day

May 2017

8-12-Children’s Mental Health Week
22-Victoria Day

June 2017

9-PA Day

Thursday, February 25, 2016

On Monday, our grade 6 students participated in a presentation from Brian Cheaney from Cosmic Connections. The topic was on Astronomy, a unit of study. After learning about constellations and the stars, the kids had the opportunity to observe the sun through a telescope. Many parents and their children returned at night for another presentation and a peek at the moon. A big thank you to Ms. Chandra, our middle school science teacher, who organized this event. We've never had this type of workshop and it was a big hit!

Thank you to all the parents who attended Parent Council on Monday night. Please don't forget to check out their new website as it contains lots of information - http://lksparentcouncil.com/.  Just a gentle reminder that PC continues to search for volunteers to help with Springfest. Again, please sign up through the website. Springfest is such an important tradition in the community and it continues to be a favourite for the children. Monies raised at the event goes towards funding operating budgets.

I posted some information for you on the weekly Bulletin regarding concussions. If your child has suffered from a concussion, please make sure you come to the office to complete paperwork required to return to physical activity.

Finally, I'd also like to thank everyone who wore Pink on the 24th in support of creating awareness around bullying! For more information, please see http://pinkshirtday.ca/

Have a great weekend everyone.

March 2016

2-Chess Club
3-Folk Dance Club 
4-Grade 6-8 Ski Trip 
14-18-March Break 
25-28-Good Friday/Easter Monday 
29-Junior Assembly
30-Primary Assembly
31-Kindergarten Assembly; Grade 6-8 House Event; Grade 8 Grad Photos  

April 2016 

4-Parent Council meeting at 7:00 p.m.; New Kindergarten Parent Night 
8-Pizza Day 
17-PA Day-No School 
26-Primary Assembly 
27-Junior Assembly 
28-Kindergarten Assembly
29-Pizza Lunch; Grade 6-8 House Event 

May 2016
5-Folk Dance Club 
7-Springfest 
12-Folk Dance Club 
 23-Victoria Day 
26-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Folk Dance; Pizza Lunch; Grade 6-8 House Event 
30-Junior/Intermediate Assembly; Parent Council 
31-Primary Sharing Assembly 

June 2016
1-Folk Dance Festival (7-Raindate) 
10-PA Day
14-Primary Assemby 
15-Junior Assembly
17-Grade 8 Graduation 
20-Grade 8 Quebec Trip 
23-Kindergarten Sharing Assembly 
27-Report Cards Go Home! 
29-Pizza Lunch 
29-Last Day for Students 

Remembrance Day

A big congratulations to our Sr Boys and Jr Girls Football teams for placing first in the City Finals and to our Sr Girls Football team for placing second. What a great season the teams have had this year. They have really gained good skills and a sense of teamwork over the last few years! Thank you to Mr. Kuru, Mr. Bracht and Mr. Ross. Once again, thank you to all the parents who either drove or just came out to support the kids.

Thank you to our Parent Council for supporting our art programmes. This week our grade 3 students did some weaving and the kids really enjoyed the projects. The visiting artists are good to have in the school for a couple of reasons; namely the kids generally get a chance to do something different and the teachers learn new strategies and ideas in the arts.

What a beautiful playground we are going to have in the Spring! Thank you to everyone who spent a few hours planting our donated shrubs, plants and bulbs.

Just a reminder that any Unicef donations should be sent to the office by the morning of November 9th. A rep will be picking our donations up later in the day.

Our Class Safety Reps are spreading the word to their classes about the November Character Trait-Empathy. Students who have demonstrated this very important trait will be recognized at our monthly Sharing Assembly with a certificate and/or a new wristbands. Please remember to emphasize this trait at different "teachable moments" with your own children. Empathy is a difficult concept for our primary students, but you can still talk about ideas like feelings (i.e. When resolving conflicts, ask the kids how each thinks the other feels-get them to see how it might feel if they were in the other person's shoes).

If you are near the school on Remembrance Day, please drop by after morning recess for our assembly. Thank you to Mrs. Wolfer and Mrs. Armstrong for decorating our front display case with our community memories.

Just a reminder that teachers will be working on final assessments and reporting on Friday, therefore it is a PA Day and no school.

There is a Parent Council meeting on Monday @ 7:00 p.m. All parents are welcome. We will also be presenting our School Improvement Plan.

NOVEMBER
8th-UNICEF Donations to the office please!
9th-Parent Council @ 7:00 p.m.
10th-Artist visit to Mr. Littlejohn; Safety Officer visits grade one students
11th-Remembrance Day Assembly-If you would like to come, a good time to arrive would be at 10:50
13th-No school-PA Day!
16th-Parent/Teacher Interview Letters Go Home! Bullying Prevention Week Begins
17th-Artist visit to Mrs. Gibson
19th-Sharing Assemblies-afternoon assemblies
20th-Sharing Assemblies -morning assemblies
23-Class Safety Rep Meeting; Eric Walters returns to the middle school
24th-Artist to visit Mrs. Taylor
26th-Grade Eight Special Education Review Meetings-morning(invitations are being sent soon)
27th-Pizza Lunch; Sr Boys' VBall @ LKS all day; Author Adrea Beck to visit K-2
30th-Report Cards Go Home (Only SK Reports-Jr Kindies' get a report second term)

DECEMBER
1st-3rd-Book Fair
2nd-Eco-Warriors and Walking Wednesday
December 3-Interview Day(the 2nd at night)
8th-Grade 1-5 Concert @ 6:30 p.m
9th-Grade 6-8 Concert @ 7:00 p.m.
14th-Parent Council @ 7:00 p.m.; Kindergarten Classes @ 6:00 p.m.

First Full Week!

Well, we made it through our first full week (with great weather)! Thank you for returning all of our September forms promptly. We were able to go through them and generate required lists for our office use. Mrs. Stefanowicz will be sending home data cards shortly for you to make any changes. We thank you in advance.

Another letter is being sent home regarding volunteers. Thank you to Mrs. Kress for helping out with this process. If you volunteer or think you might be volunteering (i.e. drive for sports teams, trip supervisor etc.), please make sure you have completed your police reference check or your annual check. Please see Mrs. Sefanowicz for further information. So far we have 126 people who have completed their annual checks. Thank you again because LKS wouldn't be the same without the wonderful parental support.

Thank you to all the parents who came to curriculum night. If you missed it, please check out the website for our long range plans.

Thank you for visiting my blog, but don't forget to scroll down the other blogs, especially our library section-Mrs. McGee has some updates! Don't forget to come to Parent Council on Monday @ 7:30 in the library.

Important Dates to Remember

21st-Class Safety Rep Meeting with Mrs. Perry/Ms. Caddel@ lunch; Parent Council @ 7:30
25th-Sharing Assemblies-Only Junior and Intermediate
29th-Photo Day; Hep B & Meningitis Shots for Gr 7 & HPV (Grade 8)
30th-Photo Day continues

October 1st-Terry Fox Walk
2nd-Grade 8 Trip to Art Studio/Credit River
5th-Me to We Day (small group of student reps)
6th-Cross Country Meet @ Centennial
7th-9th-Grade 7 Outdoor Ed Trip
12th-Happy Thanksgiving
13th-Grade 8 Mediacs Presentation
14th-Wild Wild Web Presentation for Grade 6
19th-Parent Council @ 7:30; Class Safety Rep Meeting @ Lunch
20th-IEPs sent home
26th-Sharing Assemblies
29th-Mrs. Olson & Mrs. Bradshaw's class to Outdoor Ed Centre
30th-Hallowe'en Parade

A Successful Springfest!

Thank you to all the parents who helped organize Springfest! What a great day for the community...and the weather proved to be on our side! A special congratulations to Kati in grade 4 who will be spending the day with me and Mr. Mclean for winning 'Principal for the Day'!

Just a reminder that Parent Council will be meeting on Monday @ 7:30 p.m. in the library. Fundraising ideas will be on the agenda for those of you interested in this area.

Bruce Davis is also holding a Ward Meeting at Islington P.S. @ 6:30 p.m. The TDSB Budget Process will be the topic.

Congratulations to Julia, Avery, Kyle and Scott in grade 8 for competing at the Waterloo Canada Skills Provincial Final where they demonstrated tremendous teamwork. Also, to Ian, David, Laura, Julia, Khrystyna and Jennifer for placing second at the Canadian Fluid Power Challenge with a remarkable score of 93%. Thank you to Dr. debraga for always being supportive of these really special challenges.

Just a reminder that schools starts back on September 8th, 2009. The students will not be here in August, only staff. The Ministry hasn't approved our school year calendar yet indicating holidays, PA days, etc. When we get that (hopefully soon), we will post for you.

Dates
11th-Parent Council @ 7:30; Ward Meeting @ 6:30-Islington
12th-Grade 6 Frisbee Tourney
11th-14th-Grade 4-8 Track and Field Try Outs -ECI-follow Mr. Bracht's schedule
13th-Red Maple Trip to Harbourfront-Mrs. McGee and select Grade 7 & 8 students
14th-Grade 4/5 Students attend World Energy Festival; Sr Boys' Soccer Tourney; Sean Cassidy-Author visit for Kindies; Grade 6 Frisbee Tourney; Grade 1-3 Track and Field Meet @ 9:00-11:00
15th-Forest of Reading Lunch-Grade 3-8 in the Library; Lockdown Practise @ 9:00; Junior Girls Soccer Tourney
18th-Victory Day!
20th-Volunteer Tea @ 3:30-Library
21st-LKS has Talent-p.m.; Junior Boys Soccer
22nd-Sharing Assemblies
25th-West Track and Field Meet @York University-Grade 2-8
26th-Grade 3 & 6 EQAO
29th-Pizza Day

June
1st-Grade 6-8 Instrumental Concert Night
2nd-Dental Screening
3rd-Free the Children Assembly
4th-Grade 4-8 York University Conference Finals; Grade 1 Classes to the Zoo!
5th-Grade 6 Cosmic Connections; Grade 2 Classes to Harbourfront
8th-12th-Grade 8 Quebec Trip
8th-Parent Council
10th-Grade 4-8 City Track Finals-U of T
24th-Grade 8 Graduation
25th-Last Day for Students

Staffing

Thank you to all who came out for last night's Parent Council Meeting. I was unable to attend as I'm just recovering from this stomach flu that is going around. We shared our staffing numbers and we'd like to share with everyone. Here are the following things we know so far:

Projected Enrolment: 745

# of Teachers: 36.5
*We had to declare 3.5 teachers surplus to the school

Number of classes:
We were given 12 teachers to teach at the primary level, therefore we have 3 straight ones and 2 grade one/two splits, 3 straight grade 2s and 1 grade 2/3 split, and finally 3 straight grade 3 classes. We were also told that we have to have one grade three/grade 4 split. We were assigned 12 junior/intermediate teachers, therefore we have 2 straight four classes and one 4/5 split, 2 straight grade 5 classes, 3 grade 6 classes and 2 grade 7 and 8 classes. Finally, we have been assigned 3.5 kindergarten classes. We have been allowed 2 exemptions at the kindergarten level (2 are at 23 students) and the grade 3/4 split will also be at 23 students. We were also given 2.5 special education teachers.

As you can see, there isn't a lot of "play" with the model as we are now so restricted as to where we can use the allocated teachers. Please watch for more staffing information over the next couple of weeks.

I also wanted to thank Ms. Malobabic for her leadership in organizing the play, Comedy of Errors, last week. The intermediate students really enjoyed performing and it was delightful. Thank you to Mr. Spruin and Mr. Samowtaka for assisting.

We would also like to thank Mr. Page, Mr. Ross and Mr. Ellerker as they took our swim teams to their meets last week. Mr. Page also convened the meets for the entire area. The finals were yesterday.

Last week, we had many events hosted by Parent Council. Some of the classes listened to Mrs. Pollock as she described her experiences as an author. The grade 4-8 students were entertained by Allan Shain who talked about living with a disability. Both of these were hosted by the parent Literacy Committee,led by Jenn Abbott, and Resources, led by Diane Moore, respectfully. We would also like to thank Karen Miller and her committee for hosting the Dinner Dance. We really appreciate your support of this evening and LKS!

Week Ahead

This was a very busy week as we continued with our studies and experienced more heavy snowfalls. It really has been great to see the kids have such a fun time outside at lunch and recess. Many of our staff have skated with the kids and enjoyed some winter fun in the Shalepit.The 100th day was celebrated in our primary division and the kids really had fun with these learning acitivities!

On the 26th, from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Debbie Gordon, will be presenting a parent workshop on the "Wild, Wild, Web"! Her workshop will explore the world of the internet seen through the eyes of a teenager and preteen. We sent a flyer home with the kids in grades 4-8. If you think you are going to attend, please tell your classroom teacher so we get a sense of the number of parents coming. If we have room, we will open it up to the younger grades also, although the content is probably more applicable to the parents with older children.

We have a great week ahead:
11th-Grade 8 classes have a presentation from Debbie Gordon, from Mediacs, on the internet, body image and self-esteem; Parent Council @ 7:30 p.m.
12th-Student Council presents "Free the Children" to students in grades 1-8 @ 10:30; Mrs. Adair's class participates in an art workshop and we continue with our Grade 3 and 5 Special Education Reviews
13th-Valentine's Dance for grades 6-8
14th-Happy Valentine's Day
15th-PA Day-Teachers involved with professional workshops outside the school
18th-Family Day!
19th-DAY 1-Instrumental for grades 6-8

Next Week:
20th-Officer Keith begins his visits to the classes
20th-21st-Kindergarten Registration; Grade 4 classes visit Medieval Times; Grade 7 & 8 Orchestra attend Kiwanis
22nd-Grade 3 classes have Scientists in the School visit
26th-Debbie Gordon returns to give a parent presentation (grades 4-8) on the Wild, Wild Web @ 7:00
28th-Grades 6-8 Ski Day
29th-Sharing Assemblies

P.S. There was a spelling mistake on our printed Newsletter. We apologize as our editing team, consisting of three people, didn't catch it! Just a reminder that future Newsletters will be posted on the LKS website only. There will be a few hard copies in the office if you need them. Being an EcoSchool, we are trying to cut down on paper.