Friday, April 25, 2014

I'd like to thank the Eco-Club for the different activities they organized this week to help bring an awareness to our local environment.  They should be commended for their efforts. In the next couple of weeks, you'll see them in the yard cleaning up the flower beds and planting. 

I'd also like to thank Mrs. McGee and all the students who participated in the Forest of Reading program this year. A big breakfast was attended by around 50 or so students to celebrate and begin the voting process. We'll keep you posted on the favourite author (s) and books. 

Last week, Mrs. Norton and I met with all teachers for a final sharing session.  Staff had the opportunity to share their assessments and evaluations used this term to grade a variety of student inquiry projects.  We've come quite a bit in our learning since September, particularly on how to teach children how to ask "good" questions-a starting point of a good research project. It is evident through our discussions that teachers are revamping their projects and expectations in order to "engage" the students more in their own learning. As we move forward, staff will continue to reflect and refine their final evaluations and rubrics to align with the achievement charts in the Ministry documents. 

I hope everyone has a great weekend. 

April-Co-operation 

28th-Artists in the School-Mrs. Burn; Grade 1-3 Sharing Assembly; Parent Council @ 7:00 p.m. in the library   

29th-Artists in the School-Mrs. Iafrate; Scientists in the School-Grade 6; Grade 4-8 Sharing Assembly  

30th-Walking Wednesday 

May-Integrity

2nd-Artist in School-Mrs. Tyndall; Grade 1-3 Primary Track and Field Day (afternoon) 
5th-Humber College Jazz Presentation-Grade 4-8 
6th-First Track Meet @ Centennial; Dental Screening (to the 13th) 
7th-Grade 3s visit Pioneer Village 
8th-Film Club visits TIFF 
9th-Firefighter visits kindergartens
14th-Officer Rich visits Kindergarten  
16th-Forest of Reading Lunch 
19th-Victoria Day
20th-Book Fair Begins until the 20th 
21st-Grade 4 to High Park (and the 22nd) 

26th-Grade 3 and 6 EQAO Begins
28th-Conference Final Track Meet 

29th-1-8 Sharing Assembly; 

30th-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Pizza Day

June-Perseverance

6th-PA Day

10th-City Finals Track 
12th-Grade One and Combined 1/2 to Zoo 

13th-Grade 8 Graduation 
16th-Grade 8 Quebec Trip 

18th-1-8 Sharing Assembly

19th-Kindie Sharing Assembly

25th-Lunch on the Lawn 
26th-Reports Go Home 

27th-Last Day for Students

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Next week, LKS will be celebrating Earth Week with a variety of activities. It started this week with a visit from Earth Rangers. Next Tuesday, the Eco-Club would love to see all the students wear green to celebrate “Earth Day”. On Wednesday, we will be cleaning up the Shale Pit and our school yard and on Friday we will be hosting our own “Earth Hour” in the afternoon. The grade one and combined one/two classes will also be visited by our Eco-team to participate in a recycling/garbage sorting activity!  In addition, members of the Eco-Club hosted a fundraiser this past week. They raised $250 dollars to present to Earth Rangers. Great job everyone! 

Today, I will be meeting with all staff  for our third and final discussion of the year on student inquiry. As many of you know, the topic of "student inquiry", a ministry and Board initiative, has been a focus for LKS staff to study and incorporate into programs. Today, we will be sharing assessment and evaluation techniques. I'll share our learning at the next Parent Council meeting and on this blog. 

As many of you know we are very busy planning for next year. As mentioned in a previous blog, if you will be leaving the Kingsway catchment area and attending another school or specialized program, please tell the office and classroom teacher as soon as possible. It is imperative to have this information as we continue to build our classes. 

As we continue to plan, we also ask that you refrain from asking your current teacher for a specific teacher next year. Staff say this creates an awkward situation because all staffing is confidential and they really cannot talk about teaching assignments. Staff do not know what their colleagues will be teaching. As most of you know, staff will be looking for other teaching positions throughout the next few months, so until September, changes can occur. 

As mentioned in previous posts, staff set up classes to create a balance of gender, numbers, academic achievements, and social skills.  By now, teachers know and understand your child and will place them accordingly.  

Finally, earlier in the week, one of our students tried to help a loose dog by Prince Edward and the Kingsway. Unfortunately he was bit.  The family is trying to find out who owns a Jack Russell that was loose earlier in the week to see if the dog has had a rabies shot. Information can be given to the office. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend with family and friends. We will see you on Tuesday. 

April-Co-operation 

21st-Easter Monday 

22nd-Earth Day-Wear Green 

23rd-Grade 8 Grad Photo Retake; Walking Wednesday; Yard/Shale Pit Clean Up 

25th-LKS Earth Hour @ 2:00 p.m. 

25th-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Pizza Day

28th-Artists in the School-Mrs. Burn; Grade 1-3 Sharing Assembly  

29th-Artists in the School-Mrs. Iafrate; Scientists in the School-Grade 6; Grade 4-8 Sharing Assembly  

30th-Walking Wednesday 

May-Integrity

2nd-Artist in School-Mrs. Tyndall
5th-Humber College Jazz Presentation-Grade 4-8 
6th-First Track Meet @ Centennial; Dental Screening (to the 13th) 
14th-Officer Rich visits Kindergarten  
19th-Victoria Day
20th-Book Fair Begins until the 20th 
21st-Grade 4 to High Park (and the 22nd) 

26th-Grade 3 and 6 EQAO Begins
28th-Conference Final Track Meet 

29th-1-8 Sharing Assembly; 

30th-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Pizza Day

June-Perseverance

6th-PA Day

10th-City Finals Track 
12th-Grade One and Combined 1/2 to Zoo 

13th-Grade 8 Graduation 
16th-Grade 8 Quebec Trip 

18th-1-8 Sharing Assembly

19th-Kindie Sharing Assembly

25th-Lunch on the Lawn 
26th-Reports Go Home 

27th-Last Day for Students

It's been a great week at LKS. The sun is shining and we've only had a bit of rain. That's always good news for a school. 

On Monday, the grade 4-8 students had the pleasure of being the audience for our first LKS Film Festival. All grade 4-8 students were invited to submit a short film to the festival a couple of months back. Our Film Club showed the films at a Festival on Monday afternoon and at an evening Gala for family and friends last night. We rolled out the red carpet and had a great evening! I am really proud of the students that participated and those who are part of our Film Club. I've had a great time working with all the students and they've taught me a lot over the last few months! 

I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Eco-Warriors fundraising for Earth Rangers!

Final Fundraiser for Quebec Trip!

April-Co-operation 

16th-Earth Ranger's Presentation; Walking Wednesday  

18th-Good Friday and Easter Monday 
22nd-Earth Day-Wear Green 

23rd-Grade 8 Grad Photo Retake; Walking Wednesday; Yard/Shale Pit Clean Up 

24th-1-8 Sharing Assembly
25th-LKS Earth Hour @ 2:00 p.m. 

25th-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Pizza Day

28th-Artists in the School-Mrs. Burn 

29th-Artists in the School-Mrs. Iafrate; Scientists in the School-Grade 6 

30th-Walking Wednesday 

May-Integrity

5th-Humber College Jazz Presentation-Grade 4-8 
6th-First Track Meet @ Centennial 
19th-Victoria Day

26th-Grade 3 & 6 EQAO Begins
28th-Conference Final Track Meet 

29th-1-8 Sharing Assembly; 

30th-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Pizza Day

June-Perseverance

6th-PA Day

10th-City Finals Track 
12th-Grade One and Combined 1/2 to Zoo 

13th-Grade 8 Graduation 
16th-Grade 8 Quebec Trip 

18th-1-8 Sharing Assembly

19th-Kindie Sharing Assembly

25th-Lunch on the Lawn 
26th-Reports Go Home 

27th-Last Day for Students

Friday, April 4, 2014

Today, we spent a good portion of the morning checking most of the school for lice. If your child has lice, please make sure you call the school and inform the office. We will send a letter home so parents get notification and can begin checking their own children.  On that note, we encourage you to keep checking your children on a regular basis. 

I'd like to thank Mrs. Norton and Mr. Bracht who presented EQAO information to our grade 3 and 6 parents on Monday night. I'd also like to thank Mrs. McGee for helping me on Monday night during our "FDK Question and Answer Meeting".  We met with the new kindergarten families who registered in February. 

Finally, if you are moving from the catchment area, please notify the office as we are beginning to plan for next year. Thank you in advance. 

Have a great weekend. We hope to see you at the Social tonight. 

8th-Grade 6 Badminton Tournament 

9th-Grade 5s to ROM; Walking Wednesday 

10th-Film Festival Evening Gala (for filmmakers, friends and family); Grade 8 Badminton Tournament  

16th-Earth Ranger's Presentation; Walking Wednesday  

18th-Good Friday and Easter Monday 
22nd-Earth Day-Wear Green 

23rd-Grade 8 Grad Photo Retake; Walking Wednesday; Yard/Shale Pit Clean Up 

24th-1-8 Sharing Assembly
25th-LKS Earth Hour @ 2:00 p.m. 

25th-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Pizza Day
30th-Walking Wednesday 

May-Integrity

5th-Humber College Jazz Presentation-Grade 4-8 
6th-First Track Meet @ Centennial 
19th-Victoria Day

26th-Grade 3 & 6 EQAO Begins
28th-Conference Final Track Meet 

29th-1-8 Sharing Assembly; 

30th-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Pizza Day

June-Perseverance

6th-PA Day

10th-City Finals Track 
12th-Grade One and Combined 1/2 to Zoo 

13th-Grade 8 Graduation 
16th-Grade 8 Quebec 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)

Recently, we received our schools projected enrolment numbers for next year. We are projected to have 642 students, down a bit from our current number. We have also been allocated 34.5 staff members. Over the next few weeks, our staff committee and staff will be working on a school organizational model to be approved by our superintendent. I will speak more to this at the Parent Council meeting on Monday. 

At our staff meeting, we had the pleasure of watching the film "How Difficult Can this Be?". The film depicts a staff completing a variety of exercises that a teacher would typically ask students to complete in class. But, the speaker presented the activities to the staff in a way that simulated what it would be like to be a student with a learning disability. It was a great reminder to all of us in the room that all of our students learn differently and we have to be so mindful of our practices when working with students who do have a learning disability. 

Last week, our Mental Health Committee, consisting of Ms. Dacyshyn, Mrs. Militano, Mrs. Taylor, Mr. Ellerker and myself had the opportunity to create an action plan to compliment our Board's Mental Health Strategy. As many of you know, all school must now have a Mental Health Committee and plan in place to help address students' mental health issues. Today, Ms. Dacyshyn and myself attended a Family of Schools meeting to help create a plan for the area of schools under the superintendent's direction. 

We will continue to share our plans at future Parent Council Meetings, but generally we will continue to focus on fostering a healthy well-being in our students; increase an awareness of mental health issues to the students, staff and the community and finally empower students by giving them a "voice". 

Hope to see you at our Parent Council on Monday night. The focus will be on "Springfest". If you would like to get involved, please meet in the library. 

Have a terrific weekend. 

March-Honesty 

31st-Parent Council @ 7:00 p.m.; Grade 3 and 6 EQAO Parent Information Night @ 6:00 p.m.; New JK Parent Information Night @ 6:15 p.m.

April-Co-operation

1st-Scientist in the School-Mrs. Burn's Class; Grade 5 Badminton Tournament  
2nd-Walking Wednesday 

3rd- Sr Coed Volleyball Tournament 
4th-LKS Social at the Old Mill 
8th-Grade 6 Badminton Tournament 
9th-Grade 5s to ROM; Walking Wednesday 
10th-Film Festival Evening Gala (for filmmakers, friends and family); Grade 8 Badminton Tournament  

16th-Earth Ranger's Presentation; Walking Wednesday  

18th-Good Friday and Easter Monday 
22nd-Earth Day-Wear Green 

23rd-Grade 8 Grad Photo Retake; Walking Wednesday; Yard/Shale Pit Clean Up 

24th-1-8 Sharing Assembly
25th-LKS Earth Hour @ 2:00 p.m. 

25th-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Pizza Day
30th-Walking Wednesday 

May-Integrity

5th-Humber College Jazz Presentation-Grade 4-8 
6th-First Track Meet @ Centennial 
19th-Victoria Day

26th-Grade 3 & 6 EQAO Begins
28th-Conference Final Track Meet 

29th-1-8 Sharing Assembly; 

30th-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Pizza Day

June-Perseverance

6th-PA Day

10th-City Finals Track 
12th-Grade One and Combined 1/2 to Zoo 

13th-Grade 8 Graduation 
16th-Grade 8 Quebec 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)

Friday, March 21, 2014

Welcome back to school. I hope everyone had a great March Break. We are so looking forward to the ice melting and the warm weather returning soon. 

This week, we met with members of the Parent Council Executive to create the agenda for the next Parent Council Meeting. The meeting will be held on March 31st at 7:00 in the library and the topic will focus on "Springfest". We'd like to invite everyone to the meeting, especially the new parents who would be willing to volunteer at the event. Springfest is a long standing tradition at LKS and it requires a significant amount of volunteers to be successful. If you aren't sure how you could help, but would like to be involved, please come to the meeting. Babysitting is provided. 

Over the next couple of Parent Council Meetings, we will be discussing projects to consider for fundraising. As you may already know, the majority of our funds raised through the Parent Council initiatives like Pizza Lunch, Dinner Dance/Socials and of course Springfest, fund resources for the classrooms, like the Smart Boards. This year, we are hoping to raise enough funds to purchase the remaining Smart Boards required to outfit each classroom. For this reason, I really want to thank you for your fundraising efforts. We are truly appreciative. 

As mentioned in a previous message, an area of focus for the Board and the school will be in the area of "STEM" (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Recently, we've been given a great opportunity that reflects this focus.  One of our parents has been so kind to introduce us to a company that will be providing us with staff  training using on-line "gaming" software.  Mr. Kuru, Mr. Littlejohn and Mr. Ross will be receiving training on video gaming software in order for them to host a club for the students. This year, we will start with a small intermediate group and then expand the opportunity next year. We wanted to jump at the chance because it increases our skills in the area of technology; a focus for our school. 

I hope you have a great weekend. 

March-Honesty 

26th-Grade 8 Graduation Photos; Walking Wednesday  

27th-1-8 Sharing Assembly;

28th-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Pizza Day
31st-Parent Council @ 7:00 p.m.; Grade 3 and 6 EQAO Parent Information Night; New JK Parent Information Night @ 6:15 p.m.

April-Co-operation

1st-Scientist in the School-Mrs. Burn's Class; Grade 5 Badminton Tournament  
2nd-Walking Wednesday 

3rd- School Film Festival
4th-LKS Social at the Old Mill 
8th-Grade 6 Badminton Tournament 
9th-Grade 5s to ROM; Walking Wednesday 
10th-Film Festival Evening Gala (for filmmakers, friends and family); Grade 8 Badminton Tournament  

16th-Earth Ranger's Presentation; Walking Wednesday  

18th-Good Friday and Easter Monday 
22nd-Earth Day 

23rd-Grade 8 Grad Photo Retake; Walking Wednesday  

24th-1-8 Sharing Assembly

25th-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Pizza Day
30th-Walking Wednesday 

May-Integrity

19th-Victoria Day

26th-Grade 3 & 6 EQAO Begins

29th-1-8 Sharing Assembly; 

30th-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Pizza Day

June-Perseverance

6th-PA Day

13th-Grade 8 Graduation 
16th-Grade 8 Quebec 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)

York Baseball

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