March Break

There is a Parent Conference on April 1st. Please visit ParentsAsPartners.ca if you are interested in attending. 

Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation will be undertaking a controlled burn in Lambton Park in early Spring 2017. You can read more at www.toronto.ca/trees. 

I hope everyone has a great March Break! 

March 2017
13-17-March Break
20-Grade 6-8 Girls Matter Club at lunch 
23-Girls' Hockey Tournament 
24-Theatre Arts club (Mr. Blais) performs for some classes 
27-Parent Council at 7:00 in the library/New Kindergarten Parent Meeting in lunchroom at 6:15; Grade 3 and 6 EQAO Parent Information Night 
30-LKS Monthly Well-Being Activity 
31-Kindergarten Sharing Assembly

April 2017
6-Birds of Prey Assembly (funded by Parent Council); Grade 3 to Crawford Lake
10-Dufflebag Theatre present Little Red Riding Hood (funded by Parent Council) 
12-International Day of Pink-Wear Pink support our positive, inclusive school 
14-17 Good Friday/Easter Monday
20-Inquiry Fair-Parent Night 

22-Earth Day
24-Grade 1-4 to TSO-thanks Ms. Barry 
27-Kindergarten Sharing Assembly; Wellness Activity 
28-Grade 6-8 House Event 

May 2017
1-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly
8-12-Children’s Mental Health Week
12-Grade 4-8 Author Visit 
19-Forest of Reading Lunch; Whole School Author visit 

22-Victoria Day
23-Book Fair until the 26th
25-Bike Safety Presentation from Officer Rich
26-Pizza Lunch; Kindergarten Sharing Assembly
29-Parent Council at 7:00 in the library 

June 2017
3-Springfest 
8-2C and 1D to Outdoor Ed Centre 
9-PA Day
16-Grade 8 Graduation 
23-Kindergarten Sharing Assembly 
29-Last Day for Students; Pizza Lunch-Lunch on the Lawn 

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Well, we got through the day without any rain-so far. As an elementary principal, weather can play a major impact on our day, so I'm thankful! 

A big thank you to our Huddle Up committee, along with Ms. Dacyshyn, Mr. Iceton, Mrs. Shklar and Ms. Chandra. The committee worked with the Toronto Argos to help promote a positive environment and teamwork in the school. It provided a great leadership opportunity for the kids. A big thank you to Mr. Copeland, an LKS parent and President and CEO of the Toronto Argonauts, who gave us this enriching experience. 

I also wanted to let you know that the Board has approved our Turf Project. Last year, we completed a proposal to remove the portable and lay turf in the existing "lake". If you've been at the school for any length of time, you know that the grass never grows in that area and it ends up useless space that often floods during the year. 

So far, our steering committee consists of myself, Mrs. Needham (Parent Council Co-Chair), Mrs. Collings (Parent Council Co-Chair) and Claire Cunningham (Grade 8 Student). The project has to be covered by donations with no expense to TDSB.  Hence, we are in need of a fundraising committee to join us. We will gather some donations over the next year through local fundraising, but we will need to have corporate sponsors. 

The initial cost, approximately $5000, has been covered through Parent Council funds. This will pay for the topographic survey and Landscape Architect. Once the designs are finalized, we will have a clear understanding of the overall cost of the project and amount we need to raise. 

We are seeking community members who would be willing to be on the Fundraising Committee. We will need input on the actual fundraising plan, timelines, letters, contacts etc. If you think you could contribute to this very important campaign, can you please email me at kelly.caddel@tdsb.on.ca. We are hoping to have our fundraising committee in place and initial plan formed by end of school year. We would appreciate all assistance.


March 2017 
6-Hockey Playoffs
7-Grade 6-8 Girls Matter Club at lunch 
10-Grade 8 Grad re-takes 
13-17-March Break
23-Girls Hockey Tournament
24 and 25-Theatre Arts Club under the direction of Mr. Blais, perform for parents and classes 
27- Parent Council at 7:00 p.m. in the library 
31-Kindergarten Sharing Assembly; Grade 6-8 House Event; Pizza Lunch 

April 2017
6-Birds of Prey Assembly (funded by Parent Council); Grade 3 to Crawford Lake 
10-Duffle Bag Theatre-Kindergarten to 8 (funded by Parent Council) 
12-International Day of Pink 
14-17 Good Friday/Easter Monday
20-LKS Inquiry Fair (book the night off to see your child's projects) 

22-Earth Day

May 2017
8-12-Children’s Mental Health Week

22-Victoria Day

June 2017
9-PA Day

Contest Winners!

Congratulations to our grade 7 and 8 students who participated in the 2016 Maple Leaf/Swansea Legion Branch #266/46 Remembrance Day Poster and Literary Contest. The following students were award winners: John (Colour Poster), Daria (Black and White), Abby, Daria and Linda (Poetry), Ella and Emma (Essay) and Daria, Callum and Declan (Speeches).

Thursday, February 23, 2017

This week,  I attended a meeting that was focused on a very important TDSB special education initiative. Within the Board, students are offered different levels of support to achieve their learning goals. One such support is called the Home School Program. Usually students in the program are significantly lower than grade level in English and Math. Support is usually offered up to 50% of the day. This looks very different across the schools; namely the students are totally segregated into a classroom for language and math or integrated into a regular program with a special education teacher supporting in the classroom. 

Currently, the research is showing that students who are totally segregated are following behind their peers academically and socially, at the elementary and secondary level. Thus, the Board is engaging stakeholders in dialogue around remodeling the support and structures. 

We too offer a variety of supports to our students at LKS mostly through an integrative approach. That means that homeroom teachers provide the accommodations and modifications to the students' programs and the special education teachers provide additional support. Each year, we revamp student timetables based on the number of special education teachers and the needs of the students to best support learning. 

In addition to our two special education teachers, we also have one full-time special education assistant and one education assistant to support students across the whole school. We will be receiving our 2017-2018 staffing allocation in this area over the next two months and then make timetables accordingly. 

We also got our projected enrollment numbers for next year; namely 599. Down a bit from this year's actual enrollment of 621. We are also closed for Optional Attendance. This means that you must reside in our catchment area to attend the school. 

If you are moving out of the area and will not be with us in September, please tell the office and homeroom teacher as soon as possible as it will affect our planning. 

Thanks very much for your support. Have a great weekend. 

February 2017 
27-Ms. Younger and Ms. Olson to Outdoor Ed; Parent Council Meeting at 7:00 in the library 

March 2017
1-Toronto Argos Huddle Up Assembly 
2-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly 
3-Grade 6-8 Ski Trip 
6-Hockey Playoffs
7-Grade 6-8 Girls Matter Club at lunch 
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

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

As you know, our school improvement plan has focused on technology, and staff are beginning to learn about and teach coding throughout the grades. I came across this article stressing the importance of STEM now and even more so in the future. Enjoy the read!

http://careers.workopolis.com/advice/10-high-paying-jobs-will-survive-robot-invasion/


Just a reminder that Friday, February 17 is a Professional Activity Day as parent/teacher interviews continue.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Family Day and we will see you on the 21st.

23-Whole School Well Being Activity 
24- Grade 6-8 House Assembly; Pizza Lunch; Kindergarten Sharing Assembly 
27-Ms. Younger and Ms. Olson to Outdoor Ed; Parent Council Meeting at 7:00 
28-Kindie Sharing Assembly 

March 2017
1-Toronto Argos Huddle Up Assembly 
2-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly 
3-Grade 6-8 Ski Trip 
6-Hockey Playoffs
7-Grade 6-8 Girls Matter Club at lunch 
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 9, 2017

What a great week at LKS. We registered many new kindergarten families on Tuesday and Wednesday. Thanks to the office and kindergarten staff and parents who welcomed all of our new students.

We also hosted a volleyball tournament, attended a basketball tournament and hockey games, and hosted two presenters-Shaun Booth and Chris Mckhool. Both presentations were funded through Parent Council. Thanks to all of our current coaches: Mr. Bracht, Ms. Sunde, Mr. Ross, Mr. Iceton, Mr. Littlejohn, Mr. Ellerker, Mr. Harrison and Mr. Lynde.

Many of our teachers have begun new units of study this week. Below are a variety of posters showing the "I Wonder" questions and thoughts the classes have generated. This stage in the inquiry process is so important as the student's thinking is activated and engaged in the topic of study.

A few other pics are included of busy days!

I thought the article in the link was very interesting and something that educators and policy makers sshould be considering for future programming-  http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/men-boys-falling-behind-1.3962316

Bob, our crossing guard, will be off for a bit. We should be getting a replacement for Bob provided by Police Services. They are responsible for staffing the city guards.

Have a great weekend everyone. We hope everyone has a great time celebrating Valentine's Day and 100 Days of school next week!

Gr 2 Skating at Mastercard

Gr 3 Coding 

 Wonder Wall 

Wonder Wall 

Science Fair 

February 2017 

13-Boys Hockey Game; Report Cards sent home 
14-Happy Valentine's Day; Grade 8 Grad Photos 
15-Boys Hockey Game 
16-Eric Walters visits grade 4-8; Grade 4/5 Science Presentation; Gr 1-8 Hot Chocolate at lunch $2); Jr Boys' Basketball Tourney 
17-PA Day; 

20-Family Day

22-Pink Shirt Day
23-Whole School Well Being Activity 
24- Grade 6-8 House Assembly; Pizza Lunch 
27-Ms. Younger and Ms. Olson to Outdoor Ed; Parent Council Meeting at 7:00 
28-Kindie Sharing Assembly 

March 2017
1-Toronto Argos Huddle Up Assembly 
2-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly 
3-Grade 6-8 Ski Trip 
6-Hockey Playoffs
7-Grade 6-8 Girls Matter Club at lunch 
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, Feb 2, 2017

Thanks to all the parents and students who attended the Grade 6-8 Science Fair on Wednesday night. We'd like to congratulate all the students who completed a project; it was evident that a good amount of effort and talent went into the planning and execution of the projects.

A special congratulations who moved to the final judging this week under the direction of Mr. Iceton and Mrs. Norton; Matthew W, Torrin C, Paige T, Harry D, Spencer McKee, Victoria C, Charolette R, Charlotte B, Sophie Y, Luca Calabretta, Omar b, Abbie K, Claire T, Mia Kramer, Nolan P, Ewan M, Spencer G, Simon G, Aviara A, Lexi G, Abby M, Samuel A, Ethan H, Hayden C, Ryan M, Mason C-G, Sydney A, Sebastian D, Victoria M, Brook T, Grace B, Tessa R, Oliver B, Clare T and Aliya H.
Sydney, Paige and Abby were acknowledged as having the top projects in the grade. Most projects will be moving forward to the Toronto Science Fair.

Thanks to everyone who attended the Parent Council meeting on Monday night. It looks like Springfest planning is well underway for our June 3rd event. We are looking forward to our QSP fundraising campaign over the next two weeks. My freezer will be full of cookie dough!

A big thank you to Mr. Ellerker, a grade 7 teacher at LKS, who presented on the TDSB and LKS Mental Wellness initiatives.  Parent Council is planning another parent night sometime in May that will focus in this area. Details will follow.

This is just a quick reminder that Heelys are not allowed in the school or outside for safety reasons. Students should be wearing appropriate footwear when coming to school. Thank you in this area.

February 2017 

6-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly; Grade 6-8 Girls Club at lunch 
7-Grade 6 Mad Science;Kindergarten Registration; Boys Hockey Game; Grade 2 Skating; Sr Girls' Vball at LKS 
8-Boys Hockey Game; Grade 4-8 -Shaun Booth visits; Kindergarten Registration; Parent/Teacher On-line Interview System closes 
10-Chris Mckhool presentation-K-3
13-Boys Hockey Game; Report Cards sent home 
14-Happy Valentine's Day 
15-Boys Hockey Game 
16-Eric Walters visits grade 4-8; Grade 4/5Science Presentation 
17-PA Day; 

20-Family Day

22-Pink Shirt Day
24- Grade 6-8 House Assembly; Pizza Lunch 
27-Ms. Younger and Ms. Olson to Outdoor Ed; Parent Council Meeting at 7 

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