As the school year comes to a close, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who volunteer at the school. Your support is appreciated on so many levels. Your commitment truly makes a positive impact on the students' well-being, and I cannot thank you enough for your care.

I'd also like to thank all the members of our Parent Council, including those who headed up our committees this year: Rebecca Saha, Kim DeLonghi, Natascha Barrett, Milena Forte, Jill Tyndall, Jane Taylor, Joan Dawson, Jody Greifenberger, Allison Brady, Margarita Teiti, Freya Painting and Nancy Pitts. I thank you for your leadership and thoughtfulness.

Our monthly Parent Council meetings would not have happened if it weren't for the following Executive members: Nicole Wengle, Kristi Karens, Corry Haslam and Karen Miller. I know that you spend many hours a month helping support the community, so on behalf of our staff, students and parents, I thank you.

I am looking forward to seeing many of you over the next couple of weeks, either at our concerts or Grade 8 Graduation. Hopefully, our air conditioning is up and running at the beginning of the week!

Have a great weekend.


June

3rd-Frisbee Conference Finals
4th-Middle School Concert @ 6:30 p.m.; Jr Girls' Soccer
5th-Primary Concert @ 5:30 p.m.; Sr Boys'/Girls' Soccer
6th-4A Car Wash; Student Council Talent Show
7th-PA Day
10th-Frisbee City Finals
11th-City Track Meet; Grade 3 classes visit Kortright
14th-Grade 8 Graduation
17th-21st-Grade 8 Quebec Trip; Kindie Sharing Assembly (17th)
18th-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly
24th-Volunteer Breakfast; Mrs. Raymond's SK Graduation
26th-Report Cards Go Home; Mrs. Tyndall's SK Graduation
27th-Lunch on the Lawn (Pizza Day); Year End Assembly; Last day for students

September-Respect
3rd-School Begins and Kindergarten Open House
6th-All kindergartens present
9th-Terry Fox Kick Off Assembly
10th-Curriculum Night
11th-Student Safety Assemblies
13th-Cyber Busters Performance
26th-Terry Fox Walk (27th Rain Date)

October-Responsibility
11th-PA Day
14th-Thanksgiving
15th-IEPs sent home
31st-Hallowe'en Parade

November-Empathy
11th-Remembrance Day Assemblies; Report Cards Go Home
15th-PA/Interview Day

December-Kindness and Caring
20th-Holidays Begin

January-Teamwork
24th-PA Day

February-Fairness

March-Honesty
7th-PA Day
10th-14th-March Break

April-Co-operation

May-Integrity
19th-Victoria Day
26th-EQAO Begins

June-Perseverance
6th-PA Day
23rd-Report Cards Sent Home
27th-Last Day for Students; Lunch on the Lawn

Friday, May 17, 2013

Just to let you know that there have been a couple of robberies in the neighbourhood lately and unfortunately one of our older students was approached by a man on her way to lunch. Police Officers from 22 Division investigated. 22 Division has been a wonderful support to our school, especially our community officer, PC Rich. Just a reminder to visit our website for additional street proofing tips that you can use to discuss at home.

At the end of each year, we begin looking at our student achievement data. We are so proud of our students' accomplishments. The first term report card data shows the wonderful accomplishments of our students. The following is a short summary of the percentage of students, in all grades, achieving a Level 3 and 4 in the following subjects (the second score reflects TDSB results): Reading (87/68), Writing (84/62), Oral Communication (95/77), Media Literacy (97/79), Number Sense (89/72), Measurement (91/72), Geometry (92/75), Patterning (89/73) and Data Management (89/74).

I hope you have a wonderful long weekend.

MAY

20th-Victoria Day
21st-24th-Book Fair
22nd- Dental Screening; Jr Girls Soccer Tourney; Grade 6-8 Cricket; Dental Screening until the 31st
23rd-Senior Frisbee
24th-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly; Track and Field @ Centennial
27th-Parent Council @ 7:30-Library
28th-Grade 3 and 6 EQAO begins; Kindie Sharing Assembly
29th-Grade One to Harbourfront
31-Pizza Day

JUNE
3rd-Frisbee Conference Finals
4th-Middle School Concert @ 6:30 p.m.
5th-Primary Concert @ 5:30 p.m.
6th-4A Car Wash; Student Council Talent Show
7th-PA Day
10th-Frisbee City Finals
11th-City Track Meet
14th-Grade 8 Graduation
17th-21st-Grade 8 Quebec Trip
18th-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly
26th-Report Cards Go Home
27th-Lunch on the Lawn (Pizza Day); Year End Assembly; Last day for students

Streetproofing Tips

Just to let you know that there have been some suspicious incidents in the surrounding neighbourhoods, including some robberies. You may want to have some discussions at home if you have an older child regarding street proofing tips. We have some tips on our website under the "Health and Safety" section. We will also have some discussions with the older students.

Week End-Friday, May 10, 2013

I'd like to thank all of you for attending Springfest last Saturday. It turned out to be the perfect "Springfest" weather. I really want to thank all the parents who volunteered that day or on a planning committee. It takes a lot of people to host such a big event. A special thanks to Mrs. Needham (and her husband) for volunteering to be Chair this year. Once again, we appreciate your efforts and leadership!

I'd also like to thank Parent Council for funding our Aussie Rules workshops for our grade 4-8 students and also to Mr. Bracht for organizing the event. The students were blessed with great weather this week. It was an amazing experience as the kids had the opportunity to learn a new game.

This week, Mr. Lanis, myself and lots of parents and grandparents had the pleasure of attending  Mrs. Zappi's "Poetry Cafe". Each student memorized a poem and recited it in front of the audience and then coupled with another student to recite another poem. I am so proud of their accomplishments. Poetry is an art form the children explore in language classes and it is evident they spent a lot of time learning their poems! Congratulations kids!

Aussie Football Rules!

Forest of Reading Breakfast!

Grade 4 Poetry Cafe

MAY
13th: Jr Boys Soccer @ Swansea
16th-Grade Two to AGO; Jr Frisbee @ Parklawn
17th-Forest of Reading Lunch
20th-Victoria Day
21st-24th-Book Fair
22nd-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Dental Screening; Jr Girls Soccer Tourney; Grade 6-8 Cricket
24th-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly; Track and Field @ Centennial
27th-Parent Council @ 7:30-Library
28th-Grade 3 and 6 EQAO begins
29th-Grade One to Harbourfront
31-Pizza Day

JUNE
3rd-Frisbee Conference Finals
4th-Middle School Concert @ 6:30 p.m.
5th-Primary Concert @ 5:30 p.m.
7th-PA Day
10th-City Conference Finals; Frisbee City Finals
11th-City Track Meet
14th-Grade 8 Graduation
17th-21st-Grade 8 Quebec Trip
18th-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly
26th-Report Cards Go Home
27th-Lunch on the Lawn (Pizza Day); Year End Assembly; Last day for students

I'd like to thank Mr. Littlejohn and Mr. Ross for coaching all the badminton teams over the last two weeks. A big congratulations to all of the students who participated in the tournaments. You did such a great job on the court. A special thanks to the grade 5 teams as they brought home another first place banner for the gym!

I'd also like to thank Mr. Bracht and Mrs. Shklar for organizing the track and field this year. In addition, a special thanks to Ms. Sunde, Mrs. Wilson, Mr. Blais, Mrs. Younger, Mr. Ross, Mrs. Raymond, Mrs. Chandra, Mr. Littlejohn and Mrs. Hall for running morning practices. It takes a lot of staff to run all of the events at LKS!

Yesterday, Ms. Dacyshyn, Ms. Young and myself attended a conference on "Youth Suicidal Behaviour and Schools". We had the privilege of listening to Dr. David Miller, Associate Professor of School Psychology, at the University of Albany on current best practices in prevention, intervention, an postvention. Unfortunately, statistics show an increase in the rate of youth suicide at both the high school and middle school level and Boards of Education, including TDSB, are beginning to address these very important issues under their Mental Health Strategy.

Finally, thank you to all of our parents who pitched in to organize Springfest this year, and to our sponsors and contributors to the event. We can't wait until tomorrow!

MAY
6th-Artist Visit to Mrs. Tyndall; Grade 4-8 Aussie Football

7th-Artist Visit to Mrs. Iafrate; Grade 4-8 Aussie Football; Track @ Centennial
8th-Grade 6 Band recording Provincial entry; Grade 4-8 Aussie Football
9th-Artist Visit to Mrs. Mendrinos
10th-K-2 Storyteller
13th-Parent Council Meeting; Jr Boys Soccer @ Swansea
16th-Grade Two to AGO; Jr Frisbee @ Parklawn
17th-Forest of Reading Lunch
20th-Victoria Day
21st-24th-Book Fair
22nd-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Dental Screening; Jr Girls Soccer Tourney; Grade 6-8 Cricket
24th-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly; Track and Field @ Centennial
28th-Grade 3 and 6 EQAO begins
29th-Grade One to Harbourfront
31-Pizza Day

JUNE
3rd-Frisbee Conference Finals
4th-Middle School Concert @ 6:30 p.m.
5th-Primary Concert @ 5:30 p.m.
7th-PA Day
10th-City Conference Finals; Frisbee City Finals
11th-City Track Meet
14th-Grade 8 Graduation
17th-21st-Grade 8 Quebec Trip
18th-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly
26th-Report Cards Go Home
27th-Lunch on the Lawn (Pizza Day); Year End Assembly; Last day for students

Week End-Friday, April 26, 2013

I'd like to congratulate our Seeds of Hope Club for organizing our school-wide penny drive last week. The school donated enough pennies to provide clean water for 37 families in Africa. We are very proud of the students who belong to the Club and we thank them for their initiative!

In addition, I'd also like to say how proud I am of the entire student body as they all pitched in to clean the shale pit and school yard during our Spring Clean Up last Friday. Let's make sure we keep it up!

THANKS MRS. I'S KINDERGARTEN CLASS!

MRS. CALIGIURI'S CLASS CLEANING THE SHALE PIT!

SEEDS OF HOPE CLUB!

I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs. DeLongi, Mrs. Barrett, Mrs. Moorhead, Mrs. Doyle, Mrs. Poole and Mrs. Hodgson for organizing our LKS Parent Social last Friday night at Earth. It was wonderful seeing everyone enjoying themselves. Also, on behalf of the staff, I'd like to thank the community for donating to the silent auction as those funds help fund more resources for the school.

At our staff meeting, staff had the opportunity to discuss the article, "Rigor". The article states that students will have to possess the following skills for the 21st century: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Collaboration and Leadership, Agility and Adaptability, Initiative and Entrepreneurialism, Effective Oral and Written Communication, Accessing and Analyzing Information and Curiosity and Imagination. As a staff we reflected upon our practices and how we are preparing our own students in each of these areas. Next time we meet, staff will be sharing an artifact that demonstrates how they are teaching these very important learning skills. 

Have a great weekend everyone.

APRIL

29th- Grade 5 Badminton @ LKS
30th-Grade 6 Badminton @ LKS

MAY

1st-Badminton Conference Finals @ LKS

4th-Springfest

6th-Artist Visit to Mrs. Tyndall; Grade 4-8 Aussie Football 

7th-Artist Visit to Mrs. Iafrate; Grade 4-8 Aussie Football; Track @ Centennial

8th-Grade 6 Band recording Provincial entry; Grade 4-8 Aussie Football  

9th-Artist Visit to Mrs. Mendrinos

10th-K-2 Storyteller

13th-Parent Council Meeting; Jr Boys Soccer @ Swansea

16th-Grade Two to AGO; Jr Frisbee @ Parklawn

17th-Forest of Reading Lunch

20th-Victoria Day

21st-24th-Book Fair

22nd-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Dental Screening; Jr Girls Soccer Tourney; Grade 6-8 Cricket   

24th-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly; Track and Field @ Centennial

28th-Grade 3 and 6 EQAO begins

29th-Grade One to Harbourfront

31-Pizza Day

JUNE

3rd-Frisbee Conference Finals

4th-Middle School Concert @ 6:30 p.m.
5th-Primary Concert @ 5:30 p.m.

7th-PA Day

10th-City Conference Finals; Frisbee City Finals

11th-City Track Meet

14th-Grade 8 Graduation

17th-21st-Grade 8 Quebec Trip

18th-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly

26th-Report Cards Go Home

27th-Lunch on the Lawn (Pizza Day); Year End Assembly; Last day for students

Week End - April 19, 2013

I'd like to thank Mr. Kuru and Mr. Littlejohn for coaching our Cricket Team. Last year, the team entered the Mayor's School Cricket Tournament and placed 2nd. Recently, they were invited to a ceremony at City Hall and the Board office to be honoured.  This year, we will be attending the tournament and hopefully move forward to the newly formed GTA league. Congratulations everyone!

Celebrating at City Hall!

Mr. Littlejohn, Mr. Kuru, Matthew and Kieran at Board Office

Currently, our staffing committee is busy planning for September 2013. Our enrolment has dropped to 655 students decreasing our staff numbers to 34 teachers. As a result, we will be declaring 4 teachers surplus. Our support staff numbers remain the same with two staff in the office, one special education assistant, 4 lunchroom supervisors and one vice-principal. We will receive our special needs assistant numbers closer to June.

Next year, our model consists of the following homerooms:

Kindergarten-6 half-day classes

Grade One-3 straights

Grade One/Two-2 splits

Grade Two-1 straight

Grade Two/Three-2 splits

Grade Three-3 straights

Grade 4-2 straights

Grade 5-3 straights

Grade 6, 7 and 8 classes- 2 straights at each grade

As many of you know, we may have to re-organize in September if our enrollment significantly increases or decreases.

Just a quick reminder that if your child will not be here in September, to please inform your class teacher and the office. Soon we will begin class placements. As in previous years, staff work together in teams to place the students in classes for the following September. Gender, academic achievement, social needs, and ministry caps are among the list of things that we consider when placing children. The goal of student placements is to have 'balanced' classes.

As most of you know, we do not take 'teacher' requests from parents and we ask that you honour this part of the process. By the end of the year, teachers have a good understanding of their students and place the children accordingly. In most cases, staffing hasn't fully been completed until the end of the year, and as most of you know, changes happen all the way into September. We thank you in advance.

On Wednesday, we will Administrative Professionals Day honouring Mrs. Stefanowicz and Mrs. Shakespeare. I'd like to thank them for loving the kids at LKS and making everyone feel special.

Please see our Notice section on the website for information regarding synthetic marijuana passed along to us by Toronto Police. 

APRIL

23rd- Grade 3 to Black Creek

24th-Grad Re-Photo; Grade 8 Badminton

25th-Kindergarten Sharing Assemblies; Artist in Room 159; Forest of Reading Voting Breakfast

26th-Pizza Day; Grade 5 to ROM; Middle School Dance

29th-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assemblies; Grade 5 Badminton @ LKS

MAY

1st-Badminton Conference Finals @ LKS

4th-Springfest

6th-Artist Visit to Mrs. Tyndall; Grade 4-8 Aussie Football 

7th-Artist Visit to Mrs. Iafrate; Grade 4-8 Aussie Football; Track @ Centennial

8th-Grade 6 Band recording Provincial entry; Grade 4-8 Aussie Football  

9th-Artist Visit to Mrs. Mendrinos

10th-K-2 Storyteller

13th-Parent Council Meeting; Jr Boys Soccer @ Swansea

16th-Grade Two to AGO

17th-Forest of Reading Lunch

20th-Victoria Day

21st-24th-Book Fair

22nd-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Dental Screening; Jr Girls Soccer Tourney; Grade 6-8 Cricket   

24th-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly; Track @ Centennial

28th-Grade 3 and 6 EQAO begins

29th-Grade One to Harbourfront

31-Pizza Day

JUNE

3rd-Frisbee Conference Finals

4th-Middle School Concert @ 6:30 p.m.

7th-PA Day

10th-City Conference Finals

11th-City Track Meet

14th-Grade 8 Graduation

17th-21st-Grade 8 Quebec Trip

18th-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly

26th-Report Cards Go Home

27th-Lunch on the Lawn (Pizza Day); Year End Assembly; Last day for students