Thursday, January 29, 2015

As you may know, one focus for the TDSB is in the area of STEM (Science, Technology, Mathematics and Engineering). At LKS, we have a few initiatives on the go to support the Board's focus. We just finished our Grade 6-8 Science Fair and some of our middle school students will be invited to compete in a math contest soon. 

In the future, Mr. Kuru, Mr. Ross and Mr. Littlejohn will begin the Gaming Club again. We began the club last year with great success. Junior and Intermediate students learn how to create their own video games in the club. In both the Gaming and Robotics Clubs, the students are learning the beginning stages of programming. 

Recent research has shown the importance of learning how to code at a young age. Today, at our staff meeting, staff learned about a program called Scratch Junior that teaches youngsters how to code. You can also access the free app for your IPAD at home. It's a great learning tool that I encourage you to try. 

Just a reminder that access to the on-line interview system will open today at 4:00 p.m. You need to get the code from the weekly parent bulletin. 

I hope everyone has a great weekend. It looks like we are going to get some snow. Remember to keep an eye on the TDSB for any school cancellations in the future. 

February 2015

2-Sr Hockey Game 
3-Grade 7 and 8 Skating Trip
5-Parent On-Line Booking Closed; Grade 4-8 Movie from 3:30-6:00 

9-Report Cards Go Home

10-Kindergarten Registration; Sr Girl's VBall at Bell
11-Kindergarten Registration; Jr/Sr Hockey game; Middle School Dance  

13-PA Day; Optional Attendance Deadline 

16-Family Day

19-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Sr Girl's Vball at English 

20-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly

23-Parent Council meeting @ 7:00 p.m.
24-Grade 6-8 Ski Trip 
25th-K-3 Assembly; Grade 8 and Grade 7 Strings at Kiwanis 
27th-Pizza Lunch; Grade 6 Band at Kiwanis 

March 2015

2-Ms. Kimm at Outdoor Ed
6th-Grade 6 Band at Kiwanis 
16-20-March Break

24-Kindie Sharing Assembly
26th-Grade 8 Graduation Photos; Huddle Up at lunch 

27-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly

30-Parent Council meeting @ 7:00 p.m.; Huddle Up at lunch 

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, January 22, 2015

I'd like to thank everyone who came to our grade 6-8 Science Fair Open House on Monday night. It was a terrific turnout and we really appreciate the student support. A big congratulations goes to the finalists who will be moving on to the Toronto Science Fair: Callum and Sam (grade 8), Charlie and Brendan (grade 7) and Nolan and Nicklaus (grade 6). 

As you may know, the roof replacement began this week. At times it's been a bit noisy for the upper classes, but overall the crew is working hard to get the job done. We do have additional spaces for teachers to bring the classes to if the noise is an obstacle. The roof should take about a month depending on the weather. 

Grade 1-3 House league finishes next week. A big thank you to Nick, Dawson, Damon and Douglas, our grade 6 helpers. 

Please remember that Friday is a PA day and there is no school. Teachers will be working on final evaluations and report writing. 

January 2015
27-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly; Sr and Jr Hockey games; Sr Boys BB vs Deer Park; Ms. Taylor and Mr. Littlejohn skating; Grade 1 House league

28-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Seeds of Hope Field Trip to Daily Food Bank; Grade 2 Houseleague  

29-Parent On-Line Interview Bookings Open-Grade 3 House league 
30th-Pizza Lunch; Jr Girl's Vball at James S. Bell

February 2015

3-Grade 7 and 8 Skating Trip
5-Parent On-Line Booking Closed; Grade 4-8 Movie from 3:30-6:00 

9-Report Cards Go Home

10-Kindergarten Registration; Sr Girl's VBall at Bell
11-Kindergarten Registration; Jr/Sr Hockey game 
12-Middle School Dance 

13-PA Day; Optional Attendance Deadline 

16-Family Day

19-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Sr Girl's Vball at English 

20-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly

23-Parent Council meeting @ 7:00 p.m.
24-Grade 6-8 Ski Trip 
25th-K-3 Assembly; Grade 8 and Grade 7 Strings at Kiwanis 
27th-Pizza Lunch; Grade 6 Band at Kiwanis 

March 2015

2-Ms. Kimm at Outdoor Ed
6th-Grade 6 Band at Kiwanis 
16-20-March Break

24-Kindie Sharing Assembly
26th-Grade 8 Graduation Photos; Huddle Up at lunch 

27-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly

30-Parent Council meeting @ 7:00 p.m.; Huddle Up at lunch 

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

Friday, January 16, 2015

Ms. Chandra and I had the pleasure of listening to and evaluating all of the grade 6-8 science projects this week. We were so impressed by the quality of the work and effort the kids put into their projects and they should be congratulated on their accomplishments. 

Experiments ranged from finding the ideal conditions for optimal plant growth, exploring factors that affect memory to building innovations to optimize WiFi speed and sustainable housing.  

Today, the top projects in each grade presented in front of a panel of judges for final evaluations. Awards will be given to the top projects at the open house on Monday night. 

I'd like to thank Mr. Iceton, Ms. Chandra and Mr. Littlejohn for their commitment to this event. 

Just a reminder that report cards will be sent home in a few weeks. Parents can book an interview time, although second term interviews are generally for teachers to meet with parents to discuss concerns about a child's progress. The on-line booking will be available in a couple of weeks. We will put the new code and dates in upcoming bulletins. 

I hope everyone has a great weekend. 

January 2015
19-Parent Council Meeting @ 7:00 p.m; Grade 6-8 Science Fair Open House (5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.) 
20th-Grade 1 Houseleague at lunch; Ms. Sunde and Mr. Ourique skating 
21st-Grade 2 Houseleague at lunch; Grade 3-5 Author visit; Scientist in the School visit Mrs. Heath 
22nd-Grade 3 Houseleague at lunch: Huddle Up Meeting @ lunch; Grade 7 & 8 Author visit; Scientist in the School visit Ms. Najder, Mrs. Gibson, Mrs. Zappi and Ms. Hoffman 

23-PA Day (Teachers will be completing first term final evaluations)

27-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly; Sr and Jr Hockey games; Sr Boys BB vs Deer Park; Ms. Taylor and Mr. Littlejohn skating

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

29-Parent On-Line Interview Bookings Open
30th-Pizza Lunch; Jr Girl's Vball at James S. Bell  

February 2015

3-Grade 7 & 8 Skating 
5-Parent On-Line Booking Closed

9-Report Cards Go Home

10-Kindergarten Registration; Sr Girl's VBall at Bell
11-Kindergarten Registration; Jr/Sr Hockey game 

13-PA Day; Optional Attendance Deadline 

16-Family Day

19-Kindie Sharing Assembly; Sr Girl's Vball at English 

20-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly

23-Parent Council meeting @ 7:00 p.m.
25th-K-3 Assembly; Grade 8 and Grade 7 Strings at Kiwanis 
27th-Pizza Lunch; Grade 6 Band at Kiwanis 

March 2015

2-Ms. Kimm at Outdoor Ed
6th-Grade 6 Band at Kiwanis 
16-20-March Break

24-Kindie Sharing Assembly
26th-Grade 8 Graduation Photos; Huddle Up at lunch 

27-Grade 1-8 Sharing Assembly

30-Parent Council meeting @ 7:00 p.m.; Huddle Up at lunch 

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, January 8, 2015

Welcome back to school everyone! I hope you had a relaxing break with your family and friends. I had a great holiday and am really glad to be back to school. It was a bit chilly for the first week back, but to be expected. The kids went out for most of the week, but we had to stay inside at times. Just so you know, we do follow the TDSB Inclement Weather guidelines (on the web) when deciding indooor/outdoor play. 

It's been a busy week for both the students as they are back to routines and staff as they implement end of term programming and begin planning with their teaching teams for last term. Teachers will begin writing report cards in a few weeks. Report Cards will be going home on February 9. 

Next week, we wish our grade 6-8 students much luck as they will be presenting their science projects in class. All projects will be on display at the end of the week and classes will be visiting the fair. We have an Open House scheduled on the 19th with award presentations for the top projects in each grade. The final projects in the grades will be moving on to the Toronto Science Fair in a couple of months. 

Kindergarten Registration is scheduled for February 10 and 11. Please call the school office at 416-394-7890 for an appointment. 

I hope everyone has a great weekend. 

January 2015

13-Scientist in the School visit Ms. Mandel and Ms. Wilson; Grade 1 House League 
14-Grade 2 House League
15-Grade 3 House League; Dare To Dream Conference(selected grade 8s and Mr. Bracht) 

19-Parent Council Meeting @ 7:00 p.m; Grade 6-8 Science Fair Open House; 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

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