Happy Holidays

I hope everyone has a terrific holiday celebrating and relaxing with  family and friends. 

We will see you back on January 4th! 


Holidays 
Dec 21-Jan 1, 2016-School Holidays 

January 2016
 4-School Begins 
7-Fire Safety Presentations; Scientist visit Mrs. Tyndall 
11-Officer Rich visits grade 1 and 8 
13-Fire Safety Presentations 
18-Primary Sharing Assembly
21-Junior/Intermediate Sharing Assembly
22-PA Day
29-Kindergarten Sharing Assembly 

February 2016
5-Report Cards go home 
9 and 10-Kindergarten Registration 
12-PA Day
15-Family Day 
18-Special Education Annual Reviews 
22-Parent Council 
23-Primary Sharing Assembly
24-Jr and Intermediate Sharing Assembly
26-Kindergarten Sharing Assembly; Pizza Lunch 

March 2016
14-18-March Break 
25-28-Good Friday/Easter Monday 

May 2016
 23-Victoria Day 

June 2016
10-PA Day

29-Last Day for Students 

Thursday, December 10, 2015

A big thank you to Dr. Grant for organizing and hosting our grade 1-4 concert last night. The music was fabulous and the kids were so enthusiastic. Thanks to Mrs. Snowden for decorating the gym. 

Last week, I reviewed our Literacy goals; this week I will continue with our Math and STEM goals. 

Mathematics and Numeracy 2014-2015

-Staff participated in a workshop offered by our Family of Schools Consultant on the Three Part Math Lesson

-Implicit Teaching of Problem­ Solving Strategies

-Implementation of Mad Minute to review basic computational skills

-Differentiated Instruction as all children learn differently

-Sharing of best practices among staff

-Middle Schools students encouraged to compete in math competitions held at school

-Purchased license for IXL and Khan Academy (mostly at middle school level) for use at home

-Implicit teaching of EQAO strategies across the grades

-Math Word Walls visible in the classrooms

STEM (Science, Technology, Mathematics and Engineering) 2014-2015 

-implementation of Grade 6­-8 Science Fair

-implementation of Games Club and Robotics

-IT Committee established to care for and purchase hardware/software and provide PD/support to staff

-hands on experiments must be used in the science program, limiting the use of photocopied booklets

-computer labs scheduled for classes across the grades to develop skills according to LKS curriculum guidelines

-began incorporating inquiry-based projects

 2015-2016 Focus

-math strands evaluated using quizzes, unit tests, bell work, homework, problem of the week, mad minute etc. 

-manipulatives must be used when appropriate

-use less paper tasks when evaluating

-computer programs like IXL and Khan augment the teacher’s program

-use the 3 Part Math Lesson when appropriate

-Scientist in School will augment the teacher’s program

-implementation of Jr First Lego League in Ms. Kim’s class

-purchased IPADS for kindergarten and music classes, and netbooks for mobile carts

Have a great weekend everyone.

Decmeber 2015
14-Primary Sharing Assembly; Grade 1 Houseleague
15-Kindergarten and Grade 4 and 5 Sharing Assembly; Grade 2 Houseleague; Grade 6-8 Middle School Dance; Seeds of Hope at Retirement Home; Author Visit: Ellie MacKay 
17th-K-3 School Bus Safety Presentation; Stonegate Delivery; Grade 6-8 Sharing Assembly   
18-Grade 3 Houseleague; Carol Singing at 9:00 a.m.  
Dec 21-Jan 1, 2016-School Holidays 

January 2016
 4-School Begins 
11-Officer Rich visits grade 1 and 8 
18-Primary Sharing Assembly
21-Junior/Intermediate Sharing Assembly
22-PA Day
29-Kindergarten Sharing Assembly 

February 2016
5-Report Cards go home 
9 and 10-Kindergarten Registration 
12-PA Day
15-Family Day 
18-Special Education Annual Reviews 
22-Parent Council 
23-Primary Sharing Assembly
24-Jr and Intermediate Sharing Assembly
26-Kindergarten Sharing Assembly; Pizza Lunch 

March 2016
14-18-March Break 
25-28-Good Friday/Easter Monday 

May 2016
 23-Victoria Day 

June 2016
10-PA Day

29-Last Day for Students 

Friday, December 4, 2015

This week, staff reviewed our 2014-2015 School Improvement Plan and looked at areas of focus for 2015-2016. Some of our initiatives were delayed due to the Work to Rule and may continue until the local agreement is ratified with TDSB, but staff will continue to focus on working in teams to plan their programs. Over the next few blogs, I'll share our learning with you. In Literacy:

2014-2015 

-Grade ones in need of more support receive Early Literacy Intervention strategies by our resource teachers and support staff

-Staff uses “Bloom’s Taxonomy” strategies to promote higher level thinking

-Two staff attended a one day workshop at Rotman on Integrative Thinking and presented at the December workshop with the intention that staff could use the strategies in the classrooms; Ms. Kimm and Mrs. Perrin attended a 3 ­day workshop on I­Thinking at Rotman, courtesy of TDSB

-All classes have computers and library scheduled into their timetables

-Teachers have built in planning time to share best practices and plan as a team

-Best Practices such as Differentiated Instruction, Anchor Charts, Descriptive Feedback, Success Criteria and Co-­construction of goals are implemented within each classroom

-Literacy Blocks are scheduled as much as the timetable will allow, especially for the primary teachers, to allow for more literacy time

-Parents encouraged to use on­line reading programs (RAZ) at home (funds for license provided by Parent Council)

-Collection of data (CTBS, EQAO, DRA/CASI, Classroom Assessments/Evaluations, and Report Card etc.) is used to guide our practice 

2015-2016 Literacy Focus

-continue to focus on creating a balanced reading program including but not limited to, the use of reading logs, shared reading, reading responses, reader’s workshop, novel studies, shared reading and read alouds

-continue to use CASI/DRA as assessments 

-continue to teach spelling and grammar

-continue to teach using writer’s workshop, journals and writing assignments for purpose (use First Steps Writing as resource)

-continue to focus on oral presentations like retells, recounts, Special Person, current events, speeches, debates etc.

-continue to provide media literacy using our LKS primary resource developed by staff; create junior media literacy resource 

Throughout the year, we continue to teach the students, particularly the middle school, about Internet safety. I saw this article about a high school student's struggle recently and thought you'd like to look at it. It could help open up a discussion at home. We are sharing it  with our grade 7 and 8 students.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/lynelle-cantwell-ugliest-girl-facebook-1.3347311

Have a great weekend everyone!

December 2015 
7-Grade 1 House League at Lunch
8-Grade 2 House League at Lunch; Grade 8 classes visit ECI  
9-Primary/Grade 4 Concert -6:30 p.m.
10- Grade 1-8 Report Cards Go Home; Grade 6-8 Concert/Grade 5 Drumming -6:30 p.m. (postponed until Jan 28th) 
11-Pizza Lunch; Grade 3 House League 
14-Primary and Jr/Intermediate Sharing Assembly; Grade 1 Houseleague
15-Kindergarten Sharing Assembly; Grade 2 Houseleague; Grade 6-8 Middle School Dance; Seeds of Hope at Retirement Home; Author Visit: Ellie MacKay 
17th-K-3 School Bus Safety Presentation  
18-Grade 3 Houseleague 
Dec 21-Jan 1, 2016-School Holidays 

January 2016
 4-School Begins 
11-Officer Rich visits grade 1 and 8 
18-Primary Sharing Assembly
21-Junior/Intermediate Sharing Assembly
22-PA Day
29-Kindergarten Sharing Assembly 

February 2016
5-Report Cards go home 
9 and 10-Kindergarten Registration 
12-PA Day
15-Family Day 
18-Special Education Annual Reviews 
22-Parent Council 
23-Primary Sharing Assembly
24-Jr and Intermediate Sharing Assembly
26-Kindergarten Sharing Assembly; Pizza Lunch 

March 2016
14-18-March Break 
25-28-Good Friday/Easter Monday 

May 2016
 23-Victoria Day 

June 2016
10-PA Day

29-Last Day for Students 

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Today, the grade 8 classes presented a Health Fair for the older grades, staff and parents. Projects and presentations were really well done; both interesting and informative. The students presented on anxiety, nutrition, body image, eating disorders and fitness to name a few. The students should be proud of their presentations.

Thank you to Mrs. McGee and the Parent Council for hosting Keven Sylvester. The grade 3-6 classes were great audiences.

At the staff meeting today, we reviewed last year's School Improvement Plan and discussed areas of focus for the upcoming year. Over the next few blogs, I'll begin sharing those plans in Literacy, Math, Pathways and Community.

We also discussed the following facility and safety issues:

-the solar panel project is still happening, although we are not sure of the start date
-staff continue to review with the students appropriate behaviour when moving through the hallways and stairs
-we ask that parents limit signing out your child during the day and to please write the teacher a note when you must; we are trying to limit the times we have to call into the classrooms
-please do not jam up the Kiss and Ride by parking illegally
-in case of emergency and the school has to close (i.e. gas leak), we would contact you through grade parent email/phone calls/my blog; our evacuation site is Lambton-Kingsway Church

The following information was sent to us from the Board: 

  

The Making Healthier Choices Act, 2015 was passed on 28 May 2015.  This new legislation includes the E-Cigarette Act, 2015 and will:

• Prohibit the use of e-cigarettes in certain places where the smoking of tobacco is prohibited (including school property);
• Prohibit the sale and supply of e-cigarettes to persons under the age of 19 years old;
• Prohibit the sale of e-cigarettes in certain places where the sale of tobacco is prohibited;
• Prohibit the display and promotion of e-cigarettes in places where e-cigarettes or tobacco; and
• Products are sold or offered for sale.

The Making Healthier Choices Act will go into effect January 2016 for all elements of the E-Cigarette Act except "Display and Promotion", which will come into effect January 2017. 

Some of our teachers are beginning to use www.gonoodle.com for body breaks. Take a look at it; it's a great resource. 

I hope everyone has a terrific weekend. 

November 2015
30-Parent Council at 7:00 p.m.-library; Primary Sharing Assembly; Book Fair Begins; Gr 1 Houseleague   

December 2015
 1-Jr Boys' Vball at LKS (afternoon); Grade 2 House League at Lunch 
2-Sr Boys' Vball at LKS (afternoon)
3-Jr Girls' Bball at LKS
4-Sr Girls' BBall at Rockcliffe; Grade 3 House League 
7-Grade 1 House League at Lunch
8-Grade 2 House League at Lunch; Grade 8 classes visit ECI  
9-Primary/Grade 4 Concert -6:30 p.m.
10- Grade 1-8 Report Cards Go Home; Grade 6-8 Concert/Grade 5 Drumming -6:30 p.m. 
11-Pizza Lunch; Grade 3 House League 
14-Primary and Jr/Intermediate Sharing Assembly; Grade 1 Houseleague
15-Kindergarten Sharing Assembly; Grade 2 Houseleague; Grade 6-8 Middle School Dance 
18-Grade 3 Houseleague 
Dec 21-Jan 1, 2016-School Holidays 

January 2016
 4-School Begins 
11-Officer Rich visits grade 1 and 8 
18-Primary Sharing Assembly
21-Junior/Intermediate Sharing Assembly
22-PA Day
29-Kindergarten Sharing Assembly 

February 2016
5-Report Cards go home 
9 and 10-Kindergarten Registration 
12-PA Day
15-Family Day 
18-Special Education Annual Reviews 
22-Parent Council 
23-Primary Sharing Assembly
24-Jr and Intermediate Sharing Assembly
26-Kindergarten Sharing Assembly; Pizza Lunch 

March 2016
14-18-March Break 
25-28-Good Friday/Easter Monday 

May 2016
 23-Victoria Day 

June 2016
10-PA Day


29-Last Day for Students 

Friday, November 18, 2015

This year,  Mr. Kuru and Mr. Littlejohn oganized our grade 6-8 students into a House System. A variety of staff are adivsors including, Ms. Dacyshyn,  Ms. Sunde, Ms. Kim, Mrs. Hall, Mrs. Shklar, Mrs. Burn, Ms. Chandra, Mr. Bracht, Mrs. Taylor, Ms. Ross and Mr. Ellerker. The purpose of the program  is to promote inclusion, connectivity, leadership, support and pride at LKS. Each student in grade 6-8 is assigned a house which is led by a grade 8 student. The students meet once a month with the teacher advisor and grade 8 House Captain.  They participate in games and discussions. Once a month, the houses participate in an afternoon challenge that focus on academics, skill/talent, community. athletic and/or leadership. The program also incorporates a Tutor program that matches older students and younger ones to assist with homework. 

Overall, the students really seem to be enjoying meeting new friends and the camaraderie.  It is so important that the students have a sense of belonging and like coming to school as it helps in overall self-confidence and achievement. On our recent Climate Survey (grade 7-12), 90% of the students agreed/strongly agreed that they feel like they belonged in the school and 89% feel accepted by the students in their school. At LKS, we will continue to offer a variety of programs and opportunities to promote inclusion and connectivity. 

Please visit http://www.education.com/reference/article/school-belonging/ for more in-depth reading on school belonging. We will be introducing the article to staff in the near future also. 

Lots of fun things are happening in the community this weekend. Drop by King George on the 28th from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. for their Craft Show and/or Warren Park for their Winter Market on the 27th from 5 p.m.- 8 p.m. and the 28th from 9:00 a.m.- 4 p.m.

 Have a great weekend. 

November 2015

23-Gr 1 House League
24-Gr 2 House League 
25-Jr/Intermediate Sharing Assembly; Author Visit (Thanks for funding Parent Council)
27-Kindie Sharing Assembly: Pizza Lunch; Grade3 Houseleague
30-Parent Council; Primary Sharing Assembly; Book Fair Begins  

December 2015
 1-Jr Boys' Vball at LKS (afternoon); Grade 2 House League at Lunch 
2-Sr Boys' BB at LKS (afternoon)
3-Grade 3 House League (changed from Friday the 4th)
4-Sr Girls' BBall at Rockcliffe and Jr Girls' Bball at LKS 
7-Grade 1 House League at Lunch
8-Grade 2 House League at Lunch 
9-Primary/Junior  Concert -6:30 p.m.
10-Special Education (Grade 8) Annual Reviews; Grade 1-8 Report Cards Go Home; Grade 6-8 Concert-6:30 p.m. 
11-Pizza Lunch; Grade 3 House League 
14-Primary and Jr/Intermediate Sharing Assembly; Grade 1 Houseleague
15-Kindergarten Sharing Assembly; Grade 2 Houseleague 
18-Grade 3 Houseleague 
Dec 21-Jan 1, 2016-School Holidays 

January 2016
 4-School Begins 
11-Officer Rich visits grade 1 and 8 
18-Primary Sharing Assembly
21-Junior/Intermediate Sharing Assembly
22-PA Day
29-Kindergarten Sharing Assembly 

February 2016
5-Report Cards go home 
9 and 10-Kindergarten Registration 
12-PA Day
15-Family Day 
18-Special Education Annual Reviews 
22-Parent Council 
23-Primary Sharing Assembly
24-Jr and Intermediate Sharing Assembly
26-Kindergarten Sharing Assembly; Pizza Lunch 

March 2016
14-18-March Break 
25-28-Good Friday/Easter Monday 

May 2016
 23-Victoria Day 

June 2016
10-PA Day

29-Last Day for Students 

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Thank you to all who attended the Remembrance Day Assembly. It was a thoughtful time of reflection for the students, staff and community. I'd like to thank Mrs. Norton for helping organize the assembly and Mr. Norton for playing the trumpet. A special thanks to the wreath layers, colour guard and the grade 8 students who organized the ceremony; Carter, Veronica, Miranda, Charlie, Brendan, Bella, Kate, Sean and Jackson. A special thanks to Carter for organizing and planning the committee. 

Last week, a letter went home from the Board saying that the grade 1-8 report cards will be sent home on December 10. Although we don't have an official letter yet, kindergarten progress reports will not be sent home this term. Formal interviews will not take place, but if you have a concern or question about your child's progress, please talk to the homeroom teacher. 

I just read that the teachers and government have ratified their agreement. I will send out official information on the matter at a later date. 

I hope you have a great weekend. 

November 2015

16-Bullying Awareness Day; Scientist in the School (Mrs. Olson, Mrs. Younger) 
17-Scientist in the School visits Ms. Kim 
23-Gr 1 Houseleague
24-Gr 2 Houseleague 
26-Jr/Intermediate Sharing Assembly
27-Kindie Sharing Assembly: Pizza Lunch; Grade3 Houseleague
30-Parent Council; Primary Sharing Assembly; Book Fair Begins  

December 2015
 9-Primary/Junior  Concert -6:30 p.m.
10-Special Education (Grade 8) Annual Reviews; Grade 1-8 Report Cards Go Home; Grade 6-8 Concert-6:30 p.m. 
11-Pizza Lunch
14-Primary and Jr/Intermediate Sharing Assembly
15-Kindergarten Sharing Assembly
Dec 21-Jan 1, 2016-School Holidays 

January 2016
 4-School Begins 
11-Officer Rich visits grade 1 and 8 
18-Primary Sharing Assembly
21-Junior/Intermediate Sharing Assembly
22-PA Day
29-Kindergarten Sharing Assembly 

February 2016
5-Report Cards go home 
9 and 10-Kindergarten Registration 
12-PA Day
15-Family Day 
18-Special Education Annual Reviews 
22-Parent Council 
23-Primary Sharing Assembly
24-Jr and Intermediate Sharing Assembly
26-Kindergarten Sharing Assembly; Pizza Lunch 

March 2016
14-18-March Break 
25-28-Good Friday/Easter Monday 

May 2016
 23-Victoria Day 

June 2016
10-PA Day

29-Last Day for Students 

Friday, November 6, 2015

On Monday,  we had the pleasure of welcoming a new teacher to our school to assist the grade 5 homeroom teachers mainly. Mrs. Emenogu has been placed in the school as the Board continues to seek opportunities for surplus teachers. Mrs. Emengo is an experienced teacher with an  extensive French background. 

This week, we finalized purchases made through the Parent Council Capital budget. The following items have been ordered: IPADS and accessories for the Kindergarten and music classes, and a set of notebooks to be used at all three primary, junior and intermediate divisions. We want to thank you for your donations to the school. Most of the funds raised have been through the Pizza lunches and the on-line donations. We really appreciate the support as these resources augment the teacher's programs. 

We invite you to the Remembrance Day Assembly on Wednesday, November 11. We will begin at 10:30 in the morning. 

On Friday the 13th  the school will be closed for a PA Day. Teachers will be working on self-directed activities in the school. 

November 2015

11-Remembrance Day Assembly at 10:30 in the gym 
12-Grade 7 Scientist in the School 
13-PA Day (No School) 
16-Bullying Awareness Day; Scientist in the School (Mrs. Olson, Mrs. Younger) 
17-Scientist in the School visits Ms. Kim 
26-Jr/Intermediate Sharing Assembly
27-Kindie Sharing Assembly: Pizza Lunch 
30-Parent Council; Primary Sharing Assembly; Book Fair Begins  

December 2015
 10-Special Education (Grade 8) Annual Reviews
11-Pizza Lunch
14-Primary and Jr/Intermediate Sharing Assembly
15-Kindergarten Sharing Assembly
Dec 21-Jan 1, 2016-School Holidays 

January 2016
 4-School Begins 
11-Officer Rich visits grade 1 and 8 
18-Primary Sharing Assembly
21-Junior/Intermediate Sharing Assembly
22-PA Day
29-Kindergarten Sharing Assembly 

February 2016
5-Report Cards go home 
9 and 10-Kindergarten Registration 
12-PA Day
15-Family Day 
18-Special Education Annual Reviews 
22-Parent Council 
23-Primary Sharing Assembly
24-Jr and Intermediate Sharing Assembly
26-Kindergarten Sharing Assembly; Pizza Lunch 

March 2016
14-18-March Break 
25-28-Good Friday/Easter Monday 

May 2016
 23-Victoria Day 

June 2016
10-PA Day

29-Last Day for Students