September 12th Update
This year Lake Bonavista School is exploring the Inquiry of CONNECTION. Each class is taking this up in their own unique way as we begin the year diving into place based education. We begin by seeing how are we connected to one another and how are we connected to our place. Through this month and year, classes will exploring our place through walking field trips. A general letter was sent to all parents to explain this and teachers will then give 48 hours notice when they are going on a trip within walking distance from the school. We are excited to explore the community around us to make curricular connections and discoveries.
Dot Day – Make Your Mark!
Monday is Dot Day!! Wear your finest polka dots – if you have them. This day is more than just dots, it is a day to focus on creativity, collaboration and courage of self expression. Be sure to ask your child what kind of ways their class created after this day! One way we explore our creativity is through loose parts, like the photo in our story today. Don’t forget to follow your child’s instagram or blog for more highlights. You don’t need an account to view instagram on your computer instagram.com/(teacher’s user name) should be sufficient to view posts.
Forms
Paper copies of the annual forms went home this week. Remember that volunteer forms are completed on an annual basis. If you require an additional form you can use the link from the digital forms or pop into the office to pick up another copy. We’ve also sent home our Admirable Use Policy for technology. Please ensure you have reviewed with your child as this commitment to proper use of technology helps ensure best practice. A reminder that all K-6 schools have an Away for the Day policy. All technology should be powered down and stowed away. The school is not responsible for the care and safety of items brought from home.
September Open House
Thursday, September 18 is our Open House from 4:00-5:00. Teachers will be sharing more information about this time and students are preparing to invite you to their classrooms to show you highlights of our start up!! This Open House is different from Sneak-a-Peek. This is an opportunity for teachers to highlight routines and Montessori practices in the classroom, share curriculum plans and focuses for the start of the school year, and for students to show some of their work already completed in the early stages of the year. Some teachers have sent out Parent Viewpoint forms that you can bring. This is great time to ask general questions about the classroom and plans. Our parent conferences will be October 20, 23 and 24th. This will be a time to discuss more confidential information or you can email your child’s teacher if there is some more urgent and private to discuss.
4:30-6:00 is the School Council Pancake Dinner with help from the Calgary Stampede Batter Boys. Please note this is a School Council sponsored event. We gather on the garden compound side. No tickets required – this is a first come, first serve event.
Terry Fox Run
We are having our annual Terry Fox Run on Thursday, September 25th. Ensure your child is dressed to walk/jog/run outside. We hope to run rain or shine, just like Terry. We will continue to share more information as we get closer to run date. We will also be collecting “Twonies for Terry”. Students are invited to bring in $2 for their contribution the week of our run.
Orange Shirt day
Friday, September 26th is Orange Shirt Day. All students are invited to wear an orange shirt. Teachers will be using this learning opportunity to prepare students for an understanding of what this day means.
Upcoming Dates:
September 18: Open House 4:00-5:00
September 18: School Council Pancake Dinner 4:30-6:00
September 25: Terry Fox Run
September 26: Orange Shirt Day
September 29: Non-instructional Day
September 30: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Schools are Closed)
October 6: Photo Day
From School Council
Fill Your freezer:
Please join us in supporting Lake Bonavista School through the Fill your Freezer for Thanksgiving Fundraiser! Stock up with delicious local, restaurant-quality meats, sausage, appetizers, desserts, and vegan and halal options!
Orders open until September 30th at 11pm, with pickup: Friday, October 10th from 12-1pm.
Orders can be placed here:
https://lbs.myteamfund.ca/seller/1848-02
Thanks so much for your support!
Yearbooks - there is a small number of yearbooks for purchase. First come first serve at the office, $25 cash only. Avoid disappointment and ensure you order the 2025-2026 yearbook during the school year when it is available.
Fun Lunches: Lake Bonavista School will be participating in Fun Lunches through Healthy Hunger again this year! In order to get reminders and order lunches you will be required to add/re-add your child/children before the first Fun Lunch day. Please go to Healthy Hunger (healthyhunger.ca) and login to set up your child/children or to create a new account.
Fun Lunches cannot happen without the support of volunteers to help deliver lunches! Please consider supporting this program by offering your time on fun lunch days to deliver meals to classes. This requires only 45 minutes of volunteering from 11:30 to 12:15 on fun lunch days. If you can help please sign up and/or email Natalie at funlunchlbs@gmail.com.
Did you know that Fun Lunches are an amazing fundraising source for the school? These lunches are not mandatory for children but a percent of all fun lunches that are purchased go back to the school and offer opportunities to help pay for or subsidize school events, field trips, school supplies and more!
From MAPSS
Welcome back to a brand new school year! On behalf of the Montessori Alternative Public School Society (MAPSS), we are so excited to support your children, your schools, and our incredible Montessori community in the year ahead.
Join Us and Get Involved
MAPSS is a volunteer run organization and we are always looking for parents and caregivers who want to get involved. Whether you can help with a single event or join us more regularly, your time and energy make a big difference in supporting our Montessori programs.
If you are interested in volunteering, please email us at president@mapss.ca . We would love to hear from you.
Stay Connected
You can stay up to date with MAPSS news, events, and volunteer opportunities by visiting our website www.mapss.ca. The online meeting links for each month are also posted there.
You can also follow us on social media
Instagram: @mapsscalgary
Facebook: MAPSS Calgary
MAPSS Meetings – All Families Welcome
Our meetings are held online on the third Wednesday of every month and everyone is welcome to join from home. Here are the dates for the 2025–2026 school year
September 17, 2025
October 15, 2025
November 19, 2025
December 17, 2025
January 21, 2026
February 18, 2026
March 18, 2026
April 15, 2026
May 20, 2026
June 17, 2026
These virtual meetings are a great way to connect with other parents, share ideas, and learn about what MAPSS is working on to support our three Montessori schools, all from the comfort of home.
We are looking forward to a wonderful year of collaboration and community building. Thank you for being part of MAPSS. Your support truly makes a difference.