Category: Children’s Garden School (CGS)

An update from Children’s Garden School, by Sarah McGowan, Director of Admission & Parent Engagement

What an amazing Terry Fox Day at CGS! In a remarkable display of determination and devoted community spirit, our CGS 2023 Terry Fox Walk and fundraiser was an incredibly successful day. Thanks to all of the participants and supporters, CGS has raised an outstanding amount of $20,000 for cancer research! This success story is a testament to the enduring legacy of Terry Fox and the power of collective action when we all come together for a common purpose.

Seeing Terry’s legacy live on in our community in this way is awe-inspiring. A huge thank you to everyone. The $20,000 our CGS school community raised will be directed towards cancer research, a field where every dollar brings us closer to finding a cure and improving the lives of those affected by this devastating disease. The impact of this fundraiser will be felt for years to come as it contributes to advancements in cancer treatment and care for all.

This incredible achievement is a reminder that we can all be a part of something bigger than ourselves. It’s an example of how ordinary people, coming together for a shared cause, can create extraordinary change. Way to go CGS! We are all so proud.

An end of year update from Children’s Garden School, by Sarah McGowan

School is officially out for the summer! As the year has wrapped up, a wave of mixed emotions have washed over all of us here at CGS. The time has come to bid farewell to our 2022-23 school year, along with a collective group of students, grade 3 graduates and some outstanding teachers, all who are moving onward. We hope that this chapter, although it has come to an end, has helped shape you into the person you are today.

Congratulations to our 2023 CGS Graduates Ever, Rueben and Eric! We are so proud of all your accomplishments, growth and the strong independence you have gained from your years here at CGS! We hope you have created the best of memories within our lively CGS walls. Remember the foundations you have learnt from this small chapter of your life, as they will guide you forward. We will miss each of your energy, enthusiasm and all the joy you brought to school every day! You have forged bonds with friendship that have the potential to last a lifetime, and help you navigate through years to come. Your time with us here at CGS has created memories that will forever be etched in our hearts. We wish you nothing but the best on your bright future!

Thank you to all the staff, Parents Association, audience participants and performing students for coming together for our final assembly on the last day of school. There were many laughs, equal amounts of tears, and all around proud and joyous moments from all teachers and parents. Our students in both assemblies were just so marvelous. We are so proud of their exceptional performance.

It’s Not Goodbye, But See You Soon

As we gathered together on our last day of school to celebrate another funtastic and successful school year, we also gathered to pay tribute to a remarkable individual who has dedicated 25 years of her life to shaping young minds and nurturing future generations here at CGS. It is with deep admiration and gratitude that we celebrate the retirement of an exceptional CGS JK school teacher, Sara A. Throughout her prominent 25-year career, Sara has left an irreplaceable mark on all of our lives, igniting the flames of curiosity and instilling a huge love for learning, caring, and kindness, and of course the utmost dedication and respect for the legacy of Terry Fox and how we can do hard things, too!

As we look back on Sara’s time here at CGS we are reminded of the countless lives she has touched. Her passion, commitment, and belief in the uncapped potential of every child has been the driving forces behind her extraordinary career. Through the highs and lows, Sara A has remained a beacon of light, fostering an environment where students and peers feel safe, supported, and empowered to reach for the stars.

Sara A, as you embark on this next new chapter of life, on behalf of everyone at CGS, students, staff, and our ever-growing community, we wish you all happiness, relaxation, and fulfillment you deserve. We will cherish all the heartfelt time we all have spent with you, whether it be long or short, and never forget the lasting memories we share with you. Now she might be saying her final farewell to the classroom, but it is not goodbye, but see you soon. We are eternally grateful for your service, inspired by your passion, and honored to have been part of your lasting CGS journey. Congratulations on 25 remarkable years, and may the next chapter be the best one yet.

A spring update from Children’s Garden School

Winter is ending and Spring is here! Flowers are starting to bloom, birds are beginning to sing, and beauty is alive in nature again! This time of year is perfect to go for hikes or lay in the sun or just perfect for being outside. As much as we would love to spend all of these sunshine filled day outside, we do have to keep our learning inside going. What better way to bring the outdoors in, than with art!

Our school has definitely dusted off those pastels and bright spring palettes that were in hibernation over the winter, to transform our classrooms and hallways to life! Spring, a season when the world seems to come back to life, is actually a perfect time to naturally shift into a new subject. A lot of our students from grade 1-4 are working through linear and pattern aesthetics, while a lot of our younger students have been focusing on seasonal association, shapes and colours!

Please enjoy some of our resident “Jr Van Gogh’s” art pieces!

A news update courtesy of Children’s Garden School

We have received such wonderful news from the Terry Fox Foundation. We have once again ranked in the Top 10 of Ontario’s elementary schools “Top 50 Terry Fox School Run Fundraisers of 2022”. Ranking in 7th place with a grand total of $22,000 raised, our school community has shown such extraordinary effort in carrying on Terry’s legacy.

We are so honoured to have made such a big impact amongst some of the biggest schools who took part. We are small but mighty! As we believe “we can do hard things”, we are beyond proud that our CGS community worked hard and diligently together to help the foundations advancements in cancer cure research.

Thank you again to all those who contributed to our school’s collective donation to the 2022 Terry Fox Run Fundraiser!

Have a look back at some of our Terry Fox 2022 Walk photos!

A fall update from Children’s Garden School

CGS had another amazing Terry Fox Walk this year! We braved the chilly weather to walk together, and everyone showed their CGS spirit by encouraging each other and not giving up. We were so impressed by our wonderful students and their families who came out to support us. In the weeks leading up to the Terry Fox Walk, we were fortunate to have a visitor from the Terry Fox Foundation come to tell us all about what is done with the money we raised and how it is used to help people.

CGS is so grateful to our wonderful community for raising an incredible $22,000! We can’t wait for next year’s Terry Fox Walk!

CGS recently had our annual Mental Health and Wellness Day. This initiative was started during the pandemic to ensure that we were making our mental health a priority and helping to encourage those around us to do the same. Our classes all participated in wellness promoting activities throughout the day, such as yoga, meditation, artistic activities, and making sensory jars. This day reminds us to take the time to reflect on how we are feeling and what we can do to feel our best. Mental health and wellness will continue to be a priority at CGS throughout the year and we look forward to continuing these conversations with our students.