Author: bvg
From Nurse Annie: Wishing You a Safe and Healthy Summer
Bayview Glen News, Lower School, Newsletters and Publications, Prep School, Preschool, The Glen, Upper School
Written by Annie Davies-Irvine, RN, BScN
School Nurse
As we head into summer, I would like to take a moment to thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our students healthy, safe, and thriving. Your support has been invaluable in fostering student wellbeing throughout the year.
Together, we navigated challenges, supported one another, and helped students grow, not only taller and stronger, but also more resilient and self-aware.
Over the past year, the Health Centre has supported students’ daily needs, managed chronic conditions and injuries, and provided care and reassurance when it was needed most. These experiences continue to strengthen the way we support our community.
Looking ahead, we are excited to welcome students back in September to our brand-new Health Centre, located in the Lower School expansion.
Summer Health & Safety Tips
For helpful guidance on staying healthy this summer, including sun safety, tick prevention, and healthy routines, please review this resource from Toronto Public Health:
Healthy Summer Tips for Families
Key reminders include:
- Protect your skin with SPF 30+ sunscreen and sun-safe clothing
- Stay hydrated and take precautions during hot weather
- Keep active, limit recreational screen time, and maintain healthy routines
- Be mindful of outdoor safety, including tick awareness and air quality
MagnusHealth Reminder
MagnusHealth is now in use for all JK to Grade 12 families. As a reminder, families are responsible for keeping their child’s health information accurate and up to date throughout the year. You can do this by simply logging into the MagnusHealth portal here.
Please note that Preschool families are not yet included. We will share updates when this changes.
Wishing all Bayview Glen families a restful, happy, and healthy summer. Should any health concerns arise, please feel free to reach out: adavies-irvine@bayviewglen.ca.
AI Literacy Microcredentials: Preparing our Students for a Changing World
Bayview Glen News, Lower School, Newsletters and Publications, Prep School, The Glen, Upper School
Written by Erika Gillespie, Greg Ryerson, and L-J van ‘t Hof
Directors of Teaching and Learning
In September, Bayview Glen launched the first year of our new AI Literacy Microcredential programme, with students in Grades 5 through 9 engaging in a programme designed to help them navigate a rapidly evolving technological landscape with confidence, responsibility, and critical awareness. Grounded in our commitment to preparing students for a purposeful life in a changing world, the programme focusses not only on how to use generative AI tools, but on how to think about their impact, their limitations, and the choices they require of us.
The programme is intentionally designed with a multi-year progression in mind, with learning deepening as students move through the grades. In the earlier years, students build their foundational understanding of what generative AI is, how it works, and how it is already present in their everyday lives. They explore key ideas such as human responsibility, bias, and appropriate use, while beginning to develop practical skills for interacting effectively with AI systems.
As students progress, they examine how data influences AI systems and consider important issues such as privacy, fairness, and accountability. Through real-world examples, they begin to understand how decisions made by designers affect how AI is experienced, and how those decisions connect to questions of equity and responsibility.
In the latter years of the programme, students engage more deeply with ethical questions and the broader role of AI in society. They begin to consider how AI can be designed or used in ways that reflect strong values and have a positive impact. This learning encourages students to think at a systems level and to see themselves as capable contributors to a technology-driven world.
An integral part of the microcredential is reflection. Throughout the programme, students are asked to consider how they might leverage generative AI in their own learning, thinking about when it is helpful, where it requires caution, and how they can ensure they remain independent, critical thinkers.
The goal of our AI Literacy Microcredential programme is to prepare students not just to use generative AI, but to engage with it thoughtfully. In alignment with Bayview Glen’s strategic vision of bold thinking and future readiness, this programme helps students develop not only technical knowledge, but also the ethical awareness, curiosity, and sense of responsibility they will need to lead and contribute meaningfully in an increasingly complex world.
Congratulations to the Bayview Glen Parent Association Community Service Scholarship 2026 Award Recipient – Aryan V. ’26
Parent Association, Upper School
The Bayview Glen Parent Association is pleased to award the Community Service Scholarship to Aryan V. ’26 in recognition of his exceptional dedication to service, leadership, and community engagement. Throughout his time at Bayview Glen, Aryan has made a meaningful impact through peer tutoring, volunteer mentorship, fundraising initiatives, and his role as Co-Head of Community Outreach, where he helped organize donation drives, connect students with volunteer opportunities, and launch the school’s first volunteer fair. His dedication to service extends beyond the school community through international volunteer projects in Costa Rica, Saba, and Maine, where he supported community development, environmental conservation, and animal welfare initiatives. Aryan’s compassion, initiative, and ability to inspire others to give back embody the values of the Bayview Glen community, making him a highly deserving recipient of this scholarship.
Parent Volunteer Spotlight – Naaz Ghomeshi, Parent Association
Parent Association
Naaz Ghomeshi is a trusted voice deeply devoted to the Bayview Glen parent community. Serving as one of the Parent Volunteer Co-Directors and contributing eight years of dedicated leadership on the Parent Association Executive, her volunteer journey began as the Gift Sale Co-ordinator, a role held for four years, followed by three impactful years as Merry Market Co-ordinator, each role marked by commitment, creativity, and care.
A proud parent of twin students, Nikki and Nelli, who have grown alongside the Bayview Glen community since BGs and are now in Grade 6, Naaz’s connection to the school runs deep. From the early days in the Lower School as a class parent to joining the PA Executive, involvement has been both longstanding and wholehearted.
In the current role as Parent Volunteer Co-Director, Naaz leads the recruitment and co-ordination of parent volunteers for PA events, bringing people together and helping initiatives thrive. What truly stands out is a genuine love for connecting with fellow parents and a deep appreciation for the warm, supportive community that makes Bayview Glen such a special place for families.
Parent Volunteer Spotlight – Maria Tsopelas, Parent Association
Parent Association
Maria Tsopelas is a dedicated Bayview Glen parent volunteer whose passion for community building can be seen throughout the school. As the parent of three Bayview Glen students, Maria has devoted many volunteer hours to initiatives including the PA Shop, textbook sales, class parent leadership, the Art Show, Book Talks, and countless other events and activities. Whether helping behind the scenes or working directly with families, she believes that every act of volunteering, big or small, helps create a stronger, more connected school community.
Maria currently serves as Parent Volunteer Co-Director of the Bayview Glen Parent Association, where she helps connect parents with meaningful opportunities to get involved and contribute to school life. She is passionate about creating an environment where families feel welcomed, engaged, and invested in the Bayview Glen experience. Maria encourages all parents to consider volunteering in whatever capacity works for them, as some of the most rewarding experiences and lasting friendships are built through service to the school community. If you are interested in getting involved, she would love to hear from you and help you discover how you can make a difference while becoming an even greater part of the Bayview Glen family.
Parent Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon 2026
Bayview Glen News, Events, Home page, Lower School, Parent Association, Prep School, Preschool, Upper School
Thank you to all of our parent volunteers who joined us for the Parent Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
It was a pleasure to come together to celebrate and recognize the incredible contributions you make to the Bayview Glen community. Your generosity, enthusiasm, and dedication enrich the experiences of our students and help foster the vibrant and welcoming spirit that makes Bayview Glen so special.
On behalf of the School and the Parent Association, thank you for your time, commitment, and support throughout the year. We are truly grateful for all that you do.
Join us on May 27 – Spring Parent Book Club and Fireside Chat
Events, Home page, Lower School, Parent Association, Prep School, Preschool, Upper School
Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to connect, learn, and engage with our community at the final Bayview Glen Parent Book Club of the school year, followed by a special Fireside Chat on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
Join us for one or both sessions – whether you’ve read the book or are simply curious, we welcome your presence and perspective. Light refreshments will be served for those attending in person.
PARENT BOOK CLUB
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Location: Learning Commons, Bayview Glen Moatfield Campus (or online via Microsoft Teams)
Join us as we explore The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents by Lisa Damour, PhD, offering practical insights into supporting teens through emotional development, building strong relationships, and navigating the challenges of adolescence.
FIRESIDE CHAT
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Location: Learning Commons, Bayview Glen Moatfield Campus
Following the book club, stay for a Fireside Chat with Kausalya Vimal, Registered Social Worker and mental health therapist. Topics will include:
- Parent-Child Relationships: Better Conversation and Stronger Connections
- Talking through tension, Conversations that Build, not Break
- Building the parent-child gap
Please register online if you are interested in attending.
Building Knowledge: Grade 5 Connects Classroom Learning to the New Build
Bayview Glen News, Lower School, Newsletters and Publications, The Glen
Written by Vanessa Civan,
Lower School Educator, Lower School Round Square Coordinator
There is a special kind of excitement in the air at our school as we watch the New Build take shape and prepare for opening. For our Grade 5 students, this isn’t just a construction project; it’s a living classroom.
As part of our current unit on Forces in Structures, the Grade 5 Teachers recently had the unique opportunity to tour the new gym and pool facilities. Walking through the space alongside the project coordinator, they were able to see firsthand how the concepts they’ve been exploring in class, such as load-bearing structures, stability, and material strength are applied in real-world design and construction.
Throughout the tour, they interviewed the project coordinator to deepen their understanding of:
How is an existing structure connected to a new addition/building?
What materials are used in the foundation, walls, and connecting portions of the building?
What materials are best for strength and durability?
How do structures remain stable over time?
These are the very questions that engineers, designers, and builders consider every day, and now, our students are thinking like them too.
To deepen this learning, the Grade 5’s excitedly welcomed a panel of experts from the Prodigy Construction team: the Project Manager, Project Coordinator, and Senior Superintendent to speak with the Grade 5 students. Students had the opportunity to hear about the design process, the challenges faced during construction, the materials used, and the decision-making behind the structure they have seen come to life from the ground up.
This experience brought learning beyond the classroom walls. It allowed students to connect theory to practice, develop critical thinking skills, and see the relevance of science and engineering in their everyday world. Most importantly, it inspired curiosity.
By engaging with real professionals and exploring a real construction site, our Grade 5 students are not just learning about structures; they are beginning to understand the impact of innovation, design, forces, and impact in shaping the spaces around us.
As our new facilities prepare to open, our students are not only witnessing growth in our school but discovering their own potential to design, build, and create meaningful change.
Language Learning Without Borders: CIS Ontario Language Teachers Network Meet & Greet
Bayview Glen News, Newsletters and Publications, The Glen
Written by
Paola Barron, Upper School Educator, French and Spanish Teacher
and Vivienne Kraus, Upper School Educator, Modern Languages Department Head
Bonjour! Hola! Ni hao!
On Friday, April 10, Bayview Glen welcomed 65 educators from 26 CIS Ontario schools for the Language Teachers Network Meet & Greet, Language Learning without Borders: AI, Interculturality, and Global Citizenship. We co-founded this annual event in 2019, to provide a time dedicated to cultivating professional community and sharing effective practices among language educators.
The day opened with a keynote address by Lincoln Smith, Technology and Innovation Coach at Upper Canada College, titled “Moving from ‘Efficient’ to ‘Effective’: How We Can Use Technology to Expand What Is Possible in Assessment, Learning, and Feedback.” His remarks set the tone for a day focused on innovation, reflection, and pedagogical growth.
Participants then engaged in two rounds of breakout sessions led by CIS educators, with topics including interdisciplinary learning, neuroscience-informed practice, leveraging AI for differentiation, an exchange programme in Spain, gamification strategies (presented by Azal Amer Moussa, Modern Languages Department Head, Prep School), and the integration of drama in the language classroom.
Lunch provided valuable time for networking and collegial exchange, as well as opportunities to connect with exhibitors representing leading publishers and educational organizations.
Feedback from participants highlighted the day as both inspiring and practical, with particular appreciation for the targeted resources shared in workshops and the meaningful professional connections fostered throughout the event.
We extend our sincere thanks to our Modern Languages colleagues across the Lower, Prep, and Upper Schools, Bayview Glen’s Administration and Maintenance teams, and Chartwells for their continued support in making this event possible.
Student Life in the Prep: Building Community and School Spirit
Bayview Glen News, Newsletters and Publications, Prep School, The Glen
Written by Lizzie L. and Cormac C.,
Co-Heads of Student Life, Prep School Student Council
We are Lizzie and Cormac, and we are honoured to serve as the Co-Heads of Student Life for the 2025–2026 school year.
Although we both joined the school in Grade 3, our years in the Prep School have been the most meaningful and impactful. What makes the Prep so special is its close-knit and supportive community, one that has continued to grow even stronger this year through the dedication of the Student Life Committee and Student Council.
The Student Life Committee is a group of students committed to making the Prep School a more positive, engaging, and spirited place for everyone. Together, we help plan activities, organize events, and bring student ideas to life. By collaborating with teachers and classmates, committee members work to strengthen school spirit, foster connections, and create opportunities for all students to get involved.
This year, we have been proud to help lead a variety of themed spirit days and special events. Some of our favourite highlights have included the Halloween Spirit Day and assembly, as well as welcoming Canadian Paralympian Josh Cassidy, who inspired students by sharing stories from his Olympic journey.
We are also looking forward to several exciting events still to come, including the Grade 8 Graduation Dance and Pride Spirit Week. These celebrations are meaningful opportunities to showcase the individuality, creativity, and unique spirit that make the Prep Community so special.
Serving in this role has been an incredible experience, and we are grateful for the chance to help make school life memorable for our fellow students. We cannot wait to see what the rest of the year brings.