Category: Bayview Glen News
Robotics in Action: Celebrating Innovation and Competition
Bayview Glen News, Lower School, Newsletters and Publications, Prep School, The Glen, Upper School
Inaugural Innovation & Robotics Celebration Inspires and Honors Excellence
By Taylor Jennings, Senior Advancement Officer
Robots, Resilience, and a Fire Alarm: ALT-F4’s Wild Ride to Victory
By Alina D., Grade 10 Student
Sparking Innovation: Bayview Glen’s 2025–2026 FIRST LEGO League Season Kicks Off
By Benjamin McCord, FLL Supervisor
Inaugural Innovation & Robotics Celebration Inspires and Honors Excellence
Written by Taylor Jennings,
Senior Advancement Officer
On October 8, Bayview Glen held our first-ever Innovation & Robotics Celebration, an evening that brought together alumni, students, mentors and families, and showcased the creativity and accomplishments of our FIRST LEGO League and FIRST Robotics Competition teams. A special thank-you to student MCs Stefano E. (Grade 11), Grace K. (Grade 6), and Salima H. (Grade 6), whose enthusiasm and poise reflected the confidence and leadership that define robotics at Bayview Glen. The evening featured remarks from coaches Ben McCord, Eric Borromeo, Nosh Pestonji, and Noeen Kashif, as well as alumni speaker Savannah Dunbury ’20, who reflected on how robotics shaped her confidence and problem-solving skills beyond the lab.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the inaugural Gryphon Robotics Award to Volunteer Coach Eric Borromeo, recognizing his extraordinary mentorship and 17 years of service to FIRST LEGO League. A pivotal coach of the renowned Ctrl-Z team, Eric’s leadership has inspired hundreds of students to pursue innovation with humility, perseverance, and heart.
Robots, Resilience, and a Fire Alarm: ALT-F4’s Wild Ride to Victory
Written by Alina D.,
Grade 10 Student
For a two-day off-season competition in the middle of September, Robots@Mary Ward, was quite the tsunami of events. Before students at school wrote their first tests of the year, we were already testing our robot – and our wits.
We started off strong on the first day, winning our first four matches. However, things quickly took a turn when we faced Team DAVE, one of the highest-ranked teams in the world, securing two ranking-points.
Our next match was indescribable. We were on the same “alliance” as Team DAVE as well as Inverse Paradox, whom we nearly won Provincials with. However, during that match our arm broke. Our alliance still won, but looks like the pits were about to get interesting. Suddenly we heard the fire alarm blaring! At least now the pit crew and technicians had a chance to troubleshoot.
Thankfully, it was a false alarm, and we returned within ten minutes. We discovered a stripped gearbox which we tried to mend but ran out of time. We were forced to play our next match with the arm zip-tied and taped up. Though we successfully fixed our robot afterwards, we lost our number one ranking but finished as finalists. The second day looked promising! Our robot was mechanically sound, and our auto was up and running. The day went by smoothly, with us as the first alliance captain and picking Inverse Paradox again.
After a hard-fought battle with the second alliance, we finally emerged victorious, being crowned the champions of Robots@Mary Ward Day 2!
Though we encountered our fair share of challenges, it was fun to be back competing after our summer break. Now we are excited for the 2026 season to begin!
Sparking Innovation: Bayview Glen’s 2025–2026 FIRST LEGO League Season Kicks Off
Written by Benjamin McCord,
FLL Supervisor
Our 2025–2026 FIRST LEGO League teams are off to an exciting start! In September, Bayview Glen once again hosted the Ontario FLL Challenge Kickoff Celebration and Conference, welcoming more than 300 team members from across the province.
Our competitive FLL teams are now hard at work developing their Innovation Projects and finetuning their Robot Games in preparation for regional tournaments. We’re also thrilled to welcome Eryka Vella and Jonathan Baum as the new coaches of Operation CREAT3.
A big thank-you to all of our team members, coaches, and volunteers who continue to make robotics at Bayview Glen such an inspiring part of school life!
The Cost of Overprogramming: Why Sleep Matters
Bayview Glen News, Lower School, Newsletters and Publications, Prep School, The Glen, Upper School
Written by Antoinette Morgan, MA, MSW, BSW, RSW,
Director of Student Wellbeing
Between school, sports, lessons, and social activities, many students today move from one commitment to the next with barely a moment to pause. While these experiences can be enriching and help them build skills and confidence, busy schedules often come at the cost of one essential need — sleep. Over time, that lack of rest can lead to burnout, stress, and a decline in both mental and physical health.
Research shows that many children and teens aren’t getting the sleep their developing bodies and brains need. Experts recommend 8–10 hours per night, yet most teens average less than seven. In a recent random sampling of Grades 6–12 students that I conducted as Director of Student Wellbeing, many reported getting fewer than six hours of sleep on a regular basis. Older teens tended to sleep even less during exams or project weeks, and surprisingly, many tweens also reported poor sleep habits.
The effects of chronic sleep loss reach far beyond tired mornings. Insufficient rest impacts memory, focus, and mood, and over time can create barriers to learning and social connection — both in and out of school.
Many students feel pressure to keep their grades high while also excelling in multiple extracurricular activities. Early morning practices, late-night games, and specialized training sessions fill their calendars. While these opportunities can be valuable, this constant pace is taking a toll. Overprogramming has become a widespread issue, often driven by academic and social pressures that don’t always align with what children and adolescents developmentally need.
Overscheduling disrupts the body’s natural sleep-wake rhythm, known as the circadian cycle. When students don’t get enough restorative sleep, their physical and mental health suffer. Research links sleep deprivation to increased anxiety and depression. Long, stressful days raise cortisol (the stress hormone), making it harder to relax and fall asleep. When that happens, many turn to their phones to unwind — but screen time before bed makes things worse. The blue light from devices suppresses melatonin, the hormone that helps the body prepare for sleep, creating a frustrating cycle of wakefulness and fatigue.
Tips for Healthy Sleep
According to the City of Toronto’s Healthy Start to School:
- Children ages 5–13 need about 9–11 hours of sleep each night.
- Keep bedtime roughly the same during the week and on weekends.
- Limit screen time before bed and keep devices out of the bedroom.
- Encourage daily physical activity.
- Avoid caffeinated drinks (cola, chocolate, tea, coffee) in the evening.
If You Need Support
- Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 – Mental Health Support for young people
- Lumenus Community Services – Mental health and developmental support
- Psychologytoday.ca – To find a therapist
To continue this important conversation and explore practical ways to bring more balance into students’ lives, please join the next Parent Book Club on November 27, 2025, from 5:00–6:00 p.m. We’ll be discussing Never Enough by Jennifer Breheny Wallace, award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author.
Lower School Signature Programmes: Learning Beyond the Classroom
Bayview Glen News, Lower School, Newsletters and Publications, The Glen
Adventure and Teamwork: Grade 3’s First Day with Outward Bound
By Amelia H., Grade 3 Student
Junior Kindergarten’s Week Without Walls: Learning Beyond the Classroom
By Melissa Tosevski, JK2 Teacher
Adventure and Teamwork: Grade 3’s First Day with Outward Bound
Written by Amilia H.,
Grade 3 Student
Our Outward Bound day was very fun, and we learned and did a lot of things. We played some games, such as the Blanket Toss. During the Blanket Toss, we rolled, caught, and tossed a tennis ball using a blanket with everyone holding an edge. We also learned some skills that perhaps we might need later on in life, such as making bread called Bannock, which came from the Scottish settlers. Most of the activities we did that day focused mainly on collaboration. Many of the activities we did also focused on learning about the First Nations and the Scottish settlers.
I am sure that everyone had a wonderful time and is looking forward to our next Outward Bound adventure with anticipation. Our leaders, Jianna and Ryan, were fantastic! Thank you Outward Bound!
Junior Kindergarten’s Week Without Walls: Learning Beyond the Classroom
Written by Melissa Tosevski,
JK2 Teacher
Our Junior Kindergarten Signature Programme, A Week Without Walls, was a beautiful reminder of how powerful learning becomes when children step outside the classroom and into the natural world. With the weather on our side, each morning offered new opportunities for our young learners to explore, create, and collaborate in meaningful ways.
Throughout the week, students were immersed in experiences that encouraged curiosity, teamwork, creativity, and perseverance. Whether mixing and moulding imaginative creations in the sandpit, working together during parachute games, or building cozy chipmunk homes during our trip to Evergreen Brickworks, the children demonstrated joyful engagement and a growing sense of independence. They problem-solved, shared ideas, and supported one another, skills that extend far beyond the walls of the classroom.
There were many moments of wonder and delight. As one student, Nila, shared, “My favourite was balancing on the log because gymnastics is my favourite!” Liam was all smiles as he said, “My favourite was parachute because I like to go under.” For Amelia, the highlight was discovering and creating in nature: “I love finding the eggs and building the house for the chipmunk.” And Teodor’s enthusiasm shone through when he explained, “I like to build shakers because I want to shake and build.” Their words capture the heart of what this week represents — authentic learning inspired by curiosity and connection.
This experience beautifully reflects Bayview Glen’s mission of nurturing the Whole Child, inspiring a Purposeful Life, and contributing to a Better World. Each day, our students were given space to take risks, explore their surroundings, and learn through hands-on experiences that foster both confidence and compassion.
A Week Without Walls was a true community effort, made possible through the collaboration of our incredible team of educators, administrators, maintenance staff, kitchen staff, and dedicated parent volunteers. Together, we created an environment where our youngest learners could thrive, explore, and celebrate the joy of discovery.
As the week came to a close, we were reminded that learning is not confined by walls, it grows in every shared laugh, every muddy handprint, and every moment of wonder found in the great outdoors.
A Morning to Remember: Lower School Grade Breakfast Highlights
Bayview Glen News, Lower School, Newsletters and Publications, The Glen
Written by Simon M.,
Grade 5 Student
Every year, JK to Grade 5 students have a Grade Breakfast. The Grade Breakfast is one of my favourite events of the year. Starting in the fall, each grade will have a day when everybody in the grade goes over to the Daunt Dining Hall and has breakfast together. It is always very special to get to have a breakfast with your friends and family. A cool thing about the breakfast is that near the end, all the teachers introduce themselves and say a little something about themselves, and Mr. Lee, the Head of School, talks about some of the school’s updates. We also do our house cheers! The four houses at Bayview Glen are the Blue Lynx, the Green Falcons, the Red Bears, and the Purple Wolves. And, if you have a sibling, they can go too! The Grade Breakfast is always one of the highlights of the year and is a great chance to meet teachers and families.
Parent Association Halloween Fun Bash 2025
Bayview Glen News, Events, Home page, Lower School, Parent Association, Prep School, Preschool, Upper School
Thank you all for attending our annual Halloween Fun Bash on Sunday, October 26! We all had a wicked good time celebrating with our Bayview Glen community and dressing up for a Spooktacular Halloween Celebration!
The kids enjoyed trick or treating, many games, arts and crafts, and the well-attended inflatables castles and famous BeaverTails food truck with their families and friends! New this year, was our first ever Glow in the Dark dance party with a Live DJ – a big success appreciated by many!
We look forward to seeing many families again at our next Parent Association Merry Market on Friday, November 21, 2025 from 2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at our Moatfield Campus. Please check out the PA Events webpage for more details and online registrations.
Parent Association Morning Coffee Social 2025
Bayview Glen News, Events, Home page, Lower School, Parent Association, Prep School, Preschool, Upper School
Thank you to everyone who joined us on Friday, October 3, 2025 for the Parent Association Morning Coffee Social on the beautiful back deck of our Moatfield Campus. The morning provided a relaxed opportunity to catch up, enjoy conversation, and strengthen our school community.
We look forward to seeing many families at our next Parent Association Halloween Fun on Sunday, October 26 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at our Moatfield Campus. Please stay tuned for more details.
Parent Association Evening Parent Social 2025
Bayview Glen News, Events, Home page, Lower School, Parent Association, Prep School, Preschool, Upper School
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our first Parent Association Evening Parent Social on Thursday, September 25 on the scenic rooftop patio of our Moatfield Campus. It was wonderful to connect with so many parents in a relaxed, social setting – celebrating the start of a new school year, fostering new friendships, and strengthening our vibrant school community.
For those who were unable to attend, we look forward to seeing you at our next Parent Association Morning Coffee Social on Friday, October 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on the beautiful back deck of our Moatfield Campus. Please be sure to register online if you are planning to attend.
Coaching at Bayview Glen
Athletics, Bayview Glen News, Home page, Lower School, Prep School, Upper School
At Bayview Glen, our coaches play a pivotal role in shaping student-athletes who exemplify resilience, teamwork, and leadership. In the reflections below, two long-time coaches share how Bayview Glen athletes bring our school values to life through resilience, teamwork, and leadership.
Sharing from Coach Andrew Vivian
At the heart of every school lies a set of core values that guide both the educational and social experiences of students. Compassion, courage, and curiosity form the pillars that support our mission to foster well-rounded individuals who are not only knowledgeable but also emotionally and socially conscious. One of the most powerful ways to nurture these values is through sports.
Compassion is about understanding and caring for others, and sports provide a natural environment for students to develop this quality. As athletes work together to achieve a common goal, they learn the value of supporting one another – whether through encouragement after a mistake or celebrating a teammate’s success.
Coaches have the unique opportunity to model compassion, teaching athletes how to be empathetic, patient, and understanding of each other’s struggles and triumphs. In a sports setting, athletes are often placed in situations where they must put the team’s needs ahead of their own, like a softball player being asked to play catcher when they really would prefer first base. This can be an experience that helps students understand the importance of collaboration and selflessness.
Courage is often perceived as the ability to face challenges despite fear, and sports provide endless opportunities for students to develop this virtue. Whether it’s overcoming the fear of failure, standing up after a tough loss, or pushing through physical exhaustion, students learn that courage is not the absence of fear but the determination to face it head-on. A coach’s role in cultivating courage is crucial; by creating a supportive environment where mistakes are seen as opportunities to grow, athletes are encouraged to take risks, step out of their comfort zones, and persevere through adversity. In swimming, learning the flip-turn can be very scary as the chance of hitting your head on the wall is very real. The courage to try something new instills resilience and a sense of accomplishment. Coaches, by offering guidance and positive reinforcement, help students develop the inner strength needed to overcome obstacles both physical and mental.
At first thought, curiosity doesn’t seem like a value that is obviously connected to sports. However, curiosity is more than just asking questions – it’s the desire to explore new ideas, discover unknown talents, and challenge one’s limits. Coaching sports encourages students to be curious about their abilities, strategies, and the nuances of the game or activity. In older students, sports can also spark curiosity about broader topics such as teamwork, psychology, and physiology. Students may wonder how teamwork influences performance or why certain training regimens are effective.
Coaching sports in school goes beyond teaching students how to win or improve their athletic performance. It is about shaping individuals who are curious, compassionate, and courageous. Through sports, students learn to ask questions, support one another, and face challenges with confidence and resolve.
Andrew Vivian has taught and coached at Bayview Glen for over 30 years. (Swimming, Softball, Hockey, Rugby, Cross-Country Running, Volleyball, and Soccer)
Sharing from Coach Kristin Carpenter
The athletics programme is one of the many aspects at Bayview Glen that sets us apart. I have been coaching at the school for many years and over this time I have had the privilege of working with hundreds of student athletes. Throughout this, I have come to realize that our athletes truly embody our core values. These values show up in how our athletes train, compete, and treat each other.
One thing that stands out immediately to me is resilience. I coach cross country running and track and field – sports that demand a lot. There is no quick path to success in these sports, just a lot of early mornings, tough workouts, and learning to show up, rain or shine. Whether it is muddy trails in October or a beating sun on the track in June, our athletes put their heads down and get it done. They take ownership of their goals, and they understand that real growth comes from a consistent work ethic.
Even though running and throwing and jumping are often seen as individual sports, as seen in all Gryphons sports, teamwork plays a huge role in what we do. I have seen athletes pace each other through tough workouts, cheer louder for their peers than for themselves, and put a teammate’s success ahead of their own. That kind of support, compassion, and selflessness says a lot about who they are as individuals. Integrity is another core value that comes across in every practice. Our athletes don’t cut corners. They show up, put in the work and hold each other accountable. In competition, they show respect for the sport, their competitors, and for themselves. And no matter the outcome, Bayview Glen Gryphons carry themselves with pride and humility, and are often recognized by other schools for the spirit and respect that they consistently display.
Bayview Glen is a busy place and many of our students have a lot on their plates – academics, clubs, music, leadership roles, and athletics. Our students work hard to maintain balance and manage to make it to early practices and late games. It’s not always easy but they learn to make it all work and to ask for help when they need it. Through athletics, our Gryphons learn how to manage their time, look after themselves, and stay grounded. These life skills are things they can take forward and will stick with them well beyond their years at Bayview Glen.
After all these years, what keeps me motivated and engaged with coaching is our students. They are not just athletes, they are kind, thoughtful, and driven. Watching them grow – not just as athletes but as individuals – is one of the most rewarding parts of being a coach. More than just talk, Gryphon Athletics put our values into action ever day!
Parent Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon 2025
Bayview Glen News, Events, Home page, Lower School, Parent Association, Prep School, Preschool, Upper School
On Wednesday, May 28, our school community gathered in the J.T.M. Guest Theatre to celebrate the incredible dedication and generosity of our parent volunteers at the annual Parent Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. The event served as a warm and sincere opportunity to recognize the time, energy, and spirit our parent volunteers contribute throughout the school year.
Parents were welcomed with delightful refreshments and a heartfelt atmosphere of gratitude. The Head of School, the Parent Association President and Vice President, as well as the Executive Director of Advancement and External Relations, each shared their remarks expressing appreciation for the profound impact our parent volunteers have on student life, school events, and the broader community.
We are deeply thankful for our engaged and supportive parent community. Your commitment and care help make Bayview Glen a place where students – and our entire school community – can thrive.
We are always looking for parents to join us to organize events, be a part of our Parent Association Executive and volunteer at events. If you are interested in volunteering, please complete the online signup form (click here), or contact pavolunteer@bayviewglen.ca for any questions.
Join Us on Thursday, May 1 for the Final Parent Book Club and Parent Association Speaker Series
Bayview Glen News, Events, Home page, Lower School, Newsletters and Publications, Parent Association, Prep School, Preschool, Upper School
On behalf of Bayview Glen and the Parent Association, we warmly invite you to our final Parent Book Club and Parent Association Speaker Series of the school year on Thursday, May 1, 2025.
Parent Book Club
Book Discussion: The Disengaged Teen: Helping Kids Learn Better, Feel Better, and Live Better – by Jenny Anderson and Rebecca Winthrop
Date: Thursday, May 1, 2025
Location: Learning Commons, Bayview Glen Moatfield Campus
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Facilitator: Antoinette Morgan, Director of Student Wellbeing
Whether you’ve read the book or not, everyone is welcome to join the Book Club! You can pick up a copy at your bookstore or download the eBook to get started.
Parent Association Speaker Series
Topic: Artificial Intelligence in Education: Navigating AI with Your Kids
Date: Thursday, May 1, 2025
Location: J.T.M. Guest Theatre, Bayview Glen Moatfield Campus
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Speaker: Sandra Nagy, Director of Learning, Future Design School
Q&A Panelist: Leen-Jan Van ’t Hof, Director of Teaching and Learning, Upper School
This session will showcase real examples of how schools are using AI to ignite student potential and support the entire school community.
Please register online by April 30 if you are interested in attending.
Whether you’ve joined us throughout the year or are considering attending for the first time, we welcome you to be part of this final conversation as we wrap up another meaningful year of learning together.
Light refreshments will be served during both events. We look forward to seeing you there!