Welcome to Kindergarten!

Transcription

1 Welcome to Kindergarten!

2 Who are some of the adults that you will get to know this year? Kindergarten Teachers Learning Assistance Teacher Speech and Language Teacher School Counselor Teacher Librarian PE Teacher Noon Hour Supervisors (Lunchtime Employees) Parent Advisory Council Public Health Nurse

3 What do we know about our new kindergarten registrations to date? 58 students (27 females, 31 males) Approximately 50 % of the children have attended some form of Preschool Range of birthdates: 4 delayed entry Dec Nov Oct Sept Aug July Jun May Apr Mar Feb Jan

4 Identified special learning needs, physical needs, food allergies Children are from varying family backgrounds language and culture All will be full of wonder, excitement and a likely a little anxious about school

5 Staffing: To date we are planning for 3 straight kindergarten classes of approximately 20 students. There is always the chance that there could be a combination class of Kindergarten and Grade One. Late registration in our District is the last week of August. In SD 23 the official enrolment count day for elementary is the first Friday after the long weekend.

6 Why did Kindergarten change from half day to full day? More opportunities for play-based learning! Play promotes healthy physical, social, emotional, language and cognitive development.

7 Children have more time to develop social-emotional skills and build positive self-esteem. Positive Relationships: Peer to peer and child to staff. More time for individual and small-group learning opportunities. Greater exposure to educational materials to help build strong literacy and numeracy skills. Fewer transitions during the day.

8 Children are natural learners full of curiosity about the world. It is through play that children make sense of their world. Full Day Kindergarten is a wonderful opportunity to build a strong foundation for life-long learning.

9 Do children HAVE to attend Kindergarten? Children in BC may begin school starting in September of the school year in which they turn 5 Parents MUST enroll or home school a child in the school year in which that child turns 6 If enrolment is delayed, consultation with the principal will take place to establish placement of a child in the 1st year of school

10 Is my child ready for school? Every child grows and learns at different rates. If a parent is concerned about a child s readiness for school, talk to the school principal or Kindergarten teachers.

11 A few guiding questions 1. Is my child independent with dressing and toileting? Can they manage to go to the washroom independently? Can they change shoes and coats? 2. Does my child understand personal safety rules and respect adult safety rules? Stay in the classroom. Don t leave the classroom without asking the teacher. Stay in the schoolyard. Don t wander off. Stay where you can see the supervisor. (orange safety vest) 3. Can my child follow a simple set of directions. Put your toys away, get your jacket and meet me at the front door.

12 PARENT CONNECTIONS Mix and mingle connection activity. Just Like Me

13 Welcome To Class! First day of FULL DAY Kindergarten for all students in the province of B.C. is WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 11 th Parents will receive a letter in the mail early in July to indicate which class their child is in. We will let you know the dates and times that your child will have mini sessions to visit the classroom. (Sample Letter Handout)

14 Friday June 27, 2013 SAMPLE LETTER! Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s): Welcome to kindergarten! Beginning school is an exciting time and we are happy that you and your child will become part of our Black Mountain Learning Community. The first official day of all day kindergarten classes will be: Wednesday, September 11, Entry Bell: 8:25 am. Dismissal Bell: 2:30 pm. Lunch Break: 11:00 am. 11:57 am. Kindergarten students will eat lunch in the classrooms first and then play outdoors for the first few months. This is in reverse of the older grades. Your child will be supervised by a SD 23 Adult Supervisor and Grade Six student monitors. Please pack a healthy lunch with two snacks. (No pop, chips or candy etc.) Your child has been assigned to Mrs Class (Room #----). Gradual Entry Plan. "Mini Sessions": During the beginning of September the kindergarten teachers have planned special meeting times for you and your child. The purpose of the mini-sessions is to provide an opportunity for the classroom teacher to get to know your son/daughter and to introduce them to kindergarten routines in a small group setting. This time is very valuable in helping to prepare your child for a successful first year of school. Please bring your child to the classroom during the following mini session times. Parents are invited to stay for the first ½ hour of the first session.

15 GROUP ONE TIMES: GROUP TWO TIMES: Wednesday, September 4 th Wednesday, September 4 th 8:45 11:00 12:15 2:30 pm. Thursday, September 5 th Thursday September 5 th 12:15 2:30 8:45 11:00 Monday, September 9 th Tuesday, September 10 th 8:30 1:30 pm. 8:30 1:30 pm. We have planned that each kindergarten student will have the opportunity to attend THREE gradual entry "mini sessions" at varying times of the school day prior to the regular all day program beginning on Wednesday September 11, School Fees: Kindergarten Program: $40.00 ($30.00 for school supplies and $10.00 for cultural performances at the school) Please make cheques payable to Black Mountain Elementary School. Once again this year we have an added feature of paying student fees on-line. Fees are due by September 15, ( go to Black Mountain School. Bussing: For those students that will require bussing, please refer to the school district website at (click on the SD 23 Busing Icon) to check for eligibility and details regarding payment. School Communication and Newsletters: All of our school newsletters are available on line. Parents are requested to sign-up on line so that newsletters may be sent directly to the personal account of your choice.

16 Parent Volunteers: Parents are encouraged to volunteer in ways at Black Mountain Elementary School such as: classroom helpers, hot lunch helpers, special event helpers and fundraising. All parent helpers are required to complete a criminal record check form and provide two pieces of identification to the office. Parent Advisory Council (PAC) If you have a child registered at Black Mountain Elementary School you are automatically a member of the Black Mountain Elementary PAC. The purpose of the Parent Advisory Council is to support school programs and special events. The school relies heavily on the support of volunteers for hot lunch helpers, special events and running fundraising campaigns. We hope you will become involved in some way to help keep our school a great place for children to learn. If we have enough parent volunteers, our PAC will run a weekly Hot Lunch Program. You may sign-up for the Hot Lunch Program on line, via our school web site. We are looking forward to a positive and productive first year of school for your child. Best wishes for a wonderful summer. Sincerely, Mrs. Linda Watson Principal

17 BLACK MOUNTAIN ROUTINES Lunchtime: 11:00 11:57 am. Students who stay at school during the lunch hour eat lunch in their classrooms and are supervised by an adult Noonhour Supervisor who is a paid School District 23 employee. Grade Six students assist the Noonhour Supervisors and will receive leadership training. (PALS TEAM)

18 We are a registered BC Healthy School which means we promote healthy eating and daily exercise. No pop, chips, or chocolate bars please! Initial lunch time plan for our Kindergarten is: 11:00 11:35 Eat in classroom 11:35-11:57 Play Outdoors This is the reverse schedule of the older students.

19 School Start and End Times: 8:25 am. Warning Bell 2:30 pm. Dismissal Bell Pick Up and Drop Off Routines: Parent pick up and drop off meeting spot is the outside classroom door. After school: Parent Pick-up, Daycare Pick-up, Y Care Program and School Bus. Classroom teachers will have their students grouped into pick up groups. If your routine changes please write a note in the STUDENT AGENDA to let the teacher know.

20 School newsletters : Please sign up on line to get the monthly school newsletter delivered to your mailbox. Hot Lunch ordering is available on line and is run by our parent volunteers. (schools tab, Black Mountain) Visitors: Our District policy is that visitors and volunteers must check in at the office. Criminal Record Check: Parents who wish to volunteer in the classrooms and on field trips must complete a criminal record check.

21 We are looking forward to a great year of learning together! Thanks for taking the time to come to this Parent Information Session. Please help yourself to handouts of the Kindergarten skills list, our June newsletter, Interior Health Stan & Fran Healthy Tips, Criminal Record check forms. Book Gift: Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten.

22 Handouts Draw