Kindergarten Registration Information for School Communities of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board School Year

Agenda Video: OCDSB Program Options General Information about Full Day Kindergarten(FDK) and Extended Day Program (EDP) Questions?

A Bit About SMPS Opened in 2006, named after the Canadian astronaut Steve Maclean, 9 Classroom, 2-floor addition was built last year, Current school population is 961 students (989 in ), K-8 school with English and Early French Immersion programs, School Improvement Goal is focused on critical thinking and rich tasks throughout the curriculum, Incredible team of dedicated and skilled teachers and support staff

SMPS Continued Team of professionals to support students and staff: social worker, speech and language therapist, psychologist Many extra-curricular activities ranging from chess club, to intermediate band, to robotics, to sports, to musicals, to…, Many co-curricular activities: field trips, special presenters and multicultural concerts (“Aboriginal Experiences” tomorrow), etc, Community partnerships: Ottawa Police, Green Communities, Public Health, YouthNet, etc. Parental engagement: School Council, volunteering, workshops, Career Day, etc.

Welcome to Kindergarten! The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board Full-Day Kindergarten program is a child-centered, developmentally appropriate, integrated, program of learning for four and five-year-old children. The purpose of the program is to establish a strong foundation for learning in the early years, and to do so in a safe and caring play-based environment that promotes the physical, social, emotional and cognitive development of all children. The Full-Day Early Learning Kindergarten Program – Draft, Ontario Ministry of Education, 2010 p. 1

Key Dates Official Registration Weeks Kindergarten Registration Week – January 27 th – January 31st, 2014 *Note: Registration is ongoing if you are unable to meet these timelines Student Transfer Application Period - February , 2014

Kindergarten - Key Information

Program Options If your child will be age four or five by December 31, 2014, they are ready for kindergarten starting in September Registration will be accepted anytime during the school year (beyond the registration period). Program choices in the OCDSB for elementary students include:  Full-Day Kindergarten  English  Early French Immersion  Middle French Immersion (grade 4 entry)  Alternative The program selected is a parental decision.

English Program The English program allows students to concentrate on English language skills. The program is available from kindergarten to graduation. The program is child centered and stresses proficiency in all subject areas. In this program, English is the language of instruction for all subjects other than French. At the elementary level, the following subjects are taught: Language, Mathematics, Science and Technology, Social Studies (including Geography and History), Health and Physical Education, The Arts and Core French. A student who successfully completes the English program is expected to have a functional knowledge of the French language.

English/Core French Currently, in our English program, Junior and Senior Kindergarten students receive 100 minutes of Core French instruction per week. Students in Grades 1 through 8 receive instruction in Core French for 200 minutes per week. A viable pathway to bilingualism!

Early French Immersion (EFI) The Early French Immersion (EFI) program provides students with the opportunity to become functionally bilingual through early exposure to French. Students who successfully complete the EFI program, and later enroll in a secondary level program which meets the requirements to obtain the OCDSB Extended French or French Immersion Certificate, are expected to be able to communicate with ease and feel comfortable in either language community (English or French) and also accept employment, training or further education in either language.

EFI - French/English Instructional Time In the EFI program, students are currently provided with: SK – (50% French/50% English) Grade % French Grades 2 and % French /20% English Grades 4 to % French /40% English Grades 7 and % French /50% English Note: Mathematics instruction in English begins in grade 4.* The OCDSB Elementary Time Allocation Model outlines the language of instruction and number of minutes of instruction per week in each subject area.

Middle French Immersion (MFI) The Middle French Immersion (MFI) program provides students with the opportunity to obtain a solid foundation in English language skills in the primary grades before starting intensive study of French. A student who successfully completes the MFI program, and later enrolls in a secondary level program which meets the requirements to obtain the OCDSB Extended French or French Immersion Certificate, is expected to be able to communicate with ease and feel comfortable in either language community (English or French) and also accept employment, training or further education in either language. Note: The open entry point for MFI is grade 4.

MFI -French/English Instructional Time Currently, in the MFI program, students are provided with: 100 minutes per week of Core French – JK and SK 200 minutes per week of Core French – grades 1 to 3 grades 4 to % French /34% English grades 7 and % French /50% English Note: Mathematics instruction in English begins in grade 4.* The OCDSB Elementary Time Allocation Model outlines the language of instruction and number of minutes of instruction per week in each subject area.

Alternative Program In the Alternative Program, English is the language of instruction for all subjects other than Core French. With strong community support and parent involvement, the alternative education philosophy is based on the following core tenets: Everyone’s contributions are valued, no awards or prizes Project-based learning, with a balance between student- directed and teacher-directed learning Mixed-aged groupings, classrooms fostering collaboration Integrated curriculum stressing interrelation of all learning and subjects Family and community-centered school environment Ongoing assessment and evaluation Reduced emphasis on grading

Full-Day Kindergarten In September 2014, the OCDSB will be in its fifth and final year of implementing full-day learning for four and five-year-old kindergarten students. 100 elementary schools with Kindergarten programs will offer Full-Day Early Learning Kindergarten (FDK) Program in September These classrooms will all be led by an Educator Team consisting of both a registered Early Childhood Educator and Teacher. The program aims to provide every child with the support they need in order to develop self regulation; health, well being and sense of security; emotional and social competence; curiosity and confidence in learning; respect for diversity of his or her peers.

The purpose of the Full-Day Kindergarten Program is to provide a seamless educational experience for our children. There are two possible and mutually supportive parts to the FDK Program: Core Day (Program run during regular school hours) Extended Day (Program run before and after school hours)

Full-Day Kindergarten – Core Day Core Day Features: An Educator Team (1 Teacher and 1 Early Childhood Educator) per class. Average Class Size of 26 Students (Average Ratio of 1 Educator to 13 Students). FDK Classes follow the Ontario Ministry of Education Full-Day Early Learning - Kindergarten Program, Students have a full day of learning (300 minutes of instructional time) capitalizing on their natural curiosity and exuberance through an inquiry, play-based approach to learning.

Extended Day Program The Extended Day Program (EDP) is complementary to the core program and aligned with it in order to provide a seamless and consistent educational experience for children. The Extended Day Program: –is offered before and after the regular school day (core day) –is delivered by teams of Registered Early Childhood Educators and Early Learning Assistants –reflects planning that is consistent with the approach taken in the core day program –makes use of shared resources and shared common spaces to create a seamless system of care and education for children and families –currently operates on PA Days, a week of Winter Break and March Break, at many locations, based on parental interest.

Extended Day Program Please note: The OCDSB will operate the Extended Day Program for ages 3.8 years to 12 years where sufficient numbers (3) indicate the need. There are two ways an extended day program can be offered. The District can run its own program at any school with a full day kindergarten program. Also, an eligible day care operator can enter into an agreement with the District to offer programming on the District’s behalf.

Transportation School bus transportation is available to all kindergarten students who live more than 0.8 km from their school. Information regarding transportation is available at your school or from the Ottawa Student Transportation Authority (OSTA) by phone: by

We would be privileged to welcome you and your child to our Kindergarten program. Public Education: Doing it W.E.L.L. At the OCDSB

Questions?