1. Welcome to Kindergarten!
Kindergarten Orientation

2. Purpose of this Evening
To support you in preparing your child for the first year of school
To set the stage for success
To meet each other and share information
Kindergarten Orientation

3. Welcome and Introductions
Big step on a long journey
Setting the foundation for life-long learning
Exciting time for you and your child
Partnership between your family and the school in supporting your child’s learning
Kindergarten Orientation

4. Kindergarten Is for All Children
Background/experience
Stages of development
Special Education needs
Stages of Second Language Acquisition
Support
Work together to help all children be successful!
Our goal is to work together to help all children be successful in their transition to school. We recognized that children entering Kindergarten come with different backgrounds and experiences and are at different stages of development.
For children with special education needs, entry to school is more complex
Many school and community partners are available to support all children
School team- teacher, principal, Special Education Resource Teacher (SERT)
Regional support staff- Speech-Language Pathologist, Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist, Autism team
Early Intervention Services , Preschool Speech and Language

5. The Full-Day Kindergarten Program
Children attend school every day
Two educators (Kindergarten Teacher and Designated Early Childhood Educator) working as a team to support your child’s learning and development in the six learning areas.
Kindergarten Orientation

6. Supported Entry
On the first day - Senior Kindergarten students attend the whole day.
On the first day - Junior Kindergarten students attend for part of the day. A letter will be mailed to you informing you of the time your child is to attend school on September 6th.

7. Daily Schedule
Supervision starts at 8:45 with the instructional day beginning at 9:00. Kindergarten students will enter their classroom when they arrive between these times
JK/SK students are dropped off by parents in the fenced enclosure. Bus children are supervised from the bus to the enclosure.
Soft entry. Students will enter their classroom when they arrive from 8:55 to 9:10
Students will be supervised in the classroom by their DECE.
We ask parents to stay outside of the Kindergarten pen to support our safe arrival and dismissal.
Please pick your child up from their Kindergarten gate, the gate closest to the classroom.

8. Kindergarten Orientation
Daily Schedule
Morning recess 10:40 – 11:10
Lunch 12:50 – 1:50
Dismissal 3:30
Parents to pick up outside of your child’s Kindergarten gate for lunch and dismissal times
Bus children are supervised to and from the bus
Please let us know how your child is getting to and from school.
If your child takes the bus, please write a note telling us the bus number and pick-up/drop off location.
We cannot allow your child to go home with a person who we do not have your written or verbal permission from.
You need to sign your child out at the office if picking up before the end of the school day
Kindergarten Orientation

9. Kindergarten Orientation
Dismissal
If your child will be taking the bus, put a note in their backpack with the bus number and pick-up/drop-off information
If your child walks, please tell us in writing who has your consent to pick your child up
Kindergarten Orientation

10. Kindergarten Orientation
Helpful Information
For bussing information please go to – student transportation Services of York Region – Bus Stop information – Map Net Web – Enter street number and name – Unionville P.S. Information on the blue registration sheet.
Check the site beginning August 29
Kindergarten Orientation

11. Kindergarten Orientation
Medical
If your child has allergies that require an epi-pen, inhaler, or other required medication, please speak with the office staff the week prior to school beginning, August 29 to Sept. 2
Any other medical concerns, please speak with the office staff prior to the first day of school so your child’s teacher can be informed
Inform the office staff of any medical concerns prior to the first day of school as September 2nd will be extremely busy and entry time is too busy to have such an important conversation
Kindergarten Orientation

12. Kindergarten Orientation
Snacks and Lunches
Food allergies
Nutritious
Easy to open independently
Child is able to eat independently
Food that does not require heating
Reusable, non-spill water bottle
Litter-less lunches
Identifying snacks and lunch for child
Prepare lunches and snacks the night before
Kindergarten Orientation

13. Kindergarten Orientation
Dressing for Success
Washable clothing
Dress for activity
Change of clothing
Kept in backpack in a zip lock bag with your child’s name written on it; change clothing according to season (speak with your child’s teacher)
Labelled
Indoor and outdoor shoes, preferably running shoes
Daily outdoor activity is part of the kindergarten program. It is important your child is dressed for the weather, think layers.
Please label the inside all clothing including boots, backpacks, mitts, etc. It is common to for students to have the same colour and make of boots and coats. This will help your child’s teacher to send home the items you send your child to school with.
Kindergarten Orientation

14. Kindergarten Orientation
School Supplies
Backpack large enough to hold a lunch bag, letter-sized plastic folder and duo tang
Lunch/snack bag
Indoor shoes
Indoor shoes need to be non-marking soles, preferably running shoes for safety
Kindergarten Orientation

15. Washroom and Self-Help Routines
At school, children:
Use washroom independently
Wash hands with soap
Dress and undress themselves
belts
overalls
zippers
buttons
coat, boots, hats, mittens, shoes
Please do not send shoes with laces unless your child can tie and untie them independently
Kindergarten Orientation

16. Reporting Process Junior Kindergarten Senior Kindergarten
Observation Visit
Progress Report (November/December)
You will receive a letter
from your child’s teacher
Progress Report
Parent/Teacher Interview
(November)
Report Card for Terms One and Two
(January and June)

17. Preparing for the First Day of School
Over the summer:
Walk to school and have a picnic.
Play in the school yard.
Find the outside entrance to the Kindergarten area.
Establish bedtime routines and morning routines.
Make up a fun goodbye routine and practise it in other situations before school starts.
Consider enrolling your child in
an early learning program at the Public Library,
Ontario Early Years Centre,
Early Child Development and Parenting program,
Preschool program or recreation program near you.
Kindergarten Orientation

18. Materials to Have at Home
Magnetic letters and numbers
Thick crayons, pencils
Construction paper
Scribble and/or notebook
Glue stick, children’s scissors
Story books
Extra measuring cups, spoons to play with in the sand or water
Kindergarten Orientation

19. Kindergarten Orientation
First Day of School
Make the first day fun.
Get up in time to get everything done without rushing.
Be calm.
Talk about the fun things your child will be doing.
Take your child to the bus stop or walk to the school.
Make sure your child gets to school on time and is picked up on time.
The first day of school is a big
event in the life of a family,
make it a positive one!
Kindergarten Orientation

20. Kindergarten Orientation
Saying Goodbye....
Introduce your child to a buddy from his/her class.
Give your child a kiss and say goodbye.
Practise your goodbye routine ahead of time.
Reassure your child that you know (s)he’ll be okay.
Kindergarten Orientation

21. Kindergarten Orientation
Questions
Kindergarten Orientation