1. Welcome Families Kindergarten Parent Orientation
St. Elizabeth
Thurs. May 24, 2018

2. Our Prayer
Hold my child’s hand Lord, show them the way, help them be grateful every day.
Show them the difference between right and wrong, keep them safe Lord, all day long.
Give them direction on what to do.
Lead the way, Lord, I trust you.
Alternate Prayer choice:
Blessing for a Parent
You are blessed
You hold the children
The gift of creation
In the palm of your hand.
You hold the spirits of God
Close to your heart.
You form the minds
You inspire the hearts
You shape the hopes
Of the children
With the gift of yourself.
They bless you in return
With promise fulfilled
With hope realized
With life well done.
Amen

3. Agenda Meet your Kindergarten and St. Elizabeth team Guest Speakers:
Tara Patterson (Parent Council)
Ashley Fisher (The Idea Exchange)
Cara Cressman (SLP – WCDSB)
The Kindergarten Program 2016
Communication
Safe Arrival and Dismissal
Transportation
Lunch Time / Snacks
School Visits
Readiness for Kindergarten
School Supplies
Question Period

4. Your Kindergarten Team
Includes a certified Kindergarten teacher and registered early childhood educator (ECE).
Collaborative and complementary partnership to support children and families 4

5. The Kindergarten Program 2016
Learning in the new Kindergarten Program 2016 is organized around 4 ‘frames’ or areas
Belonging & Contributing
Self-Regulation & Well-Being
Demonstrating Literacy & Mathematics Behaviours
Problem Solving & Innovating 5

6. The Four Frames…
Align with the Catholic Graduate Expectations

7. What Might This Look Like?
Balance of inquiry-based learning & guided instruction
Blocks of time for child-initiated play
Literacy & numeracy instruction
Daily prayer
Religion & Family Life Instruction
Learning opportunities in response to student interests & needs
Snack & lunch times
Outdoor Play
Circle time
School-wide celebrations

8. How Will I Know What My Child Is Learning?
Communication with families…
Is based on documentation from the Kindergarten team
Is ongoing throughout the year
Is provided through a variety of informal means (phone calls, newsletters, blogs, discussions, communication bags and agendas.)
School and Board Website stelizabeth.wcdsb.ca
Is a two way endeavor
School Cash Online
Together families & educators provide insights into the child’s learning

9. Formal Communication
All families in the province of Ontario will receive formal written communication about their child’s learning, including next steps for learning at school and at home.
Late October/November: Communication of Learning Initial Observation sent home; parents invited to an observation and/or interview session
February: Communication of Learning sent home; parents may request an interview
June: Communication of Learning sent home ,

10. Safe Arrival and Dismissal
Children enter their classrooms through the doors in the
gated Kindergarten area.
Parents or Bus Buddies must stay with your child until supervision begins at 8:55 a.m.
Children enter the classroom as they arrive in between 8:55 a.m. and 9:10 a.m.
Extended Day students must be signed in by parent/ guardian and will be escorted to the classroom by the Early Childhood Educator
Safe Dismissal
Bus Students – There are staff members supervising loading and unloading of buses. Bus buddies will come to the Kindergarten classrooms and will walk the JK/SK students to their buses.
Walking Students – Parents/Guardians/Siblings will wait in the gated Kindergarten area for the teacher to dismiss the walkers.
Extended Day Students – ECE or teacher will escort children to the extended day classroom.

11. See flyer for more details:
Transportation
Want to know if you live in a busing or walking zone? Visit:
last week of August letter sent to families with transportation information
Take a Ride on a Bus: look for registration flyer coming to you in August for “First Rider” program Aug. 26/18 2:00 pm
Bus name tag
Bus buddies
parent/guardian must meet bus
Bussing begins 1st day of school
Print out flyers to have available to families as needed (flyer can be found in the shared Google folder)
Flyers for “First Rider” program will be sent directly to families in August giving info on how to register.
See flyer for more details:

12. Lunch Time/Snacks Morning and afternoon snacks Lunch – 30 minutes
Reusable containers please (labeled)
Water bottles/juice/drinks
*Please note: WCDSB schools are Peanut Free Zones
*Peanut Butter substitutes are also not permitted at school.

13. Scheduled school visits for Year 1 (JK) students and their families
School Entry
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday 3
Labour Day 4
Scheduled school visits for Year 1 (JK) students and their families 5
Year 2 (SK) students
Attend 6
All Year 2 (SK) students attend
Half of Year 1 (JK) class attends school all day
Other half of Year 1 (JK) class attends school all day 10
All students attend 11 12 13 14

14. School Visit Conducted during first day of school
Meet the FDK team (Teacher and ECE)
To build rapport with child and parents
Take a picture
Exchange information and procedures
Teachers will call in July/August to set up a time for Sept. 4 visit

15. Readiness for School
Readiness for school refers to the child’s ability to meet the demands of school:
* to interact and work cooperatively with others
* to be able to listen and follow directions
* to be able to share
* to see, hear, speak clearly (hearing and vision check ups are recommended before September)
* to be independent regarding washroom routines
* ELL, Special Needs, Allergies
Organizations in our Community:
* Early Years Centres, Library, YMCA, Neighbourhood Associations, Region of Waterloo Public Health

16. School Supplies Big School Bag All school supplies are provided
Lunch Box with snacks and lunch (reusable containers J)
Reusable container for beverages
Indoor Shoes (Velcro/Slip-Ons)
Change of Clothes
Label EVERYTHING
Donations of Kleenex, baby wipes and mild liquid hand soap are always appreciated

17. The Extended Day Program
We are pleased to announce that for the school year your child’s school will offer the Extended Day program
Registration is open to all children in JK to Grade 6
Programs are led by the Early Childhood Educators working in the kindergarten classrooms providing a seamless integrated school day for students
Fees are pro-rated based on school bell times
Schedules can be flexible to meet family's needs with a set recurring weekly schedule
Programs are eligible for the Region of Waterloo ‘s Child Care subsidy.
Programs are offered on PD Days, Christmas and March Break.
Further information on the Extended Day Program and individual program fees may be found at the board website:
Please remove this slide if your school does not offer the board operated Extended Day Program.

18. Summary Transportation School Visit Phone Call (July/Aug.)
BIG School Bag / Backpack
Take A Ride on the Bus
Label all belongings
Practice snacks/lunch scenarios at home
Readiness for School
Communication with Teachers
Parents and Children Do Not Panic

19. We’re Happy to Answer Any Other Questions You May Have