1. Welcome! Bienvenue! Kindergarten Information Night Elmdale Public School

2. Agenda  Introduction of School Personnel  School Profile  School Council  French as a Second Language Programs  A Day in Kindergarten  Learning Through Play  Home-School Connection  Busing  Registration  Question Period  Wrap-up

3. Elmdale School  Introduction of School Personnel  School Profile Kindergarten profile  School Council Importance of volunteers in the school

4. French as a Second Language Programs  OCDSB offers 3 types of French as a Second Language Programs: Regular English/Core French Early French Immersion (EFI) Middle French Immersion (MFI)  Regular English and Early French Immersion are offered at Elmdale.  There are different boundaries for each program. For some addresses, Elmdale will be the home school for English and Devonshire will be the home school for EFI. In some cases, Elmdale will be the home school for EFI and Hilson will be the designated school for English.

5. French as a Second Language Programs  Regular English/Core French Allows more time to concentrate on English language skills while developing a basic level of proficiency in the French language. Available from JK to graduation Language of instruction is English for all subjects except for French. French is taught 100 min./wk in kindergarten and 200 min./wk in grade 1-8. A French credit is compulsory in grade 9.

6. French as a Second Language Programs  Early French Immersion Available from SK to grade 8 (options continue in secondary school) Enables students to become functionally bilingual through a maximum exposure to French. SK & gr. 1 – 100% of instruction is in French Gr. 2 & 3 – English introduced for 20% of the week Gr. 4-6 – English instruction for 40% of the week (English and Math)

7. French as a Second Language Programs  Middle French Immersion: Available for gr. 4-6 (options continue in secondary school) Regular program/Core French JK-gr. 3; 70% French instruction gr. 4-6

8. A Day in Kindergarten

9. The centre approach: Learning Through Play  “Young children actively explore their environment and the world around them through a process of learning-based play… Play is a vehicle for learning…Play and work are not distinct categories for young children…there is a strong link between play and learning…Play, therefore, has a legitimate and important role in Kindergarten…”  (page 14, The Kindergarten Program, 2006, Ontario Ministry of Education)

10. The centre approach: Learning Through Play  “ Current brain research confirms that opportunities for children to learn through play impel the development of multiple-sensing pathways in the brain.”  (page 14, The Kindergarten Program, 2006, Ontario Ministry of Education)

11. The Kindergarten Program  Personal and Social Development  Language  Mathematics  Science and Technology  Health and Physical Activity  The Arts

12. The Kindergarten Program www.edu.gov.on.ca  Ontario Ministry of Education released a revised version of the Kindergarten Program in 2006  Outlines a range of expectations to be developed by the end of Senior Kindergarten

13. Assessment and Evaluation  JK report card once a year in June  SK report cards: March and June  JK/SK Parent-Teacher interviews in early December and March

14. Home-School Connection  June Package – staggered entry start dates  Intake Interviews  Newsletters, telephone calls, written notes

15. Busing Transportation # 613.596.8256, ext. 8907  Busing Awareness Program in August  Drive the “bus route”  Revisit safety rules  Parent/caregiver to meet student at bus stop  Parents are responsible for verifying that their child’s drop-off spot is accurate. Please contact Transportation at the number above prior to the beginning of the school year.

16. Busing Transportation # 613.596.8256, ext. 8907  Bus tags: The initial one is made by the teacher. If it becomes lost, parents are responsible for replacing the tag which should include the following information: - Elmdale P.S. + # 728-4653, child’s name, and drop off spot  Please refer to the board web site for further information regarding transportation. www.ocdsb.ca

17. When You Register, You Will Need:  Proof of age (e.g., birth certificate)  Immunization Record (please keep it updated)  Health Card  Custody Papers (if applicable)  Registration Form  Parental Placement Request Form

18.  Questions  Closing note Thank you! Merci!