Transcript Kindergarten Orientation West Springs School

Kindergarten Orientation
West Springs School
May 27, 2010
• Welcome and Introduction
Jacqueline Walsh
• Kindergarten Program
Michelle Bamford
• Volunteer Opportunities
Christine Jenik
• School Information / Safety
Jacqueline Walsh
• Opening Day
Jacqueline Walsh
• Transportation
Christine Jenik
• Questions /Displays
Jacqueline Walsh
Alberta Education
Kindergarten Program Statement
A Typical Day in Kindergarten
• Large Group Time – calendar, story,
discussions
• Structured Activities – journal drawing
/writing, math journals, formal printing
lessons
• Daily Physical Education
• Music will be provided by a specialist on a
regular schedule as well as integrated into the
classroom
Centers
• Exploration and learning through hands on activities
• Small group or individual instruction with a teacher or
parent volunteer
• Free choice with some mandatory activities
• Learning social skills and curriculum
Centre Time
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Building Materials
Sand / Water / Light Exploration
Art
Writing and Drawing Opportunities
Early Literacy and Numeracy Activities and
Games
• Drama
• Inquiry Projects
Snack Time
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Daily
Nutritious –Fruit, Vegetables, Crackers & cheese
Small (one or two items)
Water or juice
Peanut Free
Birthday Treats
Technology
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Computers in the classroom
SMART technology
Headsets and voice recorders
Digital cameras
Video camera
Video Conferencing
Desire 2 Learn (D2L)
Dismissal
• Students who take the bus are walked to the bus
by a bus buddy and/ or school assistant.
• Students who are picked up are released to their
parents or designated adult at the kindergarten
doors (East side of the school).
Communication
• Monthly kindergarten and school newsletters will be
available online for parents.
• Notices, when required to be on paper, will be sent
home with your child (encourage your child to empty
backpacks daily).
• Parents can connect with teachers by email,
telephone or in person.
West Springs Kindergarten Program
• Reggio Inspired
• Principles of Reggio Emilia
• Image of the child as a capable,
curious and active learner
• Teachers and Children as
partners
• The role of space and
environment
• The role of time and
importance of continuity
• The power of documentation
for constructing curriculum
• Cooperation and collaboration
• The role of the parents
• The many languages of children
(Howard Gardner)
• Nature Inspired
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Curiosities of children about their environment
Looking Closely
Using five senses to investigate
Use of an “outdoor classroom” throughout the seasons
• Art Inspired
• Guest Artists
• Introducing students to authentic materials
• Students viewing themselves as artists
Inquiry Projects
• Child Centered and Teacher Guided
• Often a response to an artifact or question
• Presented by a student or teacher
• Can be shorter or more long term
Field Trips and Special Guests
• Field trips and special guests will be scheduled
throughout the year.
• Activity fee will cover all field trip costs and
guest speakers
School Supplies and Fees
• The CBE Instructional Supplies and Materials ( ISM) Fee of
$15 covers the cost of classroom supplies and will be
collected in September.
• Students will require an indoor pair of shoes, which they
leave at the school, a container for their snack, and a
backpack large enough for big library books.
• The activity Fee of $85 per student will be also be collected
in September. This fee will cover the costs of field trips,
guest speakers and artists, specialized supplies, and the
many photos in your child’s nature journals.
Parent Involvement
• Parents are our partners in learning
• Parents are a child’s first teacher, you know
your child best
• Volunteer opportunities
Volunteering in and
outside of the Classroom
• Our volunteer program will begin in
mid-September after classroom
routines are established.
• A classroom representative will
help organise volunteers for special
projects, snacks or special
occasions.
• There will be opportunities to
volunteer in the classroom, assist
with field trips and special events
or complete work at home.
• We ask you to make alternative
arrangements for younger siblings
when you volunteer in your child’s
classroom.
School Council
• Consults with and advises the principal on any
matter relating to the school
• Works for the collective good of students
• Will play an important role in the building of our
playground and naturalization area
• Organizes special events for students and their
families
Watch for information in September!
CBE Volunteer Registration
• All volunteers must complete an annual registration form.
• All volunteers must obtain a security clearance from the
Calgary Police Service that is valid for 5 years.
• There is no charge for this process.
• You will need to present two pieces of identification when
you complete the security clearance application form.
• If you have a valid security clearance from a CBE school
you may have your clearance transferred to West Springs
School.
Volunteer Registration
• All volunteers must complete an annual volunteer
registration form.
• All volunteers must have a valid volunteer security
clearance from the Calgary Police Service.
• Security clearances are valid for 5 years.
• If you have a valid security clearance from a CBE
school you may have your clearance transferred to
West Springs School.
Volunteer Registration
• If you do not have a valid volunteer security
clearance:
– Complete both forms
– Have 2 pieces of government ID available for processing
• If you have a valid security clearance from another
CBE school:
– Complete the volunteer registration form only
– Have one piece of government ID with your birthdate
available for processing
Information for Parents
• Our school newsletter and information is posted on our
school website: http://schools.cbe.ab.ca/b404/
• An important website for information from the Calgary Board
of Education: www.cbe.ab.ca/
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The school office will open on August 30th, 2010. The phone
number is 403-777-6244
• You may also email West Springs School at:
[email protected]
School Hours 2010-2011
• Grades 1-5:
9:00am- 3:25pm
Lunch:12:00- 1:00 pm
• Morning Kindergarten: 9:00am – 11:45am
• Afternoon Kindergarten: 12:40pm – 3:25pm
There will be early dismissals during the year. Classes
will alternate for AM & PM Kindergarten.
Safety
• We ask that all parents and visitors enter the school
by the front door only.
• Please report to the front office, sign in and pick up a
nametag.
• Students who need to leave during the school day
must be “signed out” at the office.
• If your child will be absent or late, or will not be
taking the bus home, please call the office and let us
know ( 403-777-6244).
Safety
• Please help to make the streets around our
school safe.
• Choose safety over convenience when
dropping off and picking up your children.
• Obey traffic laws and use the cross walks.
Current Registration
• 74 Students Registered
• AM Class:
• PM Class:
42 Students ( 21 students per class)
Male: 16
Female: 26
32 Students ( 16 students per class)
Male: 20
Female: 12
*Two way Transportation for the PM class is provided for students who live
outside of the walk zone
**Class Size Target is 17
Staggered Entry
• Children have the opportunity to meet their teacher and
spend time in the classroom in smaller groups.
• Kindergarten students will attend staggered entry on
Thursday, September 2nd or Friday, September 3rd from 9:0010:30 am or 1:00 – 2:30pm.
• A letter, confirming your child’s class placement and staggered
entry time will be sent in August by email or mail.
• Please contact the school office if you have not received your
letter by August 30th.
First Day of School
• Parents are asked to bring their children to school as bussing
for kindergarten students will not be available during
staggered entry.
• There will be information, forms to complete and
refreshments for parents in the learning commons while the
children are in the classroom.
• Regular class times and bussing for kindergarten students will
begin on Tuesday, September 7th.
Kindergarten
Transportation
• All students who require bussing will be
placed in an afternoon kindergarten class.
• The safety of our children on the bus is very
important to us.
• Please see transportation display for
information regarding registration forms, fees
and bus stops.
Kindergarten Transportation
Bus Packages
• Students residing outside of the Walk Zone are eligible for 2
way transportation.
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Bussing contract packages were emailed to you and are
available for you to complete this evening.
• The cost for bussing this year is $200
• Please mail completed forms with payment directly to CBE
Transportation or leave them in the tray below. You may also
return them to our office prior to Friday, June 4th.
Bus Schedules and Maps
• Bus schedules will be available at West Springs
School from August 30, 2010.
• We will ask you for information about your child’s
bus stop during staggered entry. You can pick up the
schedules at that time if you wish.
• Transportation for Kindergarten students will begin
on Tuesday, September 7th .
Where are the bus stops?
• A bus stop will be placed within 800 meters of your
home.
• If your child will be going to childcare before or after
school, you can access the nearest bus stop that is
already in place.
• A bus stop will not be created to be close to a
dayhome or a daycare.
Bus Safety
• The safety of our children on the bus is very
important to us.
• Children will not be dropped off at a bus stop unless
someone is there to pick them up.
• Kindergarten children are always escorted between
the bus and the school by a school assistant or a “bus
buddy.”
Bus Buddies
• Bus buddies are children in Grade 3, 4 & 5 who
ride the same bus as their kindergarten buddy.
• After school they meet their buddy in the
kindergarten classroom and walk with them to
the bus.
First Ride Program
• This program is offered by the Calgary Board of
Education and the bus companies that provide
transportation.
• The objective of the First Ride Program is to educate
parents and kindergarten children about how to ride
the bus safely.
First Ride Program
• The First Ride Program will be offered on:
Saturday, May 39 at St. Cecilia School
Sunday, May 30 at Mount View School.
• Each session lasts about an hour.
• Registration is required, call 403-640-8867.
• Additional information is available on the CBE
website under Transportation
Bus Rules
• Sit on your bottom in your seat
• Keep your hands and feet to yourself
• Use quiet voices
• Be nice & friendly
Questions?
• General Questions?
• Please take some time to visit the
displays in the gym
• Volunteer registration in Staff Room
• We will be happy to answer your
individual questions
• Thank you and see you in the fall