Kindergarten OrientationWest 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 EducationKindergarten 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

• Building Materials• Sand / Water / Light Exploration• Art• Writing and Drawing Opportunities• Early Literacy and Numeracy Activities and

Games• Drama• Inquiry Projects

Snack Time

• Daily• Nutritious –Fruit, Vegetables, Crackers & cheese• Small (one or two items)• Water or juice • Peanut Free• Birthday Treats

Technology

• 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• 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 andoutside 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/

• The school office will open on August 30th, 2010. The phone number is 403-777-6244

• You may also email West Springs School at: westsprings@cbe.ab.ca

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: 42 Students ( 21 students per class) Male: 16 Female: 26

• PM Class: 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 9:00-10:30 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.

• 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 SchoolSunday, 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