Kindergarten Orientation West Springs School

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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

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Alberta EducationKindergarten Program Statement
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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

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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

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Centre Time

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

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Snack Time

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

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Technology

• Computers in the classroom
• SMART technology
• Headsets and voice recorders
• Digital cameras
• Video camera
• Video Conferencing
• Desire 2 Learn (D2L)

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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).

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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.

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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)

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• Nature Inspired
• Curiosities of children about their environment
• Looking Closely
• Using five senses to investigate
• Use of an outdoor classroom throughout the
  seasons

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• Art Inspired
• Guest Artists
• Introducing students to authentic materials
• Students viewing themselves as artists

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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

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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

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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 childs nature journals.

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Parent Involvement

• Parents are our partners in learning
• Parents are a childs first teacher, you know
  your child best
• Volunteer opportunities

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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
  childs classroom.

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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!
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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.

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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.

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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

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Information for Parents

• Our school newsletter and information is posted
  on our school website http//schools.cbe.ab.ca/b
  404/
• 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_at_cbe.ab.ca

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School Hours 2010-2011

• Grades 1-5
• 900am- 325pm Lunch1200- 100 pm
• Morning Kindergarten 900am 1145am
• Afternoon Kindergarten 1240pm 325pm
• There will be early dismissals during the year.
  Classes will alternate for AM PM Kindergarten.

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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).

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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.

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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

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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 900-1030 am or 100 230pm.
• A letter, confirming your childs 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.

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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.

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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.

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Kindergarten Transportation
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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.

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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
  childs 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 .

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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Bus Rules

• Sit on your bottom in your seat
• Keep your hands and feet to yourself
• Use quiet voices
• Be nice friendly

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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