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Welcome to Mrs. Cole & Mrs. Westover's
Kindergarten Class
Welcome to our webpage. You can find some links to great sites and classroom information here. Follow the menu at the left and click on the heading you would like to investigate.
Kindergarten (FDK)
James W. Hill Public School
All Day Every Day!
2012/-2013
2869 Kingsway Drive
Oakville
Absence Check Program:
Principal: Mrs. Shawn McRae
Vice-principal: Mr. Chris Haneberry
Office Staff: Mrs. L. Swanson
Mrs. Stephens
The Kindergarten Staff
Mrs. Cole
Mrs. Westover
Mrs. Locke
Ms. Savas
Miss Kvederys
Ms. Dann
Miss Shapiro
Welcome to Kindergarten at James W. Hill! We are very excited to begin the 2012/ 2013 year with you and your child. Within this booklet you will find information about our Early Learning Program, a typical Kindergarten day, the kindergarten program, a bit about TRIBES, your classroom teachers, as well as some important information about JWH! We hope that you will keep this handy throughout the year as a reference. However, please do not hesitate to speak with your child’s teacher, the Principal, Vice Principal or the office staff if you have further questions.
James W. Hill is in its third year of providing the all day every day Kindergarten program. The Kindergarten team continues to be very excited about this program and has worked hard over the past years to deliver a quality program. The team has been exemplary and has contributed to Ministry inquiry on programming. Our goals are to continue to build community and support all our kindergarten students academically, socially, physically and emotionally.
A BIT ABOUT EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM (ALL DAY EVERY DAY KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM)
The goals of the Full-Day Early Learning–Kindergarten program are as follows:
- to establish a strong foundation for the early years by providing young children with Ontario Early Years curriculum
- to provide a play-based emergent learning environment
- to help children make a smoother transition to Grade 1 with higher
order thinking skills
- to improve children’s prospects for success in school and in their
lives beyond school through developing self-regulation
Our Kindergarten team has been focusing on play-based emergent learning. Research tells us that “Play nourishes every aspect of children’s development – it forms the foundation of intellectual, social, physical and emotional skills necessary for success in school and in life. Play “paves the way for learning”. The learning activities within the Kindergarten program are designed by our Kindergarten team which will encourage the children to think creatively, explore and investigate, to solve problems, engage in the inquiry process and to share their learning with others.
THE SCHOOL DAY
8:30 – 8:45 Staff on Duty on school yard
Note: please do not drop your child off before 8:30 am. As there is no supervision. Drop off at the Kindergarten play area at the south end of the school.
8:45 Children enter and begin their entry routines.
For example: Sign–in, O Canada, Morning Message, Circle time, Independent reading
9:00-10:30 Students will engage in various tasks that are focused on the lesson during the morning circle. For example: Readers/Writers workshop ( literacy workstations), guided reading, learning centers, math centers
10:30 – 11:15 Outdoor time
11:05-11:55 Typically, this is the time of day where we schedule Media studies, music drama physical education science and technology and library visits. As well student may have another circle and engage in various learning centers, small group instruction or teacher /student choice learning centers
12:00-1:15 Outside time
2:25-3:05 Quiet activities. At this time students will do some quiet reading, puzzles, listening to books on tape. This will be followed by a circle time and outdoor time before dismissal.
TRIBES
At James W. Hill we will encourage and support all of our community members to follow and apply the Tribes philosophy. This will help us establish a caring environment for cooperative learning as well as providing us with a structure to ensure we have positive interactions working with each other in the classroom, at a staff meeting or with a parent group. As a Tribes school we will empower our students to make a difference each and every day by reflecting on values and virtues that focus on being a caring and supportive community. The four agreements are:
- Attentive listening,
- Appreciation (no put downs),
- The right to participate/pass
- Mutual respect
“to assure the healthy development of every child
so that each has knowledge, skills, and resiliency
to be successful in a rapidly changing world”.
The Tribes Mission Statement
WHO WILL BE TEACHING MY CHILD?
Our Early Learning Kindergarten team is made up of Kindergarten teachers and registered early childhood educators (RECE’s). Our team plans together, prepares assessment strategies, identifies next steps and creates interactive lessons focused on students needs.
The Early learning –Kindergarten team will facilitate the transition from home to school for all children. Our team’s partnership will support you and your child in a high-quality, intentional, play-based learning environment.
We encourage parents to become involved at James W. Hill. We know that
parents provide us with important information that makes us better able to
meet your child’s learning needs. The partnership between our Early Learning
Kindergarten team and home is essential for the success of all children’s
learning.
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT JAMES W. HILL
We are extremely excited about this upcoming year. As you may know our theme is based on Innovation in the 21st century, which will open many opportunities for all students to benefit from technology. We look forward to discovering with you and your child during the 2012-2013 school year!
The Backpack
- Fits comfortably (adjustable, over the shoulder straps for balancing weight)
- Has a zipper (have your child practice zipping the zipper up and down)
- Appropriate size (should be large enough to fit a large zip lock bag, library
book, snack and lunch)
- Easy to open wide
- Labeled with your child’s name
Clothing:
- Comfort, ease and independence are the most important elements when packing and dressing your child for school.
- Easy to put on (e.g. zippers and Velcro are great, belts, buttons and laces are not recommended)
- Weather appropriate (children go outside often and will need to be prepared for the weather)
- Your child will need indoor running shoes with non-marking soles. Slip-ons or Velcro fasteners are easier for everyone. If your child wears shoes with laces please ensure they are able to tie them independently.
- You will want to ensure that your child is well dressed for daily outdoor playtime. “Pull on” boots, hats, and rain capes are easier for children to put on by themselves. Snow pants are required on cold winter days. PLEASE no drawstrings, belts, scarves or other clothing that can get caught and cause risk of choking.
Communication:
- Please be sure to check your child’s backpack everyday. Inside their backpack will be “Mr. Ziploc”. This is a Ziploc bag or courier bag which will be used as a communication bag. Any important notices, calendars, artwork and newsletters from the school or class will be in this bag. It is also a bag in which you can communicate with us. Any notes or forms can be put in this and we will get them each day. It is also important to continually check both the school website and your child’s classroom webpage. These are updated regularly. We try to be as paperless as we can at JWH.
Please put your child’s name on all articles of clothing and personal possessions, especially your shoes and lunch/snack bag. You may purchase labels for all your child’s clothing and possessions by going to Mabel’s Labels at www.mabel.ca.
ABSENCE CHECK PROGRAM
At James W. Hill we have an absence check program that is supported by our secretary and parent volunteers. Below is some important information in regards to attendance.
- Regular attendance and punctuality has an impact on academic and social success.
- JK/SK students who are frequently absent or late for class miss learning opportunities and are disruptive to the learning environment of others.
- Parents/Guardians will be contacted if student attendance and/or punctuality is a concern.
- When a student is going to be late or absent, we ask that the parent or guardian contact our Absence Check phone number (905)845-2333 before 8:45 a.m. Your message should include the student’s name, the teacher’s name, the date(s) and the reason for the absence.
- Students who arrive Late must be signed in at the office.
SCHOOL SECURITY
All volunteers wear I.D. cards while in our school. To ensure the security and safety of all students and staff, upon entering the school or schoolyard property, ALL VISITORS must sign in at the office to obtain a visitor’s tag and permission.
For safety reasons we ask that Mrs. Cole’s and Mrs. Westover’s, Miss Shapiro, Miss Locke and Mrs. Savas’ students be dropped off at the gate closest to the parking lot. Miss Kvederys and Mrs. Dann’s students should be dropped off at the gate closet to the East side of the school. Please note that it is very important to say, “goodbye” to your child at the gate. This prevents crowding in the classrooms, which can lead to a safety hazard. We thank you for your cooperation.
WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU VOLUNTEER AT James W. Hill!
To volunteer in our school, please submit a Criminal Background Check (form available at the police station) and a Vulnerable Sector Screening form (available at the police station). You can visit our board website at www.hdsb.ca, click on the School Council link and our Volunteer Screening and Practices Manual is posted with details about the HDSB Volunteer
Management Program. More information will be available in mid September.
WHAT ABOUT SCHOOL CLOSURES?
The Halton District School Board has established a set of Inclement Weather Procedures that will be used throughout our system in the event of dangerous weather conditions.
- The decision to cancel buses and/or close schools before the start of a school day will be made by 6:00 a.m.
- You can hear this information on the following radio stations after 6:30 a.m. CHFI 98.1; CHML 900; CFRB 1010; CKOC 1150; CHWO 740; CJOY 1460; K-Lite 102.9 (FM); Y108 107.9 (FM); CBC 99.1 (FM); WAVE 94.7 (FM); CING 95.3 (FM)
- Television Stations- CHTV Morning Show will also broadcast school closure and bus cancellations
- When transportation is cancelled prior to school opening, it is cancelled for the entire day.
- Schools will remain open when transportation is cancelled
What Happens When School Is Closing During The Day?
The decision to close schools during the day is made by the Director of Education or designate. Such a decision must be made before 11:00 a.m. and broadcast by 12:00 noon.
Students in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8:
- Parents will be called when the school is closed.
If weather conditions prevent buses from being dispatched, students will not be dismissed until an approved adult comes to pick them up. The Principal or designate, with appropriate staff assistance, will remain at school and the school will be kept open until all children have been picked up.
CUSTODY OF CHILDREN
We are best able to support your child and be sensitive to particular situations when we are aware of custody, visiting rights or special instructions. If your family has these circumstances, please make sure that the school is provided with a written copy of the current legal agreement. Unless a court order specifically prevents it, both parents have the right to visit the school, attend interviews and have access to Information about the student’s educational progress.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MY CHILD IS ILL?
If your child becomes ill during the day we will contact you by phone to let you know. If we are unable to get in touch with parents we will contact the emergency contact name that you provide the school. We appreciate your support in keeping your child at home if they are not well. It is our school policy that all children go outside during our scheduled nutrition breaks unless a dated physicians note is provided.
Please contact the school if your child is suffering from a reportable disease. It is our board’s policy to advise parents of any communicable diseases. Due to privacy issues children’s names are not released. A list of reportable diseases can be found at www.region.halton.on.ca/health/ programs/infectionctrl/default.ht
PEDICULOSIS (HEAD LICE)
Should you suspect that your child has pediculosis, please call the school and a health care professional will check your child and classmates as well. Students may return to school once treated successfully and they have a note signed by a We Care Home Health Services practitioner. “ We Care” can be contacted at (905) 545-2273.
ALLERGIES
On January 1, 2006 there was an act passed called Sabrina’s Law. This act mandates that every School Board establish and maintain an anaphylactic policy. For every anaphylactic student in our school we develop a plan of action to reduce the risk of exposure in the classroom and provide an emergency plan. It is the responsibility of everyone to help reduce the risk of exposure therefore we ask that students do not bring in nut based products into our school.
If your child suffers from an extreme allergy, anaphylaxis or other serious medical condition, please ensure that the office and your child’s teacher are notified in writing immediately. James W. Hill has a procedure and forms that need to be completed.
MEDICATION
School personnel do not administer non-prescription over-the-counter medication.
School personnel will administer routine prescribed medication. Before any
prescribed medication can be administered, authorization forms (available in the
office) must be completed.
DENTAL HEALTH
Each year, elementary school children from a variety of grades are offered a free dental health screening by the Halton Region Health Department. The oral health status of Halton children is measured through these dental screenings. If a child has an urgent dental need, the parent is notified and may be able to access financial assistance for dental treatment if needed.
WHAT IS AN ONTARIO STUDENT RECORD?
The Ontario Student Record (OSR) is the record of a student’s educational progress through schools in Ontario. This accumulative folder may be reviewed by parents by making an appointment to do so with the Principal. Year-end reports and other educational records are stored in this folder during a student’s schooling in Ontario. Parents often find it helpful to have a teacher or Principal explain and clarify the contents.
WHAT IS SCHOOL COUNCIL?
School Councils play a vital role in the education system in Ontario. They provide a forum through which parents/guardians and other members of the school community can contribute to improving student achievement and school performance. For information about your School Council and opportunities for involvement, please speak to your School Council Chair or school administrators. For a comprehensive look at School Council operations, go to the board website at www.hdsb.ca, click on School Council and the School Council Handbook is
posted.
WHAT DO I NEED TO SEND TO SCHOOL?
It would be appreciated if your child could bring the following items to school on their first day of school:
- 1 large knapsack – large enough to hold a big library book, lunch and snack containers, etc.
- A change of clothes (labeled) in a large zip-lock bag
- 3 large solid-type glue sticks
- 1 box of Kleenex
- running shoes (preferably Velcro) that can be left at school throughout the year labeled with child’s name.
- A blanket or towel, for a quiet time
- A 4x6 photo of your family (for our family wall in the classroom)
- A box of large Ziploc bags and a box of medium Ziploc bags
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