Kindergarten Handbook 2020 2021 - Working Learning Leading Together!
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Working… Learning… Leading… Together!
Kindergarten Handbook
2020 – 2021
1.
Nothing so encourages us to use our gifts
Nothing so increases our chances of success,
As the realization that someone believes in us.
Anonymous
Welcome to Kindergarten!
Welcome to your child and you! The child you have loved and cared for has
reached the age when she/he can attend school. Kindergarten is often the
first occasion for a child to experience time away from home. It can be an
exciting year in the life of a child (and parent(s), for that matter). There are
many opportunities for new learning experiences, making new friends, and
becoming just a little more independent. Kindergarten promotes a “love of
learning” through play and organized activities. The Kindergarten
environment provides and facilitates experiences that help children to
develop socially, intellectually, physically, emotionally, and creatively. An
important goal is to have children feel safe and accepted as individuals.
Parents are encouraged to contact the school to speak with a teacher if
they have any information, concerns, or questions related to their child.
This Handbook has been written to introduce you to the Kindergarten
Programme. We hope that it will answer many of the questions you might
have regarding this first important year in school.
Kindergarten Teacher: Mrs. Cindy Potter
Administrative Assistants: Mrs. L. Renner & Mrs. F. Knight
Assistant Principal: Mrs. M. Verma
Principal: Dr. D.E. Kun
School Start Date:
All Kindergarten students and parents are invited to a short orientation on
Thursday, September 3rd and Friday, September 4th. The year will begin
with staggered entry times from September 8th - 10th (Tuesday-Thursday).
Monday, September 7th is Labour Day – No School.
2. Alberta Education’s “Kindergarten Program Statement” “Early childhood is a significant period in human development. Independence, initiative, decision making, creativity, the ability to learn, the ability to relate to others and feelings of self-worth all have their beginnings in early childhood. What young children learn at this stage will have a major impact on successful learning experiences in school, on personal development and on future participation in society. Early Childhood Services (ECS) refers to a continuum of programming that is developmentally appropriate and meets the diverse needs of young children and their families. In ECS programs, young children participate as active learners, build a shared set of experiences, and develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes that prepare them for subsequent learning. Kindergarten refers specifically to the education program for children in the year prior to Grade 1 and is part of the ECS continuum. The Kindergarten learner expectations describe learnings that are appropriate for young children and are part of a learning pathway. Some children are already developing, or have developed, some of the learnings described in the Kindergarten Program Statement. Most children will achieve these learnings before they enter Grade 1. Others will continue to develop them during the primary school years. The Kindergarten program not only helps prepare children for entry into Grade 1, but also provides a foundation for later success.” (Alberta Education, 2008) Aldergrove School’s Kindergarten Programme has learner expectations in the following areas: 1) Early Literacy / English Language Arts 2) Early Numeracy / Mathematics 3) Community and Environmental Awareness 4) Citizenship and Identity / Social Studies 5) Personal and Social Responsibility 6) Physical Skills and Well-being 7) Creative Expression
3.
Kindergarten Programme Philosophy
Six Principles provide a framework for the Kindergarten Programme. They are as
follows:
1) Young children learn best when programming meets their developmental needs.
2) Young children develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes that prepare them for
later learning.
3) Young children with special needs, through early intervention strategies, develop
knowledge, skills, and attitudes that prepare them for later learning.
4) Young children build a common set of experiences through interaction with
others.
5) Parents have the opportunity for meaningful involvement in the education of
their young children.
6) Coordinated community services meet the needs of young children and their
families.
Kindergarten Attendance
Kindergarten is often the first experience with school for both children and parents.
Children are expected to attend each day, and parents are asked to help instil
expectations for attendance and punctuality. Parents are asked to phone the school
(780-487-5182) if their child is going to be absent, or to write a note in the “Take Home
Pouch” the day before if the absence is known to be forthcoming. Parents will be
contacted for unexplained absences.
*PLEASE NOTE: If your child is experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, please keep them
at home. Students with symptoms or experiencing illness, will not be allowed in the
school.4.
How Children Learn and Develop
Taken from: Program Description K-3 Working Paper -ECES, EPSB
1. EACH CHILD IS A UNIQUE INDIVIDUAL – with varying backgrounds, interests, abilities,
needs, rates of learning, and learning styles;
2. LEARNING IS A CONTINUOUS SEQUENTIAL, INTERACTIVE PROCESS –
we start with simple skills, which are gradually and continually built into
more complex skills;
3. YOUNG CHILDREN LEARN BEST THROUGH FIRST HAND, CONCRETE
EXPERIENCES – which are meaningful and relevant to them;
4. A CHILD’S SELF CONCEPT HAS A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON HOW THEY LEARN AND
PERFORM IN ALL AREAS OF DEVELOPMENT;
5. PLAY IS A NECESSARY PART OF A CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT – it is a major learning
process: it encompasses any activity freely chosen and it integrates all areas of
development.5.
A Scheduled Day in Kindergarten
AM Kindergarten has the following schedule Monday to Friday:
8:40 am – Assembly Bell
8:45 – 10:25 am – Instruction
10:25 – 10:40 am – Recess
10:40 – 11:40 am - Instruction
11:40 am – Dismissal
PM Kindergarten has the following schedule Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday:
12:25 pm – Assembly Bell
12: 30 – 2:20 pm –Instruction
2:20 – 2:35 pm - Recess
2:35 – 3:35 pm - Instruction
3:35 pm - Dismissal
Thursday has the following schedule for an early dismissal:
12:25 pm – Assembly Bell
12: 30 – 2:35 pm –Instruction
2:35 pm - Dismissal
All Kindergarten students are dismissed from school at the North Exit Doors, by the
parking lot of the school. For the safety of each student, we require that each student
be picked up from those doors by an adult.
Please NOTE: All school entrance/exit doors remain locked during the day. Due to
COVID-19, Parents are not allowed in the school unless they have an appointment,
arranged through the School Office.6.
Kindergarten Activities
Most days in Kindergarten will have components such as:
- calendar and weather
- daily physical activity
- teacher directed learning
▪ early literacy using Balanced Literacy, and 6+1 Writing Traits
approaches
▪ themes
▪ poems, songs, and stories
- whole class activities
- small group activities
- individual activities at Learning Centres
- snack time
- recess
*PLEASE NOTE: Due to COVID-19, the Library Commons will remain closed until
further notice.7.
Kindergarten Learning Centres
WHY LEARNING CENTRES?
1. Centres attract children’s interest and stimulate their curiosity;
2. Centres encourage children to become actively involved;
3. Centres offer opportunities for children to pursue their learning in an individual
manner;
4. They involve small groups of children learning skills in decision-making, problem-
solving, responsibility and cooperation;
5. Centres provide choices for children that are open-ended so that students are
challenged and can work at their own level;
6. Children are responsible for making choices, finishing tasks, and tidying up the
centres.
LEARNING CENTRES:
- Reading - Printing - Writing
- Math - Science - Computer
- Puzzles - Listening - Games
- Art/Painting - iPads - Blocks
- Playhouse - SMART Board
*PLEASE NOTE: Due to COVID-19, the following Centres will not be available until
further notice:
- Sand/Rice Table -Play Dough -Puppetry
- Water Table
*PLEASE NOTE: Cleaning and sanitizing protocols are in place for materials used in the
Centres.8.
School - Home Communication
All school - home communication will be through SchoolZone or email. It is imperative
that all parents / guardians have their parent SchoolZone accounts set up and that Mrs.
Potter has your email address.
Behavioural Expectations
At the beginning of the year and as needed throughout the year, the children will be
involved in discussions about ways to make our classroom a special one: a happy,
productive place to learn. We will discuss the importance of having a code of conduct in
the classroom. The Kindergarten “Code of Co-operation” will be posted in the
classroom. In Kindergarten, an example of a major consequence of breaking a rule may
be to sit in the ‘time out’ chair and think about the problem. Whenever problems occur,
the children will be encouraged to think out a plan to solve that problem using a
principle, from The Leader in Me programme.
Birthdays
*PLEASE NOTE: Due to COVID-19, students will not be allowed to bring in any treats to
share for their birthday.
Each student’s birthday will be acknowledged and celebrated within the classroom.
Classroom Newsletters
An Aldergrove School newsletter (monthly), as well as a Kindergarten newsletter
(quarterly), will be posted on SchoolZone. SchoolZone is the means by which Edmonton
Public Schools has chosen to give you secure access to your child’s school information,
as well as general information.
Internet based, SchoolZone is available any time and any place where you have access
to an internet enabled device. If you do not have access to SchoolZone, an emailed
copy can be provided.
Field Trips
*PLEASE NOTE: Due to COVID-19, field trips are not allowed until further notice.
However, neighbourhood walks are permitted following COVID-19 protocols.9.
Parent Partnerships/Volunteers
*PLEASE NOTE: Due to COVID-19, parent volunteers are not allowed in the school until
further notice.
School Supplies
Kindergarten children will require the following individual school supplies in addition the
school supply list:
● Backpack
● Pair of Velcro running shoes for in-school use that they can put on and do up
alone (these shoes will be kept at school as their “indoor shoes”)
● Box of 300 tissues
● All clothing labeled with child’s name
● Winter boots labeled with child’s name
SchoolZone
What is SchoolZone? SchoolZone is an information system developed by Edmonton
Public Schools. It provides parents and students with secure access to school and
student information and is designed to enhance the relationship between school and
home. Using portal technology and the convenience of the Internet, it is available any
time and any place. By accessing the site, parents will have timely access to information
and can be more actively involved in their children’s academic success. As well, you can
find attendance records, newsletters, progress reports, district events, achievement
results, and access to selected online educational resources.
Show and Share
Students will have an opportunity to ‘show and share’ with their classmates. The
purpose of this is to develop skills to:
● Communicate effectively
● Feel confident when speaking to a group
● Listen attentively.10.
Snacks
Parents are asked to send a nutritious snack to school with their child each day. The
snack must be something the child can open and eat independently. Students and their
parents are encouraged to “Make the healthy choice, the easy choice”. Packaging needs
to be child friendly, something they can open by themselves. If sending a snack in a
container, please ensure your child can open and close the container on their own.
Aldergrove School is a LEADER IN ME School
“Character Education in Action”
The Leader In Me programme integrates “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” into a
school’s core curriculum and everyday language. The leadership model is grounded in
the belief that building cooperative relationships and nurturing responsibility, kindness,
and good judgment is the basis for creating a successful community of learners. By
developing the WHOLE child – socially, emotionally, academically, and ethically – the
programme fosters a climate of principle-centred and personal leadership.
The 7 Habits of Happy Kids
Habit 1: Be Proactive (You’re in charge)
Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind (Have a plan)
Habit 3: Put First Things First (Work first, then play)
Habit 4: Think Win-Win (Everyone can win)
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then To Be Understood
(Listen before you talk)
Habit 6: Synergize (Working together is better)
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw (Balance feels best)11.
12.
Assessment and Evaluation
of
Student Growth and Achievement
Demonstrating and communicating student growth is an essential, important link
between home and school. Assessment and evaluation of a student’s progress in school
is an ongoing daily process. Many forms of assessment are used:
● Teacher observations
● Student-Teacher conversations
● Student’s daily work
● Dated samples of the student’s work in a file
● Oral test by the Teacher (e.g. letter identification, number recognition)
*PLEASE NOTE: Due to COVID-19, a quarterly system for 2020-2021 has been
implemented in place of three terms. Student progress will be reported formally four
times during the school year, whether the student is attending school in-person or
learning at home through online instruction. For Kindergarten, assessment and
evaluation will be as follows:
November 2020 – an interim report summarizing growth and progress
February 2021 – a mid-year progress report indicating achievement for all
subjects
April 2021 – an interim report summarizing growth and progress
June 2021 – a final progress report indicating year end achievement for all subjects
Due to COVID-19, no in-person conferences will be held at this time.13.
ALDERGROVE SCHOOL
8525 182 Street NW
Edmonton, Alberta T5T 1X1
Phone: 780-487-5182
Fax: 780-481-2166
e-mail: aldergrove@epsb.ca
website: http://aldergrove.epsb.caYou can also read
