1. Area V French Immersion Kindergarten and New to Grade One Orientation Janet Johnstone, Sam Livingston, Sundance January 20, 2011

2. Agenda Introductions Your Young Learner and School
French Immersion Program
Transportation
Accommodation Proposal
Question Period

3. Introductions Jerry Pedron, Principal: Sundance
Melody Davies, Assistant Principal; Lucie Bouchard, Teacher
Dallas Wheeler, Principal: Sam Livingston
Heather Dyson & Andrea Frohlick, Teachers
Michèle Wills, Principal: Janet Johnstone
Meghan Simmons, Teacher
Annmarie Gover has been our FI Kindergarten teacher for several years but for the past two years will be taking on a new role next year as our AM / PM TLC kindergarten teacher…she brings a wealth of experience and we’re pleased that she has accepted this new position with such enthusiasm. We are presently in the middle of hiring staff for both programs and have received a great deal of interest from new and seasoned TLC teachers and we will be hiring the people that will be the best fit for our school program. Stay tuned. 3 3

4. Welcome Calgary Board of Education Kindergarten / Grade One
French Immersion Program
Tonight’s information evening is to inform you so that you can make informed decisions regarding your children. If this is your first involvement with the Calgary Board of Education , we welcome you to an exciting community of learners and educators who strive to

5. Your Young Learner and School

6. Your Young Learner
Has learned in a variety of environments —in homes, in daycare programs, with extended family, and in the community
Demonstrates his or her knowledge in different ways
Before they enter the Kindergarten program, young children are learning in a variety of environments—in their homes, in day care programs and in the community. This learning continues and both supports and is supported by Kindergarten programming

7. Your Young Learner
Needs rich and varied opportunities to explore their environment
Needs to use language in a variety of ways
Needs to engage with peers
Needs to interact with responsive adults at home, school and in their communities
Young learners need rich and varied opportunities to explore their environment; use language; engage with peers and interact with responsive adults at home, school and in their communities

8. Dress independently including putting on his or her shoes
Preparing Your Child for Kindergarten in the Calgary Board of Education
Dress independently including putting on his or her shoes
Encourage independence at such things as dressing, using the bathroom on his or her own
Encourage responsibility for such everyday tasks as putting away toys and materials that he or she has used
Have your child help out in small ways at home
Provide three step directions such as “Find your crayons, make a picture and bring it to me”.
. Every child is welcomed into the classroom as a unique individual with his or her own talents and areas to develop. Below, however, are a few suggestions to help facilitate the transition from home to school. Prior to September, take your child to the school so that the building will feel familiar. Play on the playground and/or call the school to determine if there will be a kindergarten orientation or open house so your child can see the space where he or she will be learning. (however, tying shoe laces can be difficult for a five year old).

9. Set a good bedtime and morning routine
Preparing Your Child for Kindergarten in the Calgary Board of Education
Set a good bedtime and morning routine
Put regular routines into place the week before school
Children need 10 to 12 hours of sleep each night (they do not learn well if tired)
Plan time to eat a nutritious breakfast
Get ready for school without rushing
(however, tying shoe laces can be difficult for a five year old). Develop a good bedtime and morning routine with your child. This can be difficult over the summer but it will be helpful to try and put regular routines back into place the week before school. Five-year-olds need approximately 10 to 12 hours of sleep each night. You will want to get your child to bed early enough so that they can get up in the morning, have time to eat a nutritious breakfast and get ready for school without rushing. Children do not learn well if they are tired or hungry.

10. Take time to talk with your child Read to your child every day
Preparing Your Child for Kindergarten in the Calgary Board of Education
Take time to talk with your child
Read to your child every day
Children who are read to become readers.
Picture books, information books, nursery rhymes, poetry books and pattern books
Enjoy and talk about the books together
Play with language, rhyming, sound games
strong language skills are important for success
overwhelming evidence that children who are read to become readers.

11. Play on the climbing equipment at school playground
Preparing Your Child for Kindergarten in the Calgary Board of Education
Play on the climbing equipment at school playground
For safety reasons and confidence children need to know…
- their first and last name
- telephone number
- address
- teachers’ name

12. No academic requirements needed to begin Kindergarten
Preparing Your Child for Kindergarten in the Calgary Board of Education
No academic requirements needed to begin Kindergarten
Each child is a unique individual with his or her own talents and areas to develop
Attend the Kindergarten Orientation or open house so your child can see the space
It is important to mention that there are no academic requirements to begin Kindergarten. The only requirement is that a child be 4 ½ by September 1st.

13. Parents and Families
Play a central role in the lives of their children
Are their children’s first and most important teachers
Influence is lifelong
Values and beliefs are acknowledged
Cultural diversity is valued
The values and beliefs of the home are acknowledged, and the cultural diversity of families is recognized.

14. Resources for Families
The Family and Community Resource Center
A Handbook for Parents
School Home Page
Janet Johnstone
Sam Livingston
Sundance

15. French Immersion

16. General Information Entry Points: K-Gr. 1 & Gr.7 (late immersion)
K-2 begins with intensive language use to build vocabulary ( English not introduced until Gr. 3)
Gr. 3 = 80%/20% Fr./English Gr. 4-6 = 70%/30% Fr./English
From Sundance and Sam Livingston, students go to Fairview (Jr. H.) & E.P. Scarlett (High School)
From Janet Johnstone, students go to Harold Panabaker (Jr. H.) & E.P. Scarlett (High School)
French acquired primarily through conversation
Subject material is not translated: Goal = kids thinking in French!!

17. French Immersion Kindergarten
Entering French Immersion Kindergarten is an exciting time for children. Parents and teachers work together to make the transition from home to school and from English to French as smooth as possible.

18. French Immersion Program
Features of the
French Immersion Program
Helps students to better understand the history, development and politics of Canada
Strengthens English literacy skills
Encourages the joy of lifelong learning
Allows students to compete internationally
Provides students with more choices for advanced education and career options
Broadens students’ cultural life through access to literature, art, music and theatre in another language

19. Characteristics of Immersion Students
French is not your first language
Attentive
Good listeners
Risk-takers
Love of language (Enjoys talking)

20. FRENCH IMMERSION KINDERGARTEN
AT-A -GLANCE
Early Literacy
Creative Expression
Physical Skills and Well Being
Personal and Social Responsibility
French Language
…is the filter through which a child’s learning takes place
Citizenship and Identity
Environment and Community Awareness
Early Numeracy

21. Characteristics of a French Immersion Kindergarten Program…
Vocabulary rich songs and games
Thematic units
Picture Inductive model
Centers combining explorative play
with academic learning
- Computers with French software
In our Kindergarten program, your child will experience the following:

22. The Kindergarten Program
Involve all dimensions of a child’s development
Builds upon what children have already
Involves exploration and experimentation with the environment
Teaches children how to interact with others
Develops capable and competent learners
builds upon what children have already learned in their home and community settings
This helps them to value themselves as learners.

23. The Kindergarten Program
Recognizes and supports each child’s
prior knowledge
skills
attitudes
learning pace
personal traits
interests and goals
and preferred learning styles
recognizes and supports each child’s prior knowledge, skills, attitudes, learning pace, personal traits, interests and goals, and preferred learning styles.

24. A Typical Day in Kindergarten

25. Le tapis

26. Daily Activity
Literacy
Mathematics
Art
Science
Social Studies

27. Offered by a music specialist
La musique
Offered by a music specialist

28. La bibliothèque
Book exchange at the library

29. La technologie Computer lab Computers in the classroom
SMART technology
Headsets and voice recorders
Digital cameras
Video camera

30. La collation The best time of day….. SNACK TIME! Healthy Small
Peanut Free

31. Le gymnase Physical Education In the gymnasium In the field
At the playground
In the classroom

32. Les centres
Centers
Exploration and learning through hands on activities
Small group or individual instruction with teacher or parent volunteer
Free choice
Learning social skills and curriculum

33. Des centres… Blocks Sand/water Connectors Lego Puzzles Books
Listening activities
Art

34. La maison Dismissal Students who take the bus are walked to the bus.
Students who are picked up are released to an adult.

35. Supporting your child in French Immersion
(Adapted from “How French Immersion Parents Can Help –CPF)
Show interest in the activities and work that they bring home from school. Ask questions and listen attentively.
Offer praise and encouragement.
Communicate with your child’s teacher – you are both partners in your child’s learning.
Read and speak to them in their first language, these skills will transfer to French
Model life long learning
-Read with your child even if only in English
-Visit the library, check out books and audio cassettes in French
-Watch DVDs together, with French soundtrack
Play board games or cards in French
Research a project on the Internet - Google and Yahoo are also available in French
Use older Immersion students as baby-sitters or tutors
Use a French-English dictionary to decipher key words.
Learn together

36. Personal Testimonials
Meghan Simmons (Janet Johnstone)
Heather Dyson (Sam Livingston)

37. Registration Process

38. Age Requirements
A child who turns 4 on or before March 1 may attend Kindergarten in the fall of that same calendar year.
Kindergarten is an optional program.
Parents decide whether to register their children in Kindergarten.
A child who turns 5 on or before March 1 is eligible to begin Grade 1 in that same calendar year.
A child who turns 6 by September 1 must start school.

39. Registration for French Immersion
Can register at any time beginning Jan. 10th 2011 throughout the spring and even into beginning of September
Cannot register for grade 2 and up unless they have attended French Immersion Grade One
Prior language acquisition is essential

40. How do I register? You will need to provide:
Legal proof of your child’s name, date of birth, and citizenship status in Canada. The following documents are acceptable:
Birth Certificate
Canadian Citizenship Certificate
Passport
Baptismal Certificate
Court Order
Information that confirms your address
(e.g. telephone bill, energy bill)

41. Registering Non-Canadian Students
If your child is not a Canadian citizen, you will need to register at the Admissions Office at Kingsland Centre
This is also the case even if your child has attended school elsewhere in Canada
Phone to ask questions or to make an appointment
Kingsland Centre is located at th Street S.W. Calgary
You will need to provide legal proof of your child’s name, date of birth, and citizenship status in Canada.
The following documents are acceptable:
Permanent resident card or Confirmation of Permanent Residence or Record of Landing
Parent’s valid Work permit or Study Permit and your child's birth certificate
If your child is not a Canadian citizen, you will need to register at the Admissions Office at Kingsland Centre.

42. Hours and Times Either in the morning or in the afternoon
Often dependent on bussing or address
Hours and days off are dependent on how the school lays out its school year
No French Immersion Kindergarten full day programs

43. Transportation
Fee for all CBE students accessing Transportation (established annually by Board of Trustees)
Current fees are $200 per child (family maximum of $400) Form must be completed and fee submitted to your designated school prior to end of May.
One form per family, submitted to your child’s school by May 30th Forms available on your school’s website in spring after fees have been approved by the Board of Trustees (part of the budget process).
Please don’t complete them at this time…could change with budget
Bus routes developed throughout the summer
Routes and stops will differ next year with the significant change in demographics and proposed boundary designation changes.
Once we have your contract (no later than May 30th), CBE transportation services creates the bus routes and these are dropped off at schools at the end of August for parents to pick up (call the school to see if bus maps have arrived before stopping by---Aug or Sept 1: First day with students is Sept. 2nd).

44. More About Transportation
Bus maps available at school Aug -Sept (call ahead to see if they are ready: Monday August 29th is the first day schools are open…first day of school for students is Thursday, September 1, 2011)
See your school for info re: Staggered Entry for Kindergarten
Kindergarten children have two bus routes.
Early morning or late afternoon and mid-day trip.
Kindergarten class placement in morning or afternoon is determined by address and established by the Transportation Department
First Ride Program: Registration begins Monday, April 11, 2011 and the program will be held on Sat. May 28 &/or Sun. May 29, 2011
Go to our website to see the times for our Kindergarten mid day pick up / drop off…(11:45 & 12:57 THIS YEAR)
Times are determined by school hours – determined by which schools our school share bussing with (schools are ‘married’ to other schools and start / end times need to be coordinated. This year, we share busses with North Haven and Beddington Heights schools…they start early / we start later. Next year: To be determined
Whether or not a school has an AM & or PM Kindergarten class is dependent on the number of confirmed registrations. We are mindful of our obligations to keep class sizes small and meet this obligation ‘school wide’ each year.
This year AM Kindergarten was North of Beddington Bvd / 80th Ave…again depending on registrations (where parents live) this line may change…stay tuned. With proposed moves, this is site specific. 44

45. Accommodation Process
Presently involved in an Area V process
Align elementary French Immersion boundaries along McLeod Trail
Proposed Timeline: Beginning School Year
Designate Evergreen and Silverado to Janet Johnstone-Presently at Sundance
Designate Mahogany, Auburn Bay, Cranston and Seton to Sundance School-Presently at Sam L.
Details of Proposal:

46. Proposed Boundary Designations

47. General Questions