PARENT ORIENTATION MEETING KINDERSTART PROGRAM Holy Trinity Elementary

PARENT ORIENTATION MEETING KINDERSTART PROGRAM Holy Trinity Elementary 2018 -2019

Welcome to Holy Trinity Elementary! Ms Debbie Peddle – Principal Mr Rodney Mitchell– Assistant Principal

Meet Our Teachers! English Kindergarten Teachers Ms Carmen Rowse Ms Carol Lidstone Ms Theressa Cadigan French Immersion Kindergarten Teachers Madame Kathryn O’Driscoll Madame Nicole Organ Madame Nancy Bursey

Our Mission The mission of Holy Trinity Elementary school is to provide a caring, positive community which develops life-long learning through meaningful academic experiences while promoting the emotional, social and moral growth of the individual.

Why Have a Kinderstart Program? … Parents and children can: 1) become familiar with a kindergarten environment during the year prior to school entry. 2) participate in learning experiences in the school. 3) gain greater knowledge of the expectations of the learning experiences. 4) develop attitudes and skills that support future performance. 5) enhance learning experiences at home. 6) develop positive home-school relationships.

Why Have a Kinderstart Program? … continued School Personnel can: 1) meet and interact with children and their parents. 2) prepare to meet the needs of all children. 3) informally assess a child’s strengths and needs.

Facts about our Kindergarten Schedule The Kindergarten day is the same as grades 1 -4 (9 am to 3: 05 pm) We have a courtesy opening at 8: 25 am where students are welcome to be dropped off at school and go to the cafeteria.

Facts about Kindergarten (2017 -2018) Kindergarten teachers in September could be different than Kinderstart teachers. Any concerns throughout the Kinder. Start program, please meet with the teachers or administration.

COMMUNICATION Go to https: //htek 6. wordpress. com to learn more about our school. We are also found on Twitter @htek 6 What you can find there: Latest News School Calendars Teacher Webpages Educational Links The Department of Education website also lists the outcomes of the academic programs at each grade level. • • Please make sure that small problems do not become large problems. Check with the teacher early if you have a concern. Education has to be a team effort!

Preparing for Kindergarten PARENTS: - prepare yourself for separation - positive attitude CHILDREN: - involvement in group settings -encourage sharing and turn-taking -creating independence • Getting dressed • Zippering/buttoning coat • Putting on shoes • Putting shoes away (shoebag) • Picking up and putting away supplies • Going to bathroom • Opening snacks

Kinderstart Visits ARRIVAL: - scheduled times - appropriate footwear - coats SESSION ORGANIZATION: - play exploration - circle time - planned activities - closure

Kinderstart Visits During the Kinderstart visits the students may have the opportunity to meet the music, gym and library teachers.

Observation Component Reactions • meeting the teacher • willingness to participate Motor Abilities • fine motor development • gross motor development Listening Skills • responses • attentiveness during stories, songs, etc. • participation

Observation Component Expressive Language • responses to questions • free conversation • communication during group activities Independence Level • separation from parent/caregiver • demonstrating initiative

Observation Component Co-operative skills • taking turns • sharing materials • maintaining personal space Maturity • listening to directions • need for support/guidance • response to requests

Language Development Listening • use a quiet voice • give simple instructions for a task • encourage turn-taking Speaking • be a good role model • encourage conversations • use appropriate manners • avoid slang and baby talk

Language Development Reading ● read each day - discuss illustrations - make predictions - point to words - different types of text -discuss author and illustrator ● visit the local library ● make little books together and read ● read signs in the neighborhood

Language Development Writing • provide writing supplies • make cards for special occasions • draw a picture and write a sentence • keep a journal • practice printing name

Kinder. Start Bag The Kinder. Start Bags should be distributed during the Open House. They contain materials for your child as well as suggestions for you to play and learn with your child at home. The bag itself could be useful as a shoebag in September!

Kinder. Start Bag Please bring the bag to each session! Each child will receive a Kinder. Start Bag with school supplies such as: • scissors • construction paper • glue • pencils • pencil sharpener • water paints • modelling clay • crayons • hands-on materials • journal • books • suggestions for activities

Encouraging Creativity and Literacy Through Play at Home Print Name Awareness -help them to say letters in name -provide opportunities to explore and print their names. Alphabet -sing ABC’s - environmental print Through play you can use objects you have at home! - alphabet chart - fridge magnets - letter games (i. e I spy) -Look at the Kinderstart Calendar for further ideas

Encouraging Creativity and Literacy Through Play at Home Sound Awareness -beginning sounds -rhyming games -segmenting sounds -blending sounds

Encouraging Creativity and Literacy Through Play at Home Math Skills -counting/ numeral recognition -matching one to one -concept words -sorting -patterning -geometric shapes

Kinder. Start Calendar Kinderstart Calendar ~ suggested activities for the month Fun At Home Activities • Fun with books • Fun with recipes • Fun with talking • Fun with creating • Fun with singing • Fun with finger plays and rhymes • Fun with science • Fun with games • Make it books