Welcome to Wishart Home of the Wolves Meet

Welcome to Wishart! Home of the Wolves

Meet the Team Ms. Lewis Kindergarten Teacher Ms. Mc. Arthur Principal Ms. New Kindergarten Teacher Ms. Sagodi Vice-Principal Ms. Davidson Kindergarten Teacher Ms. Veuger Special Ed. Teacher Ms. St. Jean Kindergarten Teacher Ms. Olsten Secretary Ms. Coombes Kindergarten Teacher

A Day in Kindergarten We use daily schedules to help the children know what activities and lessons are coming up in the day. A typical school day starts in the classroom, there is a morning snack at about 10: 00, then outside recess, more activities, lunch at about 11: 50, a longer outside recess, quiet time after lunch and then more activities. The first bell to start the day rings at 8: 50. Students are dismissed at 2: 43. Students have music lessons twice a week, physical education classes two or three times a week, and library once a week.

Outside Play Time Kindergarten students at Wishart begin the year using the wonderful playground during recess times. Later in the year, when their teachers determine they are ready, they are able to play in other areas of the school yard. Teachers also make use of our forest, field and paths during instructional times.

Learning is Fun. Learning is Playful! The BC Ministry of Education prescribes the kindergarten curriculum under the Early Learning and Play Today Frameworks. Kindergarten curriculum is play-based learning - free play, inquiry play, collaborative play, playful learning, learning games and inclusive learning practices.

Preparing Your Child for Kindergarten It is important to prepare your child for kindergarten in different ways. We have assembled a package for you to share with your child this summer to develop some basic emergent skills. You will also want to have conversations with your child about leaving them for the school day at our safe building. Reassure your child that you believe our school is a safe place to be and that you would never leave your child somewhere unsafe. Reassure them that school is their “job” and you will always pick them up at the end of the school day.

Kindergarten Independence One way to help prepare your child for kindergarten is to allow them to be independent. When you do things for your child, you are telling them that they can’t do it or that you can do it better than they can. Be patient with your child. Learning takes time! Yes, it would be quicker to put their shoes on for them, but starting today, your child needs to do this for themself. We like to use the phrase “You’ve got this!” What we mean is. . . you CAN do this. I know you can. You’ve got what it takes to do this. It may be hard for a little while, but that’s OK.

Independence Practice allowing your child to be independent with: ● ● ● Shoes, jackets, zippers Lunch kit - opening and closing containers, putting their lunch kit into their backpack. You could practice this by going on a fun picnic. Practice more than once! Scissors and glue - this is great fine motor practice The bathroom - close the door, use the toilet, flush, wash hands Identify their own shoes, jackets, backpack. Often when children start school they have a lot of new items and they don’t recognize their own belongings! Please label your child’s shoes, jackets, hoodies, backpack, water bottle and lunch kit.

Healthy Snacks and Lunches In order for students to learn best it is important that they come to school having eaten a proper breakfast and with healthy a healthy lunch and snacks. We encourage you to try and limit the amount of packaging you send in your child’s lunch. Reusable containers and “bento” style lunch kits reduce garbage and waste. Students can bring home food they were unable to finish eating. Please label all containers and send you child with a spill-proof water bottle. The following link has great information and ideas for packable lunches and snacks: https: //www. healthlinkbc. ca/healthy-eating/lunches-to-go

Keeping in Contact We keep our website up-to-date as well as sending out weekly emails. Please refer to our website at http: //wishart. web. sd 62. bc. ca/ Our school phone number is 250 -478 -9528. To report your child’s absence please email nolsten@sd 62. bc. ca. Please make sure to always have your contact information up to date, including your home address, your email and emergency contact information.

Legal Matters If there are legal matters pertaining to your child’s custody, please ensure you provide a copy to the school office in advance of school start.

Medical and Health Your child’s health and safety is very important to us. If your child has a medical condition or allergy please contact the Vice-Principal Donna Sagodi at dsagodi@sd 62. bc. ca If your child is ever required to take medication during school hours, you will need to complete a form and have your doctor sign and complete a portion of it as well. Again, please give us this information prior to your child starting school so plans can be made and school staff alerted.

Gradual Entry Typically kindergarten students attend an orientation and school tour for an hour the spring prior to starting kindergarten. As you know this was not possible this year so we are presenting the information we would normally present to families with these slides. In September students will begin attending with a gradual entry, where they are invited to come in for shorter amounts of time over a few days and build up to a full kindergarten day. Teachers and classrooms will be determined after meeting the students. You will receive specific information about your child’s schedule in late August.

Questions? Please contact any of our administration team with your questions: Principal Ruchi Mc. Arthur: rumcarthur@sd 62. bc. ca Vice-Principal Donna Sagodi: dsagodi@sd 62. bc. ca We are looking forward to meeting you and your child this fall.