Parkside Centennial

Elementary
Kindergarten Handbook
2018-2019

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Welcome'to'Parkside'Centennial'Elementary!!
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We'are'looking'forward'to'working'with'your'child'in'the'coming'year.''Many'exciting'themes,'
activities'and'special'events'have'been'planned'to'make'this'Kindergarten'year'a'most'enjoyable'and'
rewarding'experience'for'your'child.''The'first'year'of'school'is'so'important'for'instilling'a'love'of'
learning'and'setting'a'foundation'for'the'future.'We'believe'that'by'working'together'we'can'form'a'
partnership'that'will'benefit'your'child'in'their'first'year'of'elementary'school.'
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Kindergarten'is'designed'to'provide'opportunities'that'encourage'your'child’s'social,'academic,'
physical'and'aesthetic'development.''Children'enter'school'at'different'levels'of'ability'and'will'
progress'at'different'rates.'Therefore,'it'is'important'to'provide'opportunities'and'experiences'to'
build'upon'the'specific'interests,'needs'and'strengths'of'all'children'in'the'class.'
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We'hope'this'handbook'will'be'helpful'to'you.''Please'keep'it'as'a'reference'throughout'the'year.''
Notices,'newsletters,'monthly'calendars'and'class'websites'will'keep'you'informed'of'Kindergarten'
activities'throughout'the'year.''Should'you'have'any'questions'about'the'program'or'should'your'child'
have'a'problem'regarding'school,'please'contact'us'at'the'school'by'phone'or'email'so'we'can'be'of'
assistance'to'you.'
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Sincerely,''
The'Kindergarten'Team''
Mrs.'K.'Blair,'Mrs.'L.'Colledge,'Mrs.'T.'Doiron,'Mrs.'J.'Hagen,'Mrs.'T.'Randen,'Mrs.'B.'Randhawa,'Miss''
A.'Stockwell''&'Mrs.'Vleeming.'
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 Gradual!Entry:!What!to!expect!in!the!first!two!weeks!of!Kindergarten!
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The'first'two'weeks'of'school'are'directed'towards'ensuring'that'each'child'experiences'the'positive'
orientation'that'is'essential'for'school'success.''In'order'to'achieve'this'objective,'students'will'attend'
school'part'time'for'the'first'two'weeks.'Students'will'begin'attending'full'days'on'Monday,'
September'17th.'
During'the'first'week'and'a'half'of'school,'students'will'be'placed'in'four'temporary'classes.'Two'
classes'will'meet'in'the'mornings'(group'A)'and'two'will'be'meeting'in'the'afternoons'(group'B).'The'
temporary'classes'will'be'team'taught'by'the'kindergarten'teachers,'who'will'spend'their'time'getting'
to'know'the'children'and'helping'them'to'learn'about'the'basic'routines'of'Kindergarten.'This'will'
allow'us'to'be'more'informed'about'each'child'so'they'can'be'placed'in'a'permanent'class'that'will'
best'fit'their'social,'emotional'and'academic'needs.'''
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How$will$I$know$where$my$child’s$temporary$class$will$be$meeting?$$$
On'Wednesday,'September'5th,'all'students'are'to'meet'in'the'courtyard,'around'the'corner'from'the'
primary'playground,'for'the'group'time'they'have'been'assigned'(Group'A'or'B).'Temporary'class'lists'
will'be'posted'on'the'exterior'doors'to'the'kindergarten'rooms'in'this'courtyard'shortly'before'their'
class'time'begins.'A'teacher'from'each'room'will'also'be'present'to'assist'families'and'help'the'
children'to'line'up'at'the'correct'entrance.''Students'will'remain'in'their'temporary'classes'from'
Wednesday,'September'5th'through'Tuesday,'September'11th'and'will'be'dropped'off'and'picked'up'at'
the'same'classroom'each'of'these'days.'Please'look'closely'at'your'scheduled'group'time'to'ensure'
that'students'are'dropped'of'and'picked'up'on'time.'!
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Beginning'Wednesday,'September'12th,'students'will'be'meeting'in'their'permanent'classes.'Classes'
will'be'held'during'the'mornings,'from'8:40^11:40,'while'intake'meetings'will'be'held'in'the'
afternoons.''This'week'will'focus'on'getting'to'know'their'new'classmates'and'learning'the'rules'and'
routines'of'their'classroom.''
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When$and$how$will$I$know$what$permanent$class$my$child$has$been$placed$into?$
Permanent'class'placements'will'be'decided'on'Tuesday,'September'11th,'after'the'conclusion'of'the'
school'day'and'you'will'receive'notification'of'your'child’s'permanent'classroom'and'teacher'via'email'
during'the'evening'of'Tuesday,'September'11th.''
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Intake!Meeting!/!Classroom!Visit!
To'ensure'that'each'child'experiences'a'successful'entry'into'the'Kindergarten'program,'individual'
visits'are'conducted'once'permanent'classes'are'assigned.''These'visits'provide'an'opportunity'for'the'
teachers'and'children'to'become'acquainted'in'the'child’s'new'environment'and'to'get'to'know'one'
another.''During'this'visit,'parents'will'be'asked'to'fill'out'an'information'form'while'the'child'visits'
with'the'teacher.'These'visits'are'helpful'in'establishing'a'positive'relationship'between'the'teacher'
and'child,'as'well'as'enabling'the'teacher'to'gain'an'understanding'of'the'child’s'interests,'social,'
emotional,'academic'needs,'physical'development'and'individual'personality.'Classroom'visits'will'be'
approximately'20'minutes'long.'
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How$do$I$sign$up$for$an$intake$interview?$
On'the'evening'of'Tuesday,'September'11th,'you'will'receive'a'welcome'email'from'your'child’s'
permanent'teacher(s)'welcoming'you'to'their'class.''Along'with'this'email,'you'will'be'provided'a'link'
to'sign'up'for'an'interview'time,'which'will'take'place'in'the'afternoon'hours'of'the'following'three'
days.''
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Important!Information!for!all!Kindergarten!Families!
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Student!DropDOff/!PickDUp!Areas!
The'children'will'line'up'outside'the'exterior'door'of'their'assigned'classroom.'Families'should'not'be'
in'the'hallways'during'drop^off'or'pick'up,'unless'you'have'made'prior'arrangements'with'your'child’s'
teacher.'At'pick'up'time,'please'come'to'this'same'door'to'collect'your'child.''We'will'dismiss'the'
children'one'at'a'time,'giving'each'child'an'opportunity'to'identify'the'adult'who'is'picking'them'up.'
This'is'to'ensure'that'your'child'does'not'leave'the'school'grounds'without'adult'supervision.'
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Regular!Attendance!
Regular'attendance'and'punctuality'are'a'vital'part'of'Kindergarten.''In'this'beginning'year,'it'is'an'
appropriate'time'to'cultivate'habits'of'being'on'time'and'attending'regularly'–'both'of'which'help'
develop'confidence,'a'positive'self^image'and'habits'which'are'important'throughout'all'the'years'of'
school.''If,'for'some'reason,'your'child'is'late'for'school,'please'stop'at'the'office'to'report'that'your'
child'is'at'school'and'then'walk'them'to'the'classroom.''At'Parkside,'we'have'a'policy'of'accounting'
for'the'whereabouts'of'every'student,'every'school'day.''If'your'child'is'absent'from'school,'it'is'
essential'that'you'phone'the'school'that'morning'(or'let'their'teachers'know'in'advance)'to'inform'us'
of'the'absence.''All'lates'and'absences'will'appear'on'your'child's'report'card.'The'school'day'
concludes'at'2:30'p.m.'Please'arrive'promptly'to'pick'up'your'child.'If'you'are'more'than'five'minutes'
late'your'child'will'be'waiting'for'you'in'the'office.'
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Change!of!Address/!Phone!Number/Emergency!Contacts!
Please'inform'the'school'secretary'and'your'child’s'teachers'if'you'have'any'changes'in'this'
information.'
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Snacks/!Lunch!
Research'has'proven'that'a'healthy'diet'will'help'your'child'do'better'in'school.''Children'need'to'
bring'their'own'lunch'each'day,'as'well'as,'a'small'and!nutritious!snack.''We'require'children'to'eat'
either'fresh'fruit'or'veggies'for'their'recess'snack'and'save'any'other'snacks'for'after'the'main'lunch'
meal.'Consider'sending'foods'that'cover'all'food'groups,'that'have'minimal'artificial'flavouring'and'
colour'and'that'are'low'in'refined'sugar.''Please!send!a!clean!reusable!water!bottle!each!day.'We'ask'
that'these'be'filled'with'water!only'and'that'all'other'beverages,'such'as'juice'and'milk'be'consumed'
at'home.'We'appreciate'when'families'make'an'effort'to'reduce'waste'by'sending'food'in'reusable'
containers.''Please'help'your'child'to'practice'opening'these'containers'on'their'own'so'they'are'able'
to'do'this'independently'during'snack'and'lunch'breaks.''
*If!your!child!has!any!food!allergies,!please!let!us!know!ASAP!!'
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Supplies!
You'should'have'already'received'your'supply'lists'prior'to'the'first'day'of'school'(please'see'us'if'you'
require'another'copy).'Last'spring'many'of'you'purchased'supplies'through'the'school.''These'will'
arrive'at'your'child’s'classroom'and'will'be'labeled'and'ready'for'your'child.''If'you'have'chosen'to'
purchase'on'your'own,'please'follow'the'supply'list'carefully'to'ensure'that'all'students'have'the'
necessary'supplies'for'the'year.'''If'you'have'chosen'to'purchase'your'own'supplies'please'send'them'
with'your'child'on'Wednesday,'September'12.'You!will!not!need!to!label!individual!supplies!but!we!
ask!that!you!bring!them!in!a!bag!labeled!with!your!child’s!name.'
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Shoes!
Each'child'is'required'to'have'an'extra'pair'of'running'shoes'with'non^marking'soles'that'grip'well.''It'
helps'to'keep'our'classroom'clean'and'is'a'necessity'for'gym'and'our'daily'physical'activity.''These'
shoes'will'be'kept'at'school'and'will'be'used'inside'our'classrooms'each'and'every'day.'NO'SHOE'
LACES'for'inside'or'outside'shoes'please!'Velcro'or'slip'on'shoes'would'be'greatly'appreciated'(no'flip'
flops,'crocs'or'slippers).'Your'child'will'change'their'shoes'a'minimum'of'six'times'within'the'school'
day.'Be'sure'to'label'you'child’s'footwear'and'send'them'to'school'on'Wednesday,'September'12th.''
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Backpacks!
Your'child'needs'a'backpack'so'that'they'can'bring'home'newsletters,'library'books,'crafts'and'all'
sorts'of'“stuff”!''Please'ensure'that'your'child’s'bag'is'large'enough'to'carry'these'school'materials'
along'with'a'reusable'lunch'bag'and'water'bottle.''
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Clothing'
Remember'that'we'use'a'lot'of'paint,'glue,'water'and'other'“messy”'materials'and'are'physically'
active'every'day.'Please'dress'your'child'wisely!''We'go'outside,'rain'or'shine,'both'at'recess'and'
during'class'activities.''Weather'appropriate'clothing'is'necessary,'each'and'every'day.'Please'send'a'
change'of'clothes,'including'socks'and'underwear'in'a'labeled'Ziploc'bag.'!It!is!also!a!good!idea!to!
label!each!individual!clothing!item!as!well!as!lunch!bags,!backpacks!and!shoes.'The'school'has'a'lost'
and'found'where'you'can'look'for'any'missing'items.'
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Independence!
Fostering'your'child’s'independence'is'essential'for'kindergarten'success,'from'day'one.''Therefore,'
we'request'that'your'child'enters'the'classroom'on'their'own.''Please'have'a'conversation'with'your'
child'to'prepare'them'to'be'ready'to'say'goodbye'to'you'at'the'door.'There'are'up'to'twenty'children'
and'one'adult'in'each'room.''You'can'help'your'child'by'continuing'to'practice'the'following'routines'
at'home:'Opening'and'closing'lunch'kits'and'containers,'putting'on'and'zipping'coats,'putting'on'
shoes'and'packing'and'unpacking'their'backpacks.''Your'child'needs'to'be'independent'in'the'
bathroom.''Be'sure'to'send'them'to'school'in'clothing'that'they'can'manage'themselves.''They'also'
need'to'be'competent'at'closing'the'stall'doors,'wiping,'flushing'the'toilet'and'washing'their'hands.''
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Money'
Parkside'now'offers'an'online'payment'option'for'most'school'expenses!''We'strongly'recommend'
you'sign'up'for'this'convenient'program.''When'it'is'necessary'to'send'money'to'school'for'book'
orders'or'other'programs'that'do'not'qualify'for'the'online'payment'option,'please'send'exact'change'
in'a'sealed'envelope'or'sealed'baggie'labeled'with'your'child’s'name.''
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Toys/Technology!
The'activities'and'materials'in'the'classroom'and'on'the'playground'have'been'carefully'chosen'for'
your'child’s'learning'and'development.''Please'leave'all'personal'toys'at'home,'including'fidget'toys.'
Teachers'do'not'take'any'responsibility'for'toys'that'are'brought'to'school'and'then'lost'or'damaged.''