Kindergarten Registration


KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION BEGINS JANUARY 21, 2013.  WE ASK THAT REGISTRATIONS ARE RECEIVED BY FEBRUARY 19, 2013.

Parents may register children turning four before December 31, 2013 in the first year of the two-year Kindergarten program. Application forms are available at schools or on the Halton District School Board website. Completed applications and appropriate documentation are submitted to the home school usually in January of the year in which the child will be starting. For your home school, please refer to the school locator on the website.


Program Purpose
The purpose of the program is to establish a strong foundation for learning in the early years, and to do so in a safe and caring play-based environment that promotes the physical, social, emotional and cognitive development of all children. (Full-Day Early Learning Kindergarten Program, Ministry of Education, 2010, p.1)

John William Boich Public School's Kindergarten program is Full Day Alternate Day model, children attend full-day, every other day.  In anticipation of the new school year, a “Year at a Glance” Kindergarten calendar is provided for parents in June. The calendar indicates the pattern of attendance for the new school year. Children attend Mondays/Wednesdays and alternate Fridays (A days) or Tuesdays/Thursdays and alternate Fridays (B days). A and B days are clearly marked. Each school determines which classes follow the A or B day schedule depending on a variety of factors, including the number of students and staff. Schools try to take family needs into account however, many variables affect final decisions.


Looking Forward
Parents look forward to the following as they anticipate their children’s entry into Kindergarten in September:

• Completing registration at the family’s home school
• Checking the Halton Distict School Board’s website for further information
• Using Halton Region’s twelve-month calendar for information about everything from children’s health to reading to children
• Completing a Nipissing screening form for the child (found in the calendar)
• Applying to the four week summer program if the child has not had any previous pre-school experience
• Attending a Kindergarten parent orientation evening at the school in May or June
• Receiving notification about the first school visit and entry in September
• Looking for the Halton Board’s Kindergarten “Year at a Glance” calendar in June
• Arranging a spring visit to the school for a child who is particularly anxious about starting school

Ready for School?    
Being ready for school means more than having certain academic skills (e.g., counting, ABCs, letter printing…) when starting Kindergarten. It refers to:

- Being in good health; developing independence in daily living skills (e.g., washroom independence)
- Being curious about the world and trying new experiences; interacting cooperatively with other children and responding appropriately to adults
- Coping with small challenges (e.g., spending time away from mom or dad for short periods of time)
- Communicating own needs; speaking clearly about experiences
- Enjoying favourite books, songs, riddles, games.
- Participating in early learning experences (e.g., public library, play dates, etc.)

In Kindergarten, the intent is to join families in continuing the process of readying children for learning by supporting their physical, social, emotional development and their communication, language and thinking skills.  Appropriate development in these areas has been shown to be important to future achievement in school. (Halton’s Vision for Children, Phase 2 Report, January 2004).  


Ready, Set, Go!
At the time of registration, the Board and its partners provide parents with a Ready, Set, Go! calendar that offers families information about child development, speech and
language, readying children for school, etc. This calendar is available electronically at the Halton Region website - www.halton.ca/cms

      
Even Start Program
This is a four-week, half-day program that is for children who have not participated in preschool or any other community program, and are entering JK in the fall of 2013.

Exact program sites have yet to be verified.  The program runs July 19 to August 9, 2013.  There is a March deadline for registration.

Please see link for program information:  http://www.halton.ca/cms/One.aspx?portalId=8310&pageid=24156.


Kindergarten Parent Orientation Evenings
Parents/guardians registering children in the Board’s Kindergartens receive notification from their schools of spring orientation evenings. These school-based evenings are intended for meeting other families and staff, for providing information about school and Kindergarten classroom routines and for describing a “typical” day in that classroom.  A winter meeting is held for Halton parents of Kindergarten-aged children with special needs. The date, time and location are noted in the Ready, Set, Go! calendar.


School Visits and Entry
Entry to Kindergarten in September is a gradual process. The process varies depending on  whether the school has Full-Day Every Day or Full-Day Alternate Day Kindergarten.  Schools provide information about the gradual entry process.


A Day in Kindergarten
Children and teachers go outside in all kinds of weather – dressing for the weather is important.  Unless there is a medical reason, for the safety of children and educators, independence in toileting is required in Kindergarten. This means the child is free of diapers and pull ups, determines his/her own needs and completes toileting independently.


Registration Information
Beginning in mid January, the Halton District School Board will accept registrations for Junior and Senior Kindergarten for September 2011.  

Please bring the following original documents when registering:

To register for Fall 2013, Junior Kindergarten children must be 4 years old by December 31, 2013, and Senior Kindergarten children must be 5 years old by December 31, 2013. Parents/guardians must be public school supporters.