Agenda

Area V French Immersion Area V French Immersion Kindergarten and New to Grade Kindergarten and New to Grade

One OrientationOne OrientationJanet Johnstone, Sam Livingston, SundanceJanet Johnstone, Sam Livingston, Sundance

January 20, 2011January 20, 2011

Area V French Immersion Area V French Immersion Kindergarten and New to Grade Kindergarten and New to Grade

One OrientationOne OrientationJanet Johnstone, Sam Livingston, SundanceJanet Johnstone, Sam Livingston, Sundance

January 20, 2011January 20, 2011

Agenda

IntroductionsYour Young Learner and School

French Immersion Program Transportation

Accommodation ProposalQuestion Period

3

IntroductionsJerry 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

Welcome

Calgary Board of Education

Kindergarten / Grade One

French Immersion Program

Your Young Learner and SchoolYour Young Learner and School Your Young Learner and SchoolYour Young Learner and School

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

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

• 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”.

Preparing Your Child for Kindergarten in the


• 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



• 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



• 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



• 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



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

Resources for Families• The Family and Community Resource Center

http://www.fcrc.sacyhn.ca/calendar.php

• A Handbook for Parentshttp://education.alberta.ca/parents/resources/

handbook.aspx

• School Home Page Janet Johnstone http://schools.cbe.ab.ca/b270/ Sam Livingston http://schools.cbe.ab.ca/b354/ Sundance http://schools.cbe.ab.ca/b267/

French ImmersionFrench ImmersionFrench ImmersionFrench Immersion

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!!

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.

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

Characteristics of Immersion Students

1. French is not your first language2. Attentive3. Good listeners 4. Risk-takers5. Love of language (Enjoys talking)

Creative ExpressionCreative

Expression

Early Literacy

Early Literacy

Physical Skills and Well Being

Physical Skills and Well Being

Citizenship and IdentityCitizenship and Identity

Early Numeracy

Early Numeracy

Environment and

Community Awareness

Environment and

Community Awareness

Personal and Social

Responsibility

Personal and Social

Responsibility

French Language …is the filter

through which a child’s learning

takes place

FRENCH IMMERSION KINDERGARTENAT-A -GLANCE

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

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

The Kindergarten Program• Recognizes and supports each

child’s – prior knowledge– skills– attitudes – learning pace – personal traits – interests and goals – and preferred learning styles

A Typical Day in Kindergarten

Le tapis

Daily Activity

• Literacy• Mathematics• Art • Science• Social Studies

La musique

• Offered by a music specialist

La bibliothèque

• Book exchange at the library

La technologie

• Computer lab• Computers in the classroom• SMART technology• Headsets and voice recorders• Digital cameras• Video camera

La collation

• The best time of day….. SNACK TIME!– Healthy– Small– Peanut Free

Le gymnase

• Physical Education– In the gymnasium– In the field– At the playground– In the classroom

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

Des centres…

• Blocks• Sand/water• Connectors• Lego

• Puzzles• Books• Listening

activities• Art

La maison

Dismissal

– Students who take the bus are walked to the bus.

– Students who are picked up are released to an adult.

Supporting your child in French Immersion(Adapted from “How French Immersion Parents Can Help –CPF)

http://cpfalta.ab.ca/

•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

Personal Testimonials

Meghan Simmons (Janet Johnstone)

Heather Dyson (Sam Livingston)

Registration ProcessRegistration ProcessRegistration ProcessRegistration Process

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.

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

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)

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 403-777-7373 to ask questions or to make an appointment

• Kingsland Centre is located at 7430 5th 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

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

Transportation Fee for all CBE students accessing Transportation (established annually by Board of Trustees)

• Current 2010-11 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.

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

Accommodation Process

Presently involved in an Area V process

Align elementary French Immersion boundaries along McLeod Trail

Proposed Timeline: Beginning 2011-12 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: http://www.cbe.ab.ca/Schools/ceop/default.asp

Proposed Boundary Designations

General Questions

Documents

Agenda