Area V French Immersion Kindergarten and New to

Area V French Immersion Kindergarten and New to Grade One Orientation Janet Johnstone, Sam Livingston, Sundance January 20, 2011

Agenda Introductions Your Young Learner and School French Immersion Program Transportation Accommodation Proposal Question Period

Introductions Jerry 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 3

Welcome Calgary Board of Education Kindergarten / Grade One French Immersion Program

Your 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

Preparing Your Child for Kindergarten in the Calgary Board of Education • 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 Calgary Board of Education • 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

Preparing Your Child for Kindergarten in the Calgary Board of Education • • 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

Preparing Your Child for Kindergarten in the Calgary Board of Education • 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

Preparing Your Child for Kindergarten in the Calgary Board of Education • 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 Parents http: //education. alberta. ca/parents/resources/hand book. aspx • School Home Page Janet Johnstone Sam Livingston Sundance http: //schools. cbe. ab. ca/b 270/ http: //schools. cbe. ab. ca/b 354/ http: //schools. cbe. ab. ca/b 267/

French 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 language 2. Attentive 3. Good listeners 4. Risk-takers 5. Love of language (Enjoys talking)

FRENCH IMMERSION KINDERGARTEN AT-A -GLANCE Creative Expression Personal and Social Responsibility Environment and Community Awareness Early Literacy French Language …is the filter through which a child’s learning takes place Early Numeracy Physical Skills and Well Being Citizenship and Identity

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 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. 10 th 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 5 th 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 30 th. 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.

More About Transportation • Bus maps available at school Aug -Sept (call ahead to see if they are ready: Monday August 29 th 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 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 44

Accommodation Process Presently involved in an Area V process Align elementary French Immersion boundaries along Mc. Leod 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