Preparing for Kindergarten Strong Values We Believe in Integrity, Respect, Responsibility and Healthy Grand Erie Relationships

Excellent Reasons to Choose 51. Preparing for Kindergarten Strong Values We believe in Integrity, Respect, Responsibility and Healthy Grand Erie Relationships. We believe that these are the values District School Board that help our students grow and achieve their goals. 349 Erie Avenue 1 Brantford, ON N3T 5V3 Tel: (519) 756-6301 Academic Excellence or toll free: 1 (888) 548-8878 Our “students first” approach ensures we are continually www.gedsb.on.ca introducing and delivering innovative programs to achieve excellence in all aspects of school life – academic, athletics kindergarten.granderie.ca 2 and the arts.

More Pathways, More Choices There is a pathway for everyone. Our high schools offer a wide variety of different programs, from the Laurier program at Brantford Collegiate Institute, to Health 3 Sciences at Simcoe Comp. or building an actual house during Construction at McKinnon Park... In this Guide: A Caring, All-Welcoming Environment Getting Ready Every student is unique, has different strengths and for Kindergarten 2 talents. We want all our students to succeed. We give each Tips to Ease Transition 3 student support and attention, respecting diversity, in a 4 Taking the Bus 4 resource-rich environment. Kindergarten Finder 5 Great Activities Whether you’re into sports or the arts, there is a wide Community Resources 6 variety of activities offered at each Grand Erie school. How to Register 5 Your Child 7 Grand Erie Believes... 5 Excellent Reasons We believe that our students should be considered to Choose Grand Erie 8 PLEASE BRING: first as the basis for decision-making. 1. the child’s Birth Certificate or Canadian Citizenship document (contact Grand Erie at 519-756-6301 or 1-888-548-8878 for more information or clarification on proof of citizenship); Has a Mission... 2. the child’s address including 911 civic address, lot, concession, We are united in our purpose to inspire and support county and postal code; 3. parents’ place of employment and telephone number; all of our learners to reach their full potential. 4. emergency contact person and telephone number; 5. custody information, If applicable; 8 6. doctor’s name, address and telephone number; and 7. medical information. Getting Ready for Kindergarten! How to Register Your Child

Grand Erie If your child will be 4 this year, you may enrol him or her in Junior he first day of school is an exciting event. Kindergarten. If your child will be 5 this year, you may enrol him or At Grand Erie, our caring teachers and Kindergarten her in Senior Kindergarten. Grand Erie Kindergarten is a half-time T staff are ready to welcome your child registration program. Please contact your school for scheduling information. to Kindergarten. Your child will be challenged and encouraged to do his or her best. Registration Steps

1. Find out which school your child will attend at www.granderie.ca. 2. Make an appointment with the school’s secretary. You can help prepare your child by teaching them to: 3. Please bring the following information to your appointment: • cope with small changes; • your child’s Birth Certificate or Canadian Citizenshipdocument • demonstrate listening skills; (contact Grand Erie at 519-756-6301 or 1-888-548-8878 for more information or clarification on proof of citizenship); • play with 1 or 2 other children; • your child’s address including: 911 civic address • follow direction; (fire number), lot, concession, county and postal code; • clearly communicate needs; and • parent contact information, work and home; • emergency contact person and telephone number; • develop independence with daily living skills such as dressing, personal hygiene and tidying up. • custody information, if applicable; • doctor’s name, address and telephone number; and It would be helpful for your child to: • medical information, a “Request for School Assistance • know their first and last name; and in Health Care” form must be filled out if medication needs to be administered by school personnel. • know their home address and phone number.

Children are generally Develop Listening Skills toilet trained before reaching Kindergarten age. We encourage You can help to develop your child’s listening parents to work on this skills by asking him or her to follow these milestone before the start simple steps: of school. If your child is experiencing a toilet 1. Stop what you are doing. training delay, please 2. Look at the person who is speaking. contact the school where they are registered. YOUR APPOINTMENT CARD 3. Don’t talk or move around when the person is speaking. Grand Erie Junior and Senior Kindergarten registration. 4. Think about what the person is saying. Date: ______Time: ______

School Name: ______

2 7 Principal’s Name: ______(see back side) Community Resources Tips to Ease Transition

e are unable to print a complete list of services available in our community, here are a number of activities you can do with your child over the but the following may serve as a starting point for families. These are not summer leading up to Kindergarten to make the transition easier. W Grand Erie resources. For the latest list of Community Resources, please visit resources.granderie.ca or your local Early Years Centre. T

Brant / Brantford Area Haldimand-Norfolk Area Preparing for Kindergarten

Lansdowne Children’s Centre Haldimand-Norfolk R.E.A.C.H. • Drive or walk to the school and look around www.lansdownecentre.ca 519-753-3153 www.hnreach.on.ca 519-587-2441 or 1-800-265-8087 the playground. Lansdowne Children’s Centre is a Haldimand-Norfolk R.E.A.C.H. is a large, multi-service • Establish bedtime and morning routines: treatment centre for children with physical, agency offering a wide range of co-ordinated services practise going to bed and waking up on the communication and/or developmental needs. and supports to children, youth, individuals and families. new school schedule. As leaders in community-based services and Services include: supports for children, youth and their families, • Have your child practise using lunch containers, they offer a broad range of quality services: Community Action Program for Children (CAPC) Offers programs for children pre-birth to 6 years of age, and their thermos caps, zippers, buttons, ties and shoe Early Integration Program: Assigns families to promote the healthy development of children. fasteners. Resource Teachers who promote and support the inclusion of children (0-5 yrs) with special The Family Early Intervention Program The • If your child will be riding the school bus, needs in licensed child care settings. program serves children at risk of/or identified with a call your Grand Erie school to learn more “developmental delay” within licenced childcare settings. Every Kid Counts: Facilitates the inclusion about the bus orientation program. of children and youth (6-18 yrs) with 0-6 Mental Health Services Children referred to developmental and/or physical delays in local the program are experiencing and/or are “at risk” of recreation programs. experiencing emotional, social and behavioural difficulties. Things to Bring to School

Speech and Language Therapy • Choose clothes that are comfortable, durable and easy to clean. • Choose clothes and footwear that are easy for your child to put Speech and Language Therapy provides assessment on, take off and fasten. and treatment for children with communication delays or disorders. It assists in the enhancement of communi- • Mark all clothing, footwear, school bags and lunch containers cation development for children, from birth to Senior with your child’s name. Kindergarten. • Choose outdoor clothing that is weather appropriate. In Brant/Brantford: In Haldimand-Norfolk: • Have an extra set of clothing at the school for muddy Talking Tots HN Health Unit days, spills or accidents. www.talkingtots.org www.hnhu.org • Provide your child with a school bag to carry notes, school work, lunch 519-753-7453 1-866-463-2759 and snacks. It should be easy to open and close and light to carry. Talking Tots provides: The Haldimand-Norfolk • Pack small snacks (peeled and cut fruit, vegetables, cheese Speech and Language • Screening and crackers, etc.) for your child to eat at school during their Program provides many 4 Read with your child. • Assessment nutrition breaks. workshops on topics like: • Therapy 4 Talk with your child. • Please avoid pop, candy and hard to open containers. • Parent/Caregiver Training • Articulation 4 Play with your child and Some schools have allergy policies. Contact your child’s school • Home Programming • Fluency provide opportunities for if your child has allergies or if you would like to learn more about • School Transition Support • Language & Literacy your child to play with other the school’s allergy policy. • Community Presentations children of a similar age. • Phonological Awareness 6 3 Taking the Bus We Welcome Your Kindergarten Student at...

Dufferin Public School Brant (French Immersion) Haldimand Courtland Public School iding the bus to school is a big step and exciting experience for your 106 Chestnut Street, Brantford 1012 Queen Street, Courtland Burford District Elem. School Anna Melick Memorial School & 519-752-8232 & 519-688-2110 child. The Grand Erie distance mileage calculator can help you 35 Alexander Street, Burford 1347 Hutchinson Road, Dunnville & 519-449-2457 Echo Place School & 905-774-3766 Delhi Public School determine if your child might be eligible to take the bus. This 723 Colborne Street, Brantford 227 Queen Street, Delhi R Glen Morris Public School Caledonia Centennial Public School & 519-753-2931 & 519-582-1890 tool, along with other information, is available at bus.granderie.ca. 522 Glen Morris Road East, 110 Shetland Street, Caledonia Glen Morris Fairview School & 905-765-4860 Doverwood Public School & 519-740-2133 (French Immersion) Dunnville Central Public School 109 Hamilton Plank Rd., Port Dover 34 Norman Street, Brantford & 519-583-0830 Safety Tips for Children North Ward School 121 Alder Street West, Dunnville & 519-751-2891 107 Silver Street, Paris & 905-774-6033 Elgin Avenue Public School & 519-442-2311 Graham Bell-Victoria Fairview Avenue Public School 80 Elgin Avenue, Simcoe Public School & Walking to the Bus Stop Oakland-Scotland Public School 223 Fairview Av. West, Dunnville 519-426-4628 56 Grand Street, Brantford 15 Church Street West, Scotland & 905-774-6144 4 Always walk on the sidewalk to the bus & Houghton Public School & 519-752-4723 519-446-2365 Grandview Central Public School 505 Fairground Side Rd., Langton stop. If there is no sidewalk, walk on Grandview Public School & Onondaga-Brant Public School 11 Thrush Street, Dunnville 519-875-2291 the left side of the road facing traffic. 68 North Park Street, Brantford 21 Brant School Road, Brantford & 905-774-4727 Langton Public School & 519-752-1422 4 Always go to the bus stop five minutes & 519-753-8885 Hagersville Elementary School 23 Albert Street, Langton Greenbrier Public School Paris Central Public School 40 Parkview Road, Hagersville & 519-875-4448 before the bus is scheduled to arrive. 33 White Oaks Avenue, Brantford 7 Broadway Street East, Paris & 905-768-3012 & 519-756-5173 Lynndale Heights Public School 4 Always wait for the bus in a safe & 519-442-4163 J. L. Mitchener Public School 55 Donly Drive South, Simcoe James Hillier Public School place, well off the road. Queen’s Ward Public School 60 Munsee Street South, Cayuga & 519-429-2997 62 Queensway Drive, Brantford 70 King Street, Paris & 905-772-5071 8 Don’t run or play while waiting. & 519-752-2296 Port Rowan Public School & 519-442-3722 Jarvis Public School 48 College Avenue, Port Rowan King George School & Getting On and Off the Bus St. George-German Public School 14 Monson Street, Jarvis 519-586-3541 3 College Street, St. George 265 Rawdon Street, Brantford & 519-587-2612 & 519-752-7486 Teeterville Public School 4 Always wait for the bus to stop & 519-448-1493 Oneida Central Public School 229 Teeter Street, Teeterville before you get on. Lansdowne-Costain Public School 661 4th Line, Caledonia & 519-443-8447 Brantford 21 Preston Boulevard, Brantford & 905-765-4700 4 Always enter the bus in single file, & 519-753-0390 Walsh Public School younger students in front. Hold the Agnes G. Hodge Public School Rainham Central School 933 Regional Road 3, Simcoe 52 Clench Avenue, Brantford Major Ballachey Public School 572 Concession 5, Fisherville & 519-426-3716 handrail while going up and down 105 Rawdon Street, Brantford & 905-779-3404 & 519-756-4950 Waterford Public School the stairs. & 519-752-1643 Banbury Heights School River Heights Elementary School - Ada B. Massecar Campus Mount Pleasant School 4 Always cross the street in front of 141 Banbury Road, Brantford 37 Forfar Street East, Caledonia 100 East Church St., Waterford & 519-751-0142 667 Mount Pleasant Road, & 905-765-5437 & 519-443-8942 the bus. For information about bus routes and delays due Mount Pleasant to the weather, please visit bus.granderie.ca. Bellview Public School & 519-484-2912 Seneca Central Public School West Lynn Public School 4 Always go straight home after you 97 Tenth Avenue, Brantford 2767 Regional Road 9, York 18 Parker Drive, Simcoe Prince Charles Public School & 519 752-7414 & 905-772-5222 & 519-426-0688 get off the bus. 40 Morton Avenue, Brantford Thompson Creek School 8 Never return to the bus if you forget Riding the Bus Branlyn Community School & 519-752-9687 238 Brantwood Park Rd., Brantford 800 Cross Street West, Dunnville Princess Elizabeth Public School & something. The driver may not see 4 Always speak quietly on the bus so the & 519-759-7240 905-774-5460 60 Tecumseh Street, Brantford you and they may begin moving Walpole North Elem. School driver is not distracted. Always listen to the Brier Park Public School & 519-753-2910 the bus. bus driver. 10 Blackfriar Lane, Brantford 1895 Haldimand Road, & 519-759-8682 Russell Reid Public School 55 R.R.#5, Hagersville 8 Never get closer than 10 giant steps 4 Sit quietly and don’t block the aisle with your 43 Cambridge Drive, Brantford & 905-768-5112 Central Public School & 519-752-9332 from the bus unless it is stopped. feet or your back pack. 135 George Street, Brantford & 519-752-8819 Ryerson Heights Norfolk 8 Never go behind the bus. 8 Never throw things on the bus or out the Elementary School windows. Cedarland Public School 33 Dowden Avenue, Brantford Bloomsburg Public School 60 Ashgrove Avenue., Brantford & 519-752-8814 25 Concession 12, Waterford & 519-752-9610 & 519-426-0942 8 Never play with the emergency exits. Woodman-Cainsville School Centennial-Grand Woodlands School 51 Woodman Drive, Brantford Boston Public School 41 Ellenson Drive, Brantford & 519-756-5013 2993 Cockshutt Road, Waterford & 519-759-4570 & 519-443-5003

4 5 Taking the Bus We Welcome Your Kindergarten Student at...

4 5 Community Resources Tips to Ease Transition

Brant / Brantford Area Haldimand-Norfolk Area Preparing for Kindergarten

Speech and Language Therapy • Choose clothes that are comfortable, durable and easy to clean. • Choose clothes and footwear that are easy for your child to put Speech and Language Therapy provides assessment on, take off and fasten. and treatment for children with communication delays or disorders. It assists in the enhancement of communi- • Mark all clothing, footwear, school bags and lunch containers cation development for children, from birth to Senior with your child’s name. Kindergarten. • Choose outdoor clothing that is weather appropriate. In Brant/Brantford: In Haldimand-Norfolk: • Have an extra set of clothing at the school for muddy Talking Tots HN Health Unit days, spills or accidents. www.talkingtots.org www.hnhu.org • Provide your child with a school bag to carry notes, school work, lunch 519-753-7453 1-866-463-2759 and snacks. It should be easy to open and close and light to carry. Talking Tots provides: The Haldimand-Norfolk • Pack small snacks (peeled and cut fruit, vegetables, cheese Speech and Language • Screening and crackers, etc.) for your child to eat at school during their Program provides many 4 Read with your child. • Assessment nutrition breaks. workshops on topics like: • Therapy 4 Talk with your child. • Please avoid pop, candy and hard to open containers. • Parent/Caregiver Training • Articulation 4 Play with your child and Some schools have allergy policies. Contact your child’s school • Home Programming • Fluency provide opportunities for if your child has allergies or if you would like to learn more about • School Transition Support • Language & Literacy your child to play with other the school’s allergy policy. • Community Presentations children of a similar age. • Phonological Awareness 6 3 Getting Ready for Kindergarten! How to Register Your Child

School Name: ______

2 7 Principal’s Name: ______(see back side) Excellent Reasons to Choose 51. Preparing for Kindergarten Strong Values We believe in Integrity, Respect, Responsibility and Healthy Grand Erie Relationships. We believe that these are the values District School Board that help our students grow and achieve their goals. 349 Erie Avenue 1 Brantford, ON N3T 5V3 Tel: (519) 756-6301 Academic Excellence or toll free: 1 (888) 548-8878 Our “students first” approach ensures we are continually www.gedsb.on.ca introducing and delivering innovative programs to achieve excellence in all aspects of school life – academic, athletics kindergarten.granderie.ca 2 and the arts.

Preparing for Kindergarten Strong Values We Believe in Integrity, Respect, Responsibility and Healthy Grand Erie Relationships

Preparing for Kindergarten Strong Values We Believe in Integrity, Respect, Responsibility and Healthy Grand Erie Relationships