Brandon School Division

1. Brandon School Division Quality Education for All

2. EAL Reception Centre Parents make an appointment at the Reception Centre (New Era School)- mornings only. Address: New Era School 527 Louise Avenue Phone #: 729-3246 Staff: Heidi Williams (receptionist) Kerry Hemstad (registration and assessment) Kelly Fuhr (EAL teacher)

3. Registering for School At the appointment, you will need: • Proof of permanent residency; work permit; or a study permit • Proof of a Brandon address(must be formal ex: bank statement, rental agreement, phone bill) • Copies of immunization records • Confirmation of relationship between parent and child (guardianship, custody records, etc) • Copies of passports • Copies of school records/report cards/transcripts

4. School Start • Students who are in Kindergarten, grades 1-3, or in high school, will go to their catchment schools soon after registration. (within 2 weeks) • Students who do not speak English and are in grades 4-8 will stay at the Reception Centre classroom for 4 weeks to help them learn a little English, and adjust to school in Canada. (They will begin within 1 week)

5. Learning English • It can take 1-2 years for children to learn how to speak and understand English well. • It can take children 5-7 years to know how to read, write, and understand academic English well (as a native speaker). • It is important that children continue to learn their first language (reading, writing, studying difficult vocabulary) as this helps them understand new words in English.

6. Busing • Students in grades k-6 must live 1.6 km from their school in order to get the school bus. • Grades 7-12 students must live 2.4 km from their school in order to get the school bus.

7. English as an Additional Language Programming (EAL) • All schools have some EAL programming. • EAL support can help your child to do better in their other classes. • Your child will not need to be in EAL programming forever.

8. Kindergarten • Most children enter school at age 5 for kindergarten • They will either attend every morning or every afternoon • A few schools have kindergarten students attend all day, every second day • Some school have all day, every day, kindergarten

9. $ School Costs $ • School is free • Parents are given a list of supplies to buy for their child • Some kindergarten teachers buys all the supplies and parents pay a fee of about $30.00 • High school has a student fee of about $65.00

10. Early Years • Early years classrooms are: • Activity and theme based- no text books • Children work individually, in pairs and in group activities during the day. • The teacher assesses the children through a variety of ways: • observation • written assessments • oral assessments • written tests( usually students in grade 4 and older) • Formal assessment reports 3 times a year. (November, March and June) • November and March you and child will attend a conference to discuss your child’s progress with his/her teacher. • It is not typical for a student to “fail” in Early years or Middle years. The philosophy of Brandon School Division is that the student should advance to the next grade and the teacher will provide appropriate programming to meet the student’s needs.

11. Middle Years • May have unit tests, midterms and final exams. (tests and exams do not determine whether or not the child will pass the grade) • More content based- some text books used, depending on the teacher. • Students work individually, in pairs and in groups to complete tasks. • Teacher assesses in similar ways as in the Early Years. • Formal assessment reports and conferences occur at the same time as in Early Years.

12. Grade 7 and 8 Options Students in grade 7 and 8 are given the option to choose between Basic French or Language Enrichment class. They can also choose between band or art. Band is only offered at 3 schools in Brandon. The band class is held for 1 hour during the day. Students take a school bus to and from band class.

13. Grade 7 and 8 options Industrial Arts and Home Economics • Students in grade 7 and 8 are required to complete courses in Industrial Arts(Shop) and Home Economics(Home-Ec) • The courses run once per 6 day cycle (all morning or all afternoon) • Only 3 schools have the shop and home-ec rooms. Students must find their own transportation to and from those schools. • Students are eligible for student bus passes, which provide a discounted fare.

14. Senior Years: High School If student begin high school in Canada without knowing English, it may take them 5 or more years to achieve the credits that they will need for college or university. Students can graduate from high school with “E” credits, but they cannot use these for entrance to university. There are 2 semesters in senior high. September to mid January and mid January to June.

15. Post-Secondary School Newcomers here on a temporary work permit are permitted to take non-credit courses for their own interest. However, they should not enrol in credit courses until they become Manitoba Residents. They should check with the school for more information.

16. Volunteering • Parents are welcome in the schools and should meet their child’s teacher. • Parents may volunteer in a variety of ways such as: • Working in the library to shelf books • Supervising field trips(outings) • Supervising sporting activities • Working with the students in the classroom • Helping to organize school fundraisers or special events • Coaching a sport • Parent volunteers must complete a Criminal record check and Child abuse registry check. Both are paid for by the Brandon School Division.

17. Homework Typically teachers do not give homework as “busy work.” Teachers will assign homework when: Students do not complete work in class Students must study for tests Students must do reading/spelling practice Students must do projects that will need extra time and materials outside of class

18. Recess • Students must go outside for recess for two, 15 minute breaks. • Children must go outside unless the parent has provided a note with a reasonable explanation.(It’s too cold, is not an sufficient reason) • If your child is too sick to go outside, please do not send him/her to school. • There will be indoor recess if: • The temperature is below -26 degrees • It is raining • There is thunder or lightening • There are strong winds or there is a tornado warning

19. Absences • All children between the ages of 6- 18 are required to attend school by law. • You must contact the school if you child must miss school. (phone, tell in person or write a note) • You may leave a message or speak to a teacher on the phone. Speak slowly and clearly so that the person can understand your message. • Give the following information: • Child’s name • Grade • Reason for absence • How long will child be absent? (1 day, 1 week, ½ day) • If your child is regularly absent or absent for an extended period of time, the teacher or home school liaison will contact you to discuss the issue.

20. Late • Find out what time your child’s school begins. Usually about 8:45 in the morning and about 11:45 in the afternoon. • It is important to be on time! • If your child is regularly late, the teacher will likely contact you to discuss the issue.

21. Allergies • Due to severe allergies, nuts and nut products are not allowed in the schools. • Read labels to ensure products do not contain nuts, nut oil, or were made in factories that may contain nuts. • Due to allergies, perfumes ,body sprays , and colognes are not to be used in schools. However, deodorant or antiperspirant is encouraged!

22. Health • If your child has an ongoing health condition you must inform your child’s teacher. • Medical conditions such as allergies, asthma, heart problems, diabetes will require a health plan. A public health nurse will contact you, in order to create a plan to ensure your child is safe and the teachers know what to do in an emergency. • Students with asthma must bring there inhaler to school every day. • Students are not given any medication at school unless the teacher has written consent to administer the medication. If your child requires medication, you must inform your child’s teacher and fill out the appropriate paperwork.

23. Nursery school/Preschooland daycare • Some children attend nursery / or preschool at age 4 (usually 2 times a week for one-half day) • There are different kids of daycares: • Licensed- (child care provider must meet licensing requirements set by the government)often costs more money than a private daycare • Private- ( informal , home based, child care, The government does not monitor these daycares. • Licensed –child care centre • Licensed child care home • There is a long waitinglist for daycares and preschools in Brandon. You willlikely have yourname on a few long waitinglists for a variety of daycares or preschools. • As of 2010 youmayregister online for licenseddaycares and preschools. • This webistewill help youregister for a daycare in Brandon • http://www.gov.mb.ca/fs/parentupdate/index.html preschools in Brandon.

24. Questions Make an appointment at the Reception Centre (New Era School)- mornings only. Address: New Era School 527 Louise Avenue Phone #: 729-3246