Welcome!!!!!

1. Welcome!!!!! Debra Geary, Principal Grazia Cianci, Vice Principal Michelle Parrish, Grade Eight Teacher, Technology Coach Sylvia McFee , Kindergarten Teacher

2. Gentle Entry • Students start school in small groups so that they get to know each other without being overwhelmed by a large group • Calendar is sent home at end of June for parents to plan childcare on the days when your child is not in school • Gentle entry will be a two week period; after this, students will come to school regularly on Tuesdays and Thursdays

3. School Day • Begins at 8:55 am • Students can be dropped off as early as 8:40 am • If students are in daycare, they are brought to the classroom • 2 lunch breaks (20 minutes to eat, 20 -30 minutes to play outside each time) • School ends at 3:15 pm. If you are picking your child up, please come a little earlier so that I can bring other children to the bus or daycare.

4. Things to Bring Shoes Students will require a pair of indoor running shoes to keep at school. The shoes need to have non-marking soles. Change of Clothing Please send a change of clothing (shirt, socks, pants, underwear) in a labelled ziplock bag. In the event of an accident, the clothes will be changed and the soiled clothing will be sent home. Please label all of your child’s belongings. Backpack When purchasing a backpack, please make sure it fits your child properly and has enough room for lunch and an agenda. Lunch Please send enough food for two nutrition breaks. Lunch is supervised and a microwave is available. Thermoses are a very good idea. Students are always encouraged to eat their healthy snacks first.

5. Parent – Teacher Communication The teacher will be available in the mornings before school starts and at the end of the day when school ends. If you have any questions you would like to ask personally, please ask then. The teacher is also available for appointments if there is something to discuss that requires more time. Parents can call the teacher to set up appointment times. In addition, please write notes in the agenda which will go home on a daily basis and look for notes that the teacher may have written. Please initial the agenda daily. Check out the classroom blog and school blog for important announcements in the classroom and the school. The teacher may also send emails, and parents are welcome to communicate with the teacher this way as well.

6. Communication in the ClassroomEach classroom in the school as well as the library and gym are equipped with FM Systems. An FM System is a system where the teacher’s voice is amplified in the classroom so that every child can hear regardless of where they might be in the room. It is ideal for those children who may have difficulty hearing. The teacher can control the volume of the FM system as well as turn it off when it is not necessary.

7. First Riders • Students who live one kilometre away from the school are eligible for bussing. Parents must organize this with the office prior to school starting. • Students will receive an orientation and safety tour prior to starting school. • Students will be picked up and brought to the bus by the teacher or EA.

8. Medical Information Allergies Medical Forms Teachers are not allowed to administer medication without a signed form from the doctor. Should a student require a prescription drug, please obtain a form from the office. This includes inhalers, epipens, cough syrup, tylenol, etc. GLC is a nut free school. We have students who are allergic to nuts. These allergies can be life threatening, and we ask that people respect this and not bring nuts or food that contains nuts to school. Should there be a student in the class with another life threatening allergy in the class, a letter will be sent home about this.

9. Literacy Parents can be strong supporters of literacy at home in the following ways: • Encourage and maintain eye contact when speaking. • Ensure good listening skills by asking children to repeat or paraphrase what they have heard. • Talk about stories as you read, encouraging questions, predictions, connections to other events in their lives or other stories they have heard. • Talk about things you see; posters, pictures, movies, objects in the environment, etc. • Have fun with language. Sing songs, read or say poems or jingles, rhyming words, etc. • Play with puppets. Take turns when talking and role playing. • Visit your local library. • Play computer games that focus on letters and letter sounds.

10. How to Prepare your Child • Read daily. • Talk about the stories you read. • Note signs and words in the environment. • Count when picking up toys, setting the table, etc. • Play board games. • Practise using scissors. • Practise sharing and taking turns. • Practise printing your child’s name, holding the pencil properly and using an upper case letter at the beginning, lower case for the remaining letters. • Practise toileting needs. • Practise dressing skills; jackets, shoes, boots, etc. • Participate in Shadow Day. Have your child visit the school and the classroom before he/she officially starts. • Show your child pictures of the classroom in action by visiting the Kindergarten Blog and School Website.

11. Remember to look for a package coming in the mail at the end of June. It will contain a booklet for your child to work on during the summer months as well as a September calendar and other information for the start of the school year 2013-2014. Thank you for visiting us tonight! We look forward to seeing you again in the fall.

12. QUESTIONS ????? • ________________________________ • ________________________________ • ________________________________ • ________________________________