Welcome to Kindergarten 2013

“ Welcome to Kindergarten”
FORT QU’APPELLE ELEMENTARY COMMUNITY SCHOOL
The Kindergarten experience marks a critical time in your child’s development and also in your
family life. This may be the beginning of your child’s awareness of his or her unique role as a
member of a social group. At the same time, he or she will be discovering new capacities and
strengths within. The Kindergarten experience is built around providing opportunities for
growth and development.
SCHOOL WIDE POLICIES AND EVENTS
Report Cards and Three-Way Conferences-
Parent-teacher-student conferences are held twice yearly. The purpose of these
conferences is to establish and maintain communication between the teacher and
family members. Beginning school requires some adjustments for most four and five
year olds. Children need understanding, support and encouragement from parents
and teachers alike.
Fundraising- We will be hosting a raffle in the spring – perhaps around Easter, or 2 nd reporting
period. More details will follow as our year progresses.
Hotdog/Corndog/Smokie/Pizza sales:
Beginning in September FQECS offers “food” sales at noon, (usually) every
Thursday. These sales are run by grade three to seven students to raise
funds for special school projects. Students are welcome to purchase hotdogs
etc. and juice/milk for lunch on these days provided it is a regular school day
for them. Further information (dates, prices) will be sent home prior to the first hotdog sale.
EXACT change should come in a bag/envelope clearly LABELLED with the child’s name and order on
it. Please send $$ by 9:00a.m. as orders are tabulated as soon as possible so preparation may begin.
White milk and chocolate milk are usually available for sale each day at noon hour. Prices will be
sent home in the fall. You may wish to purchase a milk card for your child.
Lunch Policy:
Students remain in their classrooms at lunchtime where adequate supervision is
provided. There is no microwave available for Kindergarten students. We also
encourage nutritious lunches-no junk food, candy or soft drinks, please.
Morning and Afternoon Snacks occur daily in Kindergarten. No drinks at this
time, please. Send along one small, nutritious item for each snack. (ie. Cut up apples or oranges,
other fruits, half a sandwich, veggies, pretzels, cheese and crackers). Send two snacks every time
your child attends Kindergarten.

Kindergarten students attend half-time, for full days on alternate days.
You will receive a master calendar at the beginning of the school year.
Because regular attendance is important for your child’s development, please
try to schedule his/her appointments on non-Kindergarten days when
possible. Please post the calendar in your home for easy referral.
Notes and/or Phone Calls
Parents are required to account for their youngster’s absenteeism from school.
Notes, phone calls or e-mails are appropriate means of communication. A note is
also necessary if your youngster is leaving the school at lunch hour, if she/he
usually stays at school for lunch. All students must be signed out at the main
office if leaving during regular school hours. If a student has alternate
arrangements than usual for after school (ie. Grandmother is picking him up rather
than going on the bus), a note or phone call to the teacher—for the safety of the
child, is appreciated.
Communication Folders
Your child will receive a communication folder on his/her first day of Kindergarten. You and I will
use this folder to communicate between home and school. Please check this folder every day and
return it with your child on each Kindergarten day.
SUPPLIES: Items necessary for Kindergarten are provided on an attached “supply list” for your
convenience. Please try to get these precise items.
**PLEASE SEND THE SUPPLIES WITH YOUR CHILD ON HIS/HER 1st DAY VISIT IN THE
FALL. Please label the items as follows:
**Sally Franklin **Timothy Jones
Labelling-please print your child’s name with one capital letter at the beginning and all
the rest of the letters in lower case. This is the format used consistently at school
and it will save your child some confusion in recognizing and printing his/her name.
Indoor Shoes- students are requested to bring one pair of runners to school to be
used as indoor/gym shoes. Be sure the shoes are clean, comfortable with good grips for gym
activity. Velcro shoes or slip on shoes are definitely preferred. **These shoes should be brought
on his/her one hour Kindergarten visit in the fall. ** Name should be clearly marked on each shoe.
School Bag- Kindergarten children are asked to have a sturdy, roomy school
bag which they will use daily to carry books, artwork, letters to and from the
teacher, etc.
Please send this bag with your child each time he/she attends. Label this
school bag – print clearly for easy identification.
Clothing: Parents are asked to provide school clothing which is durable, can be
dirtied, and is easy enough for children to get into and out of independentlyparticularly
boots and outer wear!!

Parent Assistance
Positive attitude – Kindergarten attempts to give a happy, healthy and
positive introduction to school life. How can parents and family
members help
ENCOURAGEMENT helps most. This does not always mean praise –
but it does mean a positive attitude. It is characterized by comments
such as “You can do it”, “Give it a try”, “Well done”, “It’s okay to make a
mistake” or “You’ve done your best.”
EMPHASIZE the school experience as an opportunity to meet new friends, to encounter new
experiences and to learn more about yourself.
HELP your child develop a positive listening attitude.
ASK lots of questions about what is around you. More importantly ---LISTEN to and answer your
child’s questions.
We believe that an inquiring mind is the most important instrument of learning. It must be
encouraged at an early age.
For many of you this apparent break in the parent/child relationship may be difficult and
emotionally upsetting. Just remember this…your child will be coming home with tales of encounters
and he/she will want to share them with you. This is your opportunity to deepen your relationship
and feel an even closer bond with your child.
See that your child has adequate sleep, a well-balanced diet and comfortable, suitable clothing.
Parent involvement gives you an opportunity to become involved in the program. To reinforce the
communication between home and school, all family members are encouraged to be as actively
involved in the Kindergarten experience as possible. This lets the children know that parents and
teachers are working as a team to facilitate their further learning.
On your youngster’s first day, you are encouraged to ensure that your child is delivered to the
teacher by you or another family member and then to leave calmly and naturally.
FILL OUT THE FORMS—please note – a child must be 5 (five) years old as of December 31 of this
year to be eligible for our Kindergarten program.
Fill out the forms given to you by the Kindergarten teacher and return the completed forms to the
teacher.
** A photocopy of your child’s Saskatchewan health card and birth certificate are necessary to
verify his/her date of birth and for our school’s data system.
**If at any time you have questions or concerns, please call the school (332-5566).