Dear Parents,
Welcome to Kindergarten! We are sure this year will be exciting, interesting and packed with fun-filled activities. Here is some general information about getting ready for Kindergarten.
COVID-19
Here are some tips and ideas to help your child:
- Practice wearing a mask. Pick a spot in their backpack where masks will be stored. Show your child where to find a mask and how to put it on and take it off. Remind your child what to do with the mask once it has been worn.
- Show your child the directional arrows and standing circles on the floors of stores. Explain what it means.
- We will be spending as much time outside as possible. Please ensure your child has dressed appropriately for the weather (sunscreen, hats, jackets, rain boots, snow pants, etc.).
- Every morning you will need to review the COVID checklist with your child to ensure they are healthy enough to attend school. Please find the checklist here. If you would like the checklist in another language, other than English, please look here under Government Resources on the right-hand side.
Shoes
All students need a pair of inside shoes, which are to stay at school. As we encourage self-reliance, it is best that these shoes are easy for our students to put on without assistance. Footwear with velcro or elastic closers is ideal. These shoes should be appropriate for games and activities in the gym. This year students will also be involved in games and activities during a daily fresh air break (FAB) outside, weather permitting. Please take this into consideration when choosing outdoor footwear for your child.
Nutrition/Snack/Lunch
Please pack a small healthy snack (fruit, vegetables, cheese & crackers, etc.) for our nutrition/snack break and, if in the full-day class, a lunch. We strongly encourage you to use a reusable drink and food containers as we strive to teach our students respect for our environment. Please send your child with their own labelled water bottle. Ideal containers would be ones whereby our students can open and close them independently. Students are not allowed to share food with their friends, please remind your child of this expectation. Please note, we are a nut aware school.
Playdough
We use playdough on a regular basis in kindergarten to enhance creativity and strengthen fine motor muscles. With changes due to COVID, we are asking each family to send some playdough with their child. This will be used only by your child and will be stored in their supply bin. It is best if it is stored in an airtight container that your child can open independently. If you need a recipe, please ask as we have a few good ones to share. Please label the container with your child's name.
Pocket FoldersEach student will receive a zippered folder for the year. These will be used daily to transport notices, school work and important messages with you. Please check the folder regularly and return it to school each day.
Labelling
To ensure that your child’s personal items are easily identified please clearly label all belongings such as lunch bags, water bottles, hoodies, shoes, etc.
Volunteers
Usually, we eagerly welcome volunteers in our classrooms but with our new reality, we are not sure what that will look like. We encourage all parents to complete the volunteer clearance so you are ready to go when we are allowed to have you join our classrooms. We will also be looking for a room parent. If you would like to be a room parent, please email your child’s teacher. Stay tuned for updates!
Blog/Twitter
Each week we will post a message on this Kindergarten Blog. Please check this blog weekly for updates, reminders, important information, etc. We will also be posting daily updates on twitter. Follow us at @curious_kinder.
Pick-up routines and changes
Please email your child’s teacher to share what your child’s pick up routine will be. For example, will they be taking the bus to and from school each day or getting picked up (who will pick up?) or is there a combination. As we have so many little ones, this makes our dismissal routine much less complicated. Thank you!
In the event that your child’s school departure routines are going to be changed (pick-ups, playdates, etc.) we ask that you please notify your child’s teacher and our school office in writing or by email with as much notice as possible.
Thank you for all your help and cooperation to make this year a success for all! Please remember, if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to email us at kcmckay@cbe.ab.ca or ktnewman@cbe.ab.ca or send a note in your child’s zippered folder. Please note, email is the easiest way to reach us we do not check phone messages during instructional time.
We look forward to seeing everyone!
Mrs. McKay & Mr. Newman
