Superior-Greenstone DSB Welcomes Kindergarten Registration
MARATHON, ON – Schools in the Superior-Greenstone District School Board are actively accepting registrations for students who will be starting Kindergarten this September. At this school board, the formal registration process marks the beginning of the Transition to School program for children and families. The school board recognizes the importance of supporting children and families with multiple activities at their schools over the next five months to ensure that everyone feels a strong sense of belonging when they head to school in September.
“We know that fostering a sense of belonging at school leads to a positive sense of wellbeing and thus, strong academic achievement,” said Director of Education David Tamblyn. “Kindergarten registration is considered to be a season of play and enjoyment for our families, rather than a one day event.”
School teams, in conjunction with their partners in the “early years” from Best Start Centers, various child care facilities and community agencies are in the process of developing a comprehensive transition plan that includes activities such as Welcome to Kindergarten events, the opportunity to engage in the Fair Start screening and events such as “Books and Breakfast” whereby the new registrants visit the school to have breakfast with the students and then have story time. There are also events such as gym time, picnics, meet the teachers and preschool programs, to name just a few. Each event is planned with the purpose of having the child and their parent/caregiver meet staff and classmates, explore the facility, and to ultimately, foster self-confidence and success.
The board has committed to enhancing their schools to become centers that serve children ages 0 to grade 12 and beyond in some cases. Increasingly, schools are partnering with agencies in order to ensure that children and families know that their schools are places where they can access a range of programs and services. Children entering Junior Kindergarten this September are required to be four years of age on or before December 31, 2016 and children entering Senior Kindergarten are required to be five years of age on or before December 31, 2016. All children are welcome at Superior-Greenstone District School Board schools!
