MANITOULIN – All Rainbow Schools will offer Kindergarten orientation sessions for children starting school this fall as well as their parents/guardians. Parents who have not registered their children still have time to do so and can reserve their spot for Kindergarten orientation by calling their nearest Rainbow School. Registrations for September 2019, which begin online at rainbowschools.ca, will also be accepted at the Kindergarten sessions.
At the orientation sessions, families will have an opportunity to connect with Kindergarten teachers, early childhood educators, school personnel and staff from community agencies. They will also meet other children starting school this fall.
“The early years are formative years,” says Rainbow District School Board Director of Education Norm Blaseg. “Research has shown that brighter starts lead to brighter futures. It’s important that schools establish strong links with the home and engage parents and guardians as partners in education from the onset.”
“In Rainbow Schools, we recognize that building this partnership begins long before the first day of school,” Mr. Blased adds. “Starting school is not the beginning of a child’s educational experience. It is a continuation of the journey of learning together.”
At the orientation sessions, children will participate in activities. Parents/guardians will learn strategies on how they can help orient their children for school, with a special focus on literacy and numeracy. Families will receive a bag of resources, which may contain information from the school, the board and/or community partners, for instance, information about transportation or Health Unit programs.
“Kindergarten Orientation works to bridge the transition from home to school by familiarizing parents and guardians and their children with the school and its staff,” says Director Blaseg. “It is an opportunity for them to explore our schools, meet some of their classmates and get excited about starting school. The strategies and resources that parents will receive at the orientation session will serve to introduce children to Rainbow Schools and the wonderful experiences that await them in Kindergarten.”
On Manitoulin, orientation sessions will be held at: Central Manitoulin Public School on Tuesday, May 7 from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm (705-368-7005); Charles C. McLean Public School on Monday, May 6 from 5 to 6 pm (705-368-7015); and at Little Current Public School on Thursday, May 9 from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm (705-368-2932).
