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How Well Can Our Children See?
HWCDSB encourages all Junior Kindergarten students to have a comprehensive eye exam this year through Eye See…Eye Learn program-- a FREE childhood health awareness program.
Fact: One in six children has a vision problem but too often children don’t have a comprehensive eye exam before starting school.
Fact: Young children don’t know what normal vision is supposed to look like and seldom complain to their parents. Some show no signs of a problem at all.
Your current JK students are eligible for a comprehensive eye exam (covered by your child’s health card), and if required, one FREE pair of brand new high quality eyeglasses until June 30, 2012. There is no cost to participate. Children registering for JK for September can pre-book their exams now to take place after July 1, 2012.
All children up to 19 years of age are eligible for an annual OHIP-insured eye exam by an optometrist. Simply present the child’s health card at the time of the exam.
For more information on the program or children’s vision, please visit the website www.EyeSeeEyeLearn.ca or call toll free (855) 424-ESEL (3735).
The Eye See…Eye Learn program is funded in part by the Government of Ontario.
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Our schools are enriched with teachers and staff who through their commitment have integrated the gospel values with their training and skill. We pledge to work with you in the spiritual, intellectual and physical development of each student.
~ Patrick Daly, Chairperson of the Board
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Growing Together
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When your child begins school, it is the first step in a life long journey of learning. The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board is committed to helping your child make the transition from home to school as seamless as possible. By working together we can help provide your child with a positive start to school and continued success in the years that follow. Our teachers recognize the uniqueness of each child entrusted to them and strive to meet their diverse needs. Our teaching is anchored in faith and promotes the development of the whole child.
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Kindergarten registration in the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board begins each year in February. Parents are encouraged to contact their local Catholic school to make arrangements and book an appointment. Schools will also be open one day during the last week of August to accommodate new registrations.
To enrol in Junior Kindergarten children must be four years old by December 31st of the school year in which they begin.
Parents or guardians will need to provide:
- Baptismal Certificate
- Birth Certificate
- Proof of Residency
- Proof of up-to-date immunization
- Immigration papers, if applicable
Prior to your child starting school, you will be requested to fill out a Pre-School History Form for your child. The form is designed to facilitate the collection of important information about each child's pre-school life experiences. It will be beneficial for the classroom teacher to have knowledge about your child's history, interests and needs.
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Most schools offer a full day/alternate day Senior and Junior Kindergarten program (e.g. Monday and Wednesday and/or Tuesday and Thursday) with a Friday schedule. Every effort is made to alternate the Fridays; however, in order to balance the number of days each session offers and to accommodate holidays as well as Professional Development, the number of Fridays scheduled may vary. Parents are asked to refer to the most current Junior/Senior Kindergarten calendar for specific information. Calendars for the next school year are made available in May/June.
View the Kindergarten Calendar
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There are three elementary schools in which the French Immersion program is offered from Kindergarten to Grade 8: 
- Sts Peter and Paul Catholic Elementary School
- St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School
- St Eugene Catholic Elementary School
French Immersion is not offered until Senior Kindergarten. Therefore, a child may complete Junior Kindergarten at their local Catholic school and then be bussed from their home school to the closest French Immersion site for grades SK to 8.
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The philosophy of the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic School Board is to meet the needs of all children and to help them to develop a fullness of humanity in a Catholic Community. All students, regardless of special talents or challenging needs can grow and they can best grow by attending their neighbourhood school along with their brothers and sisters.
The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board in co-operation with the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, McMaster Children's Hospital (Chedoke site), the Integration Resource Hub and the Community Care Access Centre invite parents of children with special needs to attend a School Intake meeting. This meeting is held each year in January prior to the start of school and is an opportunity for information sharing and questions.
Parents of children with speech and language concerns can obtain information about Junior Kindergarten and the services from their speech and language pathologist or by calling Early Words at 905-318-2828, Ext. 1.
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Going to school for the first time is very exciting, but it can also be a time of considerable adjustment for children and their families. Schools offer an orientation evening in May or June to provide parents with an overview of the kindergarten program. At this time, valuable information about expectations and routines will be shared. It is also an opportunity for parents to ask questions and address any concerns they may have.
A DVD, Growing Together, is available to junior kindergarten parents (click here to view it online) The DVD depicts a typical day at school for children attending an every day/alternate day junior kindergarten program. Parents are encouraged to view the DVD with their child and discuss the events and information provided. The intent of the DVD is to help alleviate some of the uncertainty and anxiety that may come with beginning school for the first time. The DVD also provides practical suggestions as to how parents can best prepare their child for the big day.
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The entry procedures for children new to school must ensure that the child's early contact with the school is a positive one. Entry procedures have been designed to help parents and children develop a comfort level and familiarity with the school setting.
In early September, small groups of parents and their children are scheduled for a classroom visit. Critical items of interest that have not yet been addressed can be dealt with at this time. The session lasts for approximately an hour to an hour and a half.
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 First Day of Attendance
Following the parent and child visit, the Junior Kindergarten student will attend one session with a small group of children. This staggered enrolment provides the teacher with the opportunity to get to know the children and introduce classroom routines.
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The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board has a bus identification program in place for all Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten students to help ensure their safely. Students taking the bus are required to wear an identification badge attached to a tearaway lanyard. This I.D. displays the child's name, school identification code, bus number, stop location, as well as the School Board's logo and telephone number.
An adult must accompany to and from the bus stop all Junior and Senior Kindergarten students. Parents can identify the names of individuals who are authorized to escort their child from the bus. These will be the only individuals to whom the children will be released. If there is no adult present at the stop, the student is returned to school.
The Hamilton-Wentworth School Safety Association sponsors a First Rider Program for JK and SK students starting school for the first time. This program has been offered in the summer through the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board and the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board. The program introduces children to bus safety rules and allows for the children and their parent or guardian to ride the bus. The session is approximately 45 minutes and registration is required. For further information, contact your local school.
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All schools in the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic School system have a dress code. While the adopted colours are blue and white, a wide variety of clothing options are available. The specific requirements of the uniform are determined at the local level by the principal in co-operation with the School Council. Some schools have adopted a policy whereby clothing must be crested.
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The Ministry of Education has published a Kindergarten Program document outlining the Kindergarten curriculum. Key components of the document address:
- The Importance of Kindergarten
- Learning Expectations
- Building a Learning Community
- Assessment, Evaluation, and Reporting
- Language Development and Literacy
- Teaching/Learning Approaches
- Considerations for Program Planning
It is essential that Kindergarten programs provide a variety of learning opportunities and experiences that are based on assessment information and the strengths, needs, and interests of the children. (The Kindergarten Program, 2006, page 1)
The six (6) areas of learning are:
- Personal and Social Development
- Language
- Mathematics
- Science and Technology
- Health and Physical Activity
- The Arts
Doing, Being, Growing Together
is the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board's program for children in Kindergarten. This program recognizes that four and five year olds are active and curious and that they develop at their own unique rates. Children come to school with a variety of pre-school experiences so they must have a program that is flexible, individualized and enriched with learning opportunities.
In addition to providing for growth in the six areas outlined in the Ministry document, Doing, Being, Growing Together also focuses on opportunities for Spiritual growth. Through daily prayer, classroom experiences, and celebrations, children increase their awareness of themselves and of God as the source of life. Shared experiences help the children develop an awareness of the Liturgical Year and an appreciation of the wonderful world around them.
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A parent is a child's first teacher and thereby plays a significant role in a child's development. As such, parents have a right to be informed and to participate in the education of their child. To provide the opportunity for parents to be involved in an advisory capacity, a School Council is elected annually. The Council works in cooperation with the teachers, Principal, students, school board, government, and the community. Parents are encouraged to be involved and to participate in the education process.
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The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District school Board is committed to providing high quality and inclusive childcare that meets the needs of our families and their children. The Child Care Centres operating within the schools are non-profit organizations and are licensed under the Day Nurseries Act. Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic Child Care Centres Inc. governs Child Care Centres at 30 locations throughout the system.
All of our Child Care Centres have trained staff in the field of early childhood development, maintain high professional standards and support the mission and vision of the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board. They help bridge the transition between home and school, offer a strong connection to Junior and Senior Kindergarten programs, and promote a continuous educational experience for young children and their families.
The following Catholic schools offer before and after school childcare:
The following schools offer full day childcare twelve months of the year:
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