“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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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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Registration
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
- Health card
- 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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The Kindergarten Calendar
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.
Kindergarten Calendar
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French Immersion
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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Children with Special Needs
“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 Communit
y.
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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Parent Information Session
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. 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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Fall Parent and Child Visit
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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Bussing
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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Dress Code
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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Curriculum
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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School Council
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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Child Care
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 schools offer before and after school childcare:
- Corpus Christi
- Guardian Angels
- Holy Name of Mary
- Mother Teresa
- Our Lady of Peace
- Our Lady of the Assumption
- Pope John Paul II
- Regina Mundi
- St. Ann
- St. Brigid
- St. Clare
- St. Mark
- St. Jerome
- St. Michael
- St. Teresa of Avila
- St. Thérèse of Lisieux
- Sts. Peter and Paul
The following schools offer full day childcare twelve months of the year:
- Cathedral High school
- Holy Family
- Holy Name of Jesus
- Immaculate Heart of Mary
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel
- St. Bernadette
- St. David
- St. Francis
- St. Helen
- St. Joachim (independent Board of Directors)
- St. Marguerite D’Youville
- St. Thomas More High School
- St. Vincent de Paul
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Handbook
The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board has produced a
handbook for parents of children beginning the journey in Junior
Kindergarten. The resource assists parents in ensuring a smooth and
seamless entry into our education system.
Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board - Parent Handbook (pdf download)
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