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Full Day
Early Learning Kindergarten Program |
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Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board Introduces the Full-Day Early Learning-Kindergarten Program
Young children are always learning. They have a natural curiosity about the world and how it works. To support their desire to learn and better prepare them for future success as life-long learners, HWCDSB is pleased to introduce the Full-Day Early Learning-Kindergarten program. Beginning in September, 2010, seven Catholic elementary schools will offer rich, faith-based, full day, everyday programs that nurture our youngest learners and provide the best play-based learning opportunities possible for our three, four, five and six year olds.
The Extended Day Program
‘An optional, fee-based extended day component will be offered at schools where sufficient parent interest warrants viable operation. Parents are encouraged to contact home schools to further inquire about this feature.’
The seven schools selected for Year-One of the five year Ministry phase-in are:
- Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Elementary School
- Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Elementary School
- Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Elementary School
- St. Brigid Catholic Elementary School
- St. Lawrence Catholic Elementary School
- St. Matthew Catholic Elementary School
- St. Patrick Catholic Elementary School
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In September 2011, the Full-Day Early Learning-Kindergarten Program will also be offered at:
- Immaculate Conception Catholic Elementary School
- Annunciation of Our Lord Catholic Elementary School
These schools were selected based upon criteria that included community needs, availability of space, and a host of other factors critical for successful initial implementation.
Schools selected to implement the Full-Day Early Learning Kindergarten Program have been approved for the 2012/2013 school year and they include:
- Blessed Sacrament Catholic Elementary School
- Canadian Martyrs Catholic Elementary School
- Corpus Christi Catholic Elementary School
- Guardian Angels Catholic Elementary School
- Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Elementary School
- Pope John Paul II Catholic Elementary School
- St. Agnes Catholic Elementary School
- St. Augustine Catholic Elementary School
- St. David Catholic Elementary School
- St. Eugene Catholic Elementary School
- St. Francis Xavier Catholic Elementary School
- St. Luke Catholic Elementary School
- St. Margaret Mary Catholic Elementary School
- St. Michael Catholic Elementary School
- St. Thomas Catholic Elementary School
Though there are recommendations for the 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 years, there is no approved list at this time.
Each classroom will be led by an Early Learning-Kindergarten Team comprised of a Certified Teacher and a Registered Early Childhood Educator. Together, the team will work collaboratively to ensure that our youngest students learn and grow through investigation, exploration, discovery, wonder and awe. A draft program document has been released by the Ministry of Education to guide Early Learning-Kindergarten Teams with implementation. A Parent's Guide has also been produced with program information and highlights.
Early Learning-Kindergarten classrooms in our Catholic elementary schools will stimulate curiosity and imagination and will offer vibrant learning environments where children feel safe, comfortable and inspired to learn and explore the seven important areas of learning:
- Faith
- Personal and Social Development
- Language
- Mathematics
- Science and Technology
- Health and Physical Activity
- The Arts
An optional, fee-based extended day component will be offered at schools where sufficient parent interest warrants viable operation. Parents are encouraged to contact home schools to further inquire about this feature.
"Grounded in God's love, our youngest students will find themselves affirmed as individuals and as members of a diverse community of learners. Through the dedication and commitment of HWCDSB Early Learning-Kindergarten Teams, four and five year old children will thrive and develop spiritually, emotionally, cognitively, physically and socially," says Principal of Programs, Sandra Pizzuti. "We are excited about this promising venture," adds Dean Younger, Early Years Consultant, "and we welcome you and your child as we embark on a new journey. Together, we can create promising futures for all our children."
"It is our responsibility to ensure bright futures for today's children so that tomorrow's society will benefit."
~Dr. Dan Offord
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