FDK at Emily Carr PS

Kindergarten at a glance:

  • On average, 30 students per class

  • Year One (JK) and Year Two (SK) students in the same class

  • 2 adults – teacher and Early Childhood Educator (ECE)

Important Information for the First Day


  • At the end of August, you will be sent the first day dismissal form and contacted to pick up your child’s coloured name tag

  • On the first day of school, you will find your child’s teacher by matching the colour on the teacher’s sign to the colour of your child’s name tag.

  • Fill out the First Day Dismissal Form before the first day of school and have it ready to hand to the educators when you drop your child off on the first day. This will tell educators how your child will be getting home on the first day of school and who will be picking them up.

We are in the process of updating our opening day procedures for all grade levels. We will communicate our opening day process to Kindergarten families via School Messenger prior to the first day of school.


First Days of School

During the first few weeks of school, educators will be supporting students to develop the following life skills:

  • Belonging

  • Contribution

  • Attachment

  • Collaboration

  • Adaptability

  • Self-Regulation

Independence

Independence is encouraged and important, even at this young age. To help your child be independent and feel confident, please:

  • Use Velcro running shoes

  • Practice zippers and buttons on clothing and backpacks

  • Independent washroom use is essential prior to the start of school

  • Provide a backpack that sits on your child’s shoulder and is big enough to pack a Zippy/Communication bag, lunch kit(s) and large library book. Please do not send backpacks with wheels.

Nutrition Breaks

Each day there are two "Nutrition Breaks" (a snack and lunch break). Students will have 20 minutes to eat and 20 minutes for outdoor play. What does that mean for you?

  • Make sure your child eats a healthy breakfast

  • Label all containers with your child’s name

  • Read food labels to ensure products are nut free

  • Pack enough food for two small nutritious meals

While eating, either teachers or paid adults supervise students. If you are interested in becoming a paid lunchroom supervisor, please contact the office for an application package.

Transportation

If your child is going to be taking the bus, information will be sent to you by mail. At the end of the first day, your child will be coming home with a yellow tag attached to their backpack. Please make sure to leave this tag on your child’s backpack.

If you are dropping your child off by car you have two options:

  • Park your car in a designated parking spot and walk your child to the kindergarten fenced area

  • Use the drop off loop to drop your child off and pass them off to an educator supervisor wearing a orange/yellow vest who will then walk them to the kindergarten fenced area

***DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CAR IN THE DROP OFF LOOP AND WALK YOUR CHILD TO THE KINDERGARTEN FENCED AREA***

For more information to safely drop off students at school please visit our Parking Lot Information Page

Teaching Strategies:

  • Whole group instruction/reflection

  • Small group inquiry-based interactions

  • Small group explicit instruction/reflection

  • Individual inquiry-based interactions

  • Individual explicit instruction/reflection

  • Child-led exploration and reflection (individual/small group/whole group)

Communication

“Informally,” to keep you informed as to what is going on in our classroom and how your child is progressing, communication is also done through:

  • Mutually arranged interviews

  • Notes in their Zippy/Communication Bag

  • Phone calls to discuss progress or concerns

  • Student portfolios

  • Class websites

Before and After School Care

If you are interested in arranging before and/or after school care, please visit the Child Care Directory and Information Line.