Kindergarten
Kindergarten Gradual Entry 2021/22
Staff at Signal Hill Elementary (SHE) carefully plan a gradual transition to full day kindergarten. This important transition phase is aimed to set up students for success for the rest of their school years and involves a variety of visits, communications, and opportunities to connect young children and their families with Signal Hill before beginning the first day of full day kindergarten.
Gradual Entry means your child will have a focused time to connect with their kindergarten teacher and gently build new social/emotional foundations for the elementary school context. This developmental model of transition allows children and teachers to work in smaller groups, adapting to the new learning environment that the Full Day Kindergarten Program offers. Teachers will be introducing children to classroom routines and procedures and easing the transition in a more personalized way so your child feels comfortable and valued as a new member of the Signal Hill School Community.
At Signal Hill, we take the time to get to know all of the kindergarten students before setting
class lists. This helps us create balanced classes that take into account everyone’s individual needs. You will be notified of your child’s class placement on Friday, September 10th. The following is the gradual entry schedule for Signal Hill kindergarten students:
Thursday, September 9th or Friday, September 10th
Please call the school at 604-894-6378 to book your child’s first one hour time slot for either Thursday, September 9th or Friday, September 10th
- To prepare your child for school readiness, please talk to them about hand washing and school drop-offs (outside goodbyes / morning transitions).
- Kindergarten students visit SHE for a one-hour session with kindergarten teachers.
- Location: Carla Montie’s classroom (Room 124)
- Please meet at back door of classroom (facing the parking lot - look for a picture of a big
frog in the window). - Please say goodbye to your child outside and let them come into the class on their own for hand washing
Monday September 13th and Tuesday, September 14th
On Friday, September 10th, the kindergarten teachers will call to book your child’s two-hour session for Monday, September 13th and Tuesday, September 14th and let you know your child’s class placement.
Wednesday, September 15th
Kindergarten students will start their first regular length school day with their whole class!
Information on the one-hour group session and two-hour classroom orientation session:
One Hour Group Session:
The group sessions provide the kindergarten teachers a chance to meet your child in a classroom environment. In these sessions, your child will participate in various activities such as storytelling, drawing, and learning through play. Your child will also be given the opportunity to become oriented with the different kindergarten classrooms and begin to familiarize themselves with their new school. These group sessions are vital to the creation and composition of the kindergarten classes and are a great opportunity to gradually begin student understanding of learning in their new school.
Two-Hour Classroom Orientation Sessions:
The two-hour classroom orientation sessions will allow your child to become familiar with their new teacher, classmates, classroom environment, and school routines. These orientation sessions will focus on activities that encourage all members of the class community to get to know each other. Your child will engage in playful songs, stories, games, and play-based learning experiences that will inspire positive interactions and relationships. This orientation session will provide your child with opportunities to start the school year in a fun and positive way.
In conclusion, it is an honor and privilege to welcome children to kindergarten at SHE. We look forward to meeting each child as we start the learning journey from kindergarten to graduation. Know that we care deeply. We will take great care as we nurture and guide kindergarten children and families in their first steps of the SHE learning journey.