Chers parents/tuteurs,

Bienvenue à la maternelle!
Welcome to Kindergarten! I am excited to be starting the new school year with you and your child! For some of you, this will be your first time sending your child to school. With Kindergarten being full day now there may be some anxiety (and relief!) associated with the first few weeks. The gradual transition schedule has been created to address that anxiety and to better ease your child into the school routine. I hope to make these next few weeks an easy transition for you and your child.  Feel free to address me with any concerns or questions you may have. In this newsletter, I have included all the information you will need to know for the next few weeks. More information will become available as we proceed throughout the month.

 

Getting started

School supplies

 

As you all know, kindergarten students go through a gradual entry process. Please refer to the newsletter that was sent out in the summer. A school supply list was included in that package. Do not worry if you do not have everything on that list, there will be plenty of time to get all that sorted out in the next few weeks. Students are to start bringing in all their supplies in this week. Each child needs to bring a backpack every day that is large enough to carry a duo tang, snacks, library books, notices and artwork to and from school.

 

Classroom website

In efforts to be paperless, all communication will be posted on my website. Please ensure you check the website on a weekly basis. This is where I will be posting announcements, newsletters, resources for at home support, upcoming activities etc.  The website is a huge tool to both the students and parents. For this first week, please do take the time to familiarize yourself with the website. If you do not have access to a computer, please let me know and I will make alternative arrangements. www.sd41blogs.ca/marandoa

 

Contacting the teacher

The best way to reach me is via email. My email address is: annamaria.marando@burnabyschools.ca

If you are unable to email me, I am available 15 minutes before and after school. Feel free to ask me any questions you may have during this time. If you would like to discuss your child’s progress, it would be best to make an appointment. Please keep in mind that I am never too busy to discuss concerns about your child and their academic success. 

 

Kindergarten interviews

There will be a sign up sheet for kindergarten interviews available on the first day. Interviews will be starting Wednesday until Friday. Please make sure to pick a time and date to discuss your child and their needs. If you are unable to make an appointment this first week, we can arrange another time.

 

Class routines

Drop off and dismissal

School begins at 8:55am.  A warning bell rings at 8:50am.  Students are expected to line up in the undercover area by the portable. I will come to pick them up at the first bell. The adult who is dropping your child off should stay until your child enters the school.  Please note that the first two weeks of kindergarten follow a gradual transition schedule. The dismissal times will vary that week so please ensure to mark down the times and arrange pick up. Regular dismissal is at 3:00pm everyday except, every Monday, dismissal is at 2:00pm. I will not dismiss my students unless a parent/guardian is there. If someone else is picking your child up, please let me know. If you are late picking up your child, please proceed to the office.  If you need to pick your child up before the regular dismissal time, please call the school and inform the school administrative assistant.

 

Late arrival

You can help send the message that school is important by coming to school on time.  If you do arrive after the second bell, you will need to enter the school by the main door by the office and sign your child in before coming to the classroom.  Your child will then get a late-slip to bring to his/her teacher.

 

Away from school

If you know that your child will be absent from school please let me know via email. If the absence is for an extended time please inform the office as well.  If the absence is unexpected, please call the Absentee line.

 

Snacks

 To ensure healthy eating habits, we encourage students to pack a healthy snack. I have suggestions on my website as to what you can bring. Please refer to the section called FILES. 

 

For the parents

French Immersion support

If you are first time parents to the French immersion program, you may have some concerns as to how to support your child at home, especially if you do not speak French. A great resource is the CPF – Canadian Parents for French. I will also be posting information on the website as we go along providing you with ways to support your child’s learning at home. There are many good links on the website as it stands so feel free to take a look. Please let me know if any of the links do not work. As well, I am always available to answer and questions or concerns you may have.

 

I am looking forward to getting to know each and every one of you!

 

Merci beaucoup!

Mme. Marando 🙂