By 1812Blockhouse
The Ontario School District has announced that kindergarten enrollment for the 2024-2025 academic year will commence on Thursday, February 1, 2024. To accommodate working parents, the office will extend its hours from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM on February 1 and 8. Parents are encouraged to complete the enrollment process by March 31 to receive a complimentary Ontario Kindergarten T-shirt for their child.
Eligibility for enrollment requires students to be 5 years old on or before August 1, 2024. The first step involves completing final forms available on the Ontario School District website. Once these forms are filled out and submitted (indicated by all forms turning green), parents can visit the Stingel Elementary office between 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM, starting February 1, to finalize the application. Documents required for this appointment include the child’s birth certificate, immunization record, proof of Ontario residency (such as a utility bill or lease/mortgage agreement), and, if applicable, custody papers.
Document Checklist and Screening
Parents should bring the necessary documents to the Stingel Elementary office for the kindergarten application process. A screening for each child will be scheduled in August after these documents are submitted. This is a crucial step in ensuring that each child is ready for the upcoming school year.
Preparing Your Child for Kindergarten
Transitioning from home to school can be a significant change for children. To facilitate a smooth transition, parents can take several steps:
- Fostering Independence: Encourage skills like zipping a coat, hanging a backpack, counting to 10, recognizing letters, colors, and shapes, sharing and cooperating with peers, opening lunch items, and recognizing their name in print.
- Creating Positive Experiences: Introduce your child to other adults and children, and talk about school positively.
- Developing Skills Through Play: Provide access to scissors, crayons, pencils, markers, paint, and paper.
- Reading and Interaction: Read books to your child and discuss the content and images.
- School Familiarization: Visit the school with your child, explore the playground, tour the building, and locate important areas like bathrooms.
- Communication and Expectations: Discuss with your child what they expect from school, address any fears or misunderstandings, and express confidence in their ability to adjust and succeed.
By following these guidelines, parents can ensure their children are well-prepared for the start of their educational journey in the Ontario School District.
Image by tolmacho from Pixabay
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