New school year marks launch of full day every day JK and Early Learning

“Play nourishes every aspect of children’s development. It forms the foundation of intellectual, social, physical and emotional skills necessary for success in school and life. Play paves the way for learning.”

– Canadian Council on Learning

All Rainbow Schools will offer full day every day Junior Kindergarten when classes resume on September 7th, 2010. A new Early Learning Program for four and five-year-olds will be introduced at six sites – Churchill Public School, Lansdowne Public School, Princess Anne Public School, Queen Elizabeth Public School, Wembley Public School in Sudbury and A.B. Ellis Public School in Espanola. All schools will offer the new Early Learning Program by 2015-2016.

“This is a historic time in education in Rainbow Schools and across Ontario,” said Rainbow District School Board Chair Tyler Campbell. “Making full-day programming available for all four and five-year-olds will ensure they get a solid foundation for a bright future. In Rainbow Schools, we are committed to giving children the best opportunities possible to reach their full potential.”

The importance of the early years has been very well researched. With this knowledge, Rainbow Schools implemented full day Senior Kindergarten every day in all of its schools many years ago. “The Province of Ontario’s commitment to Early Learning has given us the impetus to implement full day every day Junior Kindergarten in all Rainbow Schools beginning this fall,” said Chair Campbell. “This will ensure that all parents and guardians and their children have access to this wonderful learning opportunity as the Early Learning Program is phased into all schools in the next five years.”

“Children will be immersed in a rich learning environment where their social, emotional, physical and cognitive growth will be nurtured through engaging activities,” said Rainbow District School Board Director of Education Norm Blaseg. “A strong foundation for future learning in literacy, numeracy, science, social studies, the arts, health and physical education will be provided in a program that celebrates children and the joys of childhood.”

Full day every day Junior Kindergarten will continue to be delivered by a teacher with 20 students per class. In Early Learning Program schools, there will be 26 four and five-year-olds in a class with an Early Childhood Educator and a teacher. This new program will include a before and after school component for four and five-year-olds, providing a seamless service for families and continuity of learning for children. Before and after school programs will be offered from 7 am to 6 pm, for a fee.

In Early Learning – Kindergarten Programs children will learn through play, inquiry and real life contexts. Play capitalizes on children’s natural curiosity. Learning materials are intentionally selected by educators to promote personal and social development, language, mathematics, science and technology, health and physical activity, and the arts. There will be multiple opportunities for children to express themselves through dance, drama, paint, drawings, gestures, actions, metaphor and print.

“In Rainbow Schools, educators partner with parents/guardians and families, the children’s first teachers, to ensure that children make successful transitions to school and that diversity of families and the community are welcome in the classroom,” said Director Blaseg. “As we get ready to start a new school year, we invite all parents/guardians to join with us to maximize their child’s early learning experiences.”
He added: “This is just the beginning of the journey in the creation of an integrated system of support for our youngest citizens and their families. We look forward to introducing the Early Learning Program in all Rainbow Schools in the years to come.” 

Registration information
For enrolment in Junior Kindergarten, the child must be four years of age by December 31st. For enrolment in Senior Kindergarten, the child must be five years of age by December 31st. Programs are offered in English and French Immersion.

For more information or to register, please contact the Rainbow School nearest you or visit rainbowschools.ca. If registering your child for the first time, please bring his/her identification documents including birth certificate, birth registry/baptismal certificate, Ontario Health Card, and an immunization record.

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Media Contact:
Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,
Rainbow District School Board, 674-3171, ext. 7217.