Register now for kindergarten in Rainbow schools

It’s not too late to register your child for Kindergarten Programs being offered by Rainbow District School Board this fall.  Parents/guardians can contact their area Rainbow School in Sudbury, Espanola and Manitoulin to learn more about the importance of Kindergarten to a child’s overall development.

“Early years are critical years,” says Jean Hanson, Director of Education for Rainbow District School Board. “Research has shown that the activities in Kindergarten form the foundation for future learning in academic subjects.”

In Kindergarten, play provides an important source of learning. “Children participate in activity centres where they are encouraged to explore and solve problems in groups or on their own,” says Hanson. “By participating in these activities, children learn by doing. They have an opportunity to socialize and to develop their motor skills. They begin to understand spoken and written word associations and grasp number  concepts.”

For enrolment in Junior Kindergarten, the child must be four years of age by December 31st, 2006.  For enrolment in Senior Kindergarten, the child must be five years of age by December 31st, 2006.

Junior Kindergarten is offered three full days one week and two full days the next week. Senior Kindergarten is offered five full days a week and includes the LEAP component – Literacy Enriched Activity Program.  LEAP was designed by Rainbow District School Board to enhance reading, writing and speaking skills at an early age. “The program provides intensive literacy learning for young children,” says Hanson.

She adds: “In Senior Kindergarten, there is not only increased emphasis on literacy and language development but also attentiveness and social interaction. In addition, special needs are observed sooner and addressed on intellectual, physical, emotional and social levels. More time is available to communicate student needs to parents to jointly further the child’s growth.”

Parents/guardians can enroll their children in the English Program or the French Immersion Program. The English Program is exclusively in English and has a Core French component. Students study basic French for a limited period of time during the day.

The French Immersion Program immerses children in the French language, including cultural experiences. The program provides a balance of English and French instruction.

“Regardless of whether you are choosing Junior Kindergarten or Senior Kindergarten, in English or French Immersion, the skills that your child will gain in Rainbow Schools remain the same,” says Hanson. “Our Kindergarten Programs are based on sound principles of early childhood education with a strong focus on character education.”

She adds: “Intellectual stimulation, moral values, physical development, social/emotional development and self-discipline are emphasized on a daily basis. In Rainbow Schools, children learn important values such as sharing and co-operating with others. Teachers become important role models for the young children which further enhances the learning experience.”

There are many ways in which parents/guardians can prepare their children for school. “Parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to read to their children daily to help them develop important language skills,” says Hanson. “Parents are also encouraged to instill in their children an enthusiasm for learning by reminding them of the exciting activities that await them in Kindergarten.”

For more information, 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:
Jean Hanson, Director of Education,
Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171, ext. 215.