Posted: August 27, 2024

Families of 2023 Kindergarten students at Shortreed,

Thank you for coming to our Kindergarten Welcome event last year; we hope you enjoyed the chance to meet some of the staff and see the classrooms and some of the school. We were very pleased to spend a few minutes with each and every family member who was able to attend. The schedule was given out in May but the digital version is below.

Starting on September 3rd, your child (and your family) will begin a new adventure of exploration and learning. This is sure to be an exciting time for your child, your family, and the school staff as you begin the school year and together establish a positive learning environment that is safe, caring, comfortable, and fun. However, we understand that you and your child may feel both excitement and apprehension. We want your child to experience success right from the start, so we have designed a gradual entry schedule into Full-Day Kindergarten.

What is a gradual entry, and why is it so important?

Gradual entry into Kindergarten provides children with a smoother transition as they adjust to a full day of school. They begin by attending with a small group of students for a short time and gradually increasing their time to a full day with the whole class in attendance. We have found that the best process for students and families at Shortreed is to meet with families in the first few days to really make sure we are ready for your child to start school on Friday, September 6th. These meetings will also help make equitable groupings and equitable classes.

The gradual entry groups the cohort in half at the start, allowing the teacher to work more closely with each child to build rapport and a positive relationship. During this time, the children have an opportunity to socialize and play with peers, explore their classroom environment and school community, learn routines and expectations, and work one on one and in small groups. It is hoped that during this gradual entry time, you will have time to ask questions, calm fears/anxieties, and allow your child’s teacher to begin to get to know your family.

PLEASE NOTE: The gradual entry groups are divided alphabetically into two groups. Those children with legal last names A-L will be in group A, and those children with legal last names M-Z will be in group B. Please note the different start times for groups A and B.

The initial homeroom/classroom groupings will be decided shortly after the family meetings but might NOT be your child’s permanent teacher. See the Gradual Entry schedule below or download it here.

This week, you will also receive an email from the school with a chance to sign up for a 15-minute meeting with a teacher to share important information about your child(ren). These meetings, which will include parents with the child, will take place during the gradual entry schedule. After the first few days of meetings, on the evening of Thursday, September 5th, you will receive an email stating which classroom/homeroom your child will start in on the morning of the 6th (please remember that this is NOT your child’s teacher for the year but is their homeroom for the gradual entry).

We are excited to have Ms. Gostelow, Ms. Coghill, and Ms. Bowers back this year as part of our team and we are thrilled to have Mrs. Southcott return to our team.

* Please note that the number of days for gradual entry is consistent with the Ministry of Education guidelines for Full Day Kindergarten; however, times and groupings of students will vary from school to school.

Group A – children with legal last names A-L
Group B – children with legal last names M-Z 

Please take a few minutes to read the article, “9 Things Your Child Will Be Working On in Kindergarten”.

If you are worried about separation anxiety and drop-offs for your child, this article from Hannah Beach may be helpful.

Mark your calendars for our annual Kindergarten Playdate on September 14th on our playground. It will be a chance to meet some new friends and families who are all attending Shortreed! It will likely be in the afternoon but could be switched to the morning depending on the temperature.