Junior Kindergarten Parent Handbook 2026-2027
Table of Contents Our Mission The Junior Kindergarten (JK) Program: Overview Information JK Program Structure Faculty and Staff Ratios and Structure Snacks and Lunches Uniform and Clothing Outdoor & Environmental Education JK Curriculum Overview Learning (Areas of Curricular Focus) Language Arts Mathematics Nature and Science Dramatic Play Music Creative Arts Physical Education Balanced Health JK Programme of Inquiry (POI) IB Learner Profile School Health and Safety Care and Supervision Supporting Children’s Behaviour Child Abuse Policies and Procedures Illness, Health Conditions, and Medication Specific Illnesses and Ailments Medication Food at School / Hot Lunch Celebrations Active Play School Drop off and Pick Up Procedures Unauthorized Pick Up of a Child Safe Release of a Child Late Pick-up Policy Custody and Court Related Orders Attendance Emergency Preparedness & Response Policies Daily Schedule Quiet Time Timetables Communication with Parents Field Trips Administration
The Junior Kindergarten (JK) Program: Overview Information
Brockton’s Early Learning Years program (Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten) supports a unique and inclusive environment, with a comprehensive understanding of how young children learn and grow. For many children, our Junior Kindergarten Program will mark the first transition from home to a group learning experience in a more formal school setting. At Brockton, we offer a safe, fun-filled and nurturing environment in which each child, and each child’s family, is valued and respected. We recognize that children are natural inquirers and that they are driven by a need to creatively explore, experiment and experience the world around them. At Brockton, purposeful play allows the children to develop their relationships within the classroom, to expand their ideas and thinking and to collaborate with their teachers and classmates. Each student is exposed to a wide variety of “hands-on” activities that support the development of fine motor skills, gross motor skills and promote creative expression and learning. We feel strongly that playing is learning. Through play, the children take risks, develop literacy, numeracy and problem-solving skills, stretch their creative thinking, and develop crucial social skills. JK Program Structure Brockton is proud to provide its Junior Kindergarten Program as a full day, five day a week, International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, for students who are four years old (as of December 31st). Brockton’s Junior Kindergarten operates from 8:20 am to 3:00 pm, Monday to Friday, with Wednesday ending at 2:20 pm. Cub Care The school supports an after-school care program, Cub Care, for students in Junior Kindergarten and some Kindergarten students. Daily Routines Exclusive to the gradual entry schedule and other special schedules throughout the year, the Junior Kindergarten students begin their day at 8:20 am and end their day at 3:00 pm (2:20 on Wednesday). In addition to the many educational learning activities and play opportunities
(both indoor and outdoor) each day, the students partake in a morning snack, a lunch break, and a scheduled quiet time. Faculty and Staff Ratios and Structure For the Junior Kindergarten Program, there is an Early Learning Years Coordinator (who oversees Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten), two core teachers (for a class of a targeted 16 students), and additional staff to support specialist curriculum, recess/lunch supervision, outdoor educational excursions, and other special activities. Snacks and Lunches Children bring their own snacks, lunches, and utensils to school. Please note that the school is a nut aware zone. We ask that students do not bring nuts or nut-based items to school. Brockton School offers a Hot Lunch Program, which is available to children from JK - Grade 12. Sign-up and ordering information will be shared with families at the start of each term. Uniform and Clothing Please refer to the uniform guide. All articles of clothing that belong to your child must be clearly labelled. Uniform: With the exception of special dress up or dress down days (as will be announced by the school), children are required to wear the Brockton School uniform. Outer-wear: Students need to dress for weather as they will be spending a lot of time outdoors and we want for them to be warm and dry. Please send rain gear (raincoat and rain pants or muddy buddy) as well as a pair of rubber boots. Foot-wear: each student will have black school shoes (refer to uniform guidelines), running shoes (for physical education), and rubber boots (for rainy weather). Extra Underwear, Socks, Tights: Please provide two extra pairs of underwear and socks/tights for your child. Please be advised that as per our licensing regulations, all children need to be able to use the toilet independently. Diapers/’pull ups’ are not to be worn at school.
Outdoor & Environmental Education Another significant aspect of our Brockton Junior Kindergarten program supports students to learn about, appreciate, and take advantage of our outdoor environment. As such, the Junior Kindergarten students are expected to dress for the weather and take advantage of a full outdoor education curriculum that is part of our program’s learning plan.
Junior Kindergarten Curriculum Overview The Junior Kindergarten class is organized as a learning continuum with learning opportunities and outcomes stretching towards the Brockton Kindergarten program. Early in the year, the school will host a curriculum night to more fully guide you in an understanding of the class, program, and school curricular focus and approach. Parents are welcomed to inquire about any aspect of the program throughout the year. Brockton’s Junior Kindergarten Program follows the core philosophy and guidelines of the Primary Years Programme (PYP) of the International Baccalaureate (IB) as it aligns with the expectations of the BC Ministry of Education and Early Learning Years Programming. The focus of all IB Programmes is to develop internationally minded citizens who aim to contribute to the world in a positive way. Our Junior Kindergarten students are introduced to the basic learning and thinking that is associated with the Primary Years Programme Learner Profile, which serves as the fundamental building blocks of the students’ International Baccalaureate education.
Learning (Areas of Curricular Focus) The Junior Kindergarten curriculum encompasses the following areas of curricular focus: • Language Arts (Literacy) • Mathematics (Numeracy) • Nature and Science • Music and Movement • Creative and Dramatic Arts • Physical Education • Balanced Health
• Safety • Community
Students also receive specialized instruction in music, French, physical and health education, art, and applied design, skills and technology (ADST). Language Arts Our Junior Kindergarten students are immersed in a literature rich environment. This exposure increases the children’s awareness of print and its function. They are exposed to letters and sounds with lots of opportunities to listen to stories and to draw, act out and read their own stories. Verbal expression is strongly modeled and encouraged. Children learn to appropriately express their ideas, connections, feelings and experiences. Mathematics The Junior Kindergarten Mathematics Program is all about ‘hands on’ mathematics exploration. The children are encouraged to explore the world around them; finding patterns, finding connections, problem solving, classifying, sorting, measuring, seriating, counting and manipulating counters and geometric shapes. These active interactions engage the children in meaningful mathematical language and experiences and support mathematical thinking skills. Nature and Science Our Junior Kindergarten students experience nature and its wonders first hand. The students will be outside exploring the forest that surrounds our campus and all the life it supports. As well, they will be planting and caring for their own garden. The children are encouraged to extend their observation skills, classify, predict, test and experiment. The children are supported to connect and reflect on their outdoor experiences in their own authentic ways. The children are also given ample opportunities to photograph that which intrigues them, while investigating the outdoors. Dramatic Play
The Junior Kindergarten children are given multiple opportunities to do their hardest work play. For the children to learn, they must play. Child-initiated play supports problem solving, creativity, self-expression and social-emotional growth. Let the play begin! Music In Junior Kindergarten, music is a powerful tool used to develop communication skills and to support listening skills. In the music room, with the music specialist, the children have the opportunity to sing, dance and play a variety of instruments. Daily, in the classroom, the students are exposed to lots of different kinds of music, as well as singing and movement games. Creative and Dramatic Arts Artistic expression is crucial to the growth of cognitive and fine motor development. The students are encouraged to create through painting, drawing, constructing, dancing and role-playing and they are challenged to respond to different forms of art. Physical Outdoor Education The Junior Kindergarten students love Physical Outdoor Education. The children are engaged in activities that promote large motor development, spatial awareness, listening skills and self-awareness, while daily exploring nature and taking risks at our Little Woods and Big Woods on campus. Our weekly walking field trips to Lynn Canyon extend our learning about our relationship with nature. This is a time for us to explore and take age-appropriate risks while balancing on logs and climbing rocks in our beautiful backyard. Through physical movement, children learn about safety, personal body space and how to keep one’s body healthy and strong. Balanced Health The children are given the opportunity to develop an understanding of their bodies and to become more knowledgeable about practices that help support good health. The students gain a strong sense of independence while learning about healthy eating, general manners, and personal hygiene practices.
JK Programme of Inquiry The PYP uses Units of Inquiry that promote transdisciplinary learning and teaches students how to learn. These units provide an overarching theme that is explored through all areas of curricular focus, and through which students can explore and make connections between subjects. In Junior Kindergarten, children are introduced to this framework by exploring four of the six Transdisciplinary Themes laid out by the IB. The Transdisciplinary themes are:
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IB Learner Profile In Junior Kindergarten there will be a great deal of focus on the Learner Profile. These are the building blocks of IB thinking and learning. IB learners strive to be: Inquirers - They develop their natural curiosity. They acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning. They actively enjoy learning and this love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives. Knowledgeable - They explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global significance. In doing so, they acquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines. Thinkers - They exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognise and approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical decisions. Communicators - They understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others. Principled - They act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect for the dignity of the individual, groups and communities. They take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences that accompany them. Open-minded - They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience. Caring - They show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. They have a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference in the lives of others and the environment.
Risk-takers - They approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought, and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies. They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs. Balanced - They understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance to achieve personal well being for themselves and others. Reflective - They give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience. They are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations in order to support their learning and personal development. School Health and Safety At Brockton School, safety is our top priority. The JK students are supervised at all times during the school day and concerns are addressed as immediately as possible. In compliance with local regulations, the Community Care Facility Licensing Board requests that we adhere to the following care and supervision policy: Reference Policy #56 A licensee must keep current records of: written policies and procedures that are intended to guide employees in the care and supervision of children; Policies and procedures for care and supervision of children will provide guidance for employees in their interactions with the children Care and Supervision The Junior Kindergarten staff work very hard to provide a healthy and safe environment. The children are supervised at all times by fully qualified and professional staff. The ratio of staff to students is 1:8, to ensure that all of the needs of the children are being met. Junior Kindergarten provides a comprehensive and coordinated program of indoor and outdoor activities that is designed for the development and optimal care of the children. It is sensitive to the needs of each child and emphasizes safety, thoughtful decision-making, health and hygiene.
Supporting Children’s Behaviour School is a wonderful environment within which to learn self-control, independence and responsibility. Brockton’s teachers seek to make well-informed decisions and to make a concerted effort to support all students to relate happily, safely and productively with one another. A great deal of thought goes into preparing the classroom and into designing learning experiences that are thoroughly engaging and exciting for our youngest learners. To support children to make positive social choices, our experienced teachers use many strategies such as repetition, modelling, positive reinforcement and redirection to support the students to adhere to some very clearly defined essential agreements and boundaries. An outstanding resource for your review of behavioural strategies and techniques that reinforce requirements in the Community Care Facility Act is called Guiding Children’s Behaviour. We feel strongly that there are no mistakes in the Junior Kindergarten Program, only learning opportunities. Parents will be kept well informed as to how their child is adjusting, socializing, and interacting in the program. In compliance with local regulations, the Community Care Facility Licensing Board requests that we adhere to the following policies on behavioural guidance and actions: Reference Policy #51 (1) A licensee must: (a) ensure that behavioural guidance is appropriate to the age and development of the child who is receiving the guidance, and (b) provide to employees and parents a written statement of the licensee's policy on behavioural guidance. (2) If the child has a care plan that includes instructions respecting behavioural guidance, the licensee must ensure that (a) any behavioural guidance given to the child is consistent with those instructions, and (b) if the behavioural guidance includes the use of restraints, that the restraints are
administered only by a person who is trained in the use of, and alternatives to the use of, restraints. Harmful actions not permitted: (1) A licensee must ensure that a child, while under the care or supervision of the licensee, is not subjected to any of the following: (a) shoving, hitting or shaking by an employee or another child, or confinement or physical restraint by another child; (b) confinement or physical restraint by an employee, except as authorized in a child care's plan if the care plan includes instructions respecting behavioural guidance; (c) harsh, belittling or degrading treatment by an employee or another child, whether verbal, emotional or physical, that could humiliate the child or undermine the child's self respect; d) spanking or any other form of corporal punishment; (e) separation, without supervision by a responsible adult, from other children; (f) as a form of punishment, deprivation of meals, snacks, rest or necessary use of a toilet. (2) A licensee must ensure that a child is not, while under the care or supervision of the licensee, subjected to emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse or neglect as those terms are defined in Schedule H.
Child Abuse Policies and Procedures These procedures relate to the reporting of child abuse and are designed both to protect minors and as a prevention strategy to minimize allegations: • Complete criminal record checks on all staff and volunteers who are regularly on site. • Ensure all staff documentation is complete and all staff references have been checked. • Ensure that all staff are knowledgeable about school policies and procedures. • Advise volunteers that they are not responsible for dealing with discipline situations. In the event of suspected or disclosed abuse, Brockton teachers will notify their Program Coordinator, document information, report to the local authority, and support the child.
Teachers are required by law to report suspected or disclosed abuse to the Ministry for Children and Families. Teachers are required to report any abuse that occurs within a centre to Vancouver Coastal Health. Teachers are prohibited from contacting the parent unless specifically directed to do so by the Ministry of Children and Families, or by the police. It is the responsibility of the Ministry to investigate and decide if abuse has occurred. Please remember that our concern is for the safety and well being of the child. Illness, Health Conditions, and Medication Brockton’s Junior Kindergarten adheres to the rules and expectations presented by the Ministry of Health. The Junior Kindergarten Program adheres to the policies outlined in the Sneezes and Diseases Resource Book which is housed in the classroom and is available from Vancouver Coastal Health. Aside from the more obvious signs of sickness such as coughing, fever, sore throat, or vomiting within the previous 24 hours, a child is to be kept away from school if he or she has any of the following symptoms: Colds/flu, fever, pain, difficulty breathing, listlessness, weakness or unexplained fatigue, which interferes with the child’s participation in the day’s activities; infected eyes or skin, or unexplained rash, headache or neck stiffness, diarrhea, severe itching of body or scalp. Should your child become ill while at Brockton, we will ask that you pick up your child immediately. A teacher will contact parents directly if they feel that the child is not well enough to remain at school. We also ask that you do not send your child to school if they are sick or show signs of becoming sick; including a runny nose, eye, ear or throat infections, vomiting or diarrhea, or any contagious disease constitutes illness. Should your child come in contact with a communicable disease, please inform the school as soon as possible, so that we can take the necessary precautions to limit the potential spread of that disease. If your child does vomit or have diarrhea, they may return to Junior Kindergarten 24 hours after their last bout of vomiting or diarrhea. If parents are unsure of whether or not a child’s health status constitutes sickness, the child should be kept at home for further observation and/or taken to a medical professional. Whether or not a sickly child is admitted to a school day is at the discretion of the teachers.
Specific Illnesses and Ailments What to do if your child has Lice? 1. Contact the school immediately to inform the staff so that we can inform the rest of the families as well as take necessary precautions on our end to limit/stop the spread of lice. 2. Please treat your child with the appropriate treatment for lice removal. This also includes using a fine tooth comb and going through your child’s hair to ensure the eggs, nits and adult lice are removed. 3. We ask that you wait 24 hours after your child’s first treatment, before sending them back to school. 4. Please ensure you complete the secondary treatment 3 days after the first treatment. 5. Continue to monitor and check your child’s head on a weekly basis for up to 3 weeks following their secondary treatment. If you have further questions about head lice, please consult Fraser Health. Please see the link below if you have any questions about head lice: https://www.fraserhealth.ca/health-topics-a-to-z/school-health/illness-and-immunizations/hea d-lice
What to do if your child vomits while at school? 1. Staff will notify you immediately once they have taken care of your child to make them feel safe and calm. 2. You will need to pick up your child within 30 minutes of receiving such a phone call. 3. It is your responsibility to ensure your child is picked up within this time frame. If you personally can’t make it, please have someone close by come pick them up on your behalf. 4. Always inform the teachers if someone else will be picking up, should you not be able to do so yourself. What to do if your child is home with an illness? It is the responsibility of the family to contact the main office at Brockton School to inform the school that your child will be absent due to illness. You can call 604-929-9201 or email info@brocktonschool.com.
Medication: Our staff will not administer a new prescription or over-the-counter medication until the parents/caregivers have had a minimum of 24 hours to monitor their child's reactions to such medication. We also ask that you talk with your child's physician to put your child on a schedule that does not require medication to be administered while he/she is in attendance at Brockton. Should your child need medication due to a medical condition, you will be required to complete a parental consent form. This form will include the physician's signature, and administration dosages/timelines. It is the responsibility of the parent/caregiver to inform the staff when a child is taking medication at home and any side effects that may occur, such as drowsiness, while in attendance at school. In the case of severe allergies, parents must fill out the required medical forms (sent with their fall package of required forms) if staff are to administer the use of Epi-pens. Parents, of course, must provide the school with the proper Epi-pen for their child.
Food at School Parents will provide their children with snacks, lunch with utensils, and water for each school day. Please note that Brockton adheres to a NUT AWARE policy. Mealtime at school is an important time for the children to develop their independence skills and to foster connections with others in the class. A calm, inclusive mealtime environment will be supported in Junior Kindergarten. Celebrations: At Brockton, we enjoy celebrating birthdays. However, during this time we ask that you refrain from bringing shared food to the classroom. Parents are asked to deliver any and all party invitations outside of school hours. On Valentine’s Day, if your child chooses to bring cards in for the class, there must be a card for every student. In compliance with local regulations, the Community Care Facility Licensing Board requests that we adhere to the following policies regarding nutrition: Reference Policy #48 1) A licensee must: (a) ensure that each child has healthy food and drink according to the Canada's Food Guide, and
(b) promote healthy eating and nutritional habits. (2) If a child's record includes, or the child has a care plan that includes, instructions respecting food and drink for the child, (a) the requirements of subsection (1) (a) do not apply to the extent that they are inconsistent with those instructions, and (b) the licensee must comply with those instructions. (3) A licensee must ensure that the food and drink given to a child is sufficient in quantity and quality to meet the developmental needs of the child, having regard to (a) the child's age, (b) the number of hours the child is under the care of the licensee, and (c) the child's food preferences and cultural background. (4) A licensee must ensure that children are not (a) fed by means of a propped bottle, (b) forced to consume any food or drink, or (c) left unsupervised while consuming food or drink. (5) A licensee must ensure that safe drinking water is available to children. (6) A licensee must make available to parents information on the food and drink given to children. (7) A licensee must ensure that food and drink are not used as a form of reward or punishment for children. Active Play A factor that significantly contributes to your child’s cognitive and physical development is the fun-filled active play they engage in at school. At Brockton, your child’s play is their work. Our teachers ensure that your child’s learning and play incorporates fundamental movement skills,
and injury prevention. Brockton’s emphasis on active play is in accordance with the licensing Standard and Practice section (4) (1) (e) of the Community Care and Assisted Living Act, that stipulates that whenever possible, it is recommended that active play and physical movement should be incorporated into the childcare environment throughout daily routines and activities, for a total of 120 minutes per day, while active play is appropriately modeled by teachers. While the Standard establishes that the childcare setting must limit screen time to 30 minutes or less each day, Brockton’s Junior Kindergarten program involves almost zero minutes of screen time per term. A full description of this Active Play Policy can be viewed at Active Play
School Drop off and Pick Up Procedures The classroom’s exterior courtyard door will be open at 8:10am. School begins promptly at 8:20am. Pick up will be at the exterior courtyard door at 3:00pm, and 2:20 pm on Wednesdays. Specific drop-off and pick-up times to be announced prior to the commencement of the school year. Teachers are forbidden to allow a child to leave the school with anyone other than a person(s) authorized by the parent. For this reason, parents are asked to be responsible for keeping the school informed of persons who will be picking up their child. Parents are asked to keep the information up to date and to write a signed note if they have made arrangements with someone whose name is not on the Consent for Pick Up Form. Note - proof of identity will be requested. Unauthorized Pick Up of a Child If a person arrives who is neither the parent or one of the persons listed on the Consent For Pick up Form, it is our policy to keep the child on the school premises until either the parent or one of persons on the Consent for Pick up Form is contacted. We will allow the child to go home only if the parent or guardian gives permission. In the case of an emergency, a telephone call giving verbal permission for alternative pick up plans, will be accepted and picture identification will be referred to in order to confirm the
identity of the alternate person picking up the child. The verbal consent will then be followed up by an email confirming the consent. PLEASE NOTE that we will not dismiss any student to anyone under the age of 19 years. Safe Release of a Child If a parent/guardian or authorized pick-up person appears unable to provide proper care, the staff cannot release the child. Behavioural indicators that might cause us to suspect that a person may be impaired include: ● Inebriation (slurred speech, strong odour of alcohol, lack of physical coordination, drooping eyes, abusive or unpleasant demeanour) ● State of ill health (either physical, emotional or psychological) such that the adult may be incapable of appropriately caring for the child In some situations where there is suspicion of impairment, we may be required to make a subjective decision or “judgement call”. In the event that the Junior Kindergarten staff deem the parent or authorized pick-up person as unsuitable to take the child from school, they will be informed and safe options will be discussed or appropriate authorities will be notified. Late Pick-up Policy If parents are late to pick-up, children will be kept with their classroom teacher to be supervised until the parent arrives. If you are going to be late please call the school to notify the office. Often, a phone call will reassure a child that their family is on its way.
Custody and Court Related Orders If a custody or court order exists within a family, a copy of the order should be given to the Junior Kindergarten staff and instructions therein to be followed at all times. Families need to inform the staff of all custody and court order changes.
Attendance Attendance is taken before 8:40 am each day. Please support your child by arriving at school on time. If you are late, please report to the office to sign in before accompanying your child to the classroom. Parents will be contacted to follow up on unexpected absences. In the case of a planned absence, it is expected that parents notify the school in advance so that the child’s whereabouts is known. Extended absences for travel are discouraged at Brockton. If a child is going to be absent from school, parents should please contact the school by 8:00am (or as soon as possible): at 604-929-9201 or attendance@brocktonschool.com. The school supports and understands absences for illness, specialist appointments, and exceptional circumstances.
Emergency Preparedness & Response Policies Brockton School has gone to every length to ensure that it is prepared for an emergency. We have thorough emergency plans in place, clearly designated staff roles, responsibilities and assignments, as well as, earthquake, evacuation, lockdown, gas leak, power outage, and fire response procedures. We have 72 hours of emergency supplies for over 350 people such as first aid equipment, water, food, and shelter that is properly stored and accessible. To add to our supplies, the Junior Kindergarten students will be required to supply a personal comfort kit. The comfort kit should be made up of a “ziploc” bag containing the following items and should be dropped off at the school on your child’s first day: ● A letter of reassurance from you to your child ● Photos of your family with names of the people written on the back ● A small, cuddly toy ● A non-perishable snack (raisins, package of snack crackers, fruit leather, etc.) ● A small thermal blanket (shiny aluminum type) ● Emergency contact information These kits are kept in a storage bin near the exit door of the classroom so that they can be easily removed from the classroom, should the class need to evacuate the building.
A review of all safety procedures with staff and students will be executed regularly to help ensure that all rules and regulations are being followed and to ensure that everyone feels confident in their knowledge of what to do during an emergency. As caregivers, we will undertake two major responsibilities: first to successfully and safely evacuate the children from the building, and second to notify emergency personnel. In compliance with local regulations, the Community Care Facility Licensing Board requests that we adhere to the following policies on Emergency Training and Equipment 22 (1) A licensee must have all of the following: (a) emergency exits and a fire drill system approved by a local assistant within the meaning of the Fire Services Act; (b) an emergency plan that sets out procedures to prepare for, mitigate, respond to and recover from any emergency. 56 A licensee must keep current records of each of the following: (a) a record respecting compliance with section 22 (2) (b) and (c) [emergency training and equipment]; 22 (2)(b) practices implementing the fire drill system at least once each month, and (c) practices implementing the emergency plan at least once each year. Fire Drill System An approved fire drill system must be in place. Topics should include, but not be limited to: ● Posting of fire drill system ● Training of employees in the implementation of the system, and any equipment ● Practicing the system
Emergency Plan The emergency plan will set out procedures to prepare for, mitigate, respond to, and recover from any emergency. Topics should include, but not be limited to:
● Missing / lost child ● Natural Disaster (e.g. earthquake, flood, tsunami, wind storm) ● Emergency evacuation ● Training of employees in the implementation of the system, and any equipment ● Practicing the system
Inclement Weather In the event of inclement weather (such a heavy snowfall) that prevents the school from opening as scheduled, parents should check the school website for the most up-to-date information at brocktonschool.com before heading off to school. A message via text and/or email will go out to parents if by chance there is an unexpected interruption to the school opening. Additional Operational Items
Daily Schedule The school day will run from 8:20am to 3:00pm (2:20 pm on Wednesday) with After School Care available from 3:00pm to 5:30pm (2:20-5:30 on Wednesdays).
Quiet Time The Junior Kindergarten Program will be action packed so the children will have a scheduled quiet time after lunch each day. Each student will be provided with his/her own non-allergenic rest mat. Please provide your child with a crib-sized sheet and a blanket for this cozy time for reflective thinking or optional sleeping.
Timetables The children’s timetable can be found on or after the first week of school by logging into your MySchool account. The children’s schedule will remain very consistent throughout the year. Consistency is very important for learning. A weekly school assembly is held on Wednesday
mornings, starting at 8:20am. The assemblies are student led and focus on the Learner Profile of the month. The Junior Kindergarten students will attend those assemblies that are deemed of interest and of value to the children.
Communication with Parents Parent communication is key in the Early Years. The Junior Kindergarten teachers are available via email and telephone; teachers welcome emails from parents if there are any questions or concerns. As well they reach out to parents, on a weekly basis, via our digital portfolio platform and in weekly emails. This offers a simple way for teachers to record and share what's happening in the classroom. This platform provides students with a place to document their learning, to be creative, and to highlight their growth in the form of a portfolio. More information regarding digital portfolios, and how to sign up, will be shared by your classroom teacher upon the start of school. Brockton teachers uphold strong lines of communication with parents throughout the school year. The teachers will meet with parents at parent – teacher conferences in November and March, and in student led conferences in May. Each student receives a report card, in December, March and June, at the end of each of the three school reporting periods. Teachers enjoy meeting and talking with parents about their child, however, at pick-up and drop-off times each day, teachers are responsible for all of the children and are therefore unable to engage in lengthy conversations. Parents’ consideration of this is greatly appreciated. Field Trips To allow the children to participate in educational experiences that cannot be duplicated in the classroom, campus outings will take place during the school year. All Brockton field trip planning and safety regulations are upheld prior to departing for a trip and while on a field trip. Administration Administrative information such as employee records and children’s records are kept current and follow all policies set out by the Child Care Licensing Regulation Branch. Information about school fees, N.S.F. cheques, volunteerism, and donations can be found in the Brockton
School Handbook and in the Main Office. In accordance with Licensing Regulations, Brockton Junior Kindergarten is obliged to adhere to the following Repayment Agreements: 19
If a person prepays part of the cost of services provided by a class of community care facilities designated by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, the licensee must, at the time of the prepayment, deliver to the person a written statement setting out the terms and conditions on which a refund of all or any of the prepayment will be made. The licensee must provide the enrolling parent/guardian with a written statement clearly describing how refunds of prepayments are addressed. This prepayment includes deposits and fees. Additionally, the licensee must keep a copy of the written statement provided to the enrolling parent/guardian and a record of the name of the parent/guardian in accordance with the Child Care Licensing Regulation. 56.1 (2) which states: A licensee must keep: (a) a copy of the written statement, referred to in section 19 of the Act, that the licensee delivers to persons who prepay the cost of services, and (b) a current record of each person to whom the written statement is delivered in accordance with that section
We are extremely excited to welcome our youngest students to Brockton and look forward to a fun, educational and transformative year!