WELCOME Steve Cann, Violeta Malfair - District Administrators for International Education and Welcome Centre
Newcomers often ask: 1.
How do we choose a school?
2.
What is school like?
3.
What is my child learning?
4.
How is my child doing?
5.
What if… ?
How do you choose a school?
Neighbourhood Schools Your children will attend the public schools in your neighbourhood, when possible. All public schools are the same: ★ teach the same curriculum ★ get same amount of money per student ★ good teachers
StrongStart
Age: 0 - 4 years
Elementary Schools
Kindergarten - Gr. 5
Middle Schools
Gr. 6 - Gr. 8
High Schools
Gr. 10 - Gr.12
Before Kindergarten (ages 0-4) Preschools are not part of the school district
Families find a preschool, and they pay for preschool.
Strong Start Programs Drop in from 8:45am-11:45am Early learning programs in schools, for children aged 0-5. Parent/guardian also attends Strong Start with child. Free, but must register.
Strong Start at 8 schools: AS Matheson Raymer Pearson Road South Rutland George Pringle Hudson Road Peter Greer Peachland
What does school look like?
Elementary School 8:30-2:30 PRIMARY Kindergarten & Grades 1-3 INTERMEDIATE Grades 4, 5 (6 in some schools) One main teacher ➢ Students are in 1 classroom ➢ In some schools, there is a special teacher for music, art, or physical education (PE/gym)
In Elementary School, we teach the “Whole Child”
LANGUAGE ARTS
MUSIC
MATHEMATICS
SCIENCE
ART
SOCIAL STUDIES
LANGUAGES
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
“SELF DIRECTED” LEARNING
Middle School ~ 9:00-3:15 Grades 6-8 or Grades 7-9 (different schools) 2 main teachers: English/History + Math/Science ➢ Students move between 2 classrooms ➢ Homeroom class to start the day ➢ Specialist teachers for elective classes
Middle School Subjects Core Subjects: English, Social Studies, Math, Science, Physical Education, Career Education
Elective Subjects: Home Economics, Art, Drama, Music, Information Technology, Metal and Wood Work, Video Production
High School ~ 9:00-3:30 Grades 9-12 or Grades 10-12 (different schools) 6-8 teachers ➢ Students move between many classrooms ➢ Strong focus on academics and marks ➢ Extra-curricular activities (sports, clubs, volunteer)
High School: Subjects English Social Studies Math Science Physical Education Career Education Applied Skills Art & Music Specialty Programs
Specialty Programs Emergency Medical Responder Fire Academy, Forestry Studies Dual Credit Residential Construction Trades Sampler Hairdressing Apprenticeship Program Advanced Placement Program
Graduation Requirements The school’s website will list all of the graduation requirements: ➢ Students need 80 credits to
graduate ➢ Each course in grades 10, 11,and
12 is worth 4 credits ➢ Students need 30 hours of work
or volunteer experience ➢ Students complete a Capstone
Project
What is my child learning?
British Columbia Ministry of Education: Curriculum Describes what students must learn in each grade. All BC teachers are trained about what to teach in each grade, as well as how to adapt to student needs.
https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/
How to find out what your child is learning Contact the classroom teacher: ➢ visit the school ➢ email the teacher (first name.last name@sd23.bc.ca)
➢ use the classroom app Look at the information & work sent home by the teacher Interpreters are available for meetings with teachers
How to find out what your child is learning Many teachers use APPS to: ➢ share information ➢ post assignments ➢ share pictures, videos, and work samples from the classroom
Check the school’s website The school’s website will give you a lot of information. Choose “Select Language” to change to your own language.
Helpful Staff in the School Principal Vice-Principal Classroom Teacher Counsellor Learning Assistance Teacher ELL teacher Librarian
How is my child doing?
Assessment Assessed in many ways
Formal & Informal 2 assessment exams in high school: Literacy & Numeracy
Reporting Many methods: ➢student-led conferences ➢ongoing reporting with apps (ie. Fresh Grade) ➢parent-teacher meetings ➢interim reporting (mid-term) ➢report cards
Reporting Elementary School Exceeding/Meeting/Not yet meeting Approaching/Emerging/Mastering Middle School A B C+ C C- F I High School 100% - 50% I F
Reporting Elementary School Exceeding/Meeting/Not yet meeting TE**
**NO ffect a a l l i w h s Approaching/Emerging/Mastering oals! f Engli g o l g e n v i e n l r ing t the lea e e A beginn m o t bility a s ’ t n e d stu eceive r t o n t h ild migSchool h c s for r r u Middle a o e y y , t l 2 u As a res rks for the first 1 The teacher h. F I ma lisCg n E A B C+ C our e specific r y i u n q o e r s t n a th ervatio s b o t subjects u o eport ab r l l i t s l l i w ing. n r a e l s ’ d chil High School
100% - 50% I F
Reporting Parents of ELL Students will also receive a report about how their child is doing with English (level 1 to 5).
What if…
What if… my child doesn’t speak very much English?
Support for ELL Students Students who are English Language Learners (ELL): ➢ will be given work that is appropriate to their English level ➢ get help from Learning Assistance or ELL teachers ➢ might be able to receive extra English lessons outside the classroom
Support for ELL Students The look of English support will change over the years, as your child learns the language. It takes: ➢
1-2 years to learn social English I like going to the movies!
➢
5-7 years to learn academic English The temperature increased due to pressure.
Ways to help your child learn English Read English books together: ➢ can be found at the library ➢ online books you can listen to: Unite for Literacy Storybooks Canada
Ways to help your child learn English Read English books together: ➢ can be found at the library ➢ online books you can listen to: Unite for Literacy Storybooks Canada Online games for learning English: ➢ Abcya ➢ MES-Games.com
Ways to help your child learn English Read English books together: ➢ can be found at the library ➢ online books you can listen to: Unite for Literacy Storybooks Canada Online games for learning English: ➢ Abcya ➢ MES-Games.com Language Apps: ➢ Duolingo
What if… my child is having difficulty at school?
If your child is having difficulty with schoolwork Contact the teacher. Tell: What the problem is and what kind of help you want. Ask: What is the problem? Does my child need extra help? Who can help? Use an interpreter if needed. Considering hiring a tutor. Ask Linda or Renate for help.
! m a e T a e We’r
Office Staff –
Classroom Teacher
Learning Assistance Teacher
Secretary
Administration
–
Principal / Vice Principal
Speech/ Language Pathologist
Librarian
Indigenous Advocate
School Counsellor
! s t n e r a P d n a . …
You are your child’s first and most important teacher! Parent involvement = Student success!
Suggestions for making friends and having fun Join an extra-curricular club video gaming, yearbook, art, chess, photography
Join a sports team Invite friends to your house
Problems with other children Some children can be mean. Sometimes problems can be stopped by: ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
walking away ignoring it talk it out Seek help -saying “Stop that!” in a firm voice
Mean students like to see a reaction.
Bullying It is bullying if your child is: Repeatedly harmed physically or emotionally Physically harmed in any way
A child can not deal with bullying alone. Contact: • • • •
The teacher The counsellor The principal Linda or Renate
Worrying, Anxiety, Depression If your child is having emotional problems Contact Renate or Linda Contact the teacher Ask for the school counsellor to talk with your child
Growing up in Canadian culture Remember your child is living in 2 worlds:
❖Home culture
❖Canadian culture
Mondays will be tiring for them. They will want to fit in with Canadian kids.
What if… my child is sick?
How to report if your child is sick Most schools use the School Messenger app.
You can also call the school - say your child’s name and say they are sick. Your SWIS worker (Linda or Renate Lutz) can help you with this.
What if… we move to a new home?
Are you moving? Moving in Kelowna Tell the school and Linda or Renate. You may need to change schools - they will help you with that transition. Leaving Kelowna? Tell the school and Linda or Renate. The school sends your child’s file to the new school.
Remember We welcome your children We are here to help Please ask
QUESTIONS
THANK YOU