Kindergarten Registration
Information for School Communities of the
Ottawa-Carleton District School Board
2014-2015 School Year
Welcome to Kindergarten!
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board Full-Day
Kindergarten program is a child-centered,
developmentally appropriate, integrated, program
of learning for four and five-year-old children.
The purpose of the program is to establish a
strong foundation for learning in the early years,
and to do so in a safe and caring play-based
environment that promotes the physical, social,
emotional and cognitive development of all children.
The Full-Day Early Learning Kindergarten Program – Draft,
Ontario Ministry of Education, 2010 p. 1
Key Dates
Official Registration Weeks
Kindergarten Registration Week – January 27th – January 31st, 2014
*Note: Registration is ongoing if you are unable to meet these
timelines
Student Transfer Application Period - February 10 - 21, 2014
Kindergarten - Key Information
Program Options
If your child will be age four or five by December 31, 2014, they are
ready for kindergarten starting in September 2014.
Registration will be accepted anytime during the
school year (beyond the registration period).
Program choices in the OCDSB for elementary students include:
 Full-Day Kindergarten
 English
 Early French Immersion
 Middle French Immersion (grade 4 entry)
 Alternative
The program selected is a parental decision.
English Program
The English program allows students to concentrate on
English language skills. The program is available from
kindergarten to graduation. The program is child centered and
stresses proficiency in all subject areas.
In this program, English is the language of instruction for all
subjects other than French. At the elementary level, the
following subjects are taught: Language, Mathematics, Science
and Technology, Social Studies (including Geography and
History), Health and Physical Education, The Arts and Core
French.
A student who successfully completes the English
program is expected to have a functional knowledge of the
French language.
English/Core French
Currently, in our English program, Junior and Senior
Kindergarten students receive 100 minutes of Core French
instruction per week.
Students in Grades 1 through 8 receive instruction in Core
French for 200 minutes per week.
A viable pathway to bilingualism!
Early French Immersion (EFI)
The Early French Immersion (EFI) program provides students with
the opportunity to become functionally bilingual through early
exposure to French.
Students who successfully complete the EFI program, and later
enroll in a secondary level program which meets the requirements
to obtain the OCDSB Extended French or French Immersion
Certificate, are expected to be able to communicate with ease and
feel comfortable in either language community (English or French)
and also accept employment, training or further education in either
language.
EFI - French/English Instructional
Time
In the EFI program, students are currently provided with:
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•
•
•
•
SK – (50% French/50% English)
Grade 1 - 100% French
Grades 2 and 3 - 80% French /20% English
Grades 4 to 6 - 60% French /40% English
Grades 7 and 8 - 50% French /50% English
Note: Mathematics instruction in English begins in grade 4.*
The OCDSB Elementary Time Allocation Model outlines the
language of instruction and number of minutes of instruction
per week in each subject area.
Middle French Immersion (MFI)
The Middle French Immersion (MFI) program provides
students with the opportunity to obtain a solid foundation in
English language skills in the primary grades before starting
intensive study of French.
A student who successfully completes the MFI program, and
later enrolls in a secondary level program which meets the
requirements to obtain the OCDSB Extended French or French
Immersion Certificate, is expected to be able to communicate
with ease and feel comfortable in either language community
(English or French) and also accept employment, training or
further education in either language.
Note: The open entry point for MFI is grade 4.
MFI -French/English Instructional
Time
Currently, in the MFI program, students are provided with:
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•
•
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100 minutes per week of Core French – JK and SK
200 minutes per week of Core French – grades 1 to 3
grades 4 to 6 - 66% French /34% English
grades 7 and 8 - 50% French /50% English
Note: Mathematics instruction in English begins in grade 4.*
The OCDSB Elementary Time Allocation Model outlines the
language of instruction and number of minutes of instruction
per week in each subject area.
Alternative Program
In the Alternative Program, English is the language of
instruction for all subjects other than Core French.
With strong community support and parent involvement, the
alternative education philosophy is based on the following
core tenets:
• Everyone’s contributions are valued, no awards or prizes
• Project-based learning, with a balance between studentdirected and teacher-directed learning
• Mixed-aged groupings, classrooms fostering collaboration
• Integrated curriculum stressing interrelation of all learning
and subjects
• Family and community-centered school environment
• Ongoing assessment and evaluation
• Reduced emphasis on grading
Full-Day Kindergarten
In September 2014, the OCDSB will be in its fifth and final year
of implementing full-day learning for four and five-year-old
kindergarten students.
100 elementary schools with Kindergarten programs will offer
Full-Day Early Learning Kindergarten (FDK) Program in September
2014.
These classrooms will all be led by an Educator Team consisting of
both a registered Early Childhood Educator and Teacher.
The program aims to provide every child with the support they
need in order to develop self regulation; health, well being and
sense of security; emotional and social competence; curiosity and
confidence in learning; respect for diversity of his or her peers.
The purpose of the Full-Day Kindergarten Program is to
provide a seamless educational
experience for our children. There are two
possible and mutually supportive parts to the
FDK Program:
• Core Day (Program run during regular school hours)
• Extended Day (Program run before and after school
hours)
Full-Day Kindergarten – Core Day
Core Day Features:
• An Educator Team (1 Teacher and 1 Early Childhood Educator) per
class.
• Average Class Size of 26 Students (Average Ratio of 1 Educator to
13 Students).
• FDK Classes follow the Ontario Ministry of Education Full-Day Early
Learning - Kindergarten Program, 2010.
• Students have a full day of learning (300 minutes of instructional
time) capitalizing on their natural curiosity and exuberance through
an inquiry, play-based approach to learning.
Extended Day Program
The Extended Day Program (EDP) is complementary to the core
program and aligned with it in order to provide a seamless and
consistent educational experience for children.
The Extended Day Program:
– is offered before and after the regular school day (core day)
– is delivered by teams of Registered Early Childhood Educators
and Early Learning Assistants
– reflects planning that is consistent with the approach taken in
the core day program
– makes use of shared resources and shared common spaces to
create a seamless system of care and education for children
and families
– currently operates on PA Days, a week of Winter Break and
March Break, at many locations, based on parental interest.
Extended Day Program
Please note:
• The OCDSB will operate the Extended Day Program for ages
3.8 years to 12 years where sufficient numbers (3) indicate
the need.
• There are two ways an extended day program can be
offered. The District can run its own program at any school
with a full day kindergarten program. Also, an eligible day
care operator can enter into an agreement with the District
to offer programming on the District’s behalf.
Transportation
School bus transportation is available to all kindergarten
students who live more than 0.8 km from their school.
Information regarding transportation is available at your
school or from the Ottawa Student Transportation
Authority (OSTA)
by phone: 613-224-8800
by e-mail: admin@ottawaschoolbus.ca.
We would be privileged to welcome
you and your child to our
Kindergarten program.
Public Education: Doing it
W.E.L.L.
At the OCDSB
Questions?