COURTENAY, B.C- Parents will be able to enroll their kids in kindergarten next month.
According to a news release from School District 71, the public school system for the Comox Valley, registration will start between Feb.13 and Feb.21, 2018.
Parents will be able to choose from several options, such as the program in their neighbourhood schools or early French Immersion, as well as Aboriginal kindergarten and Montessori.
An information night is scheduled for Feb.1 at Queneesh Elementary from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm for parents/guardians to learn more about all kindergarten programs in the district.
To be eligible for enrollment, a student must turn five years old by Dec.31.
Every child’s birth certificate and proof of address must be presented at the time of registration. Health cards will not be accepted as proof of birth, but will need to be presented.
In the absence of those documents, passports or landed immigrant authorizations are also suitable. Parents are asked to register at their current neighbourhood schools on Feb.19, 20, or 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
“While most, if not all, students living in a school’s local catchment will be accommodated at that school, placement in the catchment area school cannot be guaranteed and a child may be required to go to the nearest school having space available,’ read the release.
“To determine your neighbourhood catchment school, use the online tool, School Locator, found from SD 71’s homepage.”
Information on other kindergarten programs is included below.
French Immersion
Registration for French Immersion at Ecole Puntledge Park Elementary or at Ecole Robb Road Elementary will take place during two separate time frames. For families who do not currently have a child registered in school, it is between February 19, 20 and 21 from 7:30 am to 12:00 pm.
Registration for siblings of students currently enrolled in either Early or Late French Immersion program is on February 13, 14 and 15 from 7:30 am to 12:00 pm.
navigate (NIDES)
Registration for the Compass Program Kindergarten at navigate (NIDES) will take place February 14 and 15 at the Tsolum Campus from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm. Registration for siblings of students currently enrolled in the Compass Program is February 13 between 8:30 am and 12:00 pm.
Registration for siblings of students currently enrolled in Fine Arts eCademy Kindergarten at navigate (NIDES) will take place at the Tsolum Campus February 13 and 14 from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm. For new family registrants in the Fine Arts eCademy Kindergarten, contact navigate (NIDES) administration at (250) 337-5300.
Aboriginal Kindergarten/Grade 1
Registration for Aboriginal Kindergarten is at Ecole Puntledge Park on February 20 and 21 from 7:30 am
to 12:00 pm. Registration for siblings of students currently enrolled in the Aboriginal Kindergarten/Grade 1 program is at Ecole Puntledge Park February 13 from 7:30 am to 12:00 pm. The program is based on cultural teachings and the Ministry of Education curriculum for First Nation,Metis or Inuit students.
Preference will be given to Aboriginal students, however, non-Aboriginal children may apply.
Montessori Kindergarten
For families interested in learning about Montessori there will be an Open House at Queneesh on February 7 at 6:00 pm. Registration for this program is on February 14 and 15 from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm. Registration for siblings of students currently enrolled in Montessori is on February 13 from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm.
