Ready, Set, Kindergarten!
Registration for the 2024-25 School Year Now Open in Grand Erie

TUESDAY, NOV. 21, 2023

I

t's never too early to be thinking about the start of school, and if your child will be four years old by the end of 2024, online registration is now open for Kindergarten in Grand Erie. 

"As a board, we are working to plan and implement programming and resources to support children and families in making a successful start, so opening the registration window now helps us reach that goal," said JoAnna Roberto, Director of Education. "Kindergarten is an exciting time of purposeful play and exploration where the youngest learners develop problem-solving skills, form positive relationships, and develop a strong sense of who they are - all skills that will serve them throughout their educational journeys and beyond." 

Parents and caregivers of soon-to-be Kindergarten students can visit the Kindergarten Registration page for more information about the process. This includes finding their child’s home school, which documents are required for registration, information about transportation, community resources, and before- and after-care programming.

Those interested in Grand Erie's French Immersion program can submit requests to express their interest, and spots will be assigned through a randomized selection process. New students who currently have a sibling in the French Immersion program are guaranteed a spot; however, registration is still required. The deadline to apply to the French Immersion program is February 1, 2024.
 

Grand Opening of the Snoezelen Room

Elgin Avenue Public School welcomed staff, students and community to the Grand Opening of the Snoezelen Room on Tuesday, Sept. 22.

On hand for this special occasion was Chair of the Board Carol Ann Sloat, Trustee Rita Collver and Superintendent Liana Thompson as well as several members of the community that contributed to the fundraising, and Elgin staff members.

Allie Richardson (teacher of students with autism), Lori Minarik (EA working with students with autism) and Samantha Nicholson (Principal) worked together for over three and a half years to fundraise for this $30,000 project. The Elgin community, parents, local charities and the Grand Erie District School Board all came together to make this project a huge success.

A Snoezelen Room is a multi-sensory environment that provides a controlled, safe, relaxing space for individuals with a variety of sensory needs. The room is set up to give individuals a positive space where they can meet their specific needs in a calming atmosphere. This atmosphere helps in reducing fear, anxieties, repetitive behaviour, self-abusive behaviour and aggressive behaviour so that students are better able to learn. Students at Elgin in both self-contained classes and in the regular classes will be able to access the room to help meet their sensory needs.

According to Seth, a student who accesses the room daily, “It is the best room ever!!!”