Edmonton Public School Foundation: Full Day Kindergarten

04/15/2012

Mommy Connections was invited to an informational luncheon hosted by the Edmonton Public School Foundation at Tipaskan Elementary School.  I attended the event, on April 13, 2012 as the representative for Mommy Connections. I was interested to find out more about their Kindergarten program as it is at the top of my mind these days, with my four year old son scheduled to start in September.

Three adorable 5 year olds greeted everyone with warm, beaming smiles, and led everyone from the school entrance to the classroom where the luncheon presentation would take place.  As I walked down the hall, I could not help but notice three words on the office wall, which summed up my experiences that day —  hope, believe, smile.

We met Alva Shewchuk, Fund Development Associate and Sandra Woitas, the director of the foundation whom were our hosts for the session. Sandra walked us through the history of the foundation and their primary goal, which is to raise money to support early learning programs and full-day kindergarten programs in schools located in the most socially vulnerable areas of Edmonton.  Many of these children have struggles at home and have no opportunity for extra curricular/early learning exposure to music, sports or reading. With 75% of brain growth occurring between birth and age six, it is essential that they receive the same opportunity for healthy growth and development.

The members of the foundation, the Principal at Tipaskan and the kindergarten teacher, Suzanne K. believe passionately in the full day kindergarten program. Suzanne became teary eyed as she spoke about the progression and advancements she has seen in her students since the implementation of the program this past September. With over 24 years experience teaching, (12 in kindergarten), she explained to us how the children are not only thriving, but how the full day learning program has made it easier to identify potential early learning challenges. This allows the children to get the help they need early on, leading to a higher chance of a successful future.   Yukon Jack, an advocate for the program participated as a guest speaker (and who knew he had a sensitive side?!). He talked about how grateful he was for his early educators and the influences they had on his life. He expressed how easy it would have been for him to take the wrong turn and fall through the cracks. With his educator’s guidance and support he found his path.

At the end of the presentation, we visited the full day kindergarten class and they sang us a few songs. I got quite emotional watching them and saw the hope in their eyes for a better future. They sang us the ABCs, but  just when you think they are done, they all say “but wait” and they proceed to sing it backwards (from Z –>A) with confidence and the same exuberance. At the end, the students say in unison, “We will not let the ZYX’s perplex us”.  It was very heartwarming. I was thankful to be part of the tour and learn more about opportunities the foundation is providing and how we all can get involved in it in our own way…

Everyone left with some parting gifts, a lovely homemade placemat made by the children and a bag of seeds, which Sandra explained, “what we are doing with the foundation is planting seeds”.

The foundation has been able to implement three full day kindergarten program since 2010: Tipaskan, Lauderdale and Mee-Yah-Noh. The cost to implement the program is $100,000 per school.

As I left the school, there the words were again, but now in my mind too….hope, believe, smile.

To find out more about the foundation and get involved in your own way (volunteer, contribute, tell others, etc)…visit www.epsb.ca/foundation