Ready, set, Kindergarten! Grand Erie prepares to welcome the future class of 2036 with registration now open

THURSDAY, JAN. 6, 2022

Elementary schools across Grand Erie are ready to welcome the newest class of young learners next September, with Kindergarten registration now open. Parents of children who will be four years old by the end of 2022 will want to note timelines and required information to ensure a seamless start to their child’s schooling in September.

"Kindergarten lays the foundation for future success by building literacy and numeracy skills, promoting social and emotional development, and allowing children to explore, work together and contribute," said JoAnna Roberto, Director of Education. "As a result, children become confident, involved learners with a strong sense of who they are in the world."

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

“We are ready and excited to welcome the next generation of students to experience the culture of learning, well-being and belonging we are striving to create across all of our schools," said Susan Gibson, Chair of Grand Erie District School Board. "Grand Erie is a great place to start your child’s educational adventure.”

Parents interested in Grand Erie’s French Immersion program have until Friday, February 4 to apply to be eligible for a spot through a randomized selection process. New students who currently have a sibling in the program are guaranteed a spot, however, registration is still required.

Grand Erie District School Board represents more than 25,000 students in 58 elementary schools and 14 secondary schools within the City of Brantford and the counties of Brant, Haldimand, and Norfolk as well as students from Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. With a dedicated staff of more than 2,500, Grand Erie is committed to learning, leading and inspiring. 

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!!!”