Ready, Set, Kindergarten! Registration for the 2023-24 School Year Now Open in Grand Erie

MONDAY, NOV. 14, 2022

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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 2023, online registration is now open for Kindergarten in Grand Erie.

"By opening the window for Kindergarten registration earlier, we will be in a better place to plan and implement programming and resources to help children and families make a successful transition as they start school," said JoAnna Roberto, Director of Education. "Kindergarten in Grand Erie is an exciting time of purposeful play and exploration where the youngest learners build their problem-solving skills, form positive relationships, and develop a strong sense of who they are in the world."

Parents and caregivers of soon-to-be Kindergarten students can visit Grand Erie’s website and click on the Kindergarten Registration banner 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 programs.

Families interested in Grand Erie’s French Immersion program have until Friday, February 3, 2023 to express their interest in the program and spots will be assigned 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 26,000 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 secondary 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!!!”