ESTEVAN - Sacred Heart School/École Sacré Coeur promoted learning for those who will be entering kindergarten or pre-kindergarten during an early years’ open house on May 10.
The event included stations that showcased programs for literacy, physical activity and French language skills, as well as science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The school also promoted its play-based program and offered some sensory stations.
Teacher Megan Vanstone said the school hasn’t had the opportunity to get families from the community into the school the past couple of years, which changed how it promoted pre-kindergarten and early years programs.
“Now that COVID restrictions are gone, we felt comfortable letting families in and opening the doors,” said Vanstone.
The children picked up a passport on their way in, and they would get a sticker for each station they visited. Partners such as Settlement Workers in School and the Early Childhood Intervention Program were also present.
Passports were turned in before families departed and they received a goody bag once they were finished.
Stations were set up in the school that showcased some of the strengths of the program. Tents were in the library to simulate a big campout, allowing youths to explore the library, look at different literacy activities and read books.
The French-language stations showed the skills kids will work on for kindergarten and Grade 1.
Vanstone noted technology is a big part of what they do.
“We had some coding activities and robotics,” she said. “We did some building in STEM, and we had the kids working with iPads. They shot straw rockets through the hall. There was a bunch of different things they could engage in with their families.”
About 50 families were in attendance. Some of them have kids already in the program, but others were families they hadn’t met before.
Parents have come in to register since the open house, and Vanstone believes they might not have considered Sacred Heart before. Other people have emailed the school to say how much they appreciated the event and how great it was to come and see the school.
They can accommodate 16 kids for pre-kindergarten.
A play day and orientation session will be coming up soon, but this was a chance for kids to see the school before those events.
“We’ve heard nothing but rave reviews, and we were really excited to have everyone.”
Anyone who is interested in registering for pre-k or kindergarten can contact the school.
