At Good Shepherd School, we believe in the importance of student-teacher interaction in the early grades. Our focus is on play-based learning, and students learn numeracy and literacy skills through games, artwork, singing, stories, and through the use of technology. Our Kindergarten students receive music lessons every week from our well-qualified music teachers, and get the opportunity to skate in the winter, and walk to the pool to go swimming.
Kindergarten & Pre-Kindergarten
Good Shepherd is pleased to offer full-day 5-day kindergarten programming in both English and French Immersion. We also offer flexible programming for parents who want their children to attend less than 5 full days.
To enroll in Kindergarten, students must reach the age of 5 by December 31 of the year they start school. Students with special needs who are eligible for Program Unit Funding (PUF) may be admitted before their kindergarten year.
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**Registration for the 2023-24 school year will be open on April 17, 2023.
In our Kindergarten program, we are pleased to offer:
- Five-day, full-day Kindergarten Programming
- Half Day Pre-Kindergarten (Play Partners)
- Catholic family atmosphere
- Both French Immersion & English Classes
- Early Supports for every child to help them in their areas of growth
- Regular Technology Access (SMART Boards, iPads)
- Visits to the School Library
- Daily Assemblies
- School Wellness Worker
- Project PEACE
- Physical Activity
- Reading Buddies
- To be eligible for Kindergarten in September 2021, your child must be five years of age by December 31, 2021
In our Early Intervention Pre-Kindergarten program, we are pleased to offer:
- Programming for four half-days per week
- Children ages 2 years 8 months to 4 years 8 months who have been assessed and diagnosed with a severe disability or a severe language delay are eligible for this program
- Exclusively for children with English as their second language, or have mild, moderate or severe developmental delays
- Flexible instruction will be offered based on each child’s individual needs. Access to multidisciplinary support, such as Speech and Language Pathologist, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Psychologist, Hearing and Vision and Behaviour Management Consultation services are available.
Faith-Filled Learning Environment
At Good Shepherd, our teachers show Jesus’ love every day, and we also share stories from the Bible. Students do not have to be Catholic to attend Good Shepherd School, but are expected to participate in our daily prayers. At Good Shepherd School, we have a Christ-Centered atmosphere where we model our faith. In our Catholic school, the spiritual development of children is nourished, recognizing that young children are each at a unique place in their spiritual development. Our students participate in religious activities and celebrations, as well as meet the priest and other members of the parish. The Kindergarten classroom, along with all classrooms in our school has a prayer center where the Bible has a special place of honor. A cross, candles and a special cloth will also be present. At Good Shepherd School, Catholic teaching permeates our school environment and is infused in all subject areas.
Indigenous Education
At Good Shepherd School, our teachers develop and apply foundational knowledge about Indigenous people for the benefit of all students. We support the learning experiences of all students by using resources that accurately reflect and demonstrate the strength and diversity of Indigenous people and therefore school staff is always looking for opportunities to access resource people for Indigenous classroom visits and programs.
A Love of Learning
The primary focus of our kindergarten program is to develop a love of learning in our students. If our students love school right from the start, they will carry that love of learning throughout their elementary years. For many students, Kindergarten is their first year of organized education so our focus is supporting them as they develop their unique gifts and talents. In order to support their transition into our school, we ensure that our program is play-based with a lot of hands-on learning activities, while still having a strong focus on literacy and numeracy.
Individual Supports
Flexibility to adapt to the changing needs of students in kindergarten, as well as our other grades, is an important feature of our inclusive education programming at Good Shepherd School. Specific delivery models for individualized programs may vary from class to class, depending on the needs of the individual students attending. Some of the services available to our students include Speech Services, Occupational Therapy Services, and Emotional & Behavioral Support.
Program Unit Funding (PUF)
HFCRD strongly believes in supporting each student’s unique needs and therefore children 2 years 8 months to 4 years 8 months who have been assessed and diagnosed with a severe disability or a severe language delay are eligible to enroll in the PUF Program. To register your child in the PUF Program, please indicate your request on your child’s registration form or contact the school.
Information from Alberta Education:
Program Unit Funding, in addition to Base Instruction Funding, is available to approved ECS operators and school authorities for young children who are 2 years 8 months and less than 6 years of age by September 1, and who have been identified with a severe disability/delay. Children are eligible for up to 3 years of ECS funded programming, depending on age, severity of the disability/delay and its impact on the child’s ability to function within an ECS program. The Standards for the Provision of Early Childhood Special Education apply to children who meet the eligibility criteria for special education programming.
For more information on Alberta’s Early Childhood Services, click here.
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If you have questions about Good Shepherd School, please do not hesitate to contact our school at 780-624-3432.
