Parents spent the night outside the SD62 board office for the chance at landing their child into one of 22 places available in the first ever Nature Kindergarten program on Vancouver Island.
“We knew there was a lot of interest in the Nature Kindergarten program, but it’s still surprising to see parents line up more than twelve hours early,” says Francis Krusekopf, SD62 Principal of Curriculum and Programs. “It shows the overall desire of parents to have their kids learning outdoors and actively engaging physically with nature.”
Next fall, a group of 22 kids entering the SD62 pilot project will attend Sangster Elementary. Using Royal Roads University forests and neighbouring beaches, the students will spend the mornings outside rain or shine learning about forest and intertidal life.
“We are really excited about this program, and we know people all across Vancouver Island are as well,” says Wendy Hobbs, SD62 Board Chair. “We understand that students learn differently and we’re pretty confident that Nature Kindergarten will help these students grow and experience social and emotional learning in really positive ways.”
Parents of accepted students will be notified no later than February 20th, 2012. Families will be asked to confirm their child’s Nature Kindergarten placement by March 1, 2012.
To attempt gender balance, parents formed two lines: one for female students and one for male students. Two places, non-gender specific, will be held for Aboriginal students to reflect the District’s demographic. If Aboriginal students are accepted in the initial group of twenty, these students will be additional to the two spots designated for Aboriginal students. A wait list will also be allocated.
Learn more at naturekindergarten.sd62.bc.ca
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More information about the Sooke School District can be found at www.sd62.bc.ca
Media Contact: Lindsay Vogan, Public Relations Coordinator, (250) 686-3750
