Kindergarten
Kindergarten classes will have a staggered start and you will be contacted by your child's teacher for when their first day in the classroom will be. There will be a Kindergarten Welcome Tea for parents of kindergarten children on Wednesday September 11th, 2019 at 8:30am on the garden deck area above the Alpenglow back field. Come and join us for a cup of tea and a small snack and meet other parents in your child's class.
Grades 1-6
Classes for the 2019-20 year will begin on Tuesday September 3rd, 2019 at 8:25am
All families of our students are invited to our Welcome Ceremony that happens on this first day. It is a short ceremony that happens right after the school bell rings. Students and their families will meet all together in the Alpenglow back field. At the welcome/instruction of the teachers, the children and families will gather in a large circle. The teachers will then give a short welcome and lead the traditional Waldorf Rose Ceremony.
The Rose Ceremony is a traditional Waldorf School gathering that has occurred since the very first Waldorf School. At Alpenglow School, the Rose Ceremony has evolved to our community. The teachers will start with welcoming the Grade 1 children to the school with a rose to symbolize their transition from Kindergarten into the grades part of the school. Also, any brand new students to the school entering Grades 1-6 will also receive a rose to welcome them as part of the community. The students in turn pass their rose to their parents, who as a loving exchange, give them their plant to care for at school (see below - items to bring the first day). This exchange of the rose and plant symbolizes the transition from home life to school life. The rose symbolizes the support and care that is given and shared by the teachers to the children, as well as their parents. Beautiful music is often played in the background during the gathering to set the tone of reverence.
The Rose Ceremony is a traditional Waldorf School gathering that has occurred since the very first Waldorf School. At Alpenglow School, the Rose Ceremony has evolved to our community. The teachers will start with welcoming the Grade 1 children to the school with a rose to symbolize their transition from Kindergarten into the grades part of the school. Also, any brand new students to the school entering Grades 1-6 will also receive a rose to welcome them as part of the community. The students in turn pass their rose to their parents, who as a loving exchange, give them their plant to care for at school (see below - items to bring the first day). This exchange of the rose and plant symbolizes the transition from home life to school life. The rose symbolizes the support and care that is given and shared by the teachers to the children, as well as their parents. Beautiful music is often played in the background during the gathering to set the tone of reverence.
Right after the Welcome/Rose Ceremony is complete, ACES will be hosting a Welcome Tea. All parents of Grades 1 - 6 are invited to attend. This is a great opportunity for you to meet members of the ACES board as well as fellow parents in our school community.
What should your child bring to their first day:
- indoor slippers or shoes - our students change from outdoor school to indoor slippers or shoes to keep our classroom carpets clean
- a small potted plant - each student keeps a potted plant in his/her classroom. Please select an easy-care plant to bring. Ideal pants are non-leaking, have built in drainage, have a diameter of less than 20cm to fit safely on a window sill and be suitable for growing indoors.
Important information for you to be aware of:
- Program Fees - there are fees associated with our alternative school and we use an online registration and payment program. If you have not already signed your family up, please do so as soon as possible. Email [email protected] for a link to do this.
- Vulnerable Sector Check for Volunteering at Alpenglow - To volunteer within the classroom you must have a Vulnerable Sector Check completed with the local RCMP. If you have not already done so in the last year, please take a look here for more information on how to get this free security check done.
- School Calendar - there are a couple ways to keep track of what's happening at Alpenglow School. You can take a look here at our online calendar which will be updated with events specific to Alpenglow School as well a general school information. You can also take a look here at the 2019-2020 CRPS Learning Calendar (the only thing different for Alpenglow School on this calendar is that every Friday is a half day). Also there is a specific Learning Calendar for Kindergarten, which you can find here.
- Parent Handbook - an updated handbook will be posted soon! This document contains essential information and helpful answers to many good questions. This includes information about busing dates, parking, late arrivals, absences, contact information, volunteering, and much more You can take a look here at our past years handbook.
- Grocery Card Fundraiser - One of our biggest fundraisers is our Save On Food Grocery Cards - we ask that all families participate so that we can raise as much as we can for this simple fundraiser. Take a look here for information and forms. Orders start in September, so email Shelly to get on board right away!
- Outdoor Lunch, Snack & Recesses - The Autumn season in Canmore is a lovely time to be outside, and we hope to continue working, learning and eating our snacks and lunches "al fresco" for as long as possible. Our upper deck has sun protection and gets very warm mid-day, but hats, water bottles and sunscreen will be as essential as weatherproof jackets for the cooler, wetter days. Students bring a healthy lunch and a snack to school each day in reusable containers.
Please email [email protected] if you have any questions regarding the first day of school
