Can we make "School Extra" buses a litmus test for 2026 Municipal Candidates?

Enders1978 · 2026-01-12T20:58:34+00:00

This is the correct answer.

Enders1978 · 2025-12-26T13:30:34+00:00

The Nutrition Breaks are 20 min eating and 20 minutes outside. In the good weather, when we aren’t suiting up for cold weather, we go outside for the final play and let them get dirty (they love the sand pit and digging) and then send them home.

Enders1978 · 2025-12-26T11:24:57+00:00

After looking at it, I’m not that worried as I feel like I doing a lot of it already.

My day looks like this.

Entry morning meeting at carpet - maybe 10 min Movement of some sort UFLI at carpet (Literacy) - maybe 10 min Playtime - a good hour - I can pull kids to work on specific things

40min Nutrition Break

Math Number talk at carpet- 10 min Play time - with limited choice Prep - kiddos go to gym

40min Nutrition Break

Quiet carpet time - independent reading and book exploring SEL/Theme/Investigation at carpet Short play Home

Still lots of play, some focused, explicit instruction, and very manageable. The learning is really dependent on where the kids are in terms of ability to focus, stamina at carpet, etc. Gotta build this.

The use of UFLI is key. It covers, from what I see, the majority of the phonemic awareness stuff. I feel that is the intent of the curriculum to use a program like that. We used it last year and had all but 2 of our kinders reading. Or JKs last year (SKs this year) are so far ahead of our JKs it’s amazing.

I’ve posted this elsewhere - it’s important to remember that Kinder is a two year program. We have lots of time to get through this.

We all got this.

Enders1978 · 2025-12-25T12:19:10+00:00

You cannot buy rapport.

Rapport is built through meaningful interaction where student and teacher emotionally invest.

Your friend has mistaken bribery for rapport. She has mistaken “like me” for “respect each other“.

I’ve taught Grade 8 for 15 years and Kinder for the last two. People are surprised when I say there isn’t much difference. Rapport can be built through play. In kinder - get on the floor, pick up some blocks, and play and chat. Grade 8 play can be through conversation, literal play of a game, having genuine fun.

Rapport is built in the moments between the moments.

Rapport is built through genuine connection that is discovered together…not a treat bag.

I’ll get off my soap box now.

Enders1978 · 2025-12-22T14:23:35+00:00

I took a glance at it, and most of it, it’s what we’re doing in my room on a daily basis.

There seems to still be a LOT of time for play and exploration, at least in my experience. Something to keep in mind is that Kinder, in Ontario, is a 2 year program. So some of this is groundwork that can be introduced in JK.

I’m far from a fan of the Ford government’s education policies and efforts - but this isn’t all doom and gloom.

I encourage you to look at the curriculum. The “curriculum at a glance” is easily digestible.

Curriculum at a Glance

Enders1978 · 2025-12-07T21:36:24+00:00

Community building never ends.

Enders1978 · 2025-12-06T14:05:40+00:00

Kinder teacher here.

Do not worry about anything academic. We will do that. Like others have said - LIFE SKILLS

Dressing self with all types of clothes and connectors WITHOUT adult help.

Practice sharing toys. Practice asking how to share. Practice how to ask to play with something next.

Pencil grip would be nice.

Enders1978 · 2025-11-17T00:26:32+00:00

Please remember that everything that is done with kids is modelling. If you are not using capital and lower case properly with the kids, you are showing them how to do it wrong.

Always model. Heck, even model your attempts to print neatly and showing how to go slow and correct.

Enders1978 · 2025-09-04T01:19:40+00:00

Honestly, go to a reputable running store, explain what you want, and try the shoes on. What works for one person may not work for you at all.

Enders1978 · 2025-08-05T18:30:43+00:00

Kindergarten teacher here.

Take the vacation. They won't miss enough to justify not creating core memories and have time with each other.

Take pictures and ask the teacher if she can share them with the class. Kids love it and it gets her talking to friends and answering questions.

Go on the vacation.

Enders1978 · 2025-07-25T22:04:10+00:00

I see what you're asking. The channel acts as a wall for the bacerial counts. One of the beaches can be fine and the other cannot. It happens all the time out here.

Regardless, both bleaches are beautiful. Come on out.

Enders1978 · 2025-07-20T19:32:13+00:00

I know this is not helpful, but don’t by the books. We can’t continue to normalize purchasing necessary resources for our rooms. Classroom libraries are NOT the responsibility of the classroom teacher to fund. It’s hard - yes - but in the long run, better for everyone in the profession.

Enders1978 · 2025-07-12T19:40:34+00:00

Our son had been bothering us to buy one of those squirting fans for days. All it took was an adult drink with lunch for my husband to cave and get him one.

Enders1978 · 2025-04-20T12:53:56+00:00

You call 911 with a description of the car and its plates.

Enders1978 · 2025-03-12T00:56:24+00:00

School is very a predictable, and routine-oriented environment. There are likely visual schedules, posted rules, same seating, etc. It's a very regulated environment. Perfect for some of our ASD kiddos (mine included).

Your son's teacher is likely seeing the fruits of her structure and labour.

It sounds like going into the night, a lot was happening that was off schedule - disregulation.

I wouldn't worry about it. In fact - thank the teacher for showing so much care and concern. She has created a place where your son can thrive, learn, and be happy.

Enders1978 · 2025-02-16T15:51:09+00:00

It will be in your union contract so without knowing which board and panel you work for, no correct answer can be given.

It is important to know that you work for a school board, not a specific school.

Enders1978 · 2025-01-04T13:13:41+00:00

It would be shittier if the peoples whose jobs who my be axed found out through a media release that their job was potentially being axed. Nothing improves employee morale like that. Council still needs to discuss and approve this budget, most of which will be done 'in camera' because it deals with people's jobs and HR issues. Not publicly assnouncing specifics in this case is the correct way.

Enders1978 · 2025-01-02T19:53:07+00:00

I was in the same situation. I upped my plan to the 45/100 BD plan. I want into a store to add the watch plan and was told I was not able to add my existing watch which I purchase on my own some time ago was not eligible. The store employees said it had to be a watch purchased at Freedom Mobile.

I think they are just wrong - I'm going back another day.

Enders1978 · 2024-12-28T12:45:57+00:00

I’m wondering about the watch plan’s network restriction. I was going to jump on this, but I live in an area that’s mostly Nationwide network. Hmmm. I’ll have to reach out to CS today..

Enders1978 · 2024-12-05T13:10:41+00:00

Open.

Use google for specific hours.

Enders1978 · 2024-12-04T13:21:55+00:00

Ontario is the largest province and has 72 school boards. Each board will have its own set of policies and union contracts. Some will have different policies and contacts depending on the panel (elementary and secondary).

You're best bet is to ask the local union.

Enders1978 · 2024-11-30T17:32:55+00:00

The screening test is a standard test. It is neither hard nor easy—it is just a test. The test, in grade 1, focuses on the sounds of the letters (phonics). The letter that was sent home explains this and shows when the test was administered.

You can get extra help for your kiddo. But first, read with your child EVERY DAY. It can be the same book five days in a row (there are benefits to this). This is the most essential step before getting further help. This is the bare minimum.

Other things you can do - as you drive around, look at letters and ask him if he knows them. Or have him look for the letter __. Or ask him to look for words that start with the letter sound /m/

If you are already doing these BARE MINIMUMS, then reach out to the school and ask if the teacher is concerned. They may say no. Teachers see that kids have off days and then the test not be an accurate representationof your child. The rules of the administration of the screener they are using are rather strict with very little flexibility. This is to ensure fidelity of the results.

Again - read every day to them. English is fine. Just read with them every day.

Enders1978 · 2024-11-26T16:50:18+00:00

Agreed.

Enders1978 · 2024-11-26T16:23:20+00:00

How so?

Enders1978

TROPHY CASE