FAQ - Kindergarten Registration

Q: Can we bring photocopied versions of the documents needed or do you need the originals?
A: We encourage you to register between February 3–7, 2025. A photocopy of all the documents needed is totally acceptable, and you can also print off the kindergarten registration forms from the district website under Community / Parents & Students > Register for School. Please double-check that you have everything and haven't missed any of the boxes before you bring it to your school. The secretary will go over everything to make sure you have filled it all out correctly when you bring it in.
Q: Do we need to bring in original birth certificate or is a copy okay
A: A photocopy of the birth certificate is acceptable, as is any photocopy of the documents needed.
Q: Are the registration forms same as the ones you can get online?
A: Yes, the online registration forms are the same as the ones you can get online.
Q: We are moving to Kamloops after the Kindergarten Registration week. We may not have a document with our child’s new Kamloops address yet at registration. What would we need to bring in Lieu?
A: If you have a purchase agreement or rental agreement, you can always bring that to show you are moving into the catchment area. As soon as you have those papers, please connect with the school to register, even if it is after the February 7, 2025 Kindergarten Registration Week deadline.
 Q: We will be moving before my child starts kindergarten in September. All I will have to provide as proof of address in our catchment area would be the real estate sale contract. Will this be ok?
A: You will register where your address is currently, and then when you move, then you will go through the registration process again by going to your new school and showing them your proof of address for the new catchment, and they will be welcomed to the new campus. Please advise the current school you plan to move to so they can take note of this, but we also do not want to count your child twice for both schools.
Q: Are there any school specific information nights?
A: Depending on the school, as part of their SPARK sessions, there will be a parent information event to learn more about your specific school. If you haven't looked at your catchment school website yet that is a great starting place for information.
Q: Will there be Kindergarten Goose on the Loose?
A: Mother Goose on the Loose is a program that some of our elementary schools will run as part of their SPARK sessions. They work with those agencies to host it. However, there is not a district wide offering for every school site.
Q: In regards to the PAC (Parent Advisory Council), are you able to join on when you have younger children at home that would be with you during the day?
A: Most PAC's do have child-minding, but this is site-specific. Generally, these run around 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and if there is childminding, sometimes there are Grade 7 students that will also do childcare for them.
Q: What should I do if I think my child is not ready for kindergarten?
A: Ultimately, the choice of putting your child in kindergarten is optional, and you could consider having your child remain in a preschool program for another year. However, you may be surprised to find that they will have lots of support from peers and teachers through the transition. During the gradual entry process, this gives teachers a chance to assess if a pause is needed or to consider lengthening the gradual entry. At home, you can encourage your child by talking positively about how great school will be. Consulting with the school team is important as they can listen to your concerns and share how gradual entry went in your absence.
Q: Are kids encouraged to stay home when sick?
A: If you know in the morning or the night before that your child is sick, we would prefer that your child stay home until they are symptom free. If you do send them, and they are showing symptoms or not feeling well, please know that it is possible that you will get a call asking you to come and pick them up. Generally, children should be symptom free for 24 hours before returning. 
Q: How does toileting in kindergarten work?
A: If your child is not currently toilet trained yet, this is something that would be a good project to work on at home between now and September. If that is not possible, then this is an item that you will need to write down in the form for Lise Hyam, because a plan will need to be made for children that have toileting needs. Please mention it if your child is not used to, or doesn't love, going to the bathroom in public spaces during the Spark tour that you will have. It is also very helpful to take this time to show your child the bathroom while on the tour, and show them that this is where everyone goes to school. Additionally, kindergarten teachers are very masterful and will have systems in place such as all going to the bathroom before recess. They may have signals for being discreet about going to the bathroom, and there is no real set schedule when children can ask to go, so it is important for them to know they can ask ahead of time. We are prepared for toileting accidents in kindergarten and we will support you. It is helpful to have a change of clothes ahead of time, but if not, the school will phone you. The school will not let students sit in clothing that they have had an accident for their own dignity, hygiene, and safety. 
Q: Is there any plans to expand after school care within our neighbourhood school?
A: Please let us know when you are registering if you are looking for after-school care. Every school is a bit different. It will be important to contact the school and ask them, and they will be able to tell you if they have any space or if they have a private contracted after-school program on site for you. It is smart to do this right away because they get very, very full, and you will want to be on a wait list as soon as possible. 
Q: I have a child that may struggle with his cognitive behaviour. Is this something he will have support with in kindergarten at a class level?
A: We suggest that when you go in to take in your registration forms you have a short meeting with the principal and fill out the Kindergarten Support Planning and Consent Form. You can include some of the information on whether your child has a diagnosis or is on the wait list for an assessment. You can also note who is working with your child. This gives us some insight into what to plan and prepare for in September. Any specific questions involving support can be directed to Lise Hyam at the Henry Grube Education Center. You can reach her here or at 250-376-2266.
 Q: What resources SD73 has and provides to kids with special needs such as ADHD and Autism?
A: When it comes to students with diverse and unique needs, your school will be your best support, and they will help you with that transition. Services are school based and so it’s a challenging question to answer specifically about the types of support which will be implemented. Each school is an expert at what they do, so there will be conversations that you will have with them. It would be wise to start that conversation when you go in to get your registration. You can fill out the forms, and maybe have a quick conversation with the principal, fill out the kindergarten support, planning form and consent form, and you can then include some information on whether your child has a diagnosis or is on a wait list for an assessment, as well as note who is currently working with your child. This will help give your school some insight as well. If you have very specific questions regarding transitioning your child who has diverse needs, please contact Lise Hyam at the Henry Grube Education Center here or 250-376-2266.
Q: How is bullying addressed in schools in Kamloops with a large number of kids to one teacher? I want to make sure these little ones are enjoying their experience at school. I can’t see how one teacher can oversee so many kids plus teach.
A: Our program to address bullying in schools is guided by the Ministry of Education and Child Care. They have implemented an excellent tool in all the schools called Erase Bullying, where parents and children can report it. Many of our older students in Grade 3-7 use this feature, and teachers must annually show the children where to go if they don’t feel comfortable coming directly to the school, principal, vice principal, or their teacher if they are being teased or taunted. Because peer conflict is normal when you put a lot of children in a school together, we have a document that tracks this kind of behavior over time, which is public. It tracks things such as bullying that is targeted over time, or repetitive with a power imbalance, and more. In school, we manage peer conflict, mean behavior and bullying. We want your child to be happy. Your school principal is the best place to go if you feel that your child is having big feelings, and it is important to give them a chance to correct that for you, and for the feelings not to fester. It is our job to stop it.
Q: What is the cell phone policy in Kamloops for schools? I’ve heard it’s a free-for-all and kids don’t pay attention in class because of it. It makes me nervous that there may not be rules in place to protect the youngsters. Perhaps this is more relevant in high school but I’m still concerned and want to know how that is addressed in elementary school.
A: All schools in SD73 have cell phone procedures. This work started last year and came into effect September 2024. Students in elementary schools are asked to keep their phones at home or in their lockers during the school day. Your site-specific principal can share what it looks like at your school and will advertise this to the community. 

Contact Us