Welcome to
Carlin Elementary Middle School
KINDERGARTEN
4005 Myers Frontage Road
Tappen B.C.
V0E 2X3
Phone: (250) 835-4520
Fax: (250) 804-7783
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.car.sd83.bc.ca
A message from our Principal:
Welcome to Carlin School. We are very excited to meet you and your daughter/son. This is a most important time
for you and your child as they begin their formal school journey. Kindergarten is a time of “firsts” in many
children’s lives. For some it may be the first time away from home for the complete day, the first time for sharing
stories and things from home, taking turns, working with a partner or with a small group. Through the concept of
play, kindergarten children learn in an environment of cooperation and respect, while at the same time learning to
be responsible and caring for others. Carlin School is most unique in that it comprises both an elementary program
(Kindergarten to grade 5) and a middle level program (grade 6, 7 and 8).
Each program operates within a philosophy that reflects the developmental level of the age group of students.
Thus one may observe different routines and schedules, though always within the same expectations of respect,
responsibility, safety, belonging and learning. You may see further in this handbook for a greater description of our
expectations. And finally, a special thank you to our PAC Secretaries, present and past, for the creation of this
Kindergarten Parent Handbook.
Yours truly,
Shane Corston, Principal
A message from our PAC Secretary:
On behalf of all of the members of the Carlin PAC, I would like to welcome you and your child to our Carlin
community! As a Parent Advisory Committee we strive to enhance the wonderful things already happening at
Carlin. We are focused on improving communications with home, building community, supporting middle school
explorations, providing opportunities for outdoor explorations and activity for the elementary students, and so
much more! We are also here to represent all parents and voice their questions or concerns.
As with most non-profit groups we rely on fundraising to provide our programs. Last year we hosted the fourth
Annual Carlin Country Market (CCM). Due to the success of that one day event our fundraising throughout this
school year will be minimal. We are focused on building community through our fundraisers and concentrate all of
our efforts into this one day rather than having the students sell traditional fundraising items.
The fifth annual Carlin Country Market is set for Saturday, May 23rd 2015. The CCM runs from 10-4 on the school
grounds. The event includes; a massive garage sale, carnival games, concessions, face painting, laser tag, a candy
shoppe, bouncy houses, silent auction, live entertainment, vendor market, family photo booth, and class basket
raffles. We would love to see all of the future kindergarten students there for a day of fun!
The Carlin website is a great resource for information about the school and upcoming events. Check it out at
www.car.sd83.bc.ca.
See you in the fall,
Heather O’Brien
CEMS PAC
All parents have an important influence on life at Carlin and the feelings that our community has toward the school and
education. There is strong evidence that if a parent attends or participates in 3 to 4 school functions within a year this will
result in increased student achievement, accomplishment, satisfaction and bonding. We welcome all parents who wish to
come to a PAC meeting just once or on a regular basis. Come and just listen or share your ideas or concerns. You are all
welcome anytime! PAC meetings are the best way to learn about all of the things happening at Carlin.
The PAC meets one Thursday evening every month in the staff room. Refreshments and babysitting are provided and it is a
great chance to find out what is happening at the school. The PAC meeting dates will be published in the monthly school
newsletters.
We have developed a mission statement that reflects our goals for the Carlin community and we reference it in our event
planning and spending decisions:
MISSION: To augment the educational experience of students and families attending Carlin Elementary Middle School (CEMS),
through support and facilitation of programs and activities which build a sense of inclusion, appreciation and, advocacy.
COMMITMENT: All CEMS PAC activities will work toward at least one of the following:
1. Building community (within the school and beyond)
2. Nurturing healthy bodies and minds
3. Connecting with nature
4. Adapting to new technologies
CEMS PAC is committed to facilitating positive communication between the school and its families, involving everyone in
building a strong, healthy, thriving school community.
During the 2014/2015 school year the PAC supported the following programs and activities:
 Elementary (K-5) winter recreation programs
 Elementary swimming, soccer and gymnastics programs
 Young Naturalists Club
 5th annual Carlin Country Market (coming up May 23rd)
 One to One reading program
 Welcome Back BBQ
 Unplug and Play sliding party
 Middle school explorations and team building
 Scholastic Book Fair
 Elementary Reading room
 Pink shirt day
 Baseball Day (Gr. 5-8)
 Purchase of snowshoes and new sports equipment
 Christmas Letter Writing
 Breakfast Club and lunch program
 Staff Appreciation events
The PAC coordinates fundraising throughout the year. The 2010/2011 year resulted in hosting the first annual Carlin
Country Market (CCM) on the school grounds. This annual event has been so successful that we have dropped all other
fundraisers. This is a huge project and we invite the entire school community to be involved so as to make the 5th Carlin
Country Market (May 23rd 2015) a success.
2014-2015 PAC Executive
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Co-Chairs:
Treasurer:
Carmen Massey and Kristy Schroeder
Jeannine O’Brien
Updated: 7/28/2017
Secretary:
Heather O’Brien
About our school:
Carlin Elementary Middle School (population 270+) serves the smaller communities of White Lake, Eagle Bay,
Notch Hill, Blind Bay, Tappen, Skimikin, Sunnybrae and Carlin. Students transition from Sorrento Elementary
School to Carlin for their middle years (grade 6, 7, and 8). Students also transition from North Shuswap
Elementary School to Carlin for their grade eight school year.
Mission Statement:
Carlin Elementary Middle School is committed to working as a team to build a safe, caring and respectful
environment where students strive to reach their full potential.
Together we will encourage students to develop skills for lifelong learning while promoting personal and social
responsibility.
Welcome to Kindergarten
It’s time……………..and a Good Time is about to begin for your little one!!!
Learning is a child’s natural response to life. Through play a child learns what no one can teach them. They learn
to concentrate, exercise their imagination, try out ideas and practice various skills. Play allows the child
opportunities to explore, experiment and to learn about themselves and solving problems, planning, selecting and
organizing. Play is also a means of expressing an emotional release. Play offers the child many opportunities to
develop and perfect social skills particularly how to share and get along with others. Play is the “work” of the child
and is one of the most effective kinds of learning known.
In CEMS Kindergarten, we aim to provide quality play, quality teaching, and devoted care of each child offering a
variety of activities and experiences to meet the physical, intellectual, social and emotional needs of your child.
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Please note that there is a designated “Drop-off” lane for picking up and dropping off your child. There is no
parking in this area from 8:30-9:00 and 2:30-3:00 on school days. If you intend to leave your vehicle at these times
please use the upper parking lot to avoid congestion in the drop-off lane.
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Bell Schedules
Elementary School:
Monday – Friday
Times
Blocks
8:35
Welcoming Bell
8:40-8:50
Class Opening Routines
8:50-9:35
Block 1
9:35-10:20 Block 2
10:20-10:40 Recess – Play Outside
10:40-11:25 Block 3
11:25-12:10 Block 4
12:10-12:40 Lunch –Play Outside
12:40-12:55 Lunch – Eat Inside
12:55-1:45 Block 4
1:45-2:30
Block 6
2:30-2:43
Class Closing Routines
Middle School:
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday
Times
Blocks
Times
8:35
Welcoming Bell
8:35
8:40-8:50
Advisory-Connect
8:40-8:50
8:50-9:40
CORE Block 1
8:50-9:40
9:40-10:30
CORE Block 2
9:40-10:30
10:30-10:40 Nutrition Break
10:30-10:40
10:40-11:30 CORE Block 3
10:40-11:30
11:30-12:20 CORE Block 4
11:30-12:20
12:20-12:30 Lunch-Eat Inside
12:20-12:30
12:30-1:05
Lunch-Play Outside
12:30-1:05
1:05-1:25
Advisory – Silent Reading 1:05-1:55
1:25-2:44
Explorations
1:55-2:44
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Wednesday
Blocks
Welcoming Bell
Advisory-Connect
CORE Block 1
CORE Block 2
Nutrition Break
CORE Block 3
CORE Block 4
Lunch-Eat Inside
Lunch-Play Outside
CORE Block 5
Advisory – Health/Careers
Updated: 7/28/2017
General Guidelines for Parents and/or Guardians:
1. Absent from school:
For whatever reason that your child will not be attending school please phone the school by 8:30am
to advise us. If we do not hear from a parent/guardian of an absent child please note that your
home will be called through the CEMS “Safe Arrival Program”.
2. Illness: If your child is sick it is suggested to keep that child at home if possible, to get adequate rest.
Conditions in which to keep your child at home may be some of the following:
 An acute cold with fever, runny nose and eyes, coughing and sore throat. Once the fever has
lowered, the well being and energy are back to normal, coughing and runny nose may continue
(depending on type of illness) without the child being contagious.
 Nausea and vomiting may be an early sign of illness that require a physician’s attention.
 Unexplained diarrhea or loose stool combined with nausea, abdominal cramps. These symptoms
may indicate a bacterial or viral infection which is very easily passed from child to another.
 Severe itching of body or scalp: A child with lice/nits may not return to school until all nits have
been removed. Parent information sheets are available from the school office (250 835-4520) with
helpful suggestions.
 Contagious Disease: Parents are required to inform the school of a positive medical diagnosis of
any communicable disease, so that the other parents may be informed of the signs and symptoms of
that particular disease. The child may not return to school unless the parent has received a notice of
clearance from a doctor which is then given to the school staff.
 If your child becomes ill while attending school we will contact you promptly so that you may make
arrangements to take your child home or to the doctor. If the parent can not be reached, the
designated emergency person will be contacted. If necessary the school staff will seek medical
attention for the ill child.
For further health related information, please visit the Interior Health website at
www.interiorhealth.ca From here follow the links to Choose Health and then School Health.
3. Late for school or the need to leave school early:
If your child is late in the morning please have him or her “Sign-in” on the form provided in the
school office. If your child needs to leave school prior to the afternoon dismissal bell please have
him or her “Sign-out” of school on the form provided in the main office. For safety, parents are
asked come to the office to pick up your child when signing out early.
4. Smoking on school premises:
Carlin Elementary Middle School (CEMS), its playgrounds and parking lot are non-smoking areas.
Anyone wishing to smoke must do so outside of these areas and all School District properties.
5. School Fees:
You will receive a notice home with your child early in the school year advising of what school fees
are required for your child. A financial hardship policy is in place at Carlin School for families
unable to afford school fees. Please contact Mr. Corston, Principal, for further information. No
student will be denied access to a school sponsored program/activity for financial reasons.
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6. Extra set of clothes:
For younger children it is suggested to send along an extra set of clothes which can be left in their
classroom to be used as necessary.
7. Fire Drill / Evacuation Process:
Fire Drills: As safety is an ongoing part of CEMS, fire drill procedures are practiced regularly. We
will try our best to inform parents as to when these drills will occur so that you can help us prepare
your child so they understand it is just for practice and are not frightened during this procedure.
Evacuations: Should it become necessary to evacuate Carlin Elementary Middle School, children
would be safely moved to Carlin Hall. Parents would be notified should it become necessary to use
the alternate facility.
8. Parent Involvement:
CEMS staff is very excited about being a part of your child’s learning experience. We want to
involve you as much as possible.
School Newsletters: Monthly newsletters are distributed, sharing with you what has been happening
with the school and what is planned for the upcoming months. CEMS is moving towards a
paperless newsletter method. Please provide the school with an email address. If you do not have
email, you may download newsletters from the school website, or you may ask to receive
newsletters on paper. Additional school news may be found on our Facebook page – “like” us, and
you will see all of our status updates.
PAC Newsletters: Quarterly newsletters are also distributed advising parents of upcoming events.
The PAC also may send home a newsletter requesting volunteer help. We encourage all parents to
help in whatever method and however frequently they can.
Carlin Website: Carlin has created a great place for parents to find information about the upcoming
events at Carlin on our website at www.car.sd83.bc.ca. The website is constantly being updated
with interesting and useful information for parents. It also includes a PAC section with activities
and contact information.
9. Activities off premises/field trips:
There are many opportunities to take the students on field trips, sporting events, etc. off the
school’s property. There will always be a “Parent/ Guardian Authorization Form” sent home in
advance of the event, should this opportunity arise for your child.
10. Clothing and Possessions:
Your child should be dressed in clothing that is appropriate for physical activity, the weather and
the season. All children are required to have a pair of indoor shoes that can be left in their
classrooms.
Whenever possible, clothing, shoes and boots should be “child friendly”. This means buying Velcro
instead of laces, and zippers instead of buttons. Primary children are learning to become
independent and able to do things for themselves. We would like to minimize what we refer to as
‘transition times’ where children have to wait for each other. Child friendly clothing is also teacher
friendly.
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11. Arrival and Pick Up:
 When students arrive at school they are greeted by teacher supervisors outside. Elementary students
may play on the playground until the warning bell, at which time they line up at their outside
classroom door and wait for their teacher to invite them in.
 At the end of the school day, elementary teachers ensure each child has their belongings and will
walk them out to the parking lot and ensure they get in the appropriate bus line up.
 Those parents/guardians who will be picking up their child after school can either pick them up
from the classroom or can wait in the parking lot until the entire class walks out along with the
teacher.
 Only persons on the registration form will be allowed to remove your child from their classroom.
Should there be a need for an alternate person to pick up your child, you are requested to notify the
school.
 For parents who are separated or have a custody agreement, we cannot deprive a parent access to
their child unless we have a court order on file.
12. Playgrounds:
Primary Playground: CEMS provides a fenced primary playground for grades K-3 which includes
various levels of climbing monkey bars, 3 different slides, balancing pads, swings, etc. This
playground is meant to be a safe playing experience for your child with other children of the same
age. (Older students are prohibited from playing in this area).
Little Forest: The “Little Forest” is an area known to the students as the small forest area
surrounding the primary playground. This is also a safe environment in which all the young
children love to play in.
Big Playground: The “Big Playground” is located in the Upper Field and is accessible to students in
Grade 4 -8.
Big Forest: The “Big Forest” in an area known to all students (and LOVED by the primary
students) which includes trails, student made forts, and the beloved trees and shrubs of our area.
Again, this area is not made accessible to the Kindergarten students until the spring time, giving
them time to feel comfortable in their own “forest” first.
Wildlife Warning:
Due to the fact that we live in the beautiful Shuswap area and there are indeed wild animals that live
amongst us, there are times that we need to protect the children and keep them out of the forest.
In the situation that a wild animal has been spotted near the school’s perimeter all students will be
advised to stay out of the forests and extra supervision will ensure this instruction is adhered to.
13. Bus Transportation
Information about bus transportation may be located on the School District website
(www.sd83.bc.ca). Simply “click” on the picture of the back of the school bus and complete the
information requested. As an alternative you may contact the Transportation Office at 250 8047890.
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14. Easing Kindergarten Separation Anxiety: (for both child and parent)
 Separation anxiety can be defined as a child’s verbal, physical and/or emotional expression of unease
when a primary caregiver departs. It is typical for a child to display this type of behavior and to feel
uncomfortable at first. Should your child experience separation anxiety please feel free to speak to you
child’s teacher.
 We believe it will be easier for your child if you do not prolong your departure, especially during the
first few weeks. A child who is feeling anxious will not become any less distressed if you stay “just a
little bit longer”. It is better to say Good-bye, reassure him or her that you will return, and then leave.
It is very important to make your child aware of your departure as children can become frightened of
any separation. Please pay attention to newsletters that come home from your child’s teacher and
discuss each event that may happen at school each day. Reassure your child that he/she will have fun
at school with new friends and that you will return to pick him/her up at the end of the school day.


Assistance is also available to parents who are experiencing troubled feelings with leaving your child to
an unknown “facility and group of people”. Please feel free to ask your child’s teacher or speak directly
to Mr. Corston, Principal.
It takes time and team-effort between staff and parents to make the transition as comfortable as
possible.
At
Carlin Elementary Middle School we believe:
Everyone belongs to our school community.
Everyone has the right to feel safe.
In respect for yourself, others, and surroundings
Everyone is responsible for his or her own behaviour and learning.
Everyone can learn to the best of their ability.
We know that with your support your child’s first year at Carlin is going to be a success and we are glad to welcome
you to our community. Information regarding the gradual entry times (building up to all-day full-time kindergarten)
will be mailed to your house before September. If you should have any questions please do not hesitate to contact
the school.
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Our Beliefs - The Carlin Wheel
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