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Rutherford School 8620 91 Street Edmonton
780.466.2891
Rutherford
School
from the Rutherford School
Parent Council
Introduction
Rutherford is an exciting, innovative school with an emphasis
on teaching and learning in an environment that is safe,
challenging and caring. Located in the established French
community of Bonnie Doon, Rutherford School serves the
communities of Bonnie Doon, Strathearn, Idylwylde and
Cloverdale. Rutherford attracts motivated students who are
seeking an academic experience that is second to none. We
are proud to offer students a rich learning environment with a
proud history of achievement. With the support of our highly
skilled staff and a focus on learning, students benefit from a
meaningful, well-rounded elementary school experience.
Outstanding programs, excellent facilities, and a safe and
productive environment await students at Rutherford. Their
school experiences are memorable as they participate in a
wide variety of clubs, school events and field-trips that take
learning beyond the classroom. Students strive for excellence
while developing character, citizenship and leadership skills
that open their eyes to a world of possibilities, free for them
to explore!
Rutherford School is committed to ensuring that students
realize their individual potential. We have set high standards
for both academic achievement and student conduct. These
high standards are supported by excellence in teaching and
the development of character virtues. We enjoy a strong
partnership with our parent community and many community
agencies. Our goal is to provide students with an academic
environment where optimal learning can take place. Together
we can achieve great success and create a school of excellence where futures blossom.
Rutherford School 8620 91 Street Edmonton
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780.466.2891
Message from the
School Council
President
On behalf of Rutherford School Council, I would like
to invite you to come to our school to experience our
amazing learning community. As a parent, council
member and teacher, I am continually awed by the
opportunities my children get at Rutherford School
and the successes they experience.
These successes are a result of the unique opportunities for our students and their families. Some highlights that our families are excited about include:
• K-6 French Language Learning
• Caring, energetic staff
• Paired Reading
• Technology – Smart Boards, computers, netbooks, tablets, etc.
• Fieldtrips
• Unmatched sense of community
These attributes along with countless others give
Rutherford students a chance to learn in a safe and
caring environment and gives them the foundation
on which to succeed. That is what we want for our
children and Rutherford delivers.
Message from the
Principal
This is an exciting time for parents and prospective
students as together you explore elementary school
choices. What sets Rutherford apart is the strength
of our school community, the dedication of our staff,
the determination of our students and the excellence
that we achieve together.
Rutherford provides students with a caring, small
school atmosphere with all the advantages of a big
school. We offer academic excellence, school spirit,
and a range of extra-curricular and enrichment
opportunities. At Rutherford, students, staff and
parents work together to ensure that students realize
their potential and that they are supported and
empowered along the way.
This guide gives you a brief overview of our school
and opportunities that we offer.
I encourage you to visit our school so that you may
experience our excellent programs, dedicated teachers and vibrant school community.
Mike Morison
Principal
I look forward to meeting you soon,
Kara Aitkin
Rutherford School Council
President
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Starting Kindergarten
Rutherford School is committed to helping your
child get off to a great start in Kindergarten.
The important first step for you and your
child is to choose the elementary school most
suited to your child’s needs and goals. Visit
open houses, attend information sessions,
and read through print material such as this
guide carefully.
If you are satisfied that Rutherford is the right
school for you, great, welcome to our community!
The next step is to learn about our school so that
you and your child will feel comfortable and eager to
attend in September and remember that you are not
alone in starting kindergarten!
Currently we offer two Kindergarten programs —
mornings with Mrs Ploit and afternoons with Mrs.
Glassey. Our educational assistant is Mrs. Klukus.
Mrs. Glassey
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Mrs. Ploit
Registration
Pre-enrollment at Edmonton Public Schools begins each
year in early February for Kindergarten. Early registration
not only helps parents and students plan for the next
school year, it gives schools the information needed to
make plans based on the number of students to expect
in the fall. Children who are four years of age on or
before March 1 2015 may register in Kindergarten for
the upcoming school year. When registering for the first
time, a parent or guardian will need to present legal
proof of their child’s name, citizenship and birth date.
Throughout the registration process, Rutherford’s
friendly staff will support and assist you with any questions you might have. In September you and your child
will be invited to a 90 minute orientation session during
one of the first two days of school. You will be notified
mid-August of your orientation time and date by phone.
This orientation will allow your child to ease into the
Kindergarten experience in a small group setting, with
your presence and support. At this time you will be
given more detailed information about the program,
have a chance to ask specific questions and fill out
some important forms.
Supporting Success
There are a number of possible ways to ensure a
great elementary school experience and we want
to make sure that students are adjusting and
doing well throughout the year.
Teachers provide information and feedback in
the form of regular progress reports, and parentteacher conferences are held early so there is
lots of time to make a personal connection
and to identify any areas that need improvement.
If problems arise, help is available from teachers,
school staff or the administration, our doors are
always open!
In addition to quality teaching, students at
Rutherford access a number of supplementary supports to encourage and support learning including:
Accelerated Reader
The Accelerated Reader program helps students
increase their reading practice time and enjoyment of reading. Students read a book, take a quiz
measuring comprehension, and teacher and student
review progress and set levels and goals based on
comprehension scores.
Research tells us that matching students to their
appropriate reading level or comfort zone is one of
the best ways to ensure students continue to make
progress and enjoy independent reading time.
Paired and Echo Reading Time PERT
If you have a chance to be at Rutherford in the
morning, you will be delighted to see all students
and staff involved in Paired and Echo Reading Time
(PERT). Younger students with some reading skills
or emerging reading skills are paired with older
students to read and write together.
Every Friday during PERT, students reflect on their
reading during the week and engage in a shared writing activity with their PERT partner.
The benefits of the PERT program include:
• better readers and reflective thinkers;
• older students becoming excellent leaders;
• younger students having older mentors;
• the formation of long lasting relationships; and
• creating a community of readers.
French as a Second Language
French as a Second Language (FSL) is
taught from Kindergarten to Grade
6. The focus begins on developing
comprehension and encouraging ease
of speaking through games, songs,
rhymes and skits. Reading and writing are introduced in later grades.
Students in Kindergarten receive
30 minutes of FSL instruction each
week, and students in Grades 1 to
6 receive 150 minutes each week.
DELF Prim
Students will have the opportunity to be involved
in a French club working towards the goal of writing the DELF Prim French exam. The DELF Prim is
a French Language Studies diploma issued by the
French Ministry of Education. The diploma is recognized all over the world and demonstrates French
language proficiency. Last year our students averaged over 80% on the DELF Exam. C’est fantastique!
The bottom line is that the staff at Rutherford are there
to help your child reach their goals and feel comfortable.
There really is a special feeling at Rutherford!
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Community Partners
Facilities
Learning Through Play Montessori Day
Care and After School Care
The Learning through Play Montessori Day Care and
After School Care is an Accredited program located in
Rutherford School. Established in 1986, the childcare philosophy adopted by the Centre is based on
Montessori. Care is provided for children from the
ages of 19 months to 6 years in the Daycare room, and
for students from Grade 1-6 in the After School Care
room. For more information on the centre please call
780.469.0963.
With a history dating back to 1909, Rutherford
School opened in 1911 and has a proud history of
serving the Bonnie Doon community. The school is
situated in a park-like location, with ample green
space for learning and play. Rutherford also boasts:
• Fine arts facilities including art and music
rooms and student work galleries throughout
the school.
• Wi-Fi throughout the school
• Video Conferencing suite to connect
Rutherford to the world
• Updated high speed computers in every
class plus a mobile laptop lab and netbook
cart, and brand new Galaxy tablets. In all
Rutherford has over 100 student devices.
• Classrooms equipped with internet, TVs, FM
systems and SMART boards
• Bright, spacious, well equipped science lab
for hands-on learning
• Specialized French classroom
• Excellent physical education facilities
• Environmental stewardship initiatives
throughout the school
Bonnie Doon Playschool
Bonnie Doon Playschool is a parent cooperative playschool
located in Rutherford School. The program allows children to learn and explores through a combination of play
based activities and daily routines.
Classes are MWF 9-11:30 am (3 & 4 yr olds, Foundations
of Early Learning) or 12:15-3:15 pm (4 yr olds,
Kindergarten Readiness). For more information visit our
website www.bonniedoonplayschool.ca or
call the school at 780.461.3449.
Discovery Daycare
A place for fun and learning, Discovery Daycare is located
on the corner of 87 Ave. and 91 Street. It is an accredited daycare and has been owned and operated by
Josie Lauzon since October 15, 1999. Care is provided for
infants to kindergarten age. Please feel free to visit our
facility. Our hours are from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. Phone:
780.468.3475.
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Rutherford Spirit
At Rutherford there is mo
re to your
Elementary school expe
rience than classes
and homework. Rutherfo
rd offers a wide
variety of clubs, trips, an
d fun school spirit
events to enrich your ch
ild’s experience at
school. Here is just a sam
ple of the clubs
and leadership opportunit
ies available.
AMA Patrols
Sc ience Olympics
Running Club
Gardening Club
Of fice Helpers
Wooden Spoons Club
Tech Club
Young Announcers
Intramurals
Recycling Club
Nature/Art/Photography Clu
b Librar y Club
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Open House
"Come and see what
Rutherford is all about"
Thursday March 19, 2015
6:30-7:30 pm
“It wasn’t until the Rutherford open house that
we made our choice of schools. Once we walked
into Rutherford, met the Kindergarten teacher
and staff, spoke with other parents, and felt the
positive vibrant school community, we made the
choice to come to Rutherford.”
Rutherford Open House
You’re invited to:
• Meet the school staff, teachers and principal
• Tour the school
• View student projects and work, speak to current
parents & parent council members
• Experience the warm, friendly school
atmosphere
Just for Kindergarten
• Learn about the kindergarten curriculum
• Get information on the kindergarten registration
process
• Book a “Step Up” visit for your child
• Talk to current kindergarten parents
• Get information on immunization, etc.
For more information on the Rutherford
Parent Council please contact the school.
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Partner Open Houses
Learning Through Play Montessori
Day Care and After School Care
The Day Care and the After School care rooms will be
open during the Open House. Staff will be available in
both rooms to answer your questions on the program,
philosophy, hours of operation and staffing. Children’s
work will be on display.
Montessori materials will be on display with a write-up
explaining what and how the material is used for childhood development. Staff will be available to explain the
intrinsic value of the didactic Montessori material.
Bonnie Doon Playschool
Bonnie Doon Playschool invites all interested families
to visit their Open House on March 25, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Located upstairs in Rutherford School, please come and
meet our teachers, view the classroom and learn more
about the program. Registration forms will be available.
Playschool and Montessori staff will be on site during
the Rutherford Open House.
Rutherford School 8620 91 Street Edmonton
780.466.2891