FORT ASSINIBOINE – The Pembina Hills School Division board has approved a new early learning (pre-kindergarten) program for the Fort Assiniboine School for the 2025/2026 school year.
Area parents who are interested in enrolling their children are encouraged to contact the Pembina Hills School Division.
“We have early learning programs in every one of our other elementary schools,” said Brett Cooper, Superintendent of the Pembina Hills School Division.
These inclusive programs are focused on 3- and 4-year-old children and promotes activities to prepare children for school readiness.
Specifically, children who will be 3 years old by Dec. 31 (born in 2022), and 4-year-olds (born in 2021), are encouraged to enroll.
The early learning program has specialized services with a certified teacher, and children may have access to school facilities like sensory rooms, gymnasiums and other location features.
The program supports pre-kindergarten children needing developmental supports for cognitive, physical, and social-emotional conditions.
Self-care skills including independent eating and toileting skills are part of support services within the Early Learning program.
The type of program offered will be dependent on the number of children that are enrolled.
Trustee Maureen Schnirer asked if the program will help elevate the registration numbers for the school.
Cooper confirmed that pre-kindergarten enrolment would increase the total registration numbers for Fort Assiniboine School.
Registration numbers have been marginal, and the Pembina Hills School Division board has discussed the possibility of school closure but there are no planned actions to close the school at this time.
Higher registration numbers would protect the school from closure.
There are currently eight students registered for kindergarten at the Fort Assiniboine School.
Some of the elementary schools have a blended program.
The early learning program is combined with kindergarten programs when enrolment numbers are under a full class size allotment.
Dunstable School is an example of this where the classes are blended, according to Cooper.
Applications for the Early Learning program at the Fort Assiniboine School are available on the Pembina Hills School Division website.
