Education
Head Start Program
Mission and Philosophy
The Mistawasis First Nation Aboriginal On Reserve Head Start Program is designed to develop skills for children and their families to ensure the children’s future success in the school system.
The needs of the children will be given the highest priority. The Mistawasis First Nation Aboriginal On Reserve Head Start Program implements a developmentally appropriate Early Childhood Program, which builds a child’s sense of identity, self-confidence and self-worth. It also develops responsibility in children by offering choices and respecting their decision-making skills. The Mistawasis First Nation Aboriginal On Reserve Head Start Program is seen as an extension of the home environment where children can grow socially, emotionally, physically, intellectually, culturally and spiritually.
Objectives
- Assist in the growth of social interactions among children, teaching respect, co-operation and sharing.
- Teach pre-academic skills using existing resources and systems.
- Follow First Nations Daycare Standards.
- Ensure that the facility and program is open, accessible, friendly and inviting to families.
- Provide an assessment, referral and access to community resources.
- Provide First Nations traditions and cultures, utilizing Elders, Role Models and materials, which are culturally relevant.
- Provide support and assistance to parents and families.
Operations
The Mistawasis First Nation Aboriginal On Reserve Head Start Program is open Monday to Friday, 9:00 A.M.-3:00 P.M. (Same hours as Chief Mistawasis School, operating from September to June.
- Friday is the designated Parent / Child Involvement Day.
- In order for a child to attend Head Start on Friday, a parent or Legal guardian must be in attendance with the child 100% of the day.
- If the child’s parent or guardian is not present, then the child will not be allowed to be present at Head Start on that given Friday.
The Mistawasis First Nation Chief and Council will close the Mistawasis First Nation Aboriginal On Reserve Head Start Program on statutory holidays, civic holidays and other days as specified. The Mistawasis First Nation Aboriginal On Reserve Head Start Program Staff provide a 1:10 child-staff ratio for preschool age children.
Activities in the Program
The Mistawasis First Nation Aboriginal On Reserve Head Start Program offers a safe and nurturing environment that provides healthy snacks in the morning and afternoon. The program provides a daily balance of active/quiet; indoor/outdoor and individual/group activities that are developmentally appropriate and are child initiated. It’s flexible to allow for a child’s individual needs in the areas of physical growth, mental growth, language skills, emotional maturity and social skills.
Six Program Components
- Culture and Language-Aboriginal culture and language providing children and families with a positive sense of themselves and their community.
- Education/Preparation for School Readiness-Support and encourage life long learning.
- Health Promotion-Empower families with the knowledge to maintain or improve their health.
- Nutrition-Ensuring children and families are learning about receiving proper nutrition.
- Social Support-Creating awareness of the resources and community service available.
- Parental and Family Involvement-Supporting the family as the primary teacher of the child.
What we do in Head start
Circle Time is a group gathering during which we share our ideas, plans and observations. Circle activities are designed to stimulate youngsters’ thinking, enrich their social skills, and expand their attention spans. This is a group gathering during which we share our ideas, plans and observations. Circle Time is a time when basic concepts; colors numbers, shapes, opposites, prepositions, fine and gross motor, cognitive, creative, social and language skills are developed.
At Group time with story, song, flannel board, or other language activity the children are offered a large block of time to self-select from a variety of activities. “A wide variety of well-planned activities reinforce the objectives and theme of the curriculum.
Children are encouraged to engage in social interactions, making choices, observe, experiment, explore, interact, and be autonomous. Children are empowered to develop their own thoughts, feelings, bodies and adults support them in communicating their ideas, making links, being curious, and interacting actively with the world around them.
Post-Secondary Education
Application
The following documents are needed for a complete application are:
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- Post-Secondary Application forms
- Letter of intent
- Photocopy of Treaty card – front and back
- Acceptance letter from the institution
- High school transcripts
- Post-Secondary transcripts (if applicable)
Download ApplicationPolicy
- students must reapply for funding for each year
- course outline for each class with instructor’s name and number before Sept 15 and Jan 15
- academic profile (classes needed/classes taken for program completion) before Sept 15 and second profile to follow before Jan 15
- signed declarations before the 15th of each month of funding, beginning September through to April
Intakes
Fall: September – June 15
Winter: January – October 15
Spring/Summer: March 15
2023-24 Scholarship Application
Chief Mistawasis School is located on the Mistawasis First Nation in North Central Saskatchewan. The school has Kindergarten to Grade Eight with an awesome Daycare Center and a nationally recognized Headstart Program. The school is a very busy place as it is the Hub of the community. Visitors are always welcome to stop by and say “TANSI”.
