Give what you can on United Way Giving Day – Feb. 9, 2016
At the Peel District School Board, our mission is to inspire success, confidence and hope in each
student – each and every day. Yet we know that there are many needs in our community that
we can’t address on our own, like providing food for families that may go without or supporting
communities after a crisis. That’s why we are holding a board-wide giving day in support of
United Way of Peel Region, a key partner and supporter of Peel families.
This year, the Peel board has declared Feb. 9 as United Way Giving Day to raise much needed
funds for United Way of Peel Region and the network of social service agencies it supports.
Whether it’s providing shelter for a mother and her children in Brampton, matching a child who
is at risk with a mentor in Caledon, or funding a breakfast program in Mississauga for youth that
would otherwise go hungry, United Way of Peel Region offers hope and possibility to thousands
in our community.
A donation of:
 $2 may go towards a warm winter coat for a child.
 $10 supports a child with interactive, recreational outings for one year, including healthy
snacks and transportation, to help them build their social skills and self-esteem.
 $25 matches a teen with a caring adult mentor who will meet with him or her several times
each month for fun activities.
This is a completely voluntary campaign and any contributions are welcome. Whether you send
a loonie, toonie or cheque made out to your child’s school, your contribution will make a
difference. Pledges of $25 or more will automatically receive a tax receipt from United Way of
Peel Region. To receive a receipt, you must fill out the pledge form on the back and send it to
school with your donation by March 29, 2016.
Thank you for lending a helping hand to those who need it most. Together, we can Inspire
Possibility!
Closing schools due to bad weather
During the winter months, we may need to cancel buses or close schools because of inclement weather.
Information regarding details of cancellations or closures will be posted as soon as possible at
www.peelschools.org, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Peelschools, and on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/peelschools. You can also call in using 905-890-1010 or 1-800-668-1146.
It's time to register children born in 2012 for kindergarten
We inspire success, confidence and hope in each student…and it all starts in kindergarten! If your child was
born in 2012, he or she can start kindergarten in September 2016. You can register your child at any time
during regular school hours—just visit the school he/she will be attending to register.
Peel schools will also hold a Kindergarten Registration Week with special registration activities during Feb. 1 to
4, 2016. Visit Tecumseh Public School from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 1, 2, 3 and 4 and from 5 to 8 p.m. on Feb.
4.
Help your teen plan for grade 9 course selections for 2016-17
Soon, current grade 8 students will select their courses for grade 9. Before they do, we want to ensure that
they have the opportunity to consult with their teachers, guidance counsellor, if applicable, and their parents.
As our partners, families are encouraged to help prepare their teens for course selection. We encourage you
to become familiar with the process by creating a myBlueprint account. Additionally, parents/guardians and
students can review Chart Your Course, the Peel District School Board’s common course calendar, at
www.peelschools.org/students/commoncoursecalendar. This guide will help you understand the course
selection process and provide information on the courses and programs offered in Peel secondary schools.
You can also visit www.myBlueprint.ca/Peel, an online planning tool that includes the following:
 high school planner for course selection
 goal-setting
 career spectrum for finding your learning style
 occupation planner for exploring careers
 post-secondary planner for opportunities after high school
The grade 9 course selection process will be open from Jan. 4 to Jan. 22, 2016. If you have questions or are
looking for course suggestions, please contact your teen’s teachers or guidance counsellor.
Jump start your future with Explore High Skills, a specialized program for grade
9, 10 students
Explore High Skills (EHS) is a Peel District School Board pathway program that allows secondary schools with
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) programs to offer a unique specialized program choice for grade 9 and 10
students. The program will open with grade 9 only during the 2016-17 school year. Starting September 2016,
grade 9 students will have the opportunity to participate in one of the EHS programs at any of the following
schools:
Explore High Skills Programs 2015-16
Secondary school
Arts and Culture
Cawthra Park
Heart Lake
Business
Harold M. Brathwaite
Meadowvale
North Park
Sandalwood Heights
TL Kennedy
Construction and Engineering
Meadowvale
Health and Wellness
Mississauga
Hospitality and Tourism
Rick Hansen
Turner Fenton
Information and Communications Technology
Castlebrooke
Heart Lake
TL Kennedy
Justice, Community Safety and Emergency Services
Harold M. Brathwaite
Manufacturing
Rick Hansen
Sports
Castlebrooke
EHS is a specialized program with unique learning experiences designed to engage grade 9 students as they
transition to high school. Students can focus their learning on an area of interest as they build self-confidence
and learn essential skills. Through experiential learning and certification programs, students develop a sense
of belonging in their school community.
There are no program fees and no application fees associated with EHS programs. Busing will not be
provided. This sector-based program is available to grade 9 students at all skill levels and in all pathways.
Grade 8 students/families can apply online or get additional information at
www.peelschools.org/ExploreHighSkills. The application is open from Jan. 4 to 22, 2016.
Apply for Extended French by Jan. 29, 2016
If your child will be starting grade 7 in September 2016, one of the important choices you will make is whether
you want to consider Extended French (EF). To find out more about the program, visit
www.peelschools.org/French
The application form for Grade 7 EF for the 2016-17 school year will be available online at
www.peelschools.org/French as of Monday Nov. 23, 2015 at 1 p.m.
The deadline to apply is Friday, Jan. 29, 2016 at 4 p.m. Applications received after the deadline will be placed
on the school’s waitlist.
The EF school for our area is Green Glade Senior Public School. The phone number is 905-822-8386
How to get more information
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Visit the Peel board website—www.peelschools.org/French.
Call Green Glade Senior Public School at 905-822-8386.
Visit the Canadian Parents for French website at http://on.cpf.ca/.
Apply for French Immersion by Jan. 29, 2016
If your child will be starting grade 1 in September 2016, one of the important choices you will make is whether
you want to consider French Immersion (FI). To find out more about the program, visit
www.peelschools.org/French
The application form for grade 1 FI for the 2016-17 school year will be available online at
www.peelschools.org/French as of Monday, Nov. 23, 2015 at 1 p.m. The deadline to apply is Friday, Jan. 29,
2016 at 4 p.m. Applications received after the deadline will not be included in the random selection process
and will be placed on the school’s waitlist.
The FI school for our area is Riverside Public School. The phone number is 905-274-1515
Enrolment cap and random selection process
As there is a grade 1 FI enrolment cap in place, there are a limited number of spots available for students
entering the program. The cap is set at 25 per cent of all Peel students enrolled in grade 1.
Spots are not assigned on a first come, first served basis. A random selection process system is used to identify
students gaining entrance into the grade 1 FI program.
All students who apply by the deadline will be assigned a rank using a computerized random selection
process. Once students have been assigned to all available spots, remaining students will be placed, again in
rank order, on the school's waitlist. Each school has its own waitlist.
How to get more information
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Visit the Peel board website—www.peelschools.org/French.
Call Riverside Public School at 905-274-1515.
Visit the Canadian Parents for French website at http://on.cpf.ca/.
Special technology offers for Peel board students, parents and staff
Does your child need a computer or tablet for school? Equity of access to technology is a key priority for
the Peel board. That's why we've worked with a number of technology companies to offer discounted devices
to Peel families and staff.
Renewed Computer Technology (RCT) offers low-cost, quality refurbished computers to families with a lowincome. Qualified applicants can purchase:
 desktop for $60
 laptop for $150
Prices include software, a two-year warranty and tax. For more information, contact RCT directly, call 905-7950627 or visit their website at www.rcto.ca.
Peel families now have access to the following exclusive offers from VIG Solutions:
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Intel Dual Core, 2GB, 160GB computer with a 17-inch LCD monitor -- $110
10-inch netbook with 1GB ram, 160GB hard drive, Wi-Fi capability and Windows 7 -- $60.
Taxes and shipping will be applied to product costs, and all items come with a six-month warranty. To
purchase products, visit www.refurbitstock.ca/peel and enter peelregion before proceeding.
Microsoft
Microsoft offers reduced pricing on select products. For more information, visit
http://pdsb.me/1X2RtMF.
The Peel board’s initiatives are part of the ongoing effort to create greater equity of access to technology for
Peel students, parents and staff and do not represent an endorsement of any company or product. For all
BYOD information, visit www.peelschools.org/aboutus/21stcentury/byod.
Conference helps parents make a difference in numeracy and beyond
The Peel District School Board is hosting its annual parent conference on Saturday, April 2, 2016, at Rick
Hansen Secondary School in Mississauga. Once again, the conference will focus on numeracy—25 out of 60
workshops help with math. Parents will still have the opportunity to attend workshops on other topics,
including literacy, special education and science.
This free learning event is open to Peel parents of students at all grade levels.
Registration opens February 1, 2016
Stay up-to-date!
For more information, look out for the conference flyer at your child's school or visit
www.peelschools.org/parents/conference.
Nutritious lunches help children learn
Use Canada’s Food Guide to help your child get nutrients and energy needed to have a successful school day.
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Try to give your child some choice about what to take for lunch. If possible, get your child involved in
preparing meals.
Give your child a variety of healthy choices. Keeping your child interested in lunch is the first step to
making sure it is eaten.
Make the food easy to eat. If it will take your child a few minutes to unwrap a sandwich, it may be skipped.
Resist the temptation to routinely send sweets, pop, chips and cookies in your child's lunch. Save treats for
special occasions.
Try to avoid fast food or pre-packaged, convenience lunches, which are often high in salt and fat.
Do your best to role model healthy eating behaviours for your family.
To speak to a registered dietitian about healthy food choices, call EatRight Ontario at 1-877-510-5102.
For more information about the policy, visit http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/healthyschools. If you have
questions about how we are implementing the School Food and Beverage Policy, please call the school.