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 announced on radio and
television stations listed below and posted at www.peelschools.org and www.stopr.ca.
Information will also be available on Twitter @Peelschools, Facebook at
www.facebook.com/peelschools or by calling 905-890-1010 or 1-800-668-1146.
VIRGIN RADIO FM99.9
CFNY FM102.1/AM640
CFRB AM1010
FM Z103.5
CHIN FM100.7/AM1540
CITYPULSE
CHUM AM1050
CJCL AM590
EZ ROCK FM97.3
FM93.1
CBC99.1
GLOBAL NEWS
CFTR AM680
CHFI FM98.1
CJBC (FR) AM860
FM Q107
CTV
One of the following messages will be announced (highlighted text only):
Peel District School Board buses are cancelled.
This means that schools remain open for students and staff, but buses are cancelled. Bus
cancellations could occur in all or parts of municipalities. Buses will remain cancelled all day. All
activities that require bussing will also be cancelled. Permits, night school classes, child care and
other activities in schools will operate as usual.
All Peel District School Board schools and board offices are closed.
This means that all schools and Board offices are closed to students and staff. All activities in
schools and board offices are also cancelled, including child care, night school and permits.
All evening programs and permits at the Peel District School Board are cancelled.
This means that all activities in schools and Board offices are cancelled, including continuing
education courses and events. The buildings will be closed.
All weekend programs and permits at the Peel District School Board are cancelled.
This means that all activities in schools and Board offices are cancelled, including continuing
education courses and events. The buildings will be closed.
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 Parkway 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.
What you will need to bring to registration
Proof of child's age (one of the following)
 Canadian birth certificate
 Canadian passport
 citizenship card/certificate
 Permanent Resident Card
 confirmation of permanent residence
 work permit
 refugee permit
Proof of address (one of the following)
 Ontario driver's license
 utility bill
 bank statement/client slip (directly from financial institution)
 credit card statement
 federal government forms (e.g. Social Insurance Number, Service Canada
documents)
 purchase agreement
Proof of custody – children must live with their parent(s) unless provided documentation
supports an alternate living arrangement
Proof of immunization – proof that your child has been immunized/vaccinated
Help your family stay warm this winter
Canada Safety Council recommends the following tips for staying comfortable and preventing
hypothermia when working or playing outdoors:








Wear a warm hat—most body heat is lost through the head. Children should keep an
extra hat at school.
Wear layered clothing. Layers allow warm air to stay trapped around the body.
Protect your feet and hands. Wear loose waterproof boots. If the boots have liners,
carry an extra pair to replace damp ones or take an extra pair of socks. Invest in thick
socks to keep your feet warm. Mittens are warmer than gloves. Carry an extra pair of
mittens to school, on outings, etc.
Prevent dehydration and exhaustion, which can lead to hypothermia. Drink plenty of
fluids and pace yourself when doing vigorous activities.
Stay fit by exercising and eating well—people who are fit are less susceptible to
hypothermia.
If you stay indoors, avoid moving from a hot environment to a cold one. Excessive
sweating caused from an extreme change in temperature increases the risk of
developing hypothermia.
Eat high-energy food such as nuts and raisins. A balanced diet will also help keep you
warm and healthy in the winter.
If you are travelling (on the road or in the wilderness) carry emergency supplies.
Winter bus safety
The following winter school bus safety tips will help to keep your child safe throughout the winter
months.

Allow extra time to get to your bus stop.

Wear bright clothing so the bus can see you in the early morning and late evening.


Stand away from where the bus stops. Buses need extra room to stop when there is snow and ice.
Use the handrail when boarding or exiting the bus to prevent slipping on wet or icy steps or road
surfaces.
Dress properly—winter clothing, hats, and boots will keep you warm.
Don't throw snowballs at the bus or other children waiting for the bus.
Don't slide on the snow or ice patches in driveways or on the street.
Don't push or shove around the bus. Someone could fall down on the ice and get hurt.




On very rare occasions, buses are late because of weather conditions or mechanical problems. Talk to
your child about what to do if the bus is late. Here are some suggestions:




When possible, wait with your child for the bus.
Make sure your child knows a phone number where he can reach you or another trusted adult.
Teach your child how and where to get help. Talk to your child about what a "safe" stranger is.
Help your child set up a bus stop buddy system so your child has someone to wait with for the bus.
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 Dorset Drive P. S. The phone number is 905 793 5210.
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



Visit the Peel board website—www.peelschools.org/French
Call Dorset Drive P.S. at 905 793 5210.
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
low-income. 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
905-795-0627 or visit their website at www.rcto.ca.
Peel families now have access to the following exclusive
offers from VIG Solutions:


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.
Time for school - A parent’s guide to regular school attendance
Elementary school is a wonderful time in the life of a child, a time of great strides in learning and in
social and emotional development. Many things affect your child’s success, from the quality of his or her
teachers, to the makeup of the class. One of the most important factors is your child’s regular and timely
attendance.
Getting to class on time, and avoiding absences, are critical if your child is to get the most out of school.
It seems obvious. But the fact is that elementary students tend to miss and average of eight or more
school days during the year. What can you as a parent do to help ensure your child’s proper attendance?
Is your child missing more? Why does attendance matter?
First, understand that getting to school–every day and on time–matters at every level, perhaps even
more so in elementary school. That’s because important learning occurs daily, right from the start of
class. And because you establish patterns early on. By being punctual and responsible, children are
acquiring positive habits about school attendance. Some other things to consider:








By being late, children miss important social time with their peers before school begins.
Students who are late often feel embarrassed or self-conscious.
Late arrivals can disrupt the routine of the classroom.
A last-minute rush can be stressful for the child, and get her to school in the wrong frame of mind.
Missing even five or 10 minutes of the day can make it harder for the student to understand the
material being taught.
Frequent absenteeism leads to gaps in a child’s skills and knowledge base, cause the child to fall
behind his peers and hurt his self-esteem.
Too many missed school days can increase isolation, as the child stands out from her classmates and
misses opportunities to develop socially.
Absenteeism makes it tougher for the child to develop a good rapport with the teachers.
When Time is Ticking
Few homes run like clockwork. The morning routine, especially, can be a mad scramble. But there are
effective strategies for getting your little one up and out the door on time.






Get your child to bed at a reasonable hour.
Set realistic and consistent schedules and rules at home. Getting ready for school should be part of
the child’s overall routine, something that’s expected of him every day.
The night before school, do whatever is necessary to shave time in the morning, such as setting out
clothes, packing lunch, and setting schoolbags at the door.
Have a set morning routine that the child can easily follow, i.e washing hands and face, going to the
bathroom, dressing, making the bed, brushing teeth, and eating a healthy breakfast.
Avoid any distractions that can slow the child down, like TV or games.
If you’re running late regularly, set your alarm to get up earlier.
Is it a sick day?
Children do get sick sometimes – they are still developing natural resistance to certain infections, their
hygiene behaviours are still developing and germs spread more easily in a classroom. So some missed
school is unavoidable, for the child’s own well-being, and the protection of her classmates. But there are
ways to cut down on sick days.





Teach your child about proper handwashing, after going to the bathroom, playing outside or wiping
his nose.
Follow other healthy habits, from eating nutritious food to getting enough sleep.
Some symptoms make school attendance uncomfortable, like a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. But if
you’re unsure whether your child is sick enough to miss school, talk to your doctor.
Some children pretend to be sick to avoid school. Ask yourself is the child’s symptoms are vague,
(i.e. a headache, upset stomach, fatigue), if your child tends to miraculously recover just after school
starts or ends, or if the illness is happening during stressful times at school or at home. Allowing
your child to remain home when there’s no real illness sets a bad pattern.
If you decide to keep your child home, inform the school and keep the child in bed or doing quiet,
low-key activities. A day off from school shouldn’t be a holiday, it should be a time to recuperate
from illness, so the child can return as soon as possible.
Set the right example
Children follow the lead of their parents. If you place an importance on regular and prompt school
attendance, so will your child.





Show interest in your child’s education by asking about the school day, celebrating school successes,
attending school events and parent-teacher interviews, volunteering at school, and communicating
with your child’s teacher. The more you value school, the more your child will.
Provide a home environment that encourages learning and curiosity.
Treat the school hours with respect. If you have to make an appointment for your child, arrange it
before or after school or, if that’s not possible, at the very beginning or end of the day.
When it comes to planning family trips, some parents will factor in the schedule in the higher
grades, but think little of pulling their child out of school. If anything, younger students can be
affected more when they miss an extended period, finding it tough to relearn classroom routines
and rejoin their peer group. Learning is cumulative, building on the skills and concepts that were
introduced before. And this process is ongoing. Family trips can be wonderful learning experiences
themselves. But if they must occur during the school year, please save them for scheduled breaks.
If your child resists going to school, for no apparent reason, talk to him or her about any possible
problems with the school, teacher or other kids. However, don’t give in to coaxing, pleading or
threatening and keep the child at home. That creates a bad precedent.
Need more information?
If you have any questions regarding any of the issues raised here about lateness or attendance, or if
you’re looking for other tips on getting your child to school, please talk to us. By working together, we
can help support a more successful school experience for your child. Visit our website at
www.peelschools.org.
Subscribe to receive news from the Peel board
Take advantage of our electronic subscription service to automatically receive updates from the Peel
District School Board. Subscribing is easy  just visit our website at www.peelschools.org and click on
the subscription link under "Quick Links."
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 at www.peelschools.org and
www.stopr.ca.
You can also subscribe to receive:
News releases
Keep up with the news at the Peel board. Subscribe to receive Peel board news releases to learn more
about board news and school events.
Board agendas
Learn more about Peel board meetings by subscribing to receive agendas. Meetings of the board are
open to the public and are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month.
Board highlights
Briefing is a newsletter with highlights of decisions made by trustees at board meetings. It is sent out on
the second and fourth Thursday of every month and immediately following any special board meetings.
Job postings for non-teaching staff
Learn about each new non-teaching job that is posted on the Peel board's Job Board.
Follow us on social media
Social media is the easiest and fastest way to stay connected to the amazing things
happening in the Peel District School Board.
Follow @Peelschools on
Twitter to:
 learn about our schools and programs
 find out if buses are cancelled during bad
weather
 share the Peel smile
Follow @Peelschools on
Instagram where we share
motivational and inspirational
#PeelProud moments.
Follow Peel schools
on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/peelschools.
Our school is on social media too!
Follow us on Twitter @XXXX, on Instagram @XXXX and on
Facebook at www.facebook.com/XXXX.