News from the Peel Board, November 2014
The following are news and informational items from the board for the Month of November.
For more information, please check out the board website or call us at the school.
Peel board students have choice
Explore program options at makingmyway.ca
Students have different needs, interests and abilities—our schools offer great educational opportunities
to help all students achieve. For students looking for a more focused, specialized program, here are
some options:
Regional programs start in grades 6, 7 and 9
Students in regional programs still complete all of the requirements of the Ontario curriculum, but there
is an increased focus on an area of interest. Programs include:
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Actively in Motion (AIM)
Advanced Placement
Arts
Arts and Technology
Graphic Design Management: Flexography
International Baccalaureate
International Business and Technology
International and Executive Leadership Academy
SciTech
Sports
Strings
Truck and Coach Technology
Specialist High Skills Major programs start in grade 11
Specialist High Skills Major programs allow students to focus their learning on a specific economic
sector, while meeting the requirements to graduate from secondary school. Students gain sectorrecognized certification and career-relevant training. The programs support the transition after
graduation to apprenticeship training, college, university or the workplace. Peel board schools offer
Specialist High Skills Major programs in the following area.
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Arts & Culture
Business and Entrepreneurial Studies
Construction
Environment
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Health and Wellness
Hospitality and Tourism
Information and Communications Technology
Justice, Community Safety and Emergency Services
Manufacturing
Non-Profit
Sports
Transportation
More options for Peel board students
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co-operative education programs provide workplace experience
extended French starts in grade 7
dual credit programs allow student to earn college credits at the same time as secondary school credits
alternative programs are available for students who need flexible school hours, are dealing with unique
situations, or require more support
Our guidance counsellors can help students determine which courses will best meet their needs,
interests and abilities—contact the school to make an appointment.
For more information about regional programs, Specialist High Skills Major programs and other
programs of choice available to Peel board students, visit www.makingmyway.ca.
Choose Action on Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week
The Peel District School Board will recognize Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week during the week
of November 16 to 22.
Across the Peel board, schools use many programs and initiatives to prevent bullying and to intervene
when bullying happens. Though the programs vary, their messages are consistent. Students are taught
to:
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define bullying
identify forms of bullying
identify roles in bullying relationships, for example the person who bullies, the target, the
bystander or the trusted advocate
determine how to safely “choose action” to prevent and intervene in bullying & harassment
demonstrate character attributes and be a leader to help maintain positive and safe school
communities
Every school has a Climate for Learning and Working Team which is required to develop a Bullying
Prevention and Intervention Plan as part of the School Success Plan. Also, every employee who is
involved in the care and service of students is obligated to report in writing to the school administration
any action for which the principal must consider suspension or expulsion. Bullying is an offence that
must be considered for suspension.
Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week is one of the key items contained in Bill 13: The Accepting
Schools Act, that came into effect on September 1, 2012. For more information, visit:
www.peelschools.org/aboutus/safeschools/bullying/ or
www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/safeschools/prevention.html
Is French Immersion right for my child?
If your child will be starting grade 1 in September 2015, one of the important choices you will make is
whether you want to register your child in French Immersion.
What is the program like? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the program?
One way to help answer these questions is to attend the information meeting on Thursday, Nov. 20,
2014 at 7 p.m. at the French Immersion school your child would attend.
To find out the French Immersion school your child would attend:
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call the school in your area
visit our website www.peelschools.org/French
call 905-890-1010 or 1-800-668-1146 ext. 2212
Registration
Registration for Grade 1 French Immersion for the 2015-16 school year will be available online at
www.peelschools.org/French on Monday Nov. 24, 2014 at 9 a.m.
The deadline to register is Friday, Jan. 30, 2015 at 4 p.m. Registrants after that date will be put on a
waiting list.
A French Immersion enrolment cap is in place. This means that a specific number of spots are available
for students entering grade 1 French Immersion. A random selection process will be used to identify
students gaining entrance into the program. For more information about the random selection process
visit www.peelschools.org/French.
Important dates
Information meeting
Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014 at 7 p.m.
Registration opens
Monday Nov. 24, 2014 at 9 a.m.
Registration deadline
Friday, Jan. 30, 2015 at 4 p.m.
For more information
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visit www.peelschools.org/French
call your nearest French Immersion school
talk with parents who have children in the French Immersion program
visit the Canadian Parents for French website at http://on.cpf.ca/
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.
Need help in math? Free tutoring now available online
Math students in grades 7 to 10 can access live, interactive online math help by visiting
www.homeworkhelp.ilc.org. Homework Help is free, real-time math tutoring by certified Ontario
teachers.
Students can log in from Sunday to Thursday, between 5:30 and 9:30 p.m. for individualized confidential
math tutoring. There are discussion rooms for each grade where students can join and see what
questions other students are asking, watch the tutors draw on the whiteboard – and ask their own
question for on-the-spot help.
Students will also find 24/7 discussion rooms, video lessons and commonly asked questions. Other
online math resources include math games and a virtual locker, where students can save their work.
Homework Help is a project funded by the Ministry of Education.
Help your child prepare for tests
Many students will become anxious at the thought of writing a test. Anxiety about an upcoming test can
affect a child's behaviour, thoughts and actions. Here are some ways you can help minimize anxiety at
test time:
Organize & Prepare
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Encourage your child not to leave assignments, studying and homework to the last minute.
Schedule time for review and work on assignments each day.
Establish a regular time of the day for homework, studying etc.
Make the home a homework-friendly environment where learning is regular routine.
Remove distractions like the television, phones, computers when studying.
Tell your child to make sure tests and due dates are marked in their agenda.
Practice
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Encourage your child to think about ‘what, when, where and how’ when preparing/completing
assignments.
Develop practice tests and help them anticipate questions.
Review previous exercises.
When appropriate, encourage your child to pair up with a friend to review information and
brainstorm.
Build learning into family activities— suggest keeping a journal, writing a report or a news article
about family events, outings or trips and include photos.
Be in the know
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Check out the curriculum for your child’s grade level (available as PDF files at
www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum)
Ask your child’s teacher about major topics studied and how these topics are structured—
homework, assignments, exercises
Use your child’s agenda to communicate with their teacher—ask questions, check for homework
tips, etc.
Winter bus safety
The following winter school bus safety tips will help to keep your child safe throughout the
winter months.
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Allow extra time to get to your bus stop.
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Wear bright clothing so the bus can see you in the early morning and late evening.
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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.
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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:
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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.