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Fundraising Update

Thank you to all of the families who participated in our Lamontagne Fundraiser. We completed the fundraising sales on November 30th. Two early-bird draws were held. The first draw was on Friday, November 20, 2015 and Stereo Headphones were won by Brooklyn in Kindergarten and Shy’Ann in Grade 3. The second draw was on Wednesday, November 25, 2015 and Giant Goonie Birds were won by Ariel in Grade 3 and Shakira in Grade 5. The top sellers will be announced in our January newsletter.

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.

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 Hanover 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
  • Canadianpassport
  • 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

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

The application form for grade 1 FI for the 2016-17 school year will be available online at 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 Russell D. Barber P.S. The phone number is (905) 455-7177

Enrolment cap and random selection process

As there is a grade 1 FIenrolment cap in place, there are a limited number ofspots 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 ona 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 acomputerized 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—

Call Russell D. Barber P.S. at (905) 455-7177

  • Visit the Canadian Parents for French website at

Special technology offers for Peel board students, parents and staff

Does your child need a computer or tablet for school? Equity of access to technologyis a key priority for thePeel 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

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 and enter peelregion before proceeding.

Microsoft

Microsoft offers reduced pricing on select products. For more information, visit

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

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 .

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