Have a Fantastic Group of Grades 4, 5, 6 and 7 Students Meeting Weekly to Learn

From the Guidance Office. . .

The Canadian Red Cross First Aid and Safety First Course is up and running. We

have a fantastic group of grades 4, 5, 6 and 7 students meeting weekly to learn

about safety and decision-making when home alone.

Thanks to Cathy McEwen.

Regional Programs!!

Please visit:

to make yourself aware of the Regional Programs available for Grades 6, 7 and 9 students.

Start thinking about High School. Now is the time that our grade 8’s begin considering their options for Secondary School. Ms. Kunica has met with both grade 8 classes to share with them some general information about high school as well as to inform them of the various Regional Programs offered in Peel. Due to the changing community, our grade 8 students will be attending Brampton Centennial Secondary School for grade 9 next year. Please ensure to ask your grade 8 student to share his/her myblueprint account. It is here where students select their courses for high school.

Any families interested in having their child attend a private or Catholic high school, are required to obtain any registration information from selected the high school.

Brampton Centennial Orientation: Earlier this month, our grade 8’s visited BCSS for an Orientation Day. They participated in a Math Olympic Challenge and had the opportunity to tour

the school. Please chat with your child’s teacher or the guidance counsellor

to discuss various high school pathways and courses. It is important to consider

the recommendations given by your child’s teacher and to choose courses which will

enable success.

Keep us in the Loop! If you are moving or have a change of personal information (contact numbers, address, emergency contacts etc), please contact the office.

Check out these FantasticWebsites!!

• (login: peel; password: 28650)

Quote of the Month:

Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.
~Mark Twain

Date

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:

• 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 sector-recognized 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.

• Arts & Culture

• Business and Entrepreneurial Studies
• Construction
• Environment
• 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

• 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

Peel Board Advantage Education Fair on Nov. 8

If you live in Brampton or Caledon, plan to attend the Peel Board Advantage Education Fair at Harold M. Brathwaite Secondary School on Nov. 8. Drop by between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to learn about our middle schools with regional programs and secondary schools in Brampton, Caledon and Malton. Staff and students will be available to answer questions about the schools’ academic and extracurricular programs.

The day will also include student musical performances and sport games in the gymnasium. Snacks will be provided.

Choose Actionon 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:

• 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: or

Is Extended French right for my child?

If your child will be starting grade 7 in September 2015, one of the important choices you will make is whether you want to register your child in Extended French.

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 Extended French school your child would attend.

To find out the Extended French school your child would attend:

• call the school in your area
• visit our website
• call 905-890-1010 or 1-800-668-1146 ext. 2212

Registration

Registration for Grade 7 Extended French for the 2015-16 school year will be available online at 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.

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

• visit
• call your nearest Extended French school

• talk with parents who have children in the Extended French program
• visit the Canadian Parents for French website at

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:

• call the school in your area
• visit our website
• 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 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 ofspots 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 .

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

• visit
• 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

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

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 Homework Helpis 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

• 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

• 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

• Check out the curriculum for your child’s grade level (available as PDF files at
• 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.

• 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.