November 2017

From Miss Breen: Parents, be in the know!

Important Dates:

November 6 – Class Photo Day (individual re-takes)

November 8 – Home & School and School Council meeting, 6pm (library)

November 10 – Remembrance Day Ceremony, 10:30am (gym). Everyone welcome

November 10 - Progress Reports Go Home

November 15 – Bomb threat drill

November 16 – Parent Teacher Conferences (evening)

November 17 – PD Day. NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS

November 18 – Home & School’s annual Winter Bazaar

December 6 – Senior Girls’ Volleyball Tournament

December 7 – Senior Boys’ Volleyball Tournament

December 13 – School Council and Home & School Meeting, 6pm (library)

December 15 – Monthly assembly (Grade 3 & Kindergarten)

December 22 – Last Day of School before winter holidays

There is a lot of information contained in the newsletter this month. I would ask you to take a moment and look through all of the different pieces of information as there may be some things that pertain to you and your child.

If you have a child in Grade 8, please take a moment to review some of the secondary program options for students. Peel offers a number of options for students so please take a moment to review what is available.

There is also information regarding bussing and in particular bus cancellations and closing of schools due to bad weather. Yes - we are heading into winter and sometimes the weather, and the

roads, can be unpredictable. Please note, that at anytime you can check the status of your child’s bus through STOPR. Simply go to the STOPR website for the most up-to-date information regarding bussing.

The website is at www.stopr.ca

Parents can also can sign-up to receive automatic email notification of delays or cancellations for their children’s bus run. Go to www.stopr.ca and click on the ‘bus delays and cancellations’ link and then click ‘subscription’ to sign-up for this service.

Parents are strongly encouraged to use this helpful resource.

The Winter Bazaar is coming! Details on page 3.

Later this month we will be having our Parent/Teacher

Conferences. The progress reports will be coming home next week

(November 10) and the conferences will be held in the evening of

November 16 and the morning of November 17th. Many of your

would have already signed up for those conference during the Open

House. The teachers will be sending you a confirmation/reminder

with the progress reports. If you did not have a chance to sign up for

a conference, don’t worry. You can still arrange a convenient time

with you child(ren)’s teacher to talk about their progress.

Parent Teacher Conferences

Milk, juice and snacks are always on sale, everyday, for $1 each. Fridays are $1 Cookie Day (2nd nutrition break).

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

SOLO Lunch (Lunches Made Easy

Catering)

Munch-a-Lunch Hot Lunch

Fresh Lunch

Lunches Made Easy provides nutritious and delicious homemade meals that are approved by the School Board’s healthy food policy.

Each Wednesday students have an option of either subs or chicken strips and on alternating Wednesday the choice is Pizza or Panzerotti.

Each Thursday your student will be able to create their own delicious lunch from a variety of options on the student friendly buffet, packed with fruits, vegetables and healthy grains and proteins, with a focus on local and seasonal food.

Prices average between $5-$6

Prices vary depending on food choice. Generally from $1.75 to $4.00

Cost - $6/week.

Runs October to June Contact Victoria for late orders

Runs from October to June

Runs Oct. 12 to Feb. 1 with a second session starting after Feb 1.

Information forms are in the office. Contact: Victoria DeVita at lunchesmadeeasy4@gmail.com

Forms are in the office. Contact: Palgrave United Community Kitchen (905-880-0303) or freshlunch@palgravekitchen.org

PEEL BOARD NEWS (click on link for more info)

Bullying Awareness & Prevention Week

Is Extended French right for your child?

Is French Immersion right for your child?

Bus cancellations & school closures due to bad weather

Peel Region High Performers Program

Regional Learning Choices, applications open Nov. 6

Explore High Skills, applications open Nov. 6

Community corner

Help your teen plan for Grade 9 course selections

Prevent the flu

Winter bus safety

Peel Custodial & Maintenance Workers’ Day Nov. 24

Book your child’s Back-to-School eye exam

Traffic safety

Parent resources to help you support your child’s learning

Subscribe to Peel Board news

United Way Giving Day, Nov. 15

2

Display your Palgrave Pride with school sweat pants!

Available in adult sizes (large, medium and small) and youth sizes (XL, large, medium and small). See Mr. Patten in the library for trial sizes.

Adult sizes $30; Youth sizes $25.

Buy them on Cash On-Line or at the book fair!

And coming soon: Gym Bags!

Get your Spirit Wear!

Food Programs at Palgrave

3

#chooseACTION on Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week

The Peel District School Board will recognize Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week during the week of Nov. 20 to 24, 2017. This year, we ask our Peel community to ‘#chooseACTION to be inclusive’ in their classes, offices, schools, or communities, in order to make these spaces better places for everyone. The Peel Board would like to hear about the big and small actions, the pledges, the promises and the attitudes that our Peel community value, and ask that you take a moment to share your #chooseACTION moments on social media. 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 the shifting 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 and

harassment understand that bullying is a relationship problem with relationship solutions determine positive ways to interact with others in an accepting, inclusive way demonstrate character attributes and be a leader to help maintain positive and safe school

communities

Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week is one of the key items contained in Bill 13: The Accepting Schools Act, that came into effect on Sept. 1, 2012. For more information, visit www.peelschools.org/aboutus/safeschools/bullying or www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/safeschools/prevention.html.

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Is Extended French right for my child? If your child will be starting grade 7 in September 2018, one of the important choices you will make is whether you want to apply for the Extended French (EF) program. 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. 23, 2017 at 7 p.m. at the EF school your child would attend. To find out the EF school your child would attend:

visit our website www.peelschools.org/French

call the school in your area Online application The application form for Grade 7 EF for the 2018-19 school year will be available online at www.peelschools.org/French on Friday, Nov. 24, 2017 at 1 p.m. The deadline to register is Friday, Jan. 26, 2018 at 4 p.m. Applications received after that date will be put on a waiting list. Important dates Information meeting Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017 at 7 p.m. Application process opens Friday, Nov. 24, 2017 at 1 p.m. Application deadline Friday, Jan. 26, 2018 at 4 p.m. For more information

visit www.peelschools.org/French

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 on.cpf.ca

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Is French Immersion right for my child? If your child will be starting grade 1 in September 2018, one of the important choices you will make is whether you want to apply for the French Immersion (FI) program. 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. 23, 2017 at 7 p.m. at the French Immersion school your child would attend. To find out the FI school your child would attend:

visit our website www.peelschools.org/French

call the school in your area Online application The application form for Grade 1 French Immersion for the 2018-19 school year will be available online at www.peelschools.org/Frenchon Friday, Nov. 24, 2017 at 1 p.m. The deadline to register is Friday, Jan. 26, 2018 at 4 p.m. Applications received 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 spaces 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. 23, 2017 at 7 p.m. Application process opens Friday, Nov. 24, 2017 at 1 p.m. Application deadline Friday, Jan. 26, 2018 at 4 p.m. For more information

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

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Bus cancellation and 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, television stations and will also be available on Twitter @Peelschools, Facebook at www.facebook.com/peelschools, www.peelschools.org and www.stopr.ca or by calling 905-890-1010 or 1-800-668-1146. 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 busing 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 Peel 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 Peel 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 Peel board offices are cancelled, including continuing education courses and events. The buildings will be closed.

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Train More. Rehearse More. Learn More. Peel District School Board program offers flexible school options for student athletes, artists Does your child/teen have an intense sports or arts training and competition schedule that makes it difficult to attend school regularly? The Peel District School Board’s Peel Region High Performers Program will offer flexible timetabling to accommodate student athletes and artists with demanding practice, competition, rehearsal and/or performance schedules.

Information nights will be offered as follows:

Grades Information Night Location

4 to 5 Nov. 8, 2017 Britannia Public School 1145 Swinbourne Dr. in Mississauga

6 to 8 Nov. 30, 2017 Dolphin Sr. Public School 18 Brookside Dr. in Mississauga

The Peel Region High Performers Program is also available to students in grades 9 to 12 at Mississauga Secondary School. For more information about Mississauga’s program, please call 905-564-1033.

Applications open Nov. 6, 2017

For more information and applications, visit www.peelschools.org/HighPerformers.

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Secondary school applications open Nov. 6, 2017 Regional Learning Choices Programs offered by the Peel District School Board empower students by providing them with opportunities to develop and explore skills in a particular area of interest. Regional programs are open to all students who meet the criteria for acceptance. Students and their families are encouraged to attend the information night for the program of their choice to receive more information about the program and application details. Transportation is not provided for students in regional programs. If students have been accepted into a regional program and they live within the school boundary, they are eligible for busing only if they meet the distance criteria outlined in the board’s Transportation Policy #39. All regional programs may include annual fees, including an application fee. The application process for secondary regional programs opens Nov. 6, 2017. Application dates for middle school programs vary from school to school.

Programs

Advanced Placement – Central Peel SS and John Fraser SS

Arts – Cawthra Park SS and Mayfield SS

Graphic Design Management – TL Kennedy SS

International Baccalaureate – Erindale SS, Glenforest SS, Harold M. Brathwaite SS and Turner Fenton SS

International Business and Technology – Meadowvale SS, North Park SS and TL Kennedy SS

International and Executive Leadership Academy – TL Kennedy SS

SciTech – Chinguacousy SS and Port Credit SS

Sports – Applewood Heights SS

Strings – Central Peel SS and Port Credit SS

Truck and Coach Engineering and Technology – Bramalea SS

For more information about program information, busing, fees and the application

process/dates, contact the school or visit http://www.peelschools.org/RegionalPrograms.

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Jump start your future with Explore High Skills

Explore High Skills 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. These sector-related programs are available to students in all skill levels and in all pathways. Specialized programs in grade 9, like Explore High Skills, provide unique learning experiences to engage students as they transition to high school. Students can focus their learning on an area of interest as they build self-confidence, learn essential skills, and develop a sense of belonging in school and in the community.

Applications open Nov. 6, 2017

For more information and participating schools, visit www.peelschools.org/ExploreHighSkills.

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Community Corner Stay up-to-date with community-based opportunities The Peel District School Board is pleased to introduce an electronic resource page on www.peelschools.org called, Community Corner, which contains links to information and resources in the community that may be of interest to students and their families. This site replaces our previous method of sending promotional materials about community clubs, camps, contests, fundraisers and events home with students on a regular basis. How you can access Community Corner

1. Visit www.peelschools.org/parents/communitycorner

2. Click on the “Community Corner” button, found on the main page of school websites, as well as on www.peelschools.org.

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Help your teen plan for grade 9 course selections for 2018-19 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 Nov. 13 to 30, 2017. If you have questions or are looking for course suggestions, please contact your teen’s teachers or guidance counsellor.

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Prevent the flu. It's in your hands. Hand washing is the most important way to prevent the spread of infection. Always wash your hands with soap and water when they are dirty. Clean your hands before:

i. touching your eyes, nose or mouth ii. touching/preparing food or drinks

iii. eating or drinking iv. caring for someone in your home who can easily get sick (baby, elderly or someone who

has an unhealthy immune system) v. first aid

Clean your hands after:

i. touching pets or other animals ii. touching raw meat, particularly chicken

iii. touching surfaces such as a railing or grocery cart iv. touching money v. touching objects sick people have touched

vi. touching blood or body fluids such as urine, vomit or feces vii. contact with those who have a cold, the flu, diarrhea or virus of any kind

viii. changing diapers ix. wiping your own or a child's nose x. sneezing or coughing

xi. using a facial tissue xii. using the washroom

xiii. removing gloves xiv. cleaning xv. gardening

What to do when you cough or sneeze:

i. cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve ii. put used tissues in the wastebasket

iii. clean your hands with soap and water or a hand sanitizer

For more information call Peel Health at 905-799-7700 or visit www.peelregion.ca/flu.

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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.

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Nov. 24 opportunity to say 'thanks' to Peel Custodial & Maintenance Workers’ Day

In 2014, the board of trustees declared the last Friday in November as the Peel Custodial and Maintenance Workers’ Day. This year, the recognition day falls on Friday, Nov. 24, 2017. Take this opportunity to thank the important work of custodial and maintenance workers and their hard work and commitment to well-being and safety.

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Book Your Child's Back-to-School Eye Exam Ontario Reminding Parents about the Importance of Vision Care Ontario is reminding parents to make an optometry appointment for their children. Eighty percent of classroom learning is visual. An annual comprehensive eye exam can identify vision problems and treatment options to help students reach their full potential. Children who have trouble seeing can encounter difficulties at school because their motor skills, social development, attention span and ability to read, write and learn may be affected. Some conditions such as lazy eye are most effectively treated at a young age. The Ontario Association of Optometrists recommends that every child have their first eye exam at 6 months of age to ensure proper vision development, again at ages 2 to 3, and subsequently every year thereafter. Contact your optometrist if you have concerns about your child's vision or notice any of the following behaviour:

Does not make eye contact

Closes or covers one eye

Squints or frowns when looking far or near

Rubs or touches their eye(s) a lot

Blinks more than usual

Reacts strongly to light

Turns or tilts head when viewing objects

Trips, falls or bumps into things often. Don’t forget, OHIP covers comprehensive eye exams for kids until they turn 20. And Year 1 kids qualify for complimentary glasses through the #EyeSeeEyeLearn program. For more information or to find an optometrist, visit https://www.optom.on.ca/. Click here to return to newsletter

Traffic safety in our community

Safety is a top priority at our school. Here is a list of traffic tips to keep students, staff and parents safe while commuting to and from school.

Respect traffic signs and road markers around the school.

Drive slowly and with caution on and near school property. Adhere to the posted speed limits on any surrounding streets used by students on their way to and from school.

Always yield to pedestrian traffic. Wait for students, staff members and parents to cross before driving past them.

When dropping your child off at the school, use the Kiss'n'Ride area. This is a supervised area that is designed to keep students safe.

Do not double park or do anything else to block traffic or draw your child off the curb and into traffic. Do not take shortcuts over curbs.

Have your child ready to exit the car when you reach the curb. Say goodbye to your child before you park at the curb to let your child out of your car.

During regular drop-off times, students are to remain in the car until it is safe for them to exit the car onto the curb.

Follow the directions of staff or volunteers on duty in the school parking lot and treat staff, students, volunteers, passengers and other drivers with respect.

Consider parking off site and walking a short distance to school. This will give you time to talk to your children about their day, review new vocabulary words, math concepts, etc.

Remind your child to only cross the street at an intersection or crosswalk. They should never “jaywalk” by crossing in the middle of the street.

Students who bike to school should always wear a helmet, and follow all traffic laws. They should only cross the street at a crosswalk or intersection—never in the middle of the road.

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Parent resources help you support your child’s learning At the Peel board, our mission is to inspire success, confidence and hope in each child. There is no doubt that families play a vital role in helping us achieve this goal. As our partner in education, we hope you'll stay connected to your child's learning throughout his or her entire school experience. Visit www.peelschools.org/parents/helpyourchild to explore all resources available to parents. There you will find easy-to-navigate buttons that connect families to tip sheets and web pages on a number of different topics, including math, homework, special education, EQAO and mental health.

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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 on our Twitter (@Peelschools) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/peelschools) accounts, as well as, on 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.

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Give what you can on United Way Giving Day – Nov. 15, 2017 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 Nov. 15 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, cheque made out to your child’s school, or donate through School Cash

Online, 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 Dec. 15, 2017.

Thank you for lending a helping hand to those who need it most. Together, we can Inspire

Possibility!

United Way Giving Day Wednesday, November 15, 2017 Make cheques payable to the school All proceeds go to the United Way of Peel Region. Pledges of $25 or more will automatically receive a tax receipt if a complete address is provided below and pledge form is submitted to your school by Dec. 15, 2017.

Attach your School Cash Online receipt to this if donation was made online.

Name Address City/Province Postal Code Amount Pledged

Receipt Requested

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