Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 3

Welcome back! MSEP Worker @ School

4 5 6

9

Welcome to new FI stu-dents starting today!

10 MSEP Worker @ School Dental Screening (JK, SK, & Grade 2 only)

11 Dental Screening (JK, SK, & Grade 2 only)

12 13

16 17 MSEP Worker @ School

Meet and Greet (9:00-10:00am)

18 19 20

23 24 PA Day (Reorganization)

25 School Council

Meeting

26 Terry Fox Run/Walk

27 Orange Shirt Day Community Gathering

30 Upcoming:: October 3rd, 2019: Picture Day October 10th, 2019: Open House 6:00—7:30 October 24th 2019: Safety Night 6:00-8:00

Social Media is a great way to keep up to date with what is happening at your child’s school: Follow is on twitter: https://twitter.com/MandelaPS Your child’s teacher may be using Seesaw, Google Classroom and or Remind—check it out! Did you know that the school board has a Parent involvement Committee https://twitter.com/pic_pdsb Come and join our School Council—We would love to hear your voice!

September 2019

Mandela Events This month we will focus on building positive relationships

Each week class community circles will have discussion s that focus on developing positive relationships

Terry Fox: Walk/Run to continue the legacy and raise funds to support cancer research

Orange Shirt Day: Remembering First Nations, Métis and Inuit children who were removed from their homes and sent to residential

schools

Students with Life Threatening Medical Conditions and or Medication(s) taken at school: Form A (to be filled out by a physician has

been sent home, as well as Plan of Care forms. Please review/fill in/edit and return to school signed as soon as possible. Thank you!

Parent Tips for September

What’s Happening in the Peel District School Board Community

September 2019

Approved by Ministry – May 2019

2019~2020 REGULAR SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR

SCHOOL YEAR ~ ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY

The school year begins September 3, 2019

First day of classes for students September 3, 2019

The school year ends June 26, 2020

The number of instructional days for elementary and secondary students 187

The number of professional activity days for the elementary and secondary panel 7

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS ~ ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY

Labour Day September 2, 2019

Thanksgiving Day October 14, 2019

Winter Break (inclusive) December 23, 2019 - January 3, 2020

Family Day February 17, 2020

Spring Break (inclusive) March 16 - March 20, 2020

Good Friday April 10, 2020

Easter Monday April 13, 2020

Victoria Day May 18, 2020

Canada Day July 1, 2020

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY DAYS ~ ELEMENTARY (7)

Professional Activity Day ~ Elementary Reorganization / In-school Professional Learning September 24, 2019

Professional Learning Day ~ Provincial Education Priorities October 11, 2019

Professional Activity Day ~ Reporting to Parents November 15, 2019

Professional Activity Day ~ Assessment, Evaluation and Report Card Writing Day January 20, 2020

Professional Learning Day ~ Provincial Education Priorities February 7, 2020

Professional Activity Day ~ Assessment, Evaluation and Report Card Writing Day June 8, 2020

Professional Learning Day ~ Provincial Education Priorities June 26, 2020

EXAMINATION DAYS ~ SECONDARY (10) ~ Exams to be scheduled as follows unless otherwise approved

Semestered Semester 1 5 January 23 – January 29, 2020

Semester 2 5 June 17 – June 23, 2020

Vocational Number of designated evaluation days over the school year 6

Exam days 4

SECONDARY SCHOOL SEMESTER SUMMARY

SEMESTER INSTRUCTIONAL PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY

TOTAL DAYS

DATES

Semester 1 94 3 97 September 3, 2019 – January 30, 2020

Semester 2 93 4 97 January 31, 2020 - June 26, 2020

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY DAYS ~ SECONDARY including Applewood School, Parkholme School and secondary DDD programs

Professional Learning Day ~ Provincial Education Priorities October 11, 2019

Professional Learning Day ~ Provincial Education Priorities November 15, 2019

Professional Activity Day ~ Semester Turnaround Day January 30, 2020

Professional Learning Day ~ Provincial Education Priorities February 7, 2020

Professional Activity Day ~ Yearend reporting, professional and curriculum development, and school closing activities (inclusive)

June 24 – June 26, 2020

Happy new school year! Welcome to the 2019-20 school year—opportunities to learn, grow and succeed await you and your child! At the Peel District School Board, our mission is to inspire success, confidence and hope in each student. There is no doubt that families play a vital role in helping us achieve this goal. We value your involvement and want you to know it's appreciated. As our partner in education, we hope you'll stay connected to your child's learning throughout their entire school experience! Reach out to your child’s teacher to find out how you can get involved or visit www.peelschools.org/parents. Together, we have the incredible opportunity to inspire a smile in each student. On behalf of the Peel board, I wish you an amazing school year. Peter Joshua, Director of Education Peel District School Board

Stay up-to-date with Nelson Mandela Public School and Peel board news School news http://schools.peelschools.org/1418/Pages/default.aspx

Visit our school website to learn what’s happening at your school, including:

the latest school news

contact information for school administration, superintendent and trustee

the school calendar

enrolment data

school hours

registration information

online library catalogue You can subscribe online to receive email notifications for news, calendar events and volunteer job opportunities related to your school. You can also choose to receive email and/or text message notifications for critical news, such as school closures due to bad weather. Click on the “Subscribe” link on the left side of the main page of the school website. Peel District School Board news Subscribe to automatically receive a list of activities by email that are sent the last week of each month, plus bonuses throughout the year. Visit our website at www.peelschools.org and click on the subscription link under "Quick Links." You can also subscribe to:

Learn more about board news and school events.

View Peel board meetings with Board agendas. Meetings are open to the public and are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month.

Read highlights of decisions made by trustees at board meetings.

Receive job postings for non-teaching staff

Our work has just begun. The Peel Learning Foundation’s mission is to raise funds to enable Peel District School Board students to achieve personal excellence by providing resources that help them overcome barriers. We officially launched in February 2019, and to date, the foundation has supported more than 200 students.

Did you know that 1 in 5 students in Peel Region face barriers related to poverty.

That’s more than 27,000 Peel board students. Through the Student Emergency Needs program and Student Backpack program, the support we provide can be as simple as providing funds for food or transportation, a winter coat, or a backpack filled with school supplies. This type of support can enrich a student's school experience and help them achieve success. Any teacher, staff or support person can speak confidentially to their school’s principal, vice-principal or supervisor when they encounter a student in need, who will then reach out to us to ask for help. There are many ways that you can support the foundation. A gift will help us achieve great things for students. To learn more, visit www.peellearningfoundation.org/how. You can help us create hopeful tomorrows. www.PeelLearningFoundation.org l 905-890-1010 ext. 2461 l foundation@peelsb.com

@PeelLearningFDN l /PeelLearningFDN

Access important student information through our online parent portal - ParentConnect Our school offers ParentConnect, a safe and secure website, as a convenient method for parents/legal guardians to stay informed and have easy access to important student information. By registering, you will have access to:

view school-based alerts and information

access real time absence reporting

view current and historic elementary report card information

get up-to-date busing information

review secondary school credit history and diploma status To register and begin using ParentConnect, visit http://parent.peelschools.org or click the ParentConnect button on your child’s school website.

For those parents/guardians that have used ParentConnect in the past, you will receive a new token/passcode to re-register your child(ren) with ParentConnect via email. This important step ensures that only you, as legal guardian, have access to your child’s information. If you have any questions, please contact the school.

Important information regarding student privacy and use of third party apps and web services At the Peel District School Board, we are committed to helping each child achieve to the best of his or her ability. Using Modern Learning tools is an essential component of teaching and learning in today’s world. Modern Learning tools can include Internet sites where users interact and collaborate in online environments, websites where users log in, and/or applications for tablets. The Peel board believes that these online services are key tools in aiding students and teachers in the development of 21st Century skills. Please note: In order to support student privacy, Peel board students are encouraged to be mindful of how and when they use their school email (studentnumber@pdsb.net) to create accounts on any third party, non-protected domain, apps/web services.

The terms and conditions of these app/web-services may not align with the Peel board’s Registering and Use of Software, Web-Based Services and Apps guidelines as their services may collect and display the student’s private information, including the full name, publicly. If your child uses their own personal accounts to access these apps/web services, please encourage them to use privacy settings to ensure that their account information, including full name, is not shared publicly.

Please visit www.bit.ly/byodparentresources for more information.

Protect your kids — and your finances The Peel District School Board does not provide accident insurance coverage for student injuries that occur on school property or during school activities including extracurricular sports. Each year, families could spend thousands of dollars when their children are injured at school, on field trips, while participating in non-school activities, or at home. If a student is injured, parent(s)/guardian(s) are responsible for any medical costs not covered by provincial health care or their employer's health care plan. The provincial health care system does not cover costs which are commonly related to accidents including dental work, ambulance fees, casts and crutches, and physiotherapy. All of these are covered by Insuremykids student accident insurance plan and as a convenience to parents, the Board has arranged to offer a plan to parents through Old Republic Insurance Company of Canada. To help protect your family, it is strongly recommended that you consider obtaining Insuremykids Protection Plan, which offers a variety of benefits at affordable prices, which provide 24 hours a day, 365 days a year coverage, range from $13 to $33 per year. The insurance agreement is between You and Reliable Life Insurance Company. You can apply for coverage online at www.insuremykids.com for answers to frequently asked questions. For more information, call Old Republic Insurance Company of Canada toll free at 1-800-463-KIDS (5437).

Getting your questions answered If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions about your child's education, or about education in general, anyone with the Peel board is happy to help. Here are some of the people who can help you:

If you have specific questions or concerns about the education of your son or daughter, the first person to talk to is your child's teacher. If possible, arrange a personal interview with the teacher to discuss your concerns and attempt to resolve the matter. Your child's teacher or principal can also give you more information about specific strategies being used to monitor your child's progress.

If you need extra help, or have more general questions, your school principal is there to assist. Your school principal can help if you have been unable to resolve the issue with your child's teacher. All curriculum material is available in your child's school.

If you still have unanswered questions or concerns, talk to your superintendent of education.

If you have general questions about curriculum, call Curriculum and Instruction Support Services at 905-890-1010 ext. 2559.

If you have questions about special education programs or services, contact Special Education Support Services at 905-890-1010 ext. 2345.

Of course, your local school trustee is elected to represent your interests and is always ready to hear and discuss your suggestions or concerns. If you don't know the name of your trustee, check the 'Meet your Trustee' section of the board's website at www.peelschools.org.

If you still have questions, please email communications@peelsb.com or call Communication & Community Relations Support Services at 905-890-1010 or 1-800-668-1149 ext. 2809.

What you need to know about busing Eligibility for Transportation is based on distance criteria established by the Peel District School Board. Under the Board’s Policy, students residing within their school’s attendance boundary and living in excess of the following distance criteria from their school are eligible for transportation: Kindergarten to Grade 1: 1.0 km Grades 2 to 4: 1.6 km Grades 5 to 8: 2.0 km Grades 9 to 12: 3.8 km Student Transportation of Peel Region (STOPR) is responsible for administering the transportation policy for both the Peel District School Board and the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board. STOPR Web Site: We recommend that you take a moment to review STOPR’S website as it is available to you 24 hours per day, 7 days per week at: www.stopr.ca STOPR’S website is your source for the most up to date transportation information such as bus delays and cancellations as well it can provide you with important information such as “what school do I attend” and “am I eligible for transportation”. In addition, from STOPR’s website www.stopr.ca, you can also access important school bus safety information as well as “Transportation Procedures”, “Forms”, Courtesy Seats” and “frequently asked questions concerning student transportation”. Parents can also access their children’s bus route information and details through the website by clicking on the “Your Child’s Busing Information” tab located on the main page. You will need your child’s Ontario Educational Number (OEN), home address, school and grade in order to retrieve your child’s bus information from the web site. Parents can now sign-up to receive automatic e-mail notifications of delays or cancellations for their children’s bus run. Parents should go to www.stopr.ca and click on the “bus delays and cancellations” link and then click “subscriptions” to sign-up for this service. Contacting STOPR STOPR operations are divided into 3 defined zones, East, West and Special Needs Transportation. The East and West zones manage all regular home to school busing for all of Peel Region and the dividing line between these zones is generally Kennedy Road. When calling STOPR for school bus information, please make sure that you have your child’s Ontario Educational Number (OEN) available. The OEN number can be found on your child’s report card or is available from your school.

STOPR staff will ask for your child’s OEN to ensure your child’s personal transportation information is secure and is shared only with the appropriate person. Telephone contact: (905) 890-6000 (East, West and Special Needs Transportation) Toll free: 1-800-668-1140 Fax: (905) 890-6033 Twitter: Student Transportation of Peel Region (STOPR) will begin Tweeting as of September 1, 2019. Please follow us @STOPRinfo to receive information on safety programs/initiatives, bus cancellations, STOPR updates and more. Bus Stop Locations and “Primary Protocol”: Please note that “door to door” or “home bus stop” locations are not generally provided. STOPR establishes bus stops in safe and appropriate locations that can service multiple families and students. Typically these stops are located at intersections or “group” locations that provide an area for all students/parents to wait for their bus away from the roadway. Please note that Parents/Guardians are responsible for the safe conveyance of their children to and from the bus stop location and it is expected that all transported kindergarten and grade 1 students are always met by a parent/guardian at the end of the day at their bus stop location. There is simply no substitute for an adult’s supervision at the bus stop as this is the most critical moment for student safety. Students in kindergarten and grade 1 must always be met at their bus stop each day under STOPR “Primary Protocol”. For more information on school bus safety and the “Primary Protocol” please go to www.stopr.ca Requests for changes for a Student’s Transportation: STOPR is responsible for the safe and efficient transportation of approximately 68,000 students each school day. Please note that during school start-up in September, the STOPR office is extremely busy and staff are focused on critical issues such as eligible students requiring transportation, bus overloads and route timing issues. Requests for a change in a bus stop location will be addressed after school start-up is completed later in September.

Keeping lunches and snacks peanut-free Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that affects some children. We ask that you help us take care of these students by sending lunches and snacks for your child that are free from peanuts or nuts, because these foods are the leading cause of anaphylaxis. Please read the label of any food you plan to send to school with your child. If the label says, "May contain nuts or peanuts," please do not send it to school. You can get a complete copy of the Peel board's anaphylaxis guideline at www.peelschools.org under the Parent tab, under Student Health.

Coping with Back-to-School Stress Stressful feelings are normal and expected in children and teens returning to school. Stress can help us prepare for challenges and change and should not always be viewed negatively. Focus on building your child’s resiliency so s/he can cope when problems arise. Model positive self-care and teach your child ways to manage stress. Spending positive quality time together will strengthen your relationship and enhance your child’s well-being. Worries are Common. Although it is normal for your child to have worries, it is crucial to have your child attend school. It is important they experience all that school offers and learn to cope with their fears. Be sure to communicate with the school and teacher(s) about the stress your child may be feeling so they are better able to support your child his/her worries and concerns. 5 Steps to Deal with Bask-to-School Stress Step 1 Take care of the basics: Ensure your child is getting enough sleep, eating regular meals and healthy snacks and has daily exercise. When your child’s mind and body are nourished, communicating with you and meeting school challenges is easier Step 2 Provide empathy: Listen to your child’s hopes and concerns. What is s/he looking forward to and what is s/he worried about? Let your child share his/her hopes and fears and talk about what’s on his/her mind. Remember, you don’t have to ‘fix’ the problem for them. Your child mainly needs to be heard and feel understood.

Step 3 Encourage connection: Social relationships are key to wellness and resiliency. If possible help your child connect with other children in his/her class or school. Schedule quality time with family and neighbourhood friends.

Step 4 Practice and problem solve: Many children starting school or a new grade will benefit from practicing routines such as the drop off and pickup. If they identify other concerns, helping them problem solve and practice the possible solutions can also build confidence. Step 5 Pay attention to your own behavior: Children take cues from their parents: the more confidence and calm you demonstrate, the more your child will believe s/he can handle this new hurdle. Be supportive yet firm. For instance say, in a calm tone, say: “I can see that going to school is making you scared, but you still have to go. Tell me what you are worried about, so we can talk about it.” Modified from Anxiety BC https://www.anxietybc.com/parenting/coping-back-school-anxiety

Procedures help keep students safe at school Dear Families, Peel schools provide a safe environment for students and staff to learn and work. The board has many

procedures to ensure safety including regular fire drills, evacuation plans, criminal record checks for new staff and volunteers, and lockdown, hold and secure and shelter in place drills. Together with Peel Police, OPP and the Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Board, the board developed procedures for critical situations. Every school will review the key points of the lockdown process with students. We rehearse the drill twice per year to make sure staff and students know what to do if we have to initiate a lockdown. During the rehearsal, the principal will make an announcement to "initiate lockdown procedure." The school bell will ring continuously for a period of time and our goal is to make the school appear vacated. Students and staff inside the school will:

go to the closest room, close the door and lock it, if possible

turn off the lights and lie down on the floor away from doors and windows

remain on the floor quietly until further directions are given Students and staff outside the school will:

move as far away from the building as possible

remain outside until further directions are given Depending on the situation, students and staff outside the building may be directed to an evacuation site. When the rehearsal is over, the principal will make another announcement.

Important things to note when an emergency occurs

1. Students and staff must not use cell phones In these critical situations, safety is our number one priority. During rehearsals or in real critical situations, Peel Police have advised that cell phone usage can cause more safety risks and the following consequences:

- Cause signal delays for emergency services to attend to the situation. - Prevents police from being able to communicate with each other and other important personnel in a

timely manner. - Public posts and messages may identify where individuals are in the building and a pose a safety risk. - Can attract attention to the area of the school where the phone is being used.

Parents are requested to NOT call the school or your child’s cell phone during emergency procedures.

2. Parents can get updates during emergency procedures on their school website

3. Parents are requested NOT to go to the school

In the unlikely event of an actual lockdown, hold and secure, shelter in place or bomb threat, police ask that parents do not go to the school. For safety reasons, you will not be allowed to enter a school that is in lockdown, hold and secure or shelter in place and students and staff cannot leave the school. In rare cases, police will designate a Parent Information Site for you to attend and get up-to-date, accurate information. Please monitor your child’s school website and do not come to the school unless requested to do so. If you have any questions about our lockdown drill, or any of the procedures we have in place to keep students and staff safe, please call the school.

Join our school council – share your ideas

Every Peel school has a school council—a group focused on helping students succeed. School councils provide a voice for parents and the community and offer advice to the school principal on a number of topics. We are holding school councils elections on September 25th at 6:00 – 7:00pm. If you would like to know more or are interested in joining our council, please contact Devi Parasram, principal of Nelson Mandela Public School.

ParentConnect

Online parent portal to access important student information

What is ParentConnect?

ParentConnect is a safe and secure website, created by the Peel District School Board, that acts as a single point to stay informed and to access all electronic services provided to Peel board parents and legal guardians. The parent-friendly website will allow you to:

view school-based alerts and information access real time absence reporting view current and historic elementary report card information get up-to-date busing information review secondary school credit history and diploma status and more

To learn more about the benefits of ParentConnect, visit our school website or www.peelschools.org/parentconnect

Pay school fees online using School Cash Online—register today! Our school offers School Cash Online, a safe and secure form of online payment, as its preferred method of payment for all school fees. With a parent-friendly portal and an easy way to keep track of your child’s activity fees, you can use School Cash Online to pay for school items like field trips and pizza days directly from your computer or smartphone using eCheck, Visa or MasterCard Register now By registering, you’ll have the ability to:

Keep track of your children’s school item and activity fees

Check account history

Print or view receipts

Make donations to school fundraisers online and instantly receive a tax receipt

Pay for school fees with the click of a button For more information and to register, visit https://peelschools.schoolcashonline.com. If you have any questions, please contact the school directly.

Time for school - A parent’s guide to reporting school absences All parents/guardians of elementary students need to report their children's absences or late arrivals from school via our automated School Messenger SafeArrival system. Use one of the following methods to set-up your new SafeArrival account. Please ensure the number and email address that you are using to report your child’s absences are those that we have on file at the school. SchoolMessenger app (free from Apple or Google Play)

1. Download the SchoolMessenger app 2. Tap Sign Up to create your account

Web and Mobile Web: go.schoolmessenger.ca

1. Go to the above website 2. Click Sign Up to create your account

Interactive Toll-free Phone

1. Call the toll-free number: 1-855-209-6155 2. Listen to and follow the instructions to report an absence

As always, please report your child’s absences before the start of the school day. Late arrivals and/or early departures should be reported as soon as possible. If your child’s absence is not reported in advance, the automated notification system will contact you and will provide an opportunity to verify the absence. By reporting your child absent in advance on the SafeArrival toll-free number, website or SchoolMessenger mobile app, you will not receive a call. As always, if you have any questions or require any assistance, please contact the school.

Regional Learning Choices programs unlock passions

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 include annual fees, including a non-refundable $40 application fee, except the Regional Skilled Trades and Transportation Engineering and Technology programs, which are offered at no cost. Important dates to note:

Applications open Applications close

ELEMENTARY Jan. 27, 2020 at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 10, 2020 at 3 p.m.

SECONDARY Nov. 11, 2019 at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 25, 2019 at 3 p.m.

Programs Schools offered at Starts in grade:

6 7 9

Actively in Motion (AIM) Royal Orchard MS

Advanced Placement Central Peel SS, John Fraser SS

Arts Earnscliffe Sr. PS (starts in grade 6), Queen Elizabeth Sr. PS (starts in grade 7), Cawthra Park SS, Mayfield SS

Arts and Technology Morning Star MS

Graphic Design Management T.L. Kennedy SS

International Baccalaureate Bristol Rd. MS, WG Davis Sr. PS, Erindale SS, Glenforest SS, Harold M. Brathwaite SS, Turner Fenton SS

International Business and Technology

Allan A. Martin Sr. PS, Lisgar MS, Williams Pkwy Sr. PS, Meadowvale SS, North Park SS, T.L. Kennedy SS

International and Executive Leadership Academy

T.L. Kennedy SS

Regional Skilled Trades Judith Nyman (starting in September 2020), West Credit SS

SciTech Centennial Sr. PS, Macville PS, Tomken Rd. MS, Chinguacousy SS, Port Credit SS

Sports Applewood Heights SS

Strings Central Peel SS, Port Credit SS

Truck and Coach Engineering and Technology

Bramalea SS

For more information about program information nights, busing, fees and the application process, visit www.peelschools.org/RegionalPrograms

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Keep students safe in school parking lots Many elementary schools offer a Kiss N’ Ride program, where parents/guardians can drop off and pick up their children at a designated area on school property. The program was established to provide a convenient and safe option for our students and parents driving to school. To ensure the safety of staff and students, we ask all parents/guardians be mindful of the following guidelines:

There is no parking and no waiting in the Kiss and Ride lane. Pay attention to the traffic in front of you and pull forward as cars move forward. If you choose to park in the parking lot, please escort your child to or from the nearest foot patroller and use the main crosswalk.

Vehicles entering the Kiss N’ Ride lane must stay in the designated lane, unless otherwise directed by a staff member or volunteer.

The Kiss N’ Ride program is only available to students who are able to disembark independently.

Have your child ready to exit the car when you reach the curb. Students may only exit from the passenger (right) side of the vehicle.

After picking up or dropping off your child, leave promptly so that others can get in behind you.

If your child is not waiting for you at the main crosswalk at the end of the day, please circle the parking lot if permitted and rejoin the line or park in a designated parking space to wait.

Always respect traffic flow and abide all traffic laws and signs. Ask your child’s teacher or principal to learn more about our school’s specific Kiss N’ Ride procedures.

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Peel board trustees accountable to the community The Peel District School Board, like every public school board in Ontario, is governed by a board of trustees. They are elected by public school taxpayers every four years during municipal elections and are directly accountable to the community. The current 12 trustees have been elected to serve from Dec. 3, 2018, to Nov. 30, 2022:

Trustee Ward(s) City Email Phone #

Carrie Andrews

7 and 8 Brampton carrie.andrews@peelsb.com 647-473-1858

Susan Benjamin 5 Mississauga susan.benjamin@peesb.com 647-268-1435

Stan Cameron (Chair)

Caledon stan.cameron@peelsb.com 905-880-1162

Robert Crocker

6 and 11

Mississauga robert.crocker@peelsb.com 416-528-1312

Nokha Dakroub

9 and 10

Mississauga nokha.dakroub@peelsb.com 289-914-0214

Will Davies 2 and 6 Brampton will.davies@peelsb.com 647-218-0295

David Green

1 and 5 Brampton david.green@peelsb.com 905-495-4579

Sue Lawton (Vice-Chair)

3 and 4 Mississauga susan.lawton@peelsb.com 905-625-8084

Brad MacDonald

2 and 8 Mississauga brad.macdonald@peelsb.com 905-593-3547

John Marchant 1 and 7 Mississauga john.marchant@peelsb.com 905-599-5646

Kathy McDonald

3 and 4 Brampton kathy.mcdonald@peelsb.com 905-796-8163

Balbir Sohi 9 and 10

Brampton balbir.sohi@peelsb.com 416-828-4330

What do trustees do?

advocate for the needs of the community

help members of the community address concerns about the school system

govern and set policies for the board

explain the policies and decisions of the board to the community

evaluate and review the board’s achievement of its goals, objectives and strategic plan

participate in budget development, approve budget decisions and monitor its progress

protect the future of the board by always considering the long-term effects of decisions Visit www.peelschools.org and check out the ‘Meet Your Trustee’ section to subscribe to board meeting agendas and minutes and read highlights from board meeting.

21

PLASP Child Care services (see attached flyers)

Celebrating Faith and Culture September 2019 The Peel District School Board is a mosaic of many cultures and faiths from all over the world. To commemorate this diversity, the board recognizes the special faith and culture days of our communities. September 2019 has several special faith and culture days to celebrate and remember. ______________________________________________________________________ September - Corn Moon in Indigenous Worldview (First Nations) The ninth moon of Creation is called the Corn Moon by the Anishinaabe people. It is believed that this period offers learning about life cycle through each of the corn cob with its thirteen rows of seeds representing the waiting spirits to walk the earth. September 1 or 2 - Ganesh Chaturthi/Vinayak Chauth in Hinduism This ten days festival commemorates Lord Ganesh – the remover of obstacles and success granter. Birthday of Ganesh is celebrated on the first day. It is an important festival for Maharashtrians, from India. The celebrations range from simple home ceremonies and prayers to large communal festivities. He is remembered first in all Hindu prayers. Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival inspiring devotees to inculcate redemptive virtues in their lives. September 1 – Installation of Guru Granth Sahib in Sikhism Fifth Sikh guru Arjan Dev compiled the holy scriptures of Guru Granth Sahib and then installed it in Harmandir Sahib (the Golden Temple) in 1604. This scripture, also called Adi Granth, contains the compositions of the first five gurus, the ninth guru, fifteen bhagats (holy men or saints) and eleven bhattas (poets). This scripture is the timeless guru for followers of the faith. This day is celebrated in memory of that installation. September 2 - Labour Day in Canada Labour Day acknowledges and celebrates the workers and their movement to unite for better working conditions. This day was declared a holiday by the Canadian Parliament on July 23, 1894. The celebrations include parades, marches and festivals. This solidarity movement now celebrated all over the world, originated in Toronto, Canada. Labour Day is celebrated on the first Monday in September.

September 3 - Samvatsari in Jainism Samvatsari festival is celebrated annually with an emphasis on penance and prayers. The day falls on the last day of Paryushan. Jains practice the annual Pratikramana – reflection on past year and renewal of faith for the coming year. September 4 (SC) - Farvardegan in Zoroastrianism Zoroastrians who follow the Shahenshahi calendar celebrate the 10-day Farvardingan festival honouring the dead. Followers of the faith believe that guardian angels of humans and spirits of departed souls (fravashis) return to earth during this period and accept the hospitality of relatives. September 8 to 26 - the month of `Izzat in Bahá'í In the Bahá'í calendar, there are 19 months of 19 days each. Each month represents an attribute of God. September 8 is the beginning of `Izzat, the tenth month of the Bahá'í calendar, signifying "might."

The Bahá'í day starts and ends at sunset. The first day of each month is known as a Feast Day. September 10 or 11 - Ashura in Islam This is the 10th and most sacred day in the month of Muharram, especially for followers of the Shia faith, and a day of fasting. Ashura commemorates the martyrdom of Hussain (Prophet Muhammad's grandson) in 680 CE. Muslims observe 10 days of mourning from the first of the month. Ashura is also associated with the safe landing of Noah's Ark on Mount Arafat. September 11 (J) – Nayrouz in Christianity

Christian followers of the Coptic Church celebrate New Year on this feast. It is generally celebrated in mid- September when the waters of the Nile river rise. On this feast, readings of the first of Tute are read in churches and by adherents. Joyful hymn singing and remembering the martyrs is part of the feast celebration.

September 12 to 16 - Ghambar Paitishahem in Zoroastrianism Ghambar Paitishahem is an early autumn feast that celebrates the bringing in of the harvest. September 12 or 13 - Anant Chaturdashi in Hinduism (12) and Jainism (13) Ananta Chaturdashi is especially celebrated by women in Bengal. On this day they fast and pray for the long life of their spouses. This day ends the Ganesh pooja begun on Ganesh Chaturthi Day ten days ago and many families immerse the Ganesh that they bring into the home for the observance period. It is also a day of atonement for Jains and the last day of Samvatsari. September 12 - Kshamavani and Daslakshan Parva ends in Jainism Kshamavani is an annual forbearance day. On this sacred day every member of Jain community approaches his or her kith and kin, neighbour, colleague and co-worker irrespective of his/her caste, creed and clan and begs their pardon for all faults or mistakes committed knowingly or unknowingly. This activity is a first step on the path to attain liberation or salvation for Jains. This day marks the end of Daslakshan Parva, the festival observing the ten virtues of the Jain Dharma. September 19 - Powley Day in Indigenous Worldview (Métis) Powley Day commemorates the establishment of Métis rights in the province of Ontario as affirmed by the Supreme Court of Canada. On this day, the Métis honour the efforts and success of Steve Powley on behalf of all Métis of Canada and especially of Ontario for recognizing Métis heritage and rights under Section 35 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. September 22 - Shuki-Sorei-Sai in Shinto Shuki-Sorei-Sai also called Shubun-no-hi is an autumn memorial Service for ancestors that have passed on. It is observed on the Autumn Equinox day. Mostly services for ancestors are held on altars in the home. Gravesites are visited, cleaned and purified with offerings made to Kami. September 23 - Mabon/Harvestide in Wicca

Mabon is one of eight sabbats and this second harvest festival is celebrated on autumn equinox. It is also known as wine harvest. Celebrations include giving thanks for abundance of grain and fruit before winter. September 27 to October 15 - the month of Mashi'yyat in Bahá'í In the Bahá'í calendar, there are 19 months of 19 days each. Each month represents an attribute of God. September 27 is the beginning of Mashi'yyat, the eleventh month of the Bahá'í calendar, signifying "will."

The Bahá'í day starts and ends at sunset. The first day of each month is known as a Feast Day. September 29 - Sharad Navratri in Hinduism Sharad Navratri begins from this day. This festival is observed twice a year, in the month of Aswayuja (beginning of winter) and then in Chaitra (beginning of summer). It lasts for nine days in honour of the nine manifestations of Goddess Durga. During Navratri (the word literally means "nine nights"), Hindu devotees observe a fast and perform religious ceremonies. The eighth day, Durgashtami, is important and dedicated to the Goddess Durga. It will be observed on October 5th this year.

Sunset of September 29 to October 1 - Rosh Hashanah in Judaism Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish spiritual New Year celebration and it occurs on the first and second day of the seventh month (Tishrei) of Jewish calendar. One of the important observances of this holiday is hearing the sounding of the shofar in the synagogue. Days of Awe (Yamim Noraim) or the ten days of repentance begin from this festival. Followers abstain from work on these festival days. "Shana Tovah" meaning Happy New Year is the greeting offered. Ideas for celebrating special faith and cultural days in your school If you have a colleague who celebrates one of these days, don't forget to offer them best wishes! If you have students in your school who are followers of any of the listed religions: - Make sure the dates are included on your school calendar

- Have your principal announce the day over the PA system - Hold an assembly to talk with students about the importance of these days - Include a mention of these days in your school newsletter - Include information on your school website - Display student artwork announcing these days or depicting their ideas about these days - Invite a member of a local faith group to come in and discuss the significance of this

day with students - Have class discussions about these days - Ask some of your students who celebrate certain holidays to write a short essay on

how they celebrate this day at home. Have them read it to the class to share this celebration with the other students.

- Have parents offer a cultural session Questions? If you would like any more information on how to celebrate these days, please call Ashley Bigda, Community Relations Officer at 905-890-1010, ext. 2573 or e-mail her Ashley.Bigda@peelsb.com.

Celebrating Faith and Culture September 2019

DATE

CELEBRATION FAITH AND CULTURE

September Corn Moon Indigenous Worldview (First Nations)

September 1 or 2 ● Ganesh Chaturthi/Vinayak Chauth Hinduism September 1 Installation of Holy Scriptures of Guru

Granth Sahib Sikhism

September 2 Labour Day Canada September 3 ● Samvatsari Jainism September 4 (SC) Farvardegan Zoroastrianism September 8 to 26 the month of `Izzat in Bahá'í Bahá'í September 10 or 11 ● Ashura Islam September 11 (J) Nayrouz Christianity September 12 to 16 Ghambar Paitishahem Zoroastrianism September 12 or 13 Anant Chaturdashi Hinduism (12) and

Jainism (13) September 12 ● Kshamavani and Daslakshan Parva

ends Jainism

September 19 Powley Day Indigenous Worldview (Métis)

September 22 Shuki-Sorei-Sai Shinto September 23 ● Mabon/Harvestide Wicca September 27 to October 15

the month of Mashi'yyat Bahá'í

September 29 Sharad Navratri Hinduism Sunset of September 29 to October 1 ●

Rosh Hashanah Judaism

Call 647 484 4372 or visit plasp.com

Kindergarten Before and After School Programs

PLASP Child Care Services is an award-winning,charitable organization operating on a not-for-profit basis, providing high quality licensed programs for children, since 1975.

SAK_BSAS_0719_register online today

Kindergarten Before and After School Programs

PLASP provides the ideal environment for children to grow and thrive. PLASP programs promote a sense of well-being, engagement and expression. Highly trained staff facilitate fun, age appropriate activities both indoors and outdoors.

Kindergarten programs are based on children learning through play and follow the Ministry of Education’s - How Does Learning Happen? document.

Before School - Begins at 7:30 a.m. Children receive a healthy breakfast every day and participate in activities, both indoors and outdoors, prior to starting school. After School - From school dismissal until 6:00 p.m.Children receive a substantial nutritious snack daily.Children participate in a wide variety of activities, both indoors and outdoors.

P.A. Day, Holiday, March Break & Summer programs are offered at select locations with sufficient enrolment.

PLASP accepts fee assistance from the Region of Peel and the City of Toronto.

Register online today!Limited space available at select locations.

Please contact PLASP Parent Services at 647 484 4372 if you have any questions.

Call 647 484 4372 or visit plasp.com

Before and After School Programs

For children up to 12 years of age

SAC_BSAS_0719_register online today

PLASP provides the ideal environment for children to grow and thrive. PLASP programs promote a sense of well-being, engagement and expression. Highly trained staff facilitate fun, age appropriate activities both indoors and outdoors.

Programs follow the Ministry of Education’s, How Does Learning Happen? PLASP provides a social program that gives the opportunity for children to be physically active, supporting and encouraging your child’s optimal development

Before School - Begins at 7:30 a.m. until school start. A nutritious breakfast is served daily.

After School - Begins at school dismissal until 6:00 p.m. Children participate in stimulating activities and are provided with a substantial, healthy snack daily.

PLASP Child Care Services is an award-winning,charitable organization operating on a not-for-profit basis, providing high quality licensed programs for children, since 1975.

P.A. Day, Holiday, March Break & Summer programs are offered at select locations with sufficient enrolment.

PLASP accepts fee assistance from the Region of Peel and the City of Toronto.

Register online today!Limited space available at select locations.

Please contact PLASP Parent Services at 647 484 4372 if you have any questions.