Walnut Grove PS
September 2019 Newsletter
Walnut Grove PS
Principal: P. Lone
Vice Principals: S. Rofaiel, F. Tulloch-Harvey
Superintedant: Patrika Daws
Trustee: Carrie Andrews
Email: walnutgrove.ps@peelsb.com
Website: http://schools.peelschools.org/1416/Pages/default.aspx
Location: 10 Pinestaff Road, Brampton, ON, Canada
Phone: 905-796-4572
Twitter: @WalnutGrovePS
About Us
Walnut Grove’s Daily Schedule
Entry Bell 9:15
Period 1 9:15 - 9:55
Period 2 9:55 - 10:35
Period 3 10:35 - 11:15
Nutrition Break A 11:15 - 11:35
Nutrition Break B 11:35 - 11:55
Period 4 11:55 - 12:35
Period 5 12:35 - 1:15
D.P.A. 1:15 - 1:35
Nutrition Break C 1:35 - 1:55
Nutrition Break D 1:55 - 2:15
Period 6 2:15 - 2:55
Period 7 2:55 - 3:35
Dismissal 3:35
School Security
All parents and visitors entering the school during school hours must be buzzed in through the front doors and sign in and out at the office.
You are also reminded to wear a visitor’s badge while you are in the school. For safety reasons, it is important that we know who is in the school at all times.
Student Absences
Your child’s safety is very important to us, for this reason please make sure to call the automated attendance line at 1-855-209-6155 for each day that your child is going to be absent from school or will be coming in late.
An attendance call can be made at anytime however you need to call before 9 a.m. for the current school day. Safe arrival calls will be made each day for students that have an unexplained absence.
Late Arrivals
If a student arrives late to school, after the 9:15 a.m. entry bell, they must report to the office to sign in and receive a late slip before going to their class. Please help your child arrive to school on time up establishing and encouraging morning routines
Medication
If your child will require to take or have any medication (eg. Epi-pens, inhalers) while at school due to asthma, allergies or other medical conditions please inform the office. You will be given a Medical Plan of Care Package that will need to be completed by you and your family doctor and returned to school with the medication. No medication can be administered at the school without having a current Medical Plan of Care completed and on file at the school.
Birthdays
There are several students and staff who have severe food allergies in our school. For that reason, we ask to you please do not send any food items as a treat for a birthday or special celebration. If you wish to celebrate, sending materials to support learning in our school such as pencils, crayons, books, etc. would be appropriate. Thank you for your understanding.
Kiss and Ride
We understand that there are a lot of cars in the morning and after school using the Drop Off lane. We are asking for your patience and understanding and to follow the guidance of the teachers on duty.
Please note that children should never exit from the driver's side and even if they are seated behind the driver they should exit from the curbside.
Thank you for helping us in making Walnut Grove a safe school for all of our students
Nutrition Break Routines
We encourage all students to remain at school during both Nutrition Breaks, to participate in the variety of extra-curricular activities offered. However, we recognize that some families want their children to come home for lunch. In order to ensure student safety at all times, we have established some expectations for Nutrition Break Routines:
· parents/guardians will be asked to complete a form indicating their wishes for daily routines for lunch for their children – these will be kept on file to ensure that routines are being followed
·anytime that those routines are changed, parents/guardians will be required to contact the school (by phone or in writing) indicating the change in routine
· if students go home for lunch, they are expected to remain home for the entire break (40 minutes)
· students are expected to return ON TIME for next period
STUDENTS WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO LEAVE SCHOOL PROPERTY AT NUTRITION BREAKS EXCEPT TO GO HOME FOR LUNCH WITH PARENT PERMISSION. Students will not be allowed to go to the plaza across the street, nor are they allowed to go to a friend’s house for lunch.
Help protect students with severe allergies by keeping lunches, 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 from the school office.
Supervision in Yard
Yard supervision for students begins at 9:00 a.m. Students should not be dropped off, or be arriving on school property, prior to 9:00 a.m. When outside, students need to play in their designated area and remain visible to the supervisor in the schoolyard.
Volunteers
Parents play an important role in the development and education of their children and in the success of the school community. At Walnut Grove, we welcome and encourage the participation of parents and community members, and are grateful for the countless hours our volunteers contribute throughout the school year.
To volunteer at our school, you must complete a short interview and a criminal record check. This Criminal Record Check must have been completed within the last 6 months, must include a Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) and must be an original copy. A police background check is required for all school volunteers in Ontario. Even if you want to accompany your child on a field trip, you need this background check.
Once you have completed the process, you are on file with the Peel District School Board as being a school volunteer. All returning volunteers will be mailed an Offence Declaration Form that must be filled out and returned to the board office each year. You will not be able to volunteer with the Peel board until you have returned this form.
If you have any questions about criminal record checks or the offence declaration form, please call the board office at 905-890-1010 ext. 2832.
Bring Your Own Device (B.Y.O.D.)
Walnut Grove students are welcome, with the permission of their parent/guardian, to bring a device from home to use at school for educational related purposes only. Students are expected to demonstrate good digital citizenship through the appropriate, responsible, legal and ethical use of technology. Parents are asked to sign a BYOD contract around the safe use of technology at school as outlined in the school’s code of conduct. Parents please look for this contract in your child’s agenda within the first few weeks of September.
If a student does not have access to a personal device, a school device (e.g., Net book, Chrome book, I Pad), may be made available for their use while on school property.
Principal's Message
Principal's Message
Welcome Back! On behalf of our Vice Principals, Shereen Rofaiel and Francine Tulloch-Harvey, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to all of our returning students and families, as well as to any new students and families who are joining us this year. The staff at Walnut Grove are very excited to begin a new school year, and they have been working very hard to ensure that their classrooms and programs are well-prepared. As always, we are committed to providing a rigorous and engaging academic program, balanced with extracurricular activities that enhance and enrich learning beyond the classroom.
What are our goals this school year?
- Our academic focus continues to be on further developing and deepening Numeracy skills. Students will continue to be engaged in problem solving, making meaningful connections and applications to the world around them, and to communicate their mathematical thinking and reasoning. Included in this will be our continued focus on STEAM activities from K-8. Literacy skills also continue to be a focus and are integrated in meaningful ways throughout all areas of the curriculum.
- Engaging Modern Learners at Walnut Grove incorporates Inquiry-based learning, collaboration and the responsible and effective use of technology, to help further develop critical thinking skills in our students. Students are always encouraged to bring their own devices (BYOD), as they engage in learning using a variety of tools and resources.
- We continue to focus on and build upon our Bullying Prevention and Intervention plan, with student-led committees and activities, aimed at raising awareness and reducing/eliminating any instances of bullying at Walnut Grove. We have numerous extracurricular activities and programs aimed at developing positive student behaviour and effective problem solving skills. The “Your Voice Counts” survey results indicated that, while we are doing well in this area, we must continue to deepen and extend the work we are doing with students, staff and the community.
- Mental Health and Well Being will continue to be a focus for students, staff and families of Walnut Grove. We will continue to provide opportunities for learning about, and deepening our understanding and practice of mindfulness and wellness, and encourage students to develop and maintain “balance” in academics, extracurricular activities and family life.
- Our Equity and Inclusion focus will see a deepening awareness and understanding of Indigenous issues and rights, and respect and inclusiveness for all. As well, we continue to focus on We Rise Together, and anti-black racism.
I would like to thank our Custodial staff for working so hard throughout the summer to ensure the school was cleaned and polished, and ready for our staff and students - the building looks fantastic! I would also like to thank our Office Staff, who have put in many, many hours assisting parents and staff, as they opened the office for a new school year - these are amazing ladies!
As always, student success is at the heart of everything we do at Walnut Grove. We encourage you to be actively involved in your child's daily life at school, and communicate regularly with your child's teachers, particularly through the class website. Please feel free to contact myself, or our Vice Principals at any time. We look forward to working with you as partners throughout the school year.
Pamela Lone
Principal
Welcome to our New Staff Members
Every year, we welcome new staff to our school. This year, we extend a very warm welcome to the following staff members:
Rebecca Bissoon - FDK
Ayanna Feare - ECE
Alexandra Marrese-Zucal - Gr. 1/2
Asha Nagpal - Gr.1 FI
Lisa Nunez - Gr. 2/3
Kate Yue - LTO Gr.3/4
Katherine Gutt - LTO Gr. 8
Paul Deacon - LTO Gr.8 FI
Erika Pace-Michaels - Core French
Melanie Puscas - ESL, Library
Danielle Pacheco - LTO TA
School Council
Every school year, a new School Council is elected. Please note following dates and timelines for Walnut Grove's 2019-2020 School Council elections:
- Sept. 9 - Nomination forms sent home to all families (check your child's backpack/agenda)
- Sept. 16 - Nomination forms due back to the office by 4:00 pm (ask your child to ensure that it is given to the teacher)
- Sept. 20 - School Council Nomination Biographies sent home to families (check your child's backpack/agenda)
- Oct. 3 - School Council Elections (6:30 am - 7:30 pm) - this is also Open House Night
- Oct. 4 - Names of elected School Council members will be put on to our school website
If you are interested in running for School Council this year, please complete a nomination form, and return it to school with your child.
- Oct. 10 - First School Council Meeting 6:00-7:00pm
Open House
Please join us on Thursday, October 3, 2019, between 6:30 – 7:30 pm for our annual Open House. You will have an opportunity to meet your child’s teacher(s), and get an overview of the program for the year. It will also be our School Council Elections night, so please make sure that you cast your vote for the 2019-20 School Council.
Photo Day at Walnut Grove
For your advanced planning, Walnut Grove Photo Day is Thursday, October 3rd, 2019. Re-Take Day is scheduled for Tuesday, November 5th.
Character at Walnut Grove
At Walnut Grove Public School we value all staff, students and community members. Our community is one of inclusiveness and respect. Each month, our community will be focusing on Peel’s Character Traits as well as specific Equity and Social Justice themes. Our monthly theme for September will be Caring.
You show care when you:
· Show kindness towards people and other living things
· Listen to and respond appropriately to the concerns of others
· Help others who are in need
· Demonstrate empathy by recognizing and identifying with the feelings of others
· Protect and respect the environment
Caring is being compassionate, considerate and unselfish. A caring person shows appreciation, forgives and helps others. They help people without expecting anything in return. Doing something for other people without expecting anything in return is a valuable trait for each of us to have. Our community benefits when people care about each other. Always remember - we become caring people by doing caring things! We look forward to celebrating Peel’s Character Traits - Honest, Cooperative, Respectful, Caring and Responsible at various student led assemblies throughout the course of the school year.
What's Happening at Walnut Grove
PEEL BOARD NEWS
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 Walnut Grove and Peel board news
School news
www.schools/peelschools.org/1416
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.
Volunteers and Lunch Room Supervisors
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 ¾ 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
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.
Parents can get updates during emergency procedures on their school website
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.
ParentConnect
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)
Download the SchoolMessenger app
Tap Sign Up to create your account
Web and Mobile Web: go.schoolmessenger.ca
Go to the above website
Click Sign Up to create your account
Interactive Toll-free Phone
Call the toll-free number: 1-855-209-6155
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
Royal Orchard MS
Central Peel SS, John Fraser SS
Earnscliffe Sr. PS (starts in grade 6), Queen Elizabeth Sr. PS (starts in grade 7), Cawthra Park SS, Mayfield SS
Morning Star MS
T.L. Kennedy SS
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
Judith Nyman (starting in September 2020), West Credit SS
Centennial Sr. PS, Macville PS, Tomken Rd. MS,
Chinguacousy SS, Port Credit SS
Applewood Heights SS
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
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.
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 647-473-1858
Susan Benjamin 5 Mississauga 647-268-1435
Stan Cameron (Chair) Caledon 905-880-1162
Robert Crocker 6 and 11 Mississauga 416-528-1312
Nokha Dakroub 9 and 10 Mississauga 289-914-0214
Will Davies 2 and 6 Brampton 647-218-0295
David Green 1 and 5 Brampton 905-495-4579
Sue Lawton (Vice-Chair) 3 and 4 Mississauga 905-625-8084
Brad MacDonald 2 and 8 Mississauga 905-593-3547
John Marchant 1 and 7 Mississauga 905-599-5646
Kathy McDonald 3 and 4 Brampton 905-796-8163
Balbir Sohi 9 and 10 Brampton 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.