1. 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 posted as soon as possible at:
Twitter at
Facebook at
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2. Conference Helps Parents Make a Difference in Numeracy and Beyond
The Peel District School Board is hosting its annual parent conference on Saturday, April 2, 2016, at Rick Hansen Secondary School in Mississauga. Once again, the conference will focus on numeracy—25 out of 60 workshops help with math. Parents will still have the opportunity to attend workshops on other topics, including literacy, special education and science.
This free learning event is open to Peel parents of students at all grade levels.
Registration opens February 1, 2016
Stay up-to-date!
For more information, look out for the conference flyer at your child's school or visit

3. Nutritious Lunches Help Children Learn
Use Canada’s Food Guide to help your child get nutrients and energy needed to have a successful school day.
Try to give your child some choice about what to take for lunch. If possible, get your child involved in preparing meals.
Give your child a variety of healthy choices. Keeping your child interested in lunch is the first step to making sure it is eaten.
Make the food easy to eat. If it will take your child a few minutes to unwrap a sandwich, it may be skipped.
Resist the temptation to routinely send sweets, pop, chips and cookies in your child's lunch. Save treats for special occasions.
Try to avoid fast food or pre-packaged, convenience lunches, which are often high in salt and fat.
Do your best to role model healthy eating behaviours for your family.
To speak to a registered dietitian about healthy food choices, call EatRight Ontario at
For more information about the policy, visit If you have questions about how we are implementing the School Food and Beverage Policy, please call the school.

4. Apply for French Immersion by Jan. 29, 2016
If your child will be starting grade 1 in September 2016, one of the important choices you will make is whether you want to consider French Immersion (FI). To find out more about the program, visit
The application form for grade 1 FI for the school year will be available online at as of Monday, Nov. 23, 2015 at 1 p.m. The deadline to apply is Friday, Jan. 29, 2016 at 4 p.m. Applications received after the deadline will not be included in the random selection process and will be placed on the school’s waitlist.
The FI school for our area is Russell D. Barber Public School. Their phone number is
Enrolment Cap and Random Selection Process
As there is a grade 1 FI enrolment cap in place, there are a limited number of spots available for students entering the program. The cap is set at 25 per cent of all Peel students enrolled in grade 1.
Spots are not assigned on a first come, first served basis. A random selection (lottery) process is used to identify students gaining entrance into the grade 1 FI program.
All students who apply by the deadline will be assigned a rank using a computerized random selection process. Once students have been assigned to all available spots, remaining students will be placed, again in rank order, on the school's waitlist. Each school has its own waitlist.
How to get more information
Visit the Peel board website—
Call Russell D. Barber Public School at
Visit the Canadian Parents for French website at

5. Special Technology Offers for Peel Board Students, Parents and Staff
Does your child need a computer or tablet for school? Equity of access to technology is a key priority for the Peel board. That's why we've worked with a number of technology companies to offer discounted devices to Peel families and staff.
Renewed Computer Technology (RCT) offers low-cost, quality refurbished computers to families with a low-income. Qualified applicants can purchase:
desktop for $60​
laptop for $150
Prices include software, a two-year warranty and tax.
For more information, contact RCT directly: call or visit their website at 
Microsoft
Microsoft offers reduced pricing on select products. For more information, visit
The Peel board’s initiatives are part of the ongoing effort to create greater equity of access to technology for Peel students, parents and staff and do not represent an endorsement of any company or product. For all BYOD information, visit
Peel families now have access to the following exclusive offers from VIG Solutions:
Intel Dual Core, 2GB, 160GB computer with a 17-inch LCD monitor -- $110
10-inch netbook with 1GB ram, 160GB hard drive, Wi-Fi capability and Windows 7 -- $60.
Taxes and shipping will be applied to product costs, and all items come with a six-month warranty.  To purchase products, visit and enter peelregion before proceeding.

6. It's Time to Register Children Born in 2012 for Kindergarten
We inspire success, confidence and hope in each student…and it all starts in kindergarten! If your child was born in 2012, he or she can start kindergarten in September 2016.  You can register your child at any time during regular school hours—just visit the school he/she will be attending to register.
Peel schools will also hold a Kindergarten
Registration Week with special registration
activities during Feb. 1 to 4, 2016.
Visit Massey Street Public School from
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 1, 2, 3 and 4 or
from 5 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 4.