Conference helps parents make a difference in numeracy and beyond'

The Peel District School Board is hosting its annual parent conference on Saturday, April 18, 2015 at Fletcher’s Meadow Secondary School in Brampton. This year, Numeracy & Beyond: Parent 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.

Space is limited. Registration closes March 27.

Stay up-to-date!

For more information, visit .

Apply for a position on the board's French as a Second Language Advisory Committee

The Peel District School Board is currently seeking parent members for its first French as a Second Language Advisory committee. The committee will meet three to four times during the school year to provide input and feedback in an advisory capacity to the board regarding the development and implementation of French programs and initiatives.

We are now in the process of inviting parents to apply for eight available positions on the committee.

Members will be selected based on the following criteria:

  • demonstrates a keen interest in public education and French as a Second Language programs
  • understands the importance of parent, family and community engagement
  • has experience working with French language/cultural organizations
  • demonstrates advocacy and community development skills
  • has a present level of involvement in the education system
  • reflects the diversity of the community

If interested, visit for an application and more details.

Visit the Maple Syrup Sugar Bush at Jack Smythe Field Centre

Enjoy the beauty and wonder of nature as spring blossoms. The Jack Smythe Field Centre offers an exceptional family experience with a visit to its Maple Syrup Sugar Bush. The March Break program runs from Wed., March 18, to Sat., March 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Sugar Bush program has been established for more than 15 years and provides families with an educational activity and a hands-on experience. The program is run by Peel District School Board teachers and staff during March Break.

Families are invited to get involved as spring comes to life in the following activities:

  • help tap trees and empty sap buckets
  • sample some freshly made maple syrup
  • hike along our trails and feed the friendly chickadees by hand
  • learn how pioneers collected and produced syrup compared to modern-day operations
  • visit the sugar shack where the sap boils and clouds of sweet smelling steam billow out of the chimney

The cost is $5/adult and $4/child 12 and under (cash only). Lunch will be available for purchase. It will include: hot chocolate, cookies and hot dogs for you to roast over an open fire.

Directions to Jack Smythe Field Centre, 14592 Winston Churchill Blvd., Terra Cotta:

North on Mississauga Road, left on King Street (you will see Credit View Public School on your left), right on Winston Churchill Boulevard (you must pass Terra Cotta Conservation Area on your left) and proceed to the top of the hill and left into the Jack Smythe site.

For more information, please contact the Jack Smythe Field Centre at 1-905-877-7771.

Using social media safely

With the growing number of social media sites, it is no surprise that social media is the most common form of communication for children and teenagers. Posts, status updates, comments, instant messages, video uploads, tweets and texts have become a regular part of their lives. While there are many positive benefits to using social media, including staying connected with friends and expressing your interests, students must be cautious in their use of these networks.

Among the most popular social media platforms used are Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, WeChat, Vine and Kik Messenger. Many of these platforms are free and are available on smartphones and other electronic devices. These platforms are easy to navigate and often allow information to be shared instantly, not only with friends, but with strangers. On social media, it is important to remember that the world is watching.

Here are some tips,provided by the Canadian Safe School Network and GetSafeOnline.org, to keep your children safe and help them make smart choices when using social media:

  • Set some boundaries for your child before they get their first ‘connected device’ (mobile,tablet, laptop or games console). Once they have it, it can be more difficult to change the way they use it or the settings.
  • Have a conversation about what is appropriate online behaviour and what actions could have huge repercussions that could damage their reputation and be harmful to others.
  • Talk to your child about the kind of websites they look at. Encourage them to speak to you if they come across something they find worrying or upsetting on websites, games or social media.
  • Discuss with your child what is safe and appropriate to post and share online. Written comments, photos and videos all form part of their ‘digital footprint’ and could be seen by anyone and available on the internet forever, even if it is subsequently deleted.
  • Explain to your child that being online doesn’t give them anonymity or protection, and that they shouldn’t do anything online that they wouldn’t do face-to-face.Users should only accept people they know in order to protect themselves from spammers, strangers and others who may be using social networking sites to commit crimes.
  • Unlike when they’re meeting someone face-to-face, children don’t always know who they’re actually ‘talking’ to online, even if they think they do. Tell your children they must never email, chat, or text with strangers, and it’s never okay to meet a stranger in the real world.
  • Ensure your children set their privacy settings appropriately.Take the time to learn how privacy settings work on your children’s favourite sites, and teach them how to control their privacy.
  • Tell your children never to share personal and private information with anyone online. This includes, but is not limited to, his or her full name, age, birth date, address, phone number, social insurance number, credit card information and parents’ full names.
  • Limit the amount of time that your children spend on social media platforms and talk about the importance of healthy and appropriate use of technology.

Help your family stay warm this winter

Peel Public Healthrecommends the following cold weather guidelines for preventing cold-weatherinjuries:

  1. Reduce amount of time children (grade 8 and under) spend outdoors when the temperature is –20 degrees Celsius or colder, with or without the wind chill. Keep children indoors when the temperature is -25 degrees Celsius or colder, with or without wind chill. Some medical conditions may increase sensitivity to cold. Parents should consult their physician (Source: Environment Canada).
  2. Allow indoor breaks if children say they are feeling cold or during extreme temperatures.
  3. Ensure children are dressed warmly, covering exposed skin: insulated boots, winter weight coats, mittens, hats, neck warmers.
  4. Change wet clothing or footwear immediately.
  5. Although these conditions are unlikely to occur during the school day, ensure that all staff are able to recognize and treat symptoms of frostbite and hypothermia. Given plenty of warm fluids to prevent dehydration.
  6. When children are outside, be watchful for shivering or signs of numbness in faces, ears, hands or feet.
  7. Educate children in dealing with cold weather: drinking plenty of fluids, dressing warmly, and recognizing signs of cold injury.

Register today for Adult ESL non-credit courses

Do you know an adult in Peel that is interested in improving their English language skills for work, study or daily life?

The Peel District School Board offers Adult ESL courses at three locations in Brampton and Mississauga. Winter courses begin February 2, 2015.

To learn more or to register, call 905-270-6000. Registration is ongoing and continues after courses have started.

Bramalea​

Adult Education Centre

25 Kings Cross Road, Unit 3

Brampton

Adult Education Centre

#300 - 7700 Hurontario Street

Mississauga

Adult Education Centre

100 Elm Drive West, Room 117

To learn more, visit

Twitter: @PDSBLearnESL

Kids’ CBC hosts a free family kite festival event on March 21 & 22

This free family event will feature an exciting day full of fun for kids as they make kites, rangoli designs, spin tops, hear South Asian stories and enjoy a digital gaming zone and more. They will also meet and greet with their favourite Kids’ CBC characters including host Patty, Daniel Tiger, Bookaboo and Super WHY!

The kids will have a chance to appear on camera, as Kids’ CBC camera crew captures fun moments of the day to be featured on-air and on the Kids’ CBC YouTube Channel.

Saturday March 21, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Mississauga Central Library
301 Burnhamthorpe Road West, Mississauga

Sunday March 22, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Bramalea City Centre

25 Peel Centre Drive, Brampto

For more information on the event and Kids’ CBC, visit