NOVEMBER 2014

DAY / EVENT
November 2 /
  • Take Two singing at Hershey Centre 2:00

November 3 /
  • Grade 7 and 8 girls immunization

November 5 /
  • Grade 8 to AHSS

November 6 /
  • Reports go home

November 8 /
  • PEO Mathletics (south gym)

November 11 /
  • Remembrance Day assembly

November 13 /
  • Interview night

November 14 /
  • No school – interview morning

November 17 – 28 /
  • Rodrigo Chaves for grade 6

November 17 /
  • School Council meeting

November 20 - 27 /
  • Winter Book Fair

November 25 /
  • Anti- bullying Assembly

November 29 /
  • FLL regionals (Fletcher’s Meadows SS)

ONGOING ACTIVITIES/CLUBS
Tomken Reads Reading Program – Sept. - November
Bridge Club – Tuesdays both lunches
Chess Club – Fridays for grade 6/7, Mondays for grade 8
Scrabble Club – Tuesdays before school 7:30
Toastmasters International Youth Leadership – Thursdays before school 7:30
Choir (all grades) – Thursdays after school
Musical – Thursdays after school/choir
Dance Club – Wednesdays after school
Take Two – Mondays after school
Phys.Ed. – Please check Phys. Ed. My Class site for a detailed schedule of activities

Explore program options at makingmyway.ca

Students have different needs, interests and abilities—our schools offer great educational opportunities to help all students achieve. For students looking for a more focused, specialized program, here are some options:

Regional programs start in grades 6, 7 and 9

Students in regional programs still complete all of the requirements of the Ontario curriculum, but there is an increased focus on an area of interest. Programs include:

  • Actively in Motion (AIM)
  • Advanced Placement
  • Arts
  • Arts and Technology
  • Graphic Design Management: Flexography
  • International Baccalaureate
  • International Business and Technology
  • International and Executive Leadership Academy
  • SciTech
  • Sports
  • Strings
  • Truck and Coach Technology

Specialist High Skills Major programs start in grade 11

Specialist High Skills Major programs allow students to focus their learning on a specific economic sector, while meeting the requirements to graduate from secondary school. Students gain sector-recognized certification and career-relevant training. The programs support the transition after graduation to apprenticeship training, college, university or the workplace. Peel board schools offer Specialist High Skills Major programs in the following area.

  • Arts & Culture
  • Business and Entrepreneurial Studies
  • Construction
  • Environment
  • Health and Wellness
  • Hospitality and Tourism
  • Information and Communications Technology
  • Justice, Community Safety and Emergency Services
  • Manufacturing
  • Non-Profit
  • Sports
  • Transportation

More options for Peel board students

  • co-operative education programs provide workplace experience
  • extended French starts in grade 7
  • dual credit programs allow student to earn college credits at the same time as secondary school credits
  • alternative programs are available for students who need flexible school hours, are dealing with unique situations, or require more support

Our guidance counsellors can help students determine which courses will best meet their needs, interests and abilities—contact the school to make an appointment.

For more information about regional programs, Specialist High Skills Major programs and other programs of choice available to Peel board students, visit

Choose Actionon Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week

The Peel District School Board will recognize Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week during the week of November 16 to 22.

Across the Peel board, schools use many programs and initiatives to prevent bullying and to intervene when bullying happens. Though the programs vary, their messages are consistent. Students are taught to:

  • define bullying
  • identify forms of bullying
  • identify roles in bullying relationships, for example the person who bullies, the target, the bystander or the trusted advocate
  • determine how to safely “choose action” to prevent and intervene in bullying & harassment
  • demonstrate character attributes and be a leader to help maintain positive and safe school communities

Every school has a Climate for Learning and Working Team which is required to develop a Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan as part of the School Success Plan. Also, every employee who is involved in the care and service of students is obligated to report in writing to the school administration any action for which the principal must consider suspension or expulsion. Bullying is an offence that must be considered for suspension.

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

Is Extended French right for my child?

If your child will be starting grade 7 in September 2015, one of the important choices you will make is whether you want to register your child in Extended French.

What is the program like? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the program?

One way to help answer these questions is to attend the information meeting on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014 at 7 p.m. at the Extended French school your child would attend.

To find out the Extended French school your child would attend:

  • call the school in your area
  • visit our website
  • call 905-890-1010 or 1-800-668-1146 ext. 2212

Registration

Registration for Grade 7 Extended French for the 2015-16 school year will be available online at Monday Nov. 24, 2014 at 9 a.m.

The deadline to register is Friday, Jan. 30, 2015 at 4 p.m. Registrants after that date will be put on a waiting list.

Important dates

Information meeting Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014 at 7 p.m.

Registration opens Monday Nov. 24, 2014 at 9 a.m.

Registration deadline Friday, Jan. 30, 2015 at 4 p.m.

For more information

  • visit
  • call your nearest Extended French school
  • talk with parents who have children in the Extended French program
  • visit the Canadian Parents for French website at

Is French Immersion right for my child?

If your child will be starting grade 1 in September 2015, one of the important choices you will make is whether you want to register your child in French Immersion.

What is the program like? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the program?

One way to help answer these questions is to attend the information meeting on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014 at 7 p.m. at the French Immersion school your child would attend.

To find out the French Immersion school your child would attend:

  • call the school in your area
  • visit our website
  • call 905-890-1010 or 1-800-668-1146 ext. 2212

Registration

Registration for Grade 1 French Immersion for the 2015-16 school year will be available online at Monday Nov. 24, 2014 at 9 a.m.

The deadline to register is Friday, Jan. 30, 2015 at 4 p.m. Registrants after that date will be put on a waiting list.

A French Immersion enrolment cap is in place. This means that a specific number ofspots are available for students entering grade 1 French Immersion. A random selection process will be used to identify students gaining entrance into the program. For more information about the random selection process visit .

Important dates

Information meeting Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014 at 7 p.m.

Registration opens Monday Nov. 24, 2014 at 9 a.m.

Registration deadline Friday, Jan. 30, 2015 at 4 p.m.

For more information

  • visit
  • call your nearest French Immersion school
  • talk with parents who have children in the French Immersion program
  • visit the Canadian Parents for French website at

Need help in math? Free tutoring now available online

Math students in grades 7 to 10 can access live, interactive online math help by visiting Homework Helpis free, real-time math tutoring by certified Ontario teachers.

Students can log in from Sunday to Thursday, between 5:30 and 9:30 p.m. for individualized confidential math tutoring. There are discussion rooms for each grade where students can join and see what questions other students are asking, watch the tutors draw on the whiteboard – and ask their own question for on-the-spot help.

Students will also find 24/7 discussion rooms, video lessons and commonly asked questions. Other online math resources include math games and a virtual locker, where students can save their work.

Homework Help is a project funded by the Ministry of Education.

Help your child prepare for tests

Many students will become anxious at the thought of writing a test. Anxiety about an upcoming test can affect a child's behaviour, thoughts and actions. Here are some ways you can help minimize anxiety at test time:

Organize & Prepare

  • Encourage your child not to leave assignments, studying and homework to the last minute.
  • Schedule time for review and work on assignments each day.
  • Establish a regular time of the day for homework, studying etc.
  • Make the home a homework-friendly environment where learning is regular routine.
  • Remove distractions like the television, phones, computers when studying.
  • Tell your child to make sure tests and due dates are marked in their agenda.

Practice

  • Encourage your child to think about ‘what, when, where and how’ when preparing/completing assignments.
  • Develop practice tests and help them anticipate questions.
  • Review previous exercises.
  • When appropriate, encourage your child to pair up with a friend to review information and brainstorm.
  • Build learning into family activities— suggest keeping a journal, writing a report or a news article about family events, outings or trips and include photos.

Be in the know

  • Check out the curriculum for your child’s grade level (available as PDF files at www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum)
  • Ask your child’s teacher about major topics studied and how these topics are structured— homework, assignments, exercises
  • Use your child’s agenda to communicate with their teacher—ask questions, check for homework tips, etc.

Winter bus safety

The following winter school bus safety tips will help to keep your child safe throughout the winter months.

  • Allow extra time to get to your bus stop.
  • Wear bright clothing so the bus can see you in the early morning and late evening.
  • Stand away from where the bus stops. Buses need extra room to stop when there is snow and ice.
  • Use the handrail when boarding or exiting the bus to prevent slipping on wet or icy steps or road surfaces.
  • Dress properly—winter clothing, hats, and boots will keep you warm.
  • Don't throw snowballs at the bus or other children waiting for the bus.
  • Don't slide on the snow or ice patches in driveways or on the street.
  • Don't push or shove around the bus. Someone could fall down on the ice and get hurt.

On very rare occasions, buses are late because of weather conditions or mechanical problems. Talk to your child about what to do if the bus is late. Here are some suggestions:

  • When possible, wait with your child for the bus.
  • Make sure your child knows a phone number where he can reach you or another trusted adult.
  • Teach your child how and where to get help. Talk to your child about what a "safe" stranger is.
  • Help your child set up a bus stop buddy system so your child has someone to wait with for the bus.

Insπre. Gr23ness. 2gether.

“Ugh. Math.”Unfortunately, this is the attitude many students (and adults) have about math. If we're going to help our students achieve numeracy greatness, we need to turn these negative attitudes into positive ones. So, our three-year math strategy, EngageMath, starts with something we have enormous influence over—our attitude towards math.

Everyone is born with a math gene

According to Stanford University Professor Carol Dweck, students who believe that intelligence or math and science ability is a fixed trait are at a significant disadvantage compared to students who believe their abilities can be developed. Like anything else, our talents and abilities in math are nurtured only if we have agrowth mindsetabout them. A “Yes I can” attitude when it comes to numeracy is the first step. A “Count on Us” attitude comes next.

To learn more about Dweck's research on student mindsets and how they help students fulfill their potential, watch herRidley lecture here: .

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Online math parent resources

While the Peel board’s EngageMath strategy plans out certain actions, it is by no means a magic bullet to answering the questions and challenges surrounding numeracy and student achievement. Math success for all our students requires a strong partnership between home and school. That's why we're committed to providing you with the parent resources you need to help us boost math achievement.

Online resources to help you support your child or teen's numeracy success are available on the Peel board’s website at . There you will find links to:

  • tip sheets
  • Homework Help
  • Mathies.ca
  • mathematics curriculum

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Hold the date: Parent Numeracy & Beyond Conference

Saturday, April 18, 2015 – 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Fletcher’s Meadow Secondary School, Brampton

Plan to attend our annual,free Parent Conference on Saturday, April 18, 2015. Take one day to enjoy:

  • a powerfulkeynote presentation focused on math success
  • your choice of more than45 practical workshops facilitated by Peel board staff
  • adisplay area with educational exhibits from local organizations

This year, a large number of morning workshops will provide parents with strategies to help you support math success at home. Brochures will be sent home with all Peel students in January. Registration will open at that time and information will also be posted to .