January 2024

Dress for the Weather Creating a Safe and Respectful Environment for Diverse and Excellent Teaching and Learning
Remember to check the weather daily before
coming to school. It is important to dress for
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
being outside for Physical Education and other
classes every day! Now that autumn is here, 1 2 3 4 5
some days will be warm and cold, even with
sunshine, so wear lots of layers to keep warm
and dry.

Student Transportation of Peel Region

(STOPR) has established a new “weather zone”
procedure for the purposes of monitoring and Day 6 8 Day 7 9 Day 8 10 Day 9 11 Day 10 12
communicating school bus cancellations on
inclement weather days. School Bus cancellation Reading Group to
options include Zone #1, Zone #2, Zone #3. Library for COPE
(Reading buddies
Please note that our school is part of program)
Weather Zone #1.

School Bus Cancellations will be communicated

by “Weather Zone” through the STOPR website Day 1 15 Day 2 16 Day 3 17 Day 4 18 Day 5 19
www.stopr.ca and the STOPR twitter account
@STOPRinfo by 06:00 am each morning. For Immunization Clinic - Immunization Clinic - Red Cross Babysitting
more information on this new weather zone Gr. 7/8- Meningitis and Gr. 7/8- Meningitis and Course
procedure please visit www.stopr.ca and click on catchup catchup
the inclement weather tab and then click on
STOPR0029 for further details.

Breakfast Club 22 Day 6 23 Day 7 24 Day 8 25 Day 9 26

Breakfast Club runs from Monday to Friday from
PA DAY COURSE SELECTION COURSE SELECTION COURSE SELECTION COURSE SELECTION
7:40 to 8:00 am in Room 101. Breakfast is free
for Gr. 8s for Gr. 8s for Gr. 8s for Gr. 8s
to all students.
No school for
students
Red Cross Babysitting
Peel District School Board Calendar Course
Please see the Peel District School Board
Calendar for all Holy days and Board recognized
days. Day 10 29 Day 1 30 Day 2 31 Coming Up:
Feb. 7 – Term 1 Report Cards go home
Calendar - Peel Board Office Site
COURSE SELECTION for COURSE SELECTION COURSE SELECTION Feb. 14 – Valentine’s Day
(peelschools.org)
Gr. 8s for Gr. 8s for Gr. 8s Feb. 15 – Raptors game
Feb. 16 – PD Day (No School)
Assembly for Black Feb. 19 – Family Day (No School)
History Month

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @EdenwoodMS

 January 2024
Mental Health School Announcement
Calling all staff and students in grades 7-12!
• Do you have an interest in mental health and well-being?
• Are you passionate about making a difference?
• Do you have ideas and input to share?
PDSB is hoping you’ll join one of our Mental Health Advisory Groups to share your voice and input as we bring our 2023-26 Mental Health and
Addictions Strategy and Annual Action Plan to life in Peel schools.
To learn more and register to be part of an Advisory Group, visit www.peelschools.org/mental-health-and-well-being. Registration closes on
January 26. We look forward to having you!

Tamil Heritage Month

The purpose of the Months of Recognition is to celebrate the work of creating culturally sustaining learning environments that happen year-
round and affirm students' intersectional identities. The work of affirmation is the backbone of culturally sustaining teaching. Curriculum
comes to life when it is responsive to the lived experiences of students. This January at PDSB we honour Tamil Heritage Month.

The first Tamil Heritage Month was celebrated in 2010. The recognition of Tamil Heritage Month in January was declared by the Ontario
government in 2014 and then by Canadian Parliament in 2016. Tamil Heritage Month provides an opportunity to learn about the history,
language and culture of the Tamil diasporas. It also acknowledges, affirms and celebrates the valuable contributions of Tamils within and
beyond Canada.

Tamil Heritage month includes the Thai Pongal, a four-day festival when community members express thanks for abundance and renewal.
Monday, January 15, 2024 to Thursday, January 18, 2024, marks the Tamil Thai Pongal this year.

According to the 2021 Census, approximately 240,000 people identified as Tamil in Canada. In Peel District School Board, the 2018
Student Census indicated that 3.7% of students speak Tamil. Schools across the system will be engaged in a variety of activities that
celebrate and affirm the Tamil identity. Our publicly stated commitments to anti-racism and anti-oppression ensure that this occurs through
engaging, equitable and inclusive online and in-person learning and through culturally relevant program opportunities.
Regional Learning Choices Programs (RLCP) empower students to unlock their passions
Regional Learning Choices Programs offered by 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 families are encouraged to visit
the Elementary Regional Learning Choices Programs website to learn about the programs, application details, and what supports are available to help families
choose the program(s) of their choice.

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 only eligible for busing if they meet the distance criteria outlined in the board’s Transportation policy.

All regional programs include annual fees, and a non-refundable application fee of $40 ($20 for the Arts application at Earnscliffe Sr. P.S. and Queen Elizabeth
Sr. P.S.). Please note that supports are available for families who are interested in applying and may require financial assistance – please speak with your
principal.

Important dates to note:

Applications open Applications close

ELEMENTARY Jan. 22, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 7, 2024, at 3 p.m.

Elementary Programs and Information Nights

Program School Programs starts in Info Night Date Info Night Time
grade
Arts and Morning Star M.S. 6 January 11 6:00 p.m.
Technology
Arts Earnscliffe Sr. P.S. 6 January 12 6:00 p.m.
Queen Elizabeth 7 January 12 6:30 p.m.
Sr. P.S.
International Bristol Rd. M.S. 6 January 10 6:00 p.m.
Baccalaureate (IB) WG Davis Sr. P.S. 6 January 10 6:00 p.m.
Hybrid
International Allan A Martin Sr. 6 January 17 6:00 p.m.
Business and P.S.
Technology (IBT) Lisgar M.S. 6 January 17 6:00 p.m.
Williams Parkway 6 January 17 6:00 p.m.
Sr. P.S. Virtual Only
Actively in Motion Royal Orchard 6 January 18 5:30 p.m.
(AIM) M.S.
SciTech Centennial Sr. P.S. 6 January 19 6:30 p.m.
 Info Night at
Brampton
Centennial S.S.
not Centennial Sr.
P.S.
Macville P.S. 6 January 19 6:30 p.m.
Info Night at
Humberview, not
at Macville PS.
Tomken Rd. M.S. 6 January 19 6:00 p.m.

Online Kindergarten Registration Now Open for the 2024-25 School Year

At Peel District School Board, Kindergarten is a place to play, wonder and learn. Play sparks children’s curiosity, creativity, problem-solving,
literacy, mathematical development, innovation, social-emotional development and well-being. Play nurtures children’s interests and identities. It is
how children learn and is foundational in the Kindergarten program.

If your child was born in 2020, they are eligible to begin kindergarten in September 2024. For more information about our kindergarten program
and to register your child, visit: www.peelschools.org/Kindergarten

Save the date!

• A parent information session, “Play, Wonder, Learn in Action,” will be held on January 25, 2024. More information will be provided closer to
the date.
• A virtual parent information session for students with special needs will be held on February 1, 2024, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. via
Microsoft Teams.

Applications now open for French Immersion and Extended French programs
If your child will be starting Grade 1 or Grade 7 in September 2024, one of the choices you can make is whether you want to consider Grade 1
French Immersion (FI) or Grade 7 Extended French (EF).

Peel District School Board offers three French as a Second Language (FSL) programs - French Immersion, Core French and Extended French.
Each of the programs differ in intensity but share a common purpose - to develop students' communication skills in the French language.

Applications for the FI & EF programs are now open. The deadline to apply is Friday, January 26, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. Applications received after
this date will be put on a waiting list. To apply and for more information visit peelschools.org/French.

Help your family stay warm this winter

Canada Safety Council recommends the following tips for staying comfortable and preventing hypothermia when working or playing outdoors:

• Wear a warm hat—most body heat is lost through the head. Children should keep an extra hat at school.
• Wear layered clothing. Layers allow warm air to stay trapped around the body.
• Protect your feet and hands. Wear loose waterproof boots. If the boots have liners, carry an extra pair to replace damp ones or take an
extra pair of socks. Invest in thick socks to keep your feet warm. Mittens are warmer than gloves. Carry an extra pair of mittens to school,
on outings, etc.
• Prevent dehydration and exhaustion, which can lead to hypothermia. Drink plenty of fluids and pace yourself when doing vigorous
activities.
• Stay fit by exercising and eating well—people who are fit are less susceptible to hypothermia.
• If you stay indoors, avoid moving from a hot environment to a cold one. Excessive sweating caused from an extreme change in
temperature increases the risk of developing hypothermia.
• Eat high-energy food such as nuts and raisins. A balanced diet will also help keep you warm and healthy in the winter.
• If you are travelling (on the road or in the wilderness) carry emergency supplies.
Steps to protect yourself from respiratory illnesses over the winter break
Dear families and staff,

Respiratory illness season is here, and the number of people in our community getting sick with the flu, common cold, and COVID-19 is rising. The level of
infection that we’re seeing is expected for this time of year, and we’re anticipating an increase in the coming weeks. Peel Public Health offers the following
recommendations to support a healthy winter break and return to school in January.

• Keep sick kids at home before and after the break. Children may return to school and childcare after they have no fever and symptoms have improved for 24
hours (or 48 hours for nausea, vomiting and diarrhea). If experiencing severe symptoms like chest pain or difficulty breathing, visit the nearest emergency
department. If you have general questions, or are unsure where to access care, call Health Connect Ontario (formerly Telehealth) at 811, available 24/7 in
multiple languages, speak to your family doctor, or access these resources available to everyone, including individuals without an Ontario health card:

• Regional Virtual Urgent Care Program: regional-virtual-urgent-care.ca/

• Pediatric Care Clinic: summervillefht.com/displayPage.php?page=Pediatric
• Chat online with a nurse, 24/7: health811.ontario.ca/static/guest/home

• Practice good hygiene. Remind children to cover coughs and sneezes and wash hands often or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Screen with the self-assessment tool at Ontario.ca/self-assessment and consider testing for COVID-19 as needed. Rapid antigen test kits are available now.
Visit peelregion.ca/health/diseases/covid19/ for pickup locations.

• Consider wearing a mask indoors, especially in crowded spaces where you can’t keep a safe and comfortable distance from others, and follow additional
protective actions at these links:

• How to protect your family from respiratory illness, and where to seek care if sick: peelregion.ca/health/diseases/respiratory-illness-season/

• Fever & Cough Resources for Parents: thp.ca/emergency/A/fever.html#ermenutop

• Get vaccinated and stay up to date with vaccinations. Everyone 6 months and older can get the flu or COVID-19 vaccine for free.

• Where to get the flu vaccine: peelregion.ca/health/diseases/flu/

• Where to get the COVID-19 vaccine: peelregion.ca/health/vaccinations/covid-19/

These actions can keep you and your loved ones from getting severely sick. Peel Public Health wishes you and your family a happy and healthy holiday season.

Sincerely,

Peel Public Health

Keep your child’s eyes healthy
Did you know that vision problems in children often go unnoticed because kids don’t know any different? Many preschoolers will have vision
difficulties that can affect the development of their sight if not treated. However, if caught by the age of 5, treatment will be most effective.
The Region of Peel recommends regular eye exams for your child to help find eye problems early and get the right treatment.
The best way to ensure good eye health is to have your child’s eyes checked by an optometrist. Yearly eye exams for children 19 and under are
covered by OHIP.
What to expect at your child’s eye exam
An optometrist will complete:

• General vision testing in both eyes.

• Eye muscle testing.
• Eye coordination testing.
• A general health assessment of the front and back of the eyes.

If needed, the optometrist will write a prescription for glasses for your child.
For information on overall vision health, common signs of a possible eye problem and the programs available to you within Peel, visit
www.peelregion.ca/vision-health
Student Trustee Elections are coming soon!

Student trustees serve an important role for Peel District School Board (PDSB). As a student trustee, you represent the voice of students in
decisions about education in Peel and help keep students informed about important decisions that affect them.

It's time to elect student trustees for the 2024-25 school year!

Being a student trustee for PDSB is a great opportunity – and a big commitment. For the 2024-25 school year, the board will select three student
trustees:

• One representing schools north of Highway 401 including Peel Virtual Secondary School (PVSS).
• One representing schools south of Highway 401.
• One self-identifying Indigenous Student Trustee to be elected by students who voluntarily self-identify as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit.
• North and South Student Trustees will be elected by the voting process via D2L Brightspace.
• The Indigenous Student Trustee will be elected through an internal process supported by The Centre for Indigenous Excellence and Land
Based Learning.

Please contact nicole.reynolds@peelsb.com if you identify as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit and are either interested in running for the election or
would like to elect an Indigenous Student Trustee.

The campaign period will take place from January 22 to February 9, 2024.

Please visit Student Trustees - Peel Board Office Site (peelschools.org) for more details.
 “PRIORITIZING YOUR WELL-BEING IN THE NEW YEAR”
From the PDSB Mental Health Resource Team

As we enter the new year of 2024, it is the perfect time to reaffirm your commitment to ourselves and our loved one’s overall wellbeing. Wellbeing
means our emotional or mental wellbeing, our physical and spiritual wellbeing.

For some, the new year is a fresh beginning; however, for many families, individuals, and communities there is a heaviness and continued hurt in
which they enter the new year. The challenges of life, world events, injustices we experience and observe require us to give ourselves permission
to focus on wellbeing. This might include allowing yourself to get some additional rest, setting boundaries, and engaging in individual and
community care and healing as needed.

Below are some strategies that might be helpful when supporting your own mental well-being, and/or the well-being of others in your family.

Try to Get Some Rest. Rest might include working towards better sleep hygiene or taking a break from social media and the news. It can be
beneficial to monitor how much time you spend on these platforms.

Set Boundaries. Boundaries are a helpful tool to give us balance in our physical safety, communication, emotions, energy, and time. Setting
boundaries might look different for everyone, but some examples include permitting yourself to dictate how and when you engage with life
activities and expectations. This includes learning to say no to things that do not enhance your wellness and walking away from situations that
may make you feel unsafe.

Be Kind to Yourself and Connect with Others. It is important to ensure that you remain kind to yourself during these challenging times. This
might include taki ng part in activities that bring you joy, and/or connecting with others. Engaging in community care and healing can be extremely
beneficial and a reminder that you are not alone.

For some, community engagement and involvement can contribute to well-being. In this vein, PDSB is currently seeking involvement
from parents, caregivers, students, staff, faith leaders and community partners for our Mental Health Advisory Groups to provide
consultation and input as we jointly mobilize our 2023-26 Mental Health and Addictions Strategy and Annual Action Plan. We are hoping to include
a diverse range of voices, lived experiences and perspectives. To learn more and register to be part of an Advisory Group, visit
https://www.peelschools.org/mental-health-and-well-being. Sign up closes January 26. We look forward to having you!

If you’re concerned about your child’s mental health visit www.peelschools.org/mental-health-parents for further information about school and
community resources. A compiled resource guide including identity and ability-specific mental health resources can be found here: bit.ly/Student-
MH-Supports. For updates and to follow along with the work of the PDSB Mental Health Resource Team, find them on Twitter @MHRTPeel.
Acknowledgement:
Indigenous teaching reminds us that mental wellness is a balance of the mental, physical, spiritual and emotional parts of ourselves and is
enriched when individuals experience purpose, hope, belonging and meaning in their lives (First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum Framework).