October 2024 Kingswood Happenings...

Inside This Issue:

Principal’s Message

Upcoming Dates

#WELLinPEEL

Celebrations this Month

High Performers Program

Walk to School Month

Cyber Security

International & Indigenous

Languages

Peel Learning Foundation

Months of Recognition
Orange Shirt Day commemorates the history and the legacy of
residential schools, and the strength and fortitude of residential school
survivors and their descendants. On Monday, September 30th (National
Truth and Reconciliation Day), our school commemorated the day with in
school activities, including the art display on the front gate and by wear-
ing orange shirts in recognition of the day.
September is also the time for our annual Terry Fox fundraiser,
along with a school-wide assembly and walk which was held on Septem-
ber 27th. We thank students and families for their donations in support
235 Kingswood Drive of continuing cancer research and carrying on Terry’s marathon of hope.
Brampton, Ontario
L6V 3B3
Need School Bus Info?
Phone: (905) 457-9971
Fax: (905) 457-6598
Check www.stopr.ca to see if your child’s bus is late
or for other transportation related questions & inquiries.
Safe Arrival
1-855-209-6155
Principal: N. Berardi Building Bridges to the Future!
Vice-Principal: S. Robbs We stand for...
Caring—Cooperation—Honesty—Inclusivity—Respect—Responsibility
 Dear Kingswood Families,

It seems like only yesterday we waved goodbye to everyone in June, and yet somehow September has al-
ready come and gone. We were thrilled to see so many parents and family members at our open house and
we are looking forward to another successful year in partnership with you. September also brought about
our annual re-organization process, resulting in class changes for some of our primary and junior students.
While saying goodbye can be hard, we know students will soon feel right at home in their new spaces!

September is also a time for students to become accustomed to school routines and for our younger stu-
dents, this process is especially important. Please join us in reinforcing the need to be on time for school
and prepared for learning! Children can and should be given responsibilities such as organizing materials—
including helping to pack their lunch, their backpack and materials needed for class. Starting the day with a
nutritious breakfast and having healthy snacks throughout the day will help students reach their potential
and function at their best.

Our School Council is another way for our parent community to get involved with and contribute to school
life at Kingswood. Thank you to parent members from our 2023-24 council who volunteered their time at
open house to set up the tables with popcorn and juice boxes to help fundraise and recruit new members.
Check your email for a reminder about elections on October 3rd. All parents and guardians are welcome!

Mr. N.Berardi Mrs. S.Robbs

Principal Vice Principal

Upcoming Calendar Items:

• School Council Elections (see e-mail for nomination forms)

October 3rd @ 6:30pm

• Pizza Days (order via Schoolcashonline)

October 4, 10*, 18 & 25
*As Friday the 11th is a PL Day, Pizza Day will be held on Thursday the 10th
• Professional Learning (PL) Day—No School for Students
October 11th
• Thanksgiving Holiday Monday—No School for Students
October 14th

• School Council Meeting

October 17th @ 6:30pm

October 2024 Page 2

 Mentally Healthy Back-to-School
From the PDSB Mental Health Resource Team and
School Mental Health Ontario
Strategies for Anxiousness & Reconnecting
The past few school years have been anything but usual! We know that while many students and
families are eager to return to a “more normal” school experience, some will be worried about
starting back, and what this new school year will look like for them. Remember as parents/
caregivers you know your child best!

We are aware that each child will approach the new school year with many different feelings.
They may be excited, or perhaps nervous. Some children could be quite worried and anxious. All
of these feelings and emotions are natural responses to what our children have experienced
over the past two and a half years.
Anxiety can show up in different ways. Your child may tell you that they are feeling fearful or
overwhelmed, or you might notice things like frequent headaches, trouble sleeping, irritability or
emotional outbursts. Your child might seem withdrawn, or overly tired or restless. Being watch-
ful for signs of anxiety can help you to provide support early, before the problem worsens.

Not all stress can be avoided, however, most we can reduce. Having tools and strategies ready to
cope with stress is important. This will lessen the negative effects on your child(ren) and your
family’s wellness. For example, try some grounding or breathing techniques.

Tips to Support a Mentally Healthy Back-to-School

Take care of yourself so that you can be at your best to support your children.
Talk to your child(ren) about the return to school. Check-in regularly to see how things are
going. Here are some conversation starters.
Learn more about how to support positive mental health for your child and about the vari-
ous supports and resources available to PDSB students and families including the Be
Well Support Line.
Tool Kits – Support Guide: Your Child at School and Study Habits

To read more, including translated versions of this information, please visit: How to Support a
Mentally Healthy Back to School for Your Child - School Mental Health Ontario (smho-smso.ca)
If you’re concerned about your child’s mental health visit 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 x.com @MHRTPeel.

October 2024 Page 3

 October 4 - Celebrate World and Peel Teachers’ Day

Since 1994, parents and students from around the world have celebrated World Teachers’ Day (on October
5) to commemorate the work of teachers and their contributions to society. The board will recognize Octo-
ber 4, 2024 as Peel Teachers’ Day in our schools. On October 4, take the time to thank your child(ren)'s
teacher and let them know they are making a difference and are truly appreciated.

Oct. 23 - Celebrate Bus Driver Appreciation Day

PDSB schools will pay tribute to bus drivers on October 23.
If your child rides the bus to school, take this opportunity to thank their bus driver for his or her contribu-
tion and ask your child to do the same. Peel District School Board appreciates the important job bus drivers
do each school day and October 23 provides an opportunity to give these individuals the recognition they
deserve.
October 25, 2024 – Celebrate Peel Educational Assistants and Designated Early Childhood Educators’
Appreciation Day

This year, Peel Educational Assistants and Designated Early Childhood Educators’ Day falls on October 25.
Peel District School Board appreciates the important work of Educational Assistants and Designated Early
Childhood Educators, and the contributions that they make in the lives of children, families and community
members.

Ontario’s Cyber Security Awareness Month 2024 – Get Ready to Crack

the Code: Cyber Mode!
Cyber Security Awareness Month (CAM) 2024 is finally here!
October marks the beginning of CAM, an internationally recognized campaign held each October to inform
the public on the importance of cyber security. This year’s theme is Crack the Code: Cyber Mode! During
the campaign, you are challenged to level-up your cyber skills through a detective themed adventure.

Throughout October, you will have the opportunity to learn more about:
Identifying and understanding unusual patterns within the digital environment,
Understanding the broader cyber security landscape and potential risks,
How to implement strategies to ensure security measures are put in place and remain effective through
the evolving threat landscape.

Get ready to sharpen your cyber detective skills and check out the CAM homepage today.

October 2024 Page 4

 October is International Walk to School Month
Using active transportation for the school journey is one of the easiest ways for students to get daily physical activity. Man-
aging time to allow for their walk or roll to school will become a positive habit that leads to children arriving on time, re-
freshed and energized for the school day. In fact, University of Illinois research has found that just 20 minutes of easy walk-
ing boosts performance in the areas of the brain that support math and reading achievement.

Walking or rolling to school also benefits the environment. Eliminating just four short trips per week can reduce emissions
by up to 100 kg of carbon dioxide per year. Families that participate in active travel to school can prevent almost 1,000 kg
of carbon dioxide per year and save money on fuel costs. Also, when more children walk or roll to school, and fewer par-
ents or guardians drive their children, the areas near school zones become safer for pedestrians.
This is why our school will be participating in the International Walk to School Day on Wednesday, October 2. On that
day—and throughout the month, if you can—walk, wheelchair, bike, blade, scooter, skip or hop to school… but don’t drive!

EcoSchools Canada Tips: https://ecoschools.ca/2015/05/01/walk-roll-ride-to-school/

Region of Peel Resources for Parents and Schools: Active transportation education resources - Region of Peel
(peelregion.ca) See esp. for Parents and Guardians
Need Inspiration? Watch our Video!
Register for IWALK to see the positive difference that walking and biking to school can make in your community! http://
ontarioactiveschooltravel.ca/international-walk-to-school-month/
Share your journey! Use hashtag #iwalkpeel and tag @peelschools
Explore and have fun! Track and share pictures of your journey to school using TRCA’s new storymap tool or play Bin-
go!

Peel District School Board program offers flexible school options

for students-athletes and artists.

Does your child/teen have an intense sports or arts training and competition schedule that makes it
difficult to attend school regularly? Peel District School Board’s Peel Region High Performers Program
(HPP) offers flexible timetabling to accommodate student-athletes and artists with demanding prac-
tice, competition, rehearsal, and/or performance schedules.

Peel Region High Performers Program is offered at:

Britannia Public School (grades 4 to 5)
Dolphin Sr. Public School (grades 6 to 8)
Mississauga Secondary School (grades 9 to 12)

Applications for the 2024-25 school year open in November 2023

For more information, visit the HPP website or contact one of the schools above.

October 2024 Page 5

 Registration open – Continuing Education International and
Indigenous Languages Program for K - 12 Students
The Continuing Education International and Indigenous Languages Program provides an oppor-
tunity for students to study another language in addition to English and French. Research has
shown that learning new languages does not only promote cultural awareness and linguistic
competency, but it also enhances cognitive development.
K – 12 students are eligible to enroll in International Languages classes. This includes students:
who have no prior knowledge of the language;
whose first language is English or French and wish to study another language; or
whose first language is not English or French and who wish to study a different language.
The International and Indigenous Languages Program includes instruction in all language strands
(i.e. listening, speaking, reading and writing), and grammatical structures are incorporated into
the program. In addition to language learning, building cultural and intercultural understanding
is also integral to the program.
Classes are offered in person and remotely on Saturdays from mid-September to mid-June, ex-
cluding holidays, long weekends and school vacations. Credit classes for secondary students are
3.5 hours in length and run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Elementary classes run for 2.5 hours
from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Registration is currently open. To learn about our programs and which languages and locations
are offered, please visit our website: International and Indigenous Languages - Peel Board Office
Site (peelschools.org)

Elementary SchoolMessenger SafeArrival Attendance Program

Elementary parents are reminded to sign up for a Safe Arrival account in order to report a child's absence in a quick
and easy manner. Set up your account by going to: go.schoolmessenger.ca and use the same email address the school
has on file for you. You can also download the blue School Messenger App to your smartphone. If parents prefer not
to set up an account, the toll-free number is always available for all families: 1-855-209-6155

A few things to note with our system:

• parents are encouraged to add the 1-855-209-6155 number to their Contacts (under PDSB or School Name) so
the number can easily be identified when it calls
• this new system will call once per child, therefore if you have three children absent at one time, you will receive
three different phone calls
• parents who set up an account can choose their preferences as to which numbers will be called
• parents can report Late Arrivals by choosing the Report an Absence option first, then choosing Late Arrival in the
sub-menu

As always, parents are encouraged to report absences in advance to the Safe Arrival system.

October 2024 Page 6

 Throughout Peel Region, more than 25,000 students face barriers related to poverty that prevent
them from fully participating or succeeding in school. These students lack everyday necessities like reg-
ular meals, warm clothing, hygiene items and school supplies.
As more students and their families struggle to meet their basic needs, the Peel Learning Foundation
has launched the 2024 Hopeful Tomorrows Campaign to raise funds for the Student Emergency Needs
Program.
Your donation to the campaign can help a student like this:
“The student is very new to the country and is unable to purchase basic necessities such as clothing,
food and toiletries. By providing support through PLF she will be able to make these purchases, al-
lowing her to focus on her academic success and becoming established here in Canada.”
If you would like to contribute to this campaign, here is how you can help:
Parents:
Your school parent council can raise money and donate proceeds to the Peel Learning Foundation.
You can make a one-time gift or become a monthly donor by clicking this link: https://
donation.peellearningfoundation.com/
Staff:
You can sign up to become a payroll donor by clicking this link: https://pdsb1.sharepoint.com/
comm/plf
Schools:
Host an in-school fundraiser (ex., bake sale, car wash) and donate the proceeds to the Peel Learn-
ing Foundation.
Each gift to the Hopeful Tomorrows Campaign will provide a student with support for food, clothing,
school supplies, winter coats, hygiene products and other necessities. Each of us has the power to lend
a hand and change a life, and help students like this:
“The Student Emergency Needs Program grant has left a profound impact on the student and their
family. This grant will support this family in purchasing groceries for the month and will help to alle-
viate the burden the parent is facing with meeting the needs of their son. With enough money for
food, this will ensure that the student will have a lunch to bring to school.”
The Peel Learning Foundation is a registered charitable organization that raises funds to enable Peel
District School Board students to achieve personal excellence by providing resources that help them
overcome barriers.
Through the Student Emergency Needs Program and Student Backpack Program, we provide support
for food, transportation, clothing, hygiene items, backpacks filled with school supplies, and other ne-
cessities.
To learn more, please visit www.peellearningfoundation.org
Help us create hopeful tomorrows.

www.peellearningfoundation.org email: foundation@peelsb.com

@PeelLearningFDN PeelLearningFDN @peellearningfoundation Peel Learning Foundation

October 2024 Page 7

 In October we affirm Latinx Identities
In 2015, Ontario proclaimed the month of October as Hispanic Heritage Month. Throughout Canada,
the month of October is known as Hispanic Heritage Month. There is a movement to create a neutral
gender marker, to be used for mixed gender groups and non-binary individuals. The most popular op-
tion is to use the term Latinx or les latines. Peel District School Board acknowledges Hispanic/Latinx
Heritage Month in October and amplifies, celebrates and centers the voices of Latinx communities
throughout the year. Ontario is home to over 400,000 first, second and third-generation Hispanic/
Latinx Canadians. Emigration from 21 Latin American countries to Ontario has contributed to the sig-
nificant growth of the Hispanic/Latinx communities in the province. Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month
recognizes the rich contributions of Hispanic/Latinx Canadians to our social, economic, political, and
multicultural fabric. It is an opportunity to remember, celebrate and educate future generations about
the outstanding achievements and contributions of Hispanic/Latinx people in the province. In celebra-
tion of Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month, Peel District School Board continues to centre students' lived
experiences as well as amplify the community’s definition of Hispanic/Latinx flourishing. Visit Hispanic
Canadian Heritage Council for more.

October is Islamic Heritage Month

The recognition of Canadian Islamic Heritage month in October was declared by the Canadian govern-
ment in 2007. The Islamic Heritage Month Act (2016), passed by the province of Ontario signifies,
acknowledges, and affirms the contributions Muslims make to all aspects of Ontario life and in many
fields including mathematics, science, athletics, literature, and the arts.
At Peel District School Board, we are committed to improving the well-being and achievement of all
students, which means confronting Islamophobia and dismantling the systemic mechanisms that ena-
ble anti-Muslim hate. The Affirming Muslim Identities and Dismantling Islamophobia Strategy is the
first strategy aimed at dismantling Islamophobia in education that was co-developed by an Ontario
school board with community partners in direct response to the Ministry’s 2020 Review. Schools
across the system continue to implement the strategy, demonstrating our commitment to dismantling
all manifestations of Islamophobia.

October is Learning Disabilities Awareness Month

Learning Disabilities Awareness Month in Ontario is a valuable opportunity to turn a spotlight on both
the challenges and the tremendous resilience of individuals with learning disabilities.
This month-long observance each October aims to highlight the unique strengths and needs of those
with learning disabilities, promote understanding and advocate for more equitable access, improved
support and resources. By raising awareness and fostering open dialogue, the initiative helps to create
more inclusive educational environments and moves us closer towards a world in which everyone has
the opportunity to reach their individual potential.
Additional Resources for Families:
Learning Disability Association of Ontario
Learning Disability Association of Peel Region

October 2024 Page 8