Explore guides help parents see wonder, joy of kindergarten up close

Kindergarten Live! information sessions take place at three Peel schools from Dec. 10 to 13

TORONTO, Dec. 5, 2013 /CNW/ - To help parents prepare their children to start school, the Peel District School Board has launched Kindergarten Live!, a series of information sessions led by 'explore guides', which will take place from Dec. 10 to 13. Participants will have the opportunity to see a class in action and ask questions that are most important to them.

"Starting school is a big step and an exciting time for families. Parents tell us they have lots of questions about the kindergarten experience—from what to pack for lunch to how the curriculum is taught," notes Brian Woodland, director of communications and community relations support services. "At the Peel board, we want to do everything we can to ensure parents are confident their child's school experience will be one filled with wonder, joy and learning. Opening up our classrooms for parents to see a kindergarten class in action is one more way we can help families prepare their child to start school."

Settlement workers will be on-site during Kindergarten Live! information sessions to assist families whose first-language is not English. Sessions take place at the following schools:

			Caledon East Public School Dec. 11 and Dec. 13 at 9 a.m. and 10:40 a.m. Caledon East Public School is located at 15738 Airport Rd. in Caledon.
			Clarkson Public School Dec. 10 at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Clarkson Public School is located at 888 Clarkson Rd. South in Mississauga.
			Marvin Heights Public School Dec. 10 and Dec. 12 at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Marvin Heights Public School is located at 7455 Redstone Rd. in Mississauga

To learn more or to register for Kindergarten Live! information sessions parents can visit www.peelschools.org/parents/kindergarten/kindergartenlive. All registered participants will be entered into a draw for one of five backpacks filled with school supplies.

Every year, more than 10,000 students enter kindergarten at the Peel board. Children born in 2010 can start kindergarten in September 2014. Parents can register their child at the school he or she will attend in the fall on Feb. 4, 5, 6 & 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Feb. 6 from 5 to 8 p.m. Parents can call 905-890-1010/1-800-668-1146 ext. 2212 to find out which school their child will attend.

The Peel board is Canada's largest school board outside of Toronto with 153,000 students in 242 schools. The 2014-15 school year will introduce full-day kindergarten at 27 elementary schools in Brampton, 2 schools in Caledon and 20 schools in Mississauga. All 205 Peel elementary schools will feature full-day kindergarten, starting September 2014. 

Reference:  Anne-Marie Brown, Communications Officer, 905-890-1010, ext. 2626, [email protected]

 

SOURCE: Peel District School Board

Media contact: Brian Woodland, Director, Communications and Community Relations Support Services, 905-890-1010, ext. 2812, [email protected]