Peel board sends athletes, business leaders, celebrities back to school at Kindergarten Live! event

Parents can book classroom visit with 'explore guides'

TORONTO, Nov. 29, 2013 /CNW/ - To help parents prepare their children to start school, the board will launch Kindergarten Live!, a series of information sessions in December where participants will have the opportunity to see a class in action and ask questions that are most important to them, on Dec. 3.

"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 District School Board, we want to do everything we can to ensure parents are confident their child's school experience will be one filled with joy and learning. We've partnered with childcare providers to help provide families with additional early learning information in a fun and powerful way."

Kindergarten Live! kicks off at Queen Street Public School on Dec. 3 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. At the event, more than 200 participants will have the opportunity to watch athletes, business leaders, media and celebrities—including Patty Sullivan from Kids' CBC— as they head back to class. Other celebrities include: Ryan Hinds, football player with the Edmonton Eskimos, Jonathan Hood, football player with the Toronto Argonauts, and Naomi Sneickus, actress who plays Bobbi on CBC's Mr. D.

Kindergarten Carousel, a tradeshow-style information area that evening, will connect parents with Peel board staff, and early learning and community partners who will provide information on:

• what school families should register their children with based on school boundaries
• play-based learning
• special education programs and resources
• how to pack healthy lunches and snacks
• busing—parents and students will have an opportunity to ride a bus
• before- and after-school programs

Following the event on Dec. 3, Kindergarten Live! will continue at four Peel elementary schools where Explore guides will take parents to visit a classroom and answer questions in a small-group setting. Settlement workers will also be available to help families whose first-language is not English. Information session will take place at the following schools:

• Caledon East Public School, located at 15738 Airport Road in Caledon
• Clarkson Public School, located at 888 Clarkson Road South in Mississauga
• Marvin Heights Public School, located at 7455 Redstone Road in Mississauga
• Queen Street Public School, located at 20 Academic Drive in Brampton

To learn more or to register for Kindergarten Live! 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 to get their children ready for school.

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 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.

Note to media: Kindergarten Live! Celebrity Edition will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Queen Street Public School is located at 20 Academic Drive in Brampton.

SOURCE: Peel District School Board

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

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