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Important Dates to Remember: January 20—P.A Day

January 31—Vaccine Clinic (Round 2) February 7—P.A Day

February 14—Valentine’s Day

February 24-28—Freedom to Read Week

Balmoral Dr. Sr. P.S 233 Balmoral Dr. Brampton, ON L6Z 1V5

Raza Husain Princial Deb Solomon Vice Principal

P: (905) 793-6070

January/February 2020

It’s flu season and we want to make sure students stay as healthy as possible this year! Influenza (flu) spreads easily from one person to another and Peel Public Health has some tips to help reduce the risk of catching the flu and spreading it: Get your annual flu shot: The flu shot is your best defence against the flu. There are many locations across Peel where you can get your flu shots: Family Doctors’ offices Walk-in clinics Pharmacies Peel flu clinics Keep children home when they’re sick: If your child develops flu-like signs and symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue), keep them home from school. Contact your health care provider if symptoms are se-vere. Practice good hygiene: Help your child get into the habit of covering their nose and mouth with a tissue when they cough or sneeze and throw tissues in the trash. Cough or sneeze into a sleeve or elbow, if they don’t have a tissue. They should also avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth. This is how germs are spread. Wash your hands: Encourage your child to wash their hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer, especially after they cough or sneeze. For more information, call Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700 or visit www.peelregion.ca/flu.

Peel Public Health Tips to Prevent the Flu

Report Your Child’s Immunizations to

the Region of Peel Online

When registering for school for the first time, parents

and guardians are required to provide up-to-date im-

munization information for their children. This includes

registering for kindergarten.

You can update your child’s immunizations online. The

online immunization tool allows you to attach a photo

of the immunization record. When reporting online, an

Ontario Health Card is required.

Report immunizations online at: www.peelregion.ca/

immunize

After you report your immunizations online you will be

given a reference number. Keep this number for your

records. You will need to give this number to your

child’s school when registering.

If you do not have online access or your child does not

have an Ontario Health Card, take a copy of the immun-

ization record to the school. Make sure your child’s

name and date of birth are visible on the record.

Call Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700 if your child

does not have an immunization record or if you have

any questions.

January/February 2020

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Dear Balmoral Families,

As we recover form the holidays and near the end of Term 1, we are excited about what the second half of the school year brings. With the uncertain-ty of labour negotiations, we are pleased to note that the day-to-day impact on Balmoral students has been minimal. We continue to have our break-fast and lunch programs, before and after school COY programs for 7's and 8's and soon will be starting out grade 6 OFIP program. In addition our lunchtime sports and clubs are continuing and strong as ever. If we need to start cancelling pro-grams, you will be notified as soon as possible.

Our goal is to keep students safe and in a positive frame of mind to learn. On that note, with the weather starting to get colder, we request that you please send students properly dressed and with enough food to sustain them for the day, if they are not ordering lunches. We also ask that student not arrive prior to 8:20, unless they are participating in before school programs, as there is no supervision for them.

This February is Black History Month (BHM), and with the current labour situation, it will not be business as usual. Staff will continue to honour inclusion and the contributions of prominent black Canadians during class, as they should be doing throughout the school year. We have had large-scale, school-wide BHM events in the past and will endeavour to do so again this but it will look dif-ferent. You will be notified as to what events we will be having and how families can contribute or participate.

I thank you in advance for your patience and un-derstanding during these challenging times and as always, for partnering with us in helping your children learn and grow. Mr. Husain

Letter From The Principal

During the winter months, we may need to cancel buses or close schools because of inclement weather. Information regarding details of cancellations or closures will be announced on radio, television stations and will also be available on Twitter @Peelschools, Facebook at www.facebook.com/peelschools, www.peelschools.org, Twitter @STOPRinfo and www.stopr.ca or by calling 905-890-1010 or 1-800-668-1146. One of the following messages will be announced: Peel District School Board buses are cancelled This means that schools remain open for students and staff, but buses are cancelled. Bus cancellations could occur in all or parts of municipalities. Buses will remain cancelled all day. All activities that require busing will also be cancelled. Permits, night school classes, child care and other activities in schools will operate as usual. All Peel District School Board schools and board offices are closed This means that all schools and Peel board offices are closed to students and staff. All activities in schools and board offices are also cancelled, including child care, night school and permits. All evening programs and permits at the Peel District School Board are cancelled This means that all activities in schools and Peel board offices are cancelled, including continuing education courses and events. The buildings will be closed. All weekend programs and permits at the Peel District School Board are cancelled This means that all activities in schools and Peel board offices are cancelled, including continuing education courses and events. The buildings will be closed.

Bus Cancellation Due to Weather

Balmoral puts the spotlight on Black Heritage Black History Month is a time to celebrate the many con-

tributions of Black Canadians and Black communities

throughout the world who, throughout history, have done

so much to make Canada the culturally diverse, compas-

sionate and prosperous country we know today.

In December 1995, the House of Commons officially rec-

ognized February as Black History Month, following a

motion introduced by the first Black Canadian woman

elected to Parliament, the Honourable Jean Augustine.

During Black History Month, schools across Peel will rec-

ognize and celebrate the rich heritage, history, culture and

contributions of Black Canadians as well as Black commu-

nities from around the world.

As a result of the impact of current labour action, recogni-

tion of Black History Month may look different than it

has in the past. Peel board schools will continue to inte-

grate Black history and culture in all curriculum areas

throughout the year.