TAB TIPS: Drugs and Teens, Part 2, Tue 28 Feb 2012, 7:00PM

The Informed Parent Series (TIPS)

Drugs and Teens, Part 2

Hot on the heels of our incredibly successful Drugs and Teens session, please join us for Part 2 – An overview of drugs, what teens are using and what parents can do.

T. A. Blakelock Secondary School Parent Council presents guest speaker Marie Jakubowski, Public Health Nurse, to give an overview of drugs, what teens are using and what parents can do.

When: Tuesday, February 28, 2012
7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Where: T. A. Blakelock High School
1160 Rebecca Street, Oakville

RSVP to Sandy McDonald at sandyMc0883@gmail.com
Or contact T.A. Blakelock at 905-827-1158

Continued rollout of HDSB online payment system approved

Good morning everyone!

Occasionally, it is nice to look out the window and see a blanket of snow on the ground. In Oakville an inch or so of white stuff means cleaning off the car and maybe shovelling the driveway, but not being late for hockey or soccer practice. With a cup of coffee and the radio babbling quietly in the background the aesthethic is almost complete.

The bit of news below is good, I think, on many levels. About five years ago our then Superintendent of Business signed up the HDSB to participate in a “Cashless Schools” pilot. There was a need (and still is) for school boards to be fiscally accountable for all funds passing through their institutional hands regardless of source. Way back then, insightful companies like Amazon were moving their businesses online because their vision told them that in a busy world, convenience would drive the market to their store and that online would become the norm.

The vision of accountability and convenience drove this project forward until last year when trustees asked staff to stop and consider a couple other things. First, a consumer without a credit card or a bank account wanting to buy a book can still walk into a store and pay cash. Second, if the overhead for an online payment system is 10 percent, businesses recognize these costs in their business models.

At the board table last Wednesday, the board was assured by staff that the HDSB was committed to driving the overall cost of online payments down, and would ensure that families had two equal choices: to pay online or to pay cash. And so, the implementation and improvement of an online payment system for HDSB parents continues.

All interesting, but at the schools and in the classrooms there are other significant benefits to online payment systems. Staff have told us that with “cashless”, teachers no longer spend the first ten minutes of the day playing bank teller. With cashless, pizza day volunteers and office staff are no longer conscripted bank security guard. At least as important in mostly affluent Halton, the kid who woud other wise be quietly munching his cheese and ketchup sandwich on pizza day “’cause I hate pizza” enjoys a slice with his classmates because his name is on the list. Cashless can discretely reduce obvious socio-economic differences for kids in our elementary and secondary schools.

Thrustees heard a couple insightful delegations from the community leading up to this week’s decision on online payment, speaking not just of the convenience, but of safety, learning, and equity that can improve with this sort of 21st Century innitiative. With the authors’ permissions (please) I can post them here.

Click to read HDSB Report 12025 – Cashless School Program/Online Payment Program.

Here’s the news release with a few links added.

news

February 17, 2012

Trustees approve continued use of online payment in schools

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At the February 15, 2012 meeting of the Halton District School Board, trustees approved the following recommendation concerning the online payment system (previously referred to as the “cashless schools project”):

Be it resolved that the Board approve the continuation of an online payment solution for school-generated funds and that staff be authorized to proceed with an implementation plan for expansion to all schools subject to budget approval.

The online payment system began as a pilot project in 2007 and has expanded to include 35 schools. Should the Board approve additional financial support in the 2012-13 budget process, an implementation plan to rollout the online payment system to all remaining schools will be put in place. This initiative still allows parents the option to pay by cash or cheque.

The Educational Computing Network of Ontario (ECNO) is currently developing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the electronic collection of all school-generated funds including an online payment solution, related banking and accounting services. As a member Board, the Halton District School Board will have the option to use the results of this RFP to select and enter into agreements with the chosen provider(s), and through the ECNO partnership, receive beneficial pricing for the program.

More information will become available during the next few months as the Board’s budget process continues, and the ECNO initiative proceeds.

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For additional information, contact:

Lucy Veerman, Superintendent of Business Services
Halton District School Board
905-335-3663 Toll free: 1 877 618-3456

HDSB Special Education Plan scheduled, public input welcome

news

February 14, 2012

Public meetings scheduled to review Special Education Plan
Input welcome from students, parents and community members

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The Halton District School Board’s Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) invites students, parents and community members to attend a public meeting to review the Special Education Plan.

SEAC members and Halton District School Board staff will be hosting three community consultation sessions to invite input into programs and services offered by the Halton District School Board to support students with special education needs. The Special Education Advisory Committee welcomes this as an opportunity to better understand the special education priorities for our students.

Parents and community members are invited to attend a public consultation meeting on one of the following evenings. All meetings begin at 7 p.m.

• Oakville: Tuesday, February 28, 2012
  Abbey Park High School, 1455 Glen Abbey Gate, Oakville
• Milton: Wednesday, February 29, 2012
  Milton District High School, 396 Williams Avenue, Milton
• Burlington: Thursday, March 1, 2012
  M.M. Robinson High School, 2425 Upper Middle Rd., Burlington

Parents are welcome to attend on any of these evenings. If you need any special assistance or accommodations, please contact Carol Ahern at 905 631-6120, ext. 323.

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For additional information, contact:

David Boag, Superintendent of Education
Halton District School Board
905-631-6120, ext. 332

First Annual “Solutions For Learning” Conference, 13 Apr 2012

Learning Disabilities Association of Halton

First Annual
Solutions For Learning Conference

Friday, April 13, 2012, 9:00AM to 3:30PM

Operating Engineers Banquet Hall and Conference Centre
2245 Speers Rd., Oakville, Ontario L6L 6X8
Map and Directions | Register

The conference is an in-­depth look at research and the brain, and how this relates to good reading instruction. Join us for a day of learning and networking with colleagues and new friends. Breakfast & lunch are provided.

Speakers

• Guinevere Eden is the Director of the Center for the Study of Learning (CSL) at Georgetown University, Washington, DC. One of her goals is furthering the scientific understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms of learning disabilities with particular emphasis on dyslexia.
• Maureen Lovett is Senior Scientist, Neurosciences & Mental Health, Director, Learning Disabilities Research Program and Professor of Paediatrics, University of Toronto. Her research is focused on treatment and intervention for struggling learners, particularly in the area of literacy learning and her team has had very good results in pursuing research-based interventions with some very impaired struggling readers.

Register

• Early Registration is open now!
  $150 non-members ~ $125 LDAO members
• Registration after March 31st, 2012: $175 all
  (Continental Breakfast and Lunch provided)

Accommodations

• If traveling from outside the GTA and would like hotel accommodations to attend the conference, we suggest the Holiday Inn@Bronte 2425 Wyecroft Rd in Oakville (1-905-847-1000) or The Quality Suites, 754 Bronte Rd, Oakville (1-905-847-6667).

For more information, view the Solutions For learning conference 2012 v2 flyer.

Learn about French exchange programs, camps, diplomas/certifications, 22 Feb 2012

Come out and learn about French exchange programs, March break and summer camps, French diplomas/certifications

Wednesday February 22, 2012
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
École Forest Trail School in the Library
1406 Pine Glen Road (3rd Line below Dundas St.), Oakville

Speakers:

• Maureen Cunningham, International Student Exchange (reciprocal exchange programs: two month and summer programs for grade 7 and grade 8 students/2 month, 3 month and summer programs for secondary students)
• Grade 8 International Student Exchange past participant;
• Mrs. Annabelle Pollet, Alliance Francaise (March break and summer camps, immersion courses and DELF (Diplôme d’Études en Langue Française) proficiency exams for kids and teens)
• Stephen Lee, Canadian Parents for French, Halton Chapter

Everyone Welcome!

Co-hosted By EFT Parents Engaging Parents Committee and
Halton Chapter of Canadian Parents for French
Questions/Inquires can be emailed to: info@eftsc.org

Proposed HDSB 2012-2013 School Year Calendar

At last week’s board meeting trustees received the report recommending the Statutory and Board Designated Holidays and Professional Activity Days for 2012-2013 from the School Year Calendar Committee. The full report is available in the February 1, 2012 Board Agenda Package on the HDSB website, or at this link: HDSB Report 12027: School Year Calendar 2012-2013.

September 4, 2012	School begins
School Breaks and Holidays
September 3, 2012	Labour Day
October 8, 2012	Thanksgiving Day
December 24 to January 4   (inclusive)	Winter Break
February 18, 2013	Family Day
March 11-15, 2013	Spring Break
March 29, 2013	Good Friday
April 1, 2013	Easter Monday
May 20, 2013	Victoria Day
Professional Activity
October 5, 2012	Elementary/Secondary
November 23, 2012	Elementary/Secondary
February 1, 2013	Elementary/Secondary
February 15, 2013	Secondary
April 26, 2013	Elementary/Secondary
June 7, 2013	Elementary
June 28, 2013	Elementary/Secondary
High Schools Exams
January 24-30, 2013	Semester One
June 20-26, 2013	Semester Two

Public meeting re HDSB NW Oakville elementary school boundary review, 13 Feb 2012

Public Consultation Meeting Regarding Oakville Elementary School Boundary Review

The Halton District School Board invites parents and the community to a public consultation meeting regarding elementary school boundaries in Oakville. Specifically, the boundary review will impact the following Oakville schools: Abbey Lane, Captain R. Wilson, Emily Carr, Forest Trail, Heritage Glen, Palermo, Pilgrim Wood and West Oak public schools. The meeting will take place on:

Monday, February 13, 2012 from 7-8:30 p.m.
Abbey Park High School, 1455 Glen Abbey Gate, Oakville

Purpose: To share information about the boundary review process, review boundary scenarios and give members of the public an opportunity to provide feedback. The scenarios to be presented at the meeting are posted on the Board website at www.hdsb.ca under the heading “Program and Accommodation”. Feedback forms must be submitted by Friday, February 17, 2012.

Follow HaltonDSB on Twitter!

This is great! On Monday, head office joins the growing flock of HDSB schools, school departments, teachers, school councils and trustees in the twitterverse @HaltonDSB. Here’s the announcement (a bit longer than 140 characters – practice makes perfect!):

Halton District School Board joins social media on Twitter

Febraury 3, 2012: On February 6, you will be able to follow the Halton District School Board on the social media forum, Twitter. This new venture for the Halton District School Board will allow followers to keep current on “tweets” about system issues, regional events, and matters of interest to students, staff and the community.

In recognizing the popularity of social media, the Halton District School Board will use Twitter as a one-way communication tool to augment its current communications efforts.

“This will be a valuable information tool for parents, staff, students and our communities,” says David Euale, Director of Education for the Halton District School Board. “By adding Twitter to the Halton District School Board’s communications tools, we will be able to communicate in a concise and timely way about issues that are current or evolving.”

Tweets will feature or promote:

• system or regional issues and/or events;
• information about new content on the Board’s corporate website, www.hdsb.ca including news releases, Spotlight on Schools features and more;
• Board meetings and decisions, as well as availability of Board agenda and minutes; and
• public meetings, surveys or requests for public input.

Follow the Halton District School Board on Twitter @HaltonDSB.

For additional information, contact:

Jason Misner, Communications Officer
Halton District School Board
905-335-3663, ext. 3387, Toll free: 1 877 618-3456

Award winning Métis author David Bouchard speaking in February

news

January 30, 2012

Award winning Métis author to speak at two elementary schools

Visits set for February 7th at Robert Little Public School in Acton, and February 17th at Rolling Meadows Public School, Burlington, 6:30 – 8 p.m.

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The Halton District and Halton Catholic District School Boards’ joint Aboriginal Education Advisory Committee is proud to host bestselling Canadian author and sought-after public speaker David Bouchard at two local elementary schools.

The evening events will take place on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at Robert Little Public School at 41 School Lane, Acton and again on Friday, February 17, 2012 at Rolling Meadows Public School, 1522 Mountain Grove Ave, Burlington. Both events are scheduled from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm.

Bouchard leaves his listeners with inspiration and strategies necessary to address literacy head on. A former teacher and principal, Bouchard is an award-winning Métis author of over fifty-six bestselling books.

“The greatest gift we can give our children is the gift of reading,” says Bouchard. “There is no magic in giving it. There is no toy or program that will do the job for us. It takes time, commitment and most of all, fire. We cannot hope to light a fire in the hearts of others without a fire burning in our own. Light and stoke yours, then spread the flame fast and furious. Let literacy be your legacy.”

Bouchard’s visit also serves to promote the Boards’ policies for self-identification of Aboriginal students. The policies are designed to set high expectations for learner achievement, improve EQAO scores, and provide high quality learning opportunities to improve the retention and graduation rate of Aboriginal students.

Please RVSP to saevils@hdsb.ca or 905-632-4814, ext. 5687 by February 6, 2012. Light refreshments will be served. Door prizes are available.

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For additional information, please contact:

Sherry Saevil, Aboriginal Liaison Officer
Halton District School Board
(905) 632-4814, ext. 5687

Northwest Oakville Elementary Schools Boundary Review

From www.hdsb.ca, January 18, 2012

An elementary boundary review is occurring in the Northwest Oakville area. Parent/guardians of students attending Abbey Lane PS, Captain R. Wilson PS, Emily Carr PS, Forest Trail PS, Heritage Glen PS, Palermo PS, Pilgrim Wood PS and West Oak PS were notified in January 2012 of the boundary review process.

The purpose of the review is to examine options and recommend an implementation plan for September 2012 for the re-direction of some students in some of the above schools to better balance enrolment.

A Boundary Review Committee (BRC) will be established with representatives of each school. Each school will have two parents/guardians on the committee, selected by their school parent council.

BRC Meetings

• Monday, January 30 (7-9pm) – Abbey Park HS Library
• Thursday, February 2 (7-9pm) – Abbey Park HS Library
• Monday, February 6 (7-9pm) – Abbey Park HS Library
• Thursday, February 9 (7-9pm) – Abbey Park HS Library
• Tuesday, February 21 (7-9pm) – Abbey Park HS Library

A Public Information Meeting will be held Monday February 13 (7-9pm) at Abbey Park HS in the Cafeteria.

Procedure

To view the complete School Boundary Review procedure, please click here.

Downloads

Please view the ‘Downloads’ section on the Northwest Oakville Elementary Schools Boundary Review webpage. New information may be added to this section as the review proceeds.

Questions & Answers

A document compiling common questions and answers is available under ‘Downloads’. Please check back as this document will be updated as more inquiries come in.

To Reach Us

Please direct your questions to plan@hdsb.ca, subject line “NW Oakville”.

Garth Webb Secondary School registration – Feb 8, 2012

Registration day set for students not currently attending schools within the Halton District School Board

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A special registration day is scheduled for parents who do not currently have students attending schools in the Halton District School Board, but are interested in registering their child/children for Garth Webb Secondary School in Oakville. Garth Webb Secondary School is currently under construction and scheduled to open in September 2012. The registration day will be held:

Wednesday, February 8, 2012 – 2:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Emily Carr Public School, 2255 Pine Glen Road, Oakville

Administrative staff for the new school will be on hand during the registration day so parents can learn more about the school, its programs, and plans for the upcoming year.

The boundary for the school is posted on the Halton District School Board website www.hdsb.ca. See links from the home page under “Program and Accommodation” or under “Schools” and click on Garth Webb Secondary School.

The Eddies are back – enter now!

Input requested on the 2011-2012 Long-Term Accommodation Plan

Parents and community members are invited to review and give feedback on the Halton District School Board’s 2011-2012 Long-Term Accommodation Plan (LTAP). This plan addresses the existing and projected accommodation needs of students in elementary and secondary schools and identifies new capital project initiatives, such as the need for new schools.

Web videos outlining the Long-Term Accommodation Plan for Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton, and Oakville are available online at www.hdsb.ca.

The Long-Term Accommodation Plan is posted on the Board’s website. Follow the “Long-Term Accommodation Plan” link on the home page.

Please provide your input to the Planning Department by February 2, 2012:

• telephone – (905) 335-3663 ext. 3256
• e-mail – plan@hdsb.ca (subject line: LTAP 2011-2012)
• mail – PO Box 5005 STN LCD 1, Burlington, ON L7R 3Z2

Feedback will be reported back to the Board in February 2012.

Special Ed Coffee Chats, Jan thru May 2012

news

January 12, 2012

Special Education Advisory Committee hosts coffee chats
Four sessions planned between January and May 2012

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The Halton District School Board’s Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) has organized four coffee chat sessions for parents of students with special needs. These sessions are open to everyone, are free of charge and do not require registration. Parents can simply drop-in, learn, ask questions and meet other parents.

The guest speaker for the first two sessions is Graeme S. Treeby of The Special Needs Planning Group. It offers advisory services to parents of children with special needs to help with obtaining Ontario Disability Support Plan (ODSP) funding, setting up Henson trusts and Registered Disability Saving Plans (RDSPs), as well as advice on life insurance and wills. The group is comprised of lawyers and accountants who are parents of students with special needs, whose goal is to help parents arrange finances to provide the best possible support for their children. Agendas for Sessions 3 and 4 are still being prepared.

Session 1

Financial planning for parents of children with special needs by Graeme S. Treeby
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 – 7:00-9:30 p.m. at Abbey Park High School, 1455 Glen Abbey Gate, Oakville

Session 2

Financial planning for parents of children with special needs by Graeme S. Treeby
Thursday, February 2, 2012 – 9:45-11:15 a.m. at Gardiner Public School, 14365 Danby Road, Georgetown

Session 3

Topic to be announced at a later date
Friday, April 13, 2012 – 9:30-11 a.m. at M.M. Robinson High School, 2425 Upper Middle Road, Burlington

Session 4

Topic to be announced at a later date
Thursday, May 10, 2012 – 7:00-9:30 p.m. at Tiger Jeet Singh Public School, 640 Yates Drive, Milton

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For additional information, contact:

David Boag, Superintendent of Education-Student Services
Halton District School Board
905-335-3663, boagd@hdsb.ca
Amy MacKenzie, SEAC Chair, amy@mkz.com
Jason Bartlett, SEAC Member at Large, bartlett.jason@gmail.com

French Immersion Info Evenings, January 2012

news

December 20, 2011

Halton District School Board hosts information evenings
for French Immersion programs in January

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The Halton District School Board takes pride in offering Early French Immersion and Extended French programs to the students in their communities with a set entry point in Grade 1 (Early) and Grade 7 (Extended). In these bilingual programs, elementary students attend one of the Board’s French Centres where they receive half of their instruction in English and the other half in French. This gives students the opportunity to achieve a working command of French and to acquire the personal growth, knowledge and skills expected in the regular program at the same time.

In preparation for September 2012, Halton District School Board has planned information sessions at various French Immersion centres where parents will receive specific information, as well as answers to frequently asked questions about Immersion programs. Parents will also receive a French Immersion Program Registration Form.

Deliver or mail your application for Grade 1 Early French Immersion and Grade 7 Extended French Immersion to your child(ren)’s home school as soon as possible, but no later than 9 a.m. on January 20, 2012. Information evenings in Oakville will be held at the following French Immersion Centres:

Wednesday, Jan. 11
• 6:30 p.m. Sunningdale Public School, 1434 Oxford Avenue, Oakville
• 6:30 p.m. Munn’s Public School, 1511 Sixth Line, Oakville
• 6:30 p.m. Sir Earnest MacMillan Public School, 1350 Headon Road, Burlington (For Late Immersion Program – entry point: Grade 7)

Thursday, Jan. 12

• 6:30 p.m. Pineland Public School, 5121 Meadowhill Road, Burlington (For students living in Samuel Curtis Estates)
• 6:30 p.m. James W. Hill Public School, 2860 Kingsway Drive, Oakville
• 6:30 p.m. Palermo Public School, 2561 Valleyridge Drive, Oakville
• 6:30 p.m. École Forest Trail Public School, 1406 Pine Glen Road, Oakville

Wednesday, Jan. 18

• 7 p.m. École Pine Grove Public School, 529 Fourth Line, Oakville

Thursday, Jan. 19

• 6:30 p.m. E.J. James Public School, 338 Cairncroft Road, Oakville

For more information, contact:

Renée B. Meloche, Acting FSL Coordinator
Halton District School Board
905-631-6120, ext. 437

Garth Webb SS on the web

Garth Webb Secondary Shool is on-line. Bookmark this page: http://chatt.hdsb.ca/~gwshs/!

Boys and Girls Learn Differently, Michael Reist, 25 Jan 2012

Boys and Girls Learn Differently

 
The Oakville Parent Education Network Invites you to attend the following event about how gender differences influence learning and behaviour.

• Wednesday, January 25, 2012
• 7 – 9 p.m.
• Holy Trinity Secondary School 2420 Sixth Line, Oakville  view map
• Free Admission!

Description

Boys’ and girls’ brains develop and operate very differently, and understanding the implications of what that means will help both teachers and parents. You’ll learn strategies to raise and teach either gender to help them succeed in school and in life.

Guest Speaker: Michael Reist is a teacher with over 30 years of experience in the classroom.  He is a frequent speaker to parent groups and education conferences across Canada where his workshops on gender differences and learning have drawn large crowds and enthusiastic responses. Michael’s work has been featured on CBC, TV Ontario, Today’s Parent Magazine, The National Post and the Toronto Star. Michael is the author of the forthcoming book Raising Boys In A New Kind Of World. His first book was entitled The Dysfunctional School: Uncomfortable Truths and Awkward Insights on School, Learning and Teaching. He has published over 70 articles on topics ranging from education, spirituality and parenting to movies, books and popular culture.

To RSVP:

• Online
• Call 905-825-6000
• E-mail accesshalton@halton.ca

American Sign Language-English Interpreters available upon request no later than Wednesday January 18, 2012.If you need to cancel, please let us know by contacting:

• Halton Region Dial 311 or call 905-825-6000 TTY: 905-827-9833

In the event of poor weather conditions, please call Halton Region for cancellation information.

Parent Info Evening, Brookdale PS, Thu 19 Jan 2012

Brookdale School Council Special Presentation – Parent Information Evening

Thursday, January 19th, 2012 – 6:00 PM
Brookdale Public School
1195 Bridge Road Oakville, Ontario L6L 2C3

• Food and beverages will be served
• No charge to parents
• Open to parents in the community
• Three fantastic guest speakers
• Andrea Ramsay Speers -Psychotherapist & Parent Coach
• Joe Coltson – Former Police Officer, specializing in computer forensics
• Constable Hatanaka – Halton Regional Police Service
• Relevant and interesting subject matter
• Positive parenting
• Cyber bullying
• Internet safety

Please RSVP by Friday, January 13th, 2012 – brdchair@hdsb.ca

January 2012 Grade 9 & 10 Info Evenings

Parents of Grade 8 students who will attend Oakville high schools in September 2012 are welcome to come and learn more about Grade 9 programs, services for students, and diploma requirements. Parents should attend the Parents’ Information Night at their home school (the school designated for their community). For more information, please contact the school office.

Abbey Park High School Thursday, January 12 at 6:30 p.m. 905 827-4101 http://aph.hdsb.ca	T.A. Blakelock High School Thursday, January 12 at 7 p.m. 905 827-1158 http://tab.hdsb.ca
Oakville Trafalgar High School Thursday, January 12 at 7 p.m. 905 845-2875 http://oth.hdsb.ca	Iroquois Ridge High School Thursday, January 19 at 6:30 p.m. 905 845-0012 http://irs.hdsb.ca
White Oaks Secondary School (South Campus) Thursday, January 12 at 7:00 p.m. 905 845-5200 http://wos.hdsb.ca

Garth Webb Secondary School

New Secondary School Opening in September 2012

Parents of Grade 9 students currently attending Abbey Park High School or White Oaks Secondary School designated to attend Grade 10 at Garth Webb Secondary School, are invited to a Grade 10 Information Night on Wednesday, January 18 at 7:30 p.m. at White Oaks Secondary School.

Parents of Grade 8 students designated to attend Grade 9 at Garth Webb Secondary School in September 2012, are invited to attend a Grade 9 Information Night at one of the locations listed below. Parents may attend any of the meetings.

West Oak Public School 2071 Fourth Line, Oakville Tuesday, January 10 at 7 p.m. 905 469-6119 http://wes.hdsb.ca	Captain R. Wilson Public School 2145 Grand Oak Trail, Oakville Tuesday, January 17 at 7 p.m. 905 465-3881 http://crw.hdsb.ca
Emily Carr Public School 2255 Pine Glen Rd., Oakville Wednesday, January 11 at 7 p.m. 905 827-3928 http://ecs.hdsb.ca	Palermo Public School 2561 Valleyridge Drive, Oakville Thursday, January 19 at 7 p.m. 905 469-1138 http://palps.hdsb.ca

Inquiries regarding the new secondary school can be forwarded to: Mr. Larry O’Malley, Principal of Garth Webb Secondary School at 905 335-3663 ext. 3205 or omalleyl@hdsb.ca.

Reading – Don’s December 2011 Picks

The last month or six weeks have found schools and communities at odds over supervision, responsibility, authority and liability. Psychotherapist and parenting expert, Alyson Schafer, and columnist, speaker and common sense parenting pundit, Lenore Skenazy have been given a little airtime to comment.

Listening to their words of wisdom has done what they probably hoped and caused me to purchase their books: Schafer’s “Honey, I Wrecked the Kids” and Skenazy’s “Free-Range Kids”.

Both authors spoke regarding the recent Toronto public school ball ban, and their interviews are available online. Schafer can be heard on CBC’s Ontario Morning from Friday November 18, 2011: ontariomorning_20111117_89567.mp3 (it may take a minute to load, the interview is about half way through), and Skenazy can be watched on SunNews at Free Range Kids (be prepared for Charles Adler’s irreverence).

I’m hoping to get through both these books before the new year. If you pick up either, I’d be interested in hearing what you think.