Congratulations to students and staff on our school's achievement of 89% on the 2007 EQAO Literacy Test.

Congratulations to our Vice Principal, Ted Byers, who has been appointed Principal at Applewood Heights Secondary School! For September 2007, we welcome Don Reid as Vice Principal.

Congratulations to the Girls Lacrosse Team, coached by Mr. Sawicki and Mrs. Ross. They won silver in the 2006-2007 ROPSSAA Finals!

The Region of Peel has made a generous donation to the Nature Conservancy of Canada in our honour. This donation will help NCC protect one acre of the Oak Ridges Moraine Natural Masterpiece.

Again for 2007-2008, Peel Board Transportation will provide temporary BUSING from areas that still do not have sidewalks and present a safety concern. Bus routes will not be available until mid-August.

Information Flyer for Volunteers -
Police Criminal Record Checks - Saturday, June 2nd.

Erin Centre Middle School Parent Information Night: Thursday, May 17, 7:00 pm, at Oscar Peterson Public School, 3240 Erin Centre Blvd. (at Tenth Line). Parents/Guardians/Students welcome. For more information call 905-564-6786 or 905-564-8603.

Advance registration for 2007-2008, for Erin Centre Middle School, Grades 6 and 7, will be Wednesday, June 6, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Oscar Peterson Public School. During the 2008-2009 school year, Erin Centre will be reorganized to accommodate Grade 8 students. Erin Centre will offer a French Immersion program, however, only current Grade 5 or 6 French Immersion students are able to enrol in French Immersion at Erin Centre.

Cheered on by students, Mr. Brard taped Mrs. Hogarth to wall at the end of Charity Week. Approximately $5000 was raised for the Stephen Lewis Foundation. A cheque will be presented to Mr. Lewis at the official opening on May 1st.

Congratulations to Mrs. Thomas and the SAC students for organizing a fun-filled week, and to everyone who supported the fundraising.

Congratulations to one of our students, Preeti, who took third place in the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre/Peaceful Schools International Think About Peace high school poster and essay contest. They received more than 350 entries from across Canada, and as far away as Bosnic and Nepal. Read Preeti's submission (.pdf).

Congratulations and welcome to the teachers who will join us in September. Their names are listed on our staff page.

We were saddened to learn of the passing our June Callwood. One of the four Village groups at Stephen Lewis was named after her. Our flag was lowered to half-mast.

A display was set up outside the cafe and students were given the opportunity to leave a note in a book which will be presented to the Callwood family.

The Mississauga News took a video of some students speaking about the loss.

Congratulations to Ted Sawicki, Head of Science, on his appointment as Assistant Coach of the Canadian Men's Junior National Lacrosse Team. The World Championships take place next July in Vancouver.

Ted Sawicki is a former 7-year coach of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) Buffalo Bandits and 4-year coach of the OUAA McMaster Marauders. Ted was a former assistant coach with the Junior National Lacrosse Team for 1990-1991. He holds a 3M National Coaching Certification Program Level 1 in both Women's and Men's Field Lacrosse. As a coach at The Woodlands School, he won four Women's Lacrosse Region of Peel Championships at both the junior and senior levels. He has also coached Women's Senior Club and Junior A Lacrosse in Burlington.

As a player, he was a goaltender with the Canadian National Lacrosse Team from 1980 to 1998 where he accumulated 3 silver medals and 2 bronze medals in five World Championship appearances. He currently holds the world record for the most (five) World Championship appearances. He has spent 18 years with the Canadian National Field Lacrosse Team as well as 7 years playing for Detroit and Baltimore in the NLL. He won two championships in the NLL, one as a player in 1991 with the Detroit Turbos, and another in 1996 as coach of the Buffalo Bandits. In 1988 he won a Mann Cup as a member of the Brooklin Redmen. In 1999, Ted Sawicki was inducted into the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame.

In another area of interest, in 2006 Ted Sawicki received a Friends of the Credit Conservation award from the Credit Valley Conservation Authority.

On April 23, 2007, Martha Wood, Principal, will be presented with an Award of Excellence from the Peel District School Board. The Award of Excellence honours staff, students, volunteers and business partners who have made exemplary and unique contributions to public education in Peel.

In addition, three staff members from Stephen Lewis - Joanne Durst, Head of Technology; Mario Fraschini, Lead Hand; and Grace Robertson, Head Secretary - were presented with Awards of Distinction certificates in recognition of their unique, exemplary contributions to public education in Peel.

Peel Board seeks input on 2007-2008 budget. Public meetings to provide an opportunity for public consultation and input into the 2007-2008 budget begin at 7:30 p.m. at the H. J. A. Brown Education Centre, 5650 Hurontario Street. For more information, call the Director's Office at 905-890-1010 / 1-800-668-1146, ext. 2012.

• March 27 - public input
• April 10 - public input
• May 8 - public input
• May 17 - presentation to associations, federations, unions
• June 17 - public input, 2007-2008 budget will be presented and finalized at the regular board meeting

March 22/07

Congratulations to Paul Alves, Head of Mathematics and Business. Paul won The Union Gas Award of Teaching Excellence in Mathematics (Secondary) for 2007.

This award is to recognize an individual who prepares motivating lessons that often employ manipulatives or technology, encourages students to talk with each other to construct their understanding, and uses rich and varied assessment to inform their teaching and improve students' learning. This individual will invariably go the extra 'kilometer' to help students individually, to participate in extra-curricular activities, and to communicate with parents. The award is specifically for a secondary classroom or special education teacher who demonstrates exemplary mathematics teaching practices and supports inclusive mathematics education.

Driver Education: Peel District School Board, Ministry-approved beginner driver education program: $495 (GST and student handbook included). 25 hours of classroom instruction, 10 hours of private in-car driving lessons. Flexible payment plan available on request. Register online, at the school guidance office, or call 905-949-0049 ext 2293.

Free Youth Career Awareness Fair, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Living Arts Centre, Mississauga, coordinated by the Centre for Education & Training.

February 15/07

CONGRATULATIONS to Mr. Brard, our music teacher, and the Lynx Winds who were awarded Bronze at MusicFest on February 12th. They received an excellent adjudication regarding their musicality, excellent phrasing, overall outstanding musicianship, apparent love for music, and enjoyment in participating.

Additionally, one of our students received a Musician Leadership Award for demonstrating dedication, a positive outlook, overall great attitude and stellar musicianship in band, music class and Music Lynx.

SEARS DRAMA FESTIVAL: Friday, February 16, 2007, at Clarkson Secondary School. Tickets are $5 in advance, from Ms Allison in Drama, or $8 at the door. Stephen Lewis students are presenting City of Lies.

Family of Schools Meeting on Cyberproofing and Cyberbullying, Wednesday, February 21, 2007, 7:00-8:00 p.m. at Ruth Thompson Middle School. Refreshments and babysitting provided.

The Centre for Education and Training is accepting registrations for the upcoming 5-day March Break Computer Camp, March 12-16, 2007. For more information, visit their website or call 905-457-4747 x 3225, or contact them by email.

SKATING RINK -CAN YOU HELP?
The Churchill Meadows Residents Association still needs sic more volunteers to help maintain these community ice rinks - a commitment of about one hour per week. If interested, contact Carlos Ramos at 905-567-7430 or email: carlosramos@sympatico.ca

Peel Public Health has introduced a new website for parents who are looking for resources and tips about opening the lines of communication about drugs. www.talkaboutdrugs.ca is an important tool to help parents navigate this tough subject. On this site, you will find information on specific drugs and their social, physical, psychological and emotional impact on loved ones, signs to watch for, tips for communication, and links to other organizations for additional support.

For additional information, call the Region of Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700.

Peel Board is hosting a one-day conference on Saturday, March 31, 2007, for parents of elementary and secondary students in Peel. Make a difference in literacy and beyond - practical ways parents can boost learning features sessions by leading experts who will provide helpful tips and ideas on supporting students in literacy and beyond at home.

Each workshop is designed for a certain age group - primary, junior, middle, secondary, or all. This free conference is open to all parents in Peel. the conference will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Central Peel Secondary School, located at 31 Kennedy Road North in Brampton.

You will be able to register for this free conference in February. Look for the conference brochure for more details or visit the board's website (link in gray bar on right). Go to the Spotlight section of the home page and click on the conference icon.