Brampton - Approximately 900 Peel District School Board students will head back to school on August 3 when Roberta Bondar Public School opens its doors for the 2010-11 school year. The Peel board's first balanced calendar school operates year-round by spreading traditional vacation time throughout the year.

"Typically students return rested and ready to go," says Joan Hamilton, principal of Roberta Bondar. "There are always many exciting events to look forward to back at school, for example our students and their families will come together on August 19 for our annual Potluck Open House."

From July 27 to 29, Roberta Bondar students can participate in Jump Start July, a three-day intersession consisting of a variety of learning activities including field trips to a farm, Playdium and a high ropes course, as well as hands-on activities like sandcastle building related to Robert Munsch books, tie-dying and a career carousel.

Numerous activities are also planned for the regular school year, including a Dad’s Club, Tea time with the Principal, and the painting of two murals. More than 300 grade 6 to 8 students will work with the Credit Valley Conservation Authority to paint a stream of dreams fish mural, and more than 200 grade 4 and 5 students will team up with an artist to paint an arts mural.

During the 2010-11 school year, Roberta Bondar students will have the following breaks:

•Fall break – Oct. 4 to 15, 2010 (inclusive)
•Winter break – Dec. 20, 2010 to Jan. 7, 2011 (inclusive)
•Mid-winter break – Feb. 15 to 18, 2011 (inclusive)
•Spring break – March 14 to 25, 2011 (inclusive)

The school year ends June 30, 2011.

Roberta Bondar’s school year features the same 188 days and curriculum as regular schools, but almost half of the two-month summer vacation time on the traditional school calendar is spread throughout the year.
 
Media contact:

Joan Hamilton
Principal, Roberta Bondar Public School
905 457-1799
joan.hamilton@peelsb.com

Reference:

Shannon McMillan
Acting Communications Project Coordinator
905-890-1010 ext. 2817
shannon.mcmillan@peelsb.com