Parents will become students for a day at the 11th annual Make a difference in literacy and beyond parent conference on March 24 at Rick Hansen Secondary School in Mississauga. This free learning event is presented by the Peel District School Board and MDG Computers. The event features a keynote presentation on raising confident and motivated children by Monique Howat, youth motivator, plus more than 50 workshops designed to provide parents with tips and resources to help their children succeed in school.

"The parent conference provides something for everyone, whether your child is starting kindergarten, needs support developing study skills in middle school, or considering their post-secondary options," says Tony Pontes, director of education.

Peel board parents from schools in Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga have registered for the event, which begins with Howat’s presentation at 8:30 a.m. Most of the workshops offered throughout the day are facilitated by Peel board staff. Topics include:

    •    Fostering your child’s critical thinking skills
    •    Help your child be successful in French immersion
    •    Help your child write with confidence
    •    Help your teen succeed in science
    •    Understanding the school system

Tip sheets will be provided at each workshop and will be available after the conference on www.peelschools.org in the "Parents Boost Learning" section. The event also features three afternoon general sessions:

    •    Creative consequences, with Monique Howat, youth motivator
    •    Plan for success—tools and strategies for career life planning, with Ross Newhook, acting instructional co-ordinator for guidance and career education, Susan Stavin, resource teacher and Deborah Vieira, resource teacher
    •    A great head start—preparing your child to read and write, with Sarah Frost Hunter, elementary instructional resource teacher

During breaks, parents can browse booths set up in the exhibitor area, which include various local non-profit organizations, and companies offering books and toys for purchase. Parents will also receive a conference bag with giveaways, enjoy a free lunch and snacks, and have a chance to win one of more than 300 door prizes.

"It's important to us to continue to make this conference accessible to all Peel board parents, and that's why we're grateful to have the generous support of a number of major sponsors and supporters," notes Brian Woodland, director of communications and community relations support services. "Again this year, we're pleased to have MDG Computers Canada Inc. as our conference co-presenter. Other supports include conference partner CIBC, and sponsor Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO)—Peel. Whole Foods Square One and Harris Tea Company are sponsoring the morning break. All of this support has allowed us to make this event possible at no cost to parents."

With over 1.8 million computers installed nationwide, MDG is the largest Canadian owned manufacturer of PC computers. All student, teacher and administration computers used within the Peel District School Board are manufactured by MDG at its manufacturing facility in Oakville, Ontario. MDG has made it a priority to partner with local schools and associations across Canada. With over 20 years of experience MDG's dependability, reliability and quality are what make it the best-selling Canadian PC brand.

Rick Hansen Secondary School is located at1150 Dream Crest Rd in Mississauga. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and will be followed by opening remarks and the keynote presentations at 8:30 a.m. Workshops begin at 10 a.m. and the conference concludes at 2:30 p.m.