These are just some of the good news stories which I wrote and shared on the “Spotlight on Schools” section of the board website, www.peelschools.org, as well as internally on the board’s Good News section. I was the primary contact for story submissions, where I was responsible for contacting schools for additional information to help round out the story, as well as accompanying photos. I also identified stories which I felt were particularly newsworthy and suggested these be developed into longer stories to be shared on the “What’s New” section of the board website.

These stories not only showcased schools and students in Peel but resulted in increased awareness of the “Spotlight on Schools” section. These posts were also shared on the board’s social media platforms, where some attracted media attention and resulted in articles in the Brampton Guardian, Caledon Enterprise and Mississauga News.

2016

• Ray Lawson staff and students come together for ‘Bed Kits and Bricks’ campaign
• Marvin Heights staff and students welcome the Toronto Blue Jays
• Peel board schools receive WildeWood School Safety Zone Award
• TL Kennedy welcomes the world with winter apparel clothing drive
• Lincoln M. Alexander alumna receives the Lincoln M. Alexander Award
• Macville students inspire with ‘Spread the Net’ fundraising efforts
• Fairlawn Public School celebrates Black History Month
• Churchville Public School celebrates black history through art
• Birchbank students named winners of third annual All-Star Reading Challenge
• Gordon Graydon Memorial Secondary School named semi-finalist in Samsung Canada contest
• Great Lakes Public School celebrates World Read Aloud Day
• Thorn Lodge Public Schools hosts Peel Paramedic Chat
• Rick Hansen Secondary School supports Syrian newcomers with fundraising campaign
• Turner Fenton wrestling team shines at OFSAA Championship
• Castlebrooke robotics team qualifies for 2016 VEX Worlds championship
• Fairlawn Public School choir takes centre stage at Brampton Beast game
• Macville Public School to be featured on Rick Mercer Report
• Lisgar Middle School students, staff inspire hope with clothing drive
• Port Credit Secondary School hosts third annual Inside Ride event
• Vote for David Suzuki in Canadian Geographic’s Classroom Energy Diet Challenge
• Ridgewood Public School hosts third annual Leadership Day
• Hillcrest Middle School celebrates 40 years of outdoor education with Camp Tawingo
• Massey Street Public School hosts bike swap
• Peel board students take the stage at second annual Lincoln M. Alexander Family of Schools’ Arts Night
• Peel board students prepare for the future with Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship (ICE) training
• West Credit Secondary School receives MusiCounts Grant
• The Woodlands School inspires success at first Career Symposium
• Elementary students will explore trades at Judith Nyman Secondary School’s Providing Pathways Day
• Artesian Drive Public School staff and students take part in tree planting celebration
• Allan A. Martin Senior Public School to start Pollinators for Peace garden this month
• The Woodlands students achieve top honours at Ontario High School German Contest
• Sir Winston Churchill Public School hosts first Licensed to Learn Conference
• Gordon Graydon Memorial named winners of Samsung Canada’s Solve for Tomorrow Challenge
• Erindale Secondary School student qualifies for Cadet Pan-Am and World Wrestling Championships
• Castlebrooke Secondary School hosts Family of Schools’ Arts Night
• North Park Secondary Schools holds PRIDE Week events
• Central Peel student competes at Canada-Wide Science Fair
• North Park student named winner in Young Entrepreneurs Make Your Pitch Contest
• Peel board student achieves excellence at 32nd annual French public-speaking event
• Clarkson Secondary School student recognized for outstanding athletics
• Cawthra Park Secondary School student receives $80,000 Schulich Leader Scholarship
• Rick Hansen student receives Dean’s List Award at 2016 FIRST World Championship
• Peel board students receive top honours in dual credit courses
• Queen Street Public School recognizes student citizenship at Dragon’s Table
• Peel board adult learners earn high school diplomas at graduation ceremony
• 83 Peel board schools earn Ontario EcoSchools certification
• Ten Peel students win the Government of Canada History Awards
• North Park Secondary School hosts DECA Peel Regional Competition
• Port Credit Secondary School celebrates culture and traditions at The Cultural Unity Festival

2015

• Clarkson Public School inspires giving with community drives
• Erindale Secondary School wins Premier’s Award for Safe and Accepting Schools
• Claireville Public School bakes for change
• Beatty-Fleming staff and students celebrate Black History Month
• Oakridge Public School inspires greatness
• John Fraser Secondary School observes Black History Month with school-wide assembly\
• Clark Boulevard embraces winter with Winter Walk Day
• Darcel Senior Public School celebrates Black History Month
• Turner Fenton and Brampton A’s team up for character assembly
• Agnes Taylor students make Peel proud at regional literature competition
• ​​​Peel board schools showcase robotic talents at Provincial FIRST Lego League Tournament
• Peel board students named Loran Scholar award winners
• Heart Lake welcomes special guest for Black History Month
• Gordon Graydon Memorial DECA students showcase excellence in business
• Ruth Thompson Middle School alumnus publishes first novel
• Clarkson staff and students celebrate Chinese New Year
• Walnut Grove Public School staff and students raise money for Free the Children
• Caledon Central student raises funds for Easter Seals
• Glendale Public School selected to represent Brampton for recording of ‘O Canada’
• Peel schools robotics teams achieve excellence at FIRST Robotics World Championship
• Parkway Public School staff and students support Nepal earthquake relief efforts
• Peel board students achieve excellence at 31st annual French public-speaking event
• Beryl Ford Public School raises funds for Nepal relief effort
• Conestoga Public School receives Premier’s Award for Safe and Accepting Schools
• The Woodlands Secondary School students achieve top honours at ‘National Biology Competition’
• Castlebrooke Secondary School students shine at ‘Skills Canada National Competition’
• Erindale Secondary School student becomes youngest person in Canada to earn rank of corporal
• Barondale Public School student places in top tier at ‘Abacus Math Challenge’
• Clarkson Secondary School sets new fundraising record during 14th annual ‘Cancer Drive for Camp Oochigeas’
• Barondale Public School students raise funds for Hospital for Sick Children
• Queenston Drive Public School transforms from me to WE for fifth annual ‘Week of WE’
• Earnscliffe Sr. Public School alumna explores family connection to Winnie-the-Pooh in ‘Finding Winnie’
• Hubert Brard receives 2015 Arts Educator of the Year Award
• Erindale Secondary School alumna named recipient of 2015 United Achievers’ Scholarship Award
• Peel board students, staff honour Remembrance Day with special assemblies
• Burnhamthorpe Public School celebrates 25 years of Terry Fox Run
• The Woodlands School welcomes special guest to observe Remembrance Day
• Morning Star Middle School student inspires with fundraising efforts for Cord of Love campaign
• Port Credit Secondary School opens new Library Learning Commons
• Peel board students, staff raise a total of $1.7 million over ten-year period to support UNICEF Canada
• Thorndale Public School’s Glee club lends its voice to ‘We Remember’
• North Park Secondary School celebrates birth of Guru Nanak
• David Suzuki Secondary School students host ‘Buy Nothing Day’ to raise awareness of mass consumption
• Neighbourhood police officers play key role in student safety
• Shaw Public School celebrates spirit of giving with first annual ‘Cram-a-Cruiser Food Holiday Drive’
• Port Credit Secondary School hosts annual ‘Write for Rights’ event
• Sir Wilfrid Laurier Public School crossing guard named one of Canada’s Favourite Crossing Guards​
• Applewood Heights Secondary School receives OFSAA Team Sportsmanship Award
• ​ Peel board schools receive donation of 118 computers from Renewed Computer Technology
• Peel board schools receive donation of 118 computers from Renewed Computer Technology
• Erindale Secondary School teacher showcases artwork at Heritage Mississauga
• Peel schools donate canned food, toys for ‘Cram-a-Cruiser Food Drive

2014

• Peel Alternative School South makes a difference in the dental health of Peel families
• Calderstone Middle School learns the art of meditation
• Castlebrooke Secondary School hosts robotics competition on Jan. 18
• Tomken Road Middle School achieves excellence at LEGO League Tournament
• Greenbriar Middle School launch Teens for Jeans campaign
• Students receive Dual Credit awards from Sheridan College
• Peel board staff receive Ontario Library Association awards
• Calderstone Middle School senior girls’ badminton team wins tournament
• Best-selling author Barbara Coloroso speaks The Woodlands Family on Feb. 3
• Students receive $1,000 scholarship for participation in HACE co-op program
• Peel students celebrate Chinese New Year
• Walnut Grove Public School hosts Family Math Olympic Night, Jan. 30
• Esker Lake Public School hosting Family Math Night on Feb. 13
• Springfield Public School hosts Olympic Spirit Day
• Rick Hansen Family hosts Parents Technology Information evening, Feb. 12
• Greenbriar Middle School exceeds goal for Teens for Jeans campaign
• Agnes Taylor Hosts Self-Esteem Workshop for Parents on Feb. 20
• Cawthra Park Secondary School celebrates Black History Month
• Streetsville Secondary School student selected as 2014 Loran Scholar
• Massey Street Public School celebrates Winter Olympics
• Beatty-Fleming choir Sings at the Mississauga Steelheads hockey game
• Peel schools and students invited to 2013/2014 launch of Fitness Friends
• Balmoral Drive Sr. Public School celebrates 2014 Winter Olympics
• Erindale Secondary School shines at the Golden Horseshoe Music Festival
• Erindale Secondary School student achieves excellence at World Youth Olympics
• Lincoln M. Alexander graduate receives 2014 Schulich Leaders Award
• Credit View staff and students raise over $1,700 for cancer research
• Walnut Grove holds inaugural Terry Fox Walk/Run
• Agnes Taylor staff and students inspire hope with Terry Fox Walk/Run
• ​Elmcrest staff and students celebrate fall with Harvest Hoedown open house ​
• Homestead Swing Kids showcase talents on Tiny Talent Time
• Agnes Taylor hosts “Parents as Partners” workshop series
• Calderstone Middle School hosts second math workshop for parents and students
• Lincoln M. Alexander hosts Peel DECA Regional Competition
• Calderstone Middle School hosts second math workshop for parents and students
• Ruth Thompson raises over $350 for “Name a Star” campaign
• Staff and students at Belfountain raises over $3,000 in support of Terry Fox
• Meadowvale Village staff and students create powerful poppy display for Remembrance Day
• Caledon Central P.S. staff and students commemorate Remembrance Day
• Calderstone staff and students pay respects at Remembrance Day assembly
• Turner Fenton welcomes special guests to observe Remembrance Day
• Queenston Drive staff and students pay tribute at Remembrance Day ceremony in Celebration Square
• Maple Wood honours war sacrifices on Remembrance Day
• David Leeder volleyball team excels at the Ontario Volleyball Championships
• Judith Nyman hosts annual open house
• Castlebrooke honours service of Canadians on Remembrance Day
• Lancaster Public School students engage with math
• ​Morning Star named winners of the 2014 Heritage Youth Award
• Copeland students strive to be positive leaders during Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week
• Agnes Taylor hosts second parent workshop
• Gordon Graydon Memorial student wins coveted award at international mock trials competition
• Gordon Graydon Memorial student wins coveted award at international mock trials competition
• Erin Centre Middle School volleyball teams achieve excellence
• Worthington Public School showcases robotics and advances to provincial championships
• Westervelts Corners hold fundraiser for Me to We
• Erindale student chosen for 2015 Field Hockey Canada Junior Development Squad
• Ruth Thompson inspires possibility with United Way fundraising
• Central Peel junior boys basketball team claims championship title
• Mount Pleasant kicks off successful “We Bake for Change” campaign
• Shaw Public School makes a difference during the holiday season
• Ruth Thompson celebrates the spirit of giving with food drive
• Agnes Taylor and Central Peel Secondary host second annual Central Peel 3 on 3 Classic
• Clarkson athletes charge the national and global sports scene
• Agnes Taylor hosts “Parenting, Anger and You” workshop
• Carberry students raise $500 for Sick Kids Hospital and Foundation