www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, March 9, 2012 · 16 School boards set new 2012/13 calendars The Halton District School Board has come out with its academic calendar for next year, however, it is yet to be approved by the Ministry of Education. The first day of school will be on Tuesday, Sept. 4. The winter break will run from Dec. 24 of this year to Jan. 3, 2013. The spring break (March Break) will run from March 11-15, 2013. The last day of school for both elementary and secondary students will be Thursday, June 27, 2013. Five of the six Professional Activity Days (PA Day) this year are on the same days as the Halton Catholic District School Board's. Five of the PA Days are also on the same days for both elementary and secondary schools. Those days are Oct. 5, Nov. 23, Feb. 1, 2013, April 26, 2013 and June 28, 2013. The separate PA Days fall on Feb. 15, 2013 for secondary schools and on June 7, 2013 for elementary schools. High school exams for the first semester will run from Jan. 24-30, 2013 and for the second semester it will be from June 20-26, 2013. Meanwhile, at the March 6 Halton Catholic District School Board meeting, the board approved a school year calendar for 2012-13 consisting of 188 instructional days and six PA days. This 2012-13 school year calendar will now be submitted to the Ministry of Education for final approval, which is anticipated in late spring. School boards are required to identify a minimum of 194 school days, between Labour Day and June 30, of which no more than six days may be designated as PA Days, and at least 188 days must be instructional days. "Students do not attend school on professional activity days," explained Superintendent of Education, James Rowles. "Professional activity day programs for academic staff include provincial priorities, assessment and evaluation, faith development and communicating student progress to parents." For more detailed information about the Catholic board's school year calendar, refer to the board report via the board's website at www.hcdsb. org. Follow Oakville Beaver staff on Twitter @OakvilleBeaver or @NewsHooked @DavidLea6 @DominikKurek @BeaverSports or @Halton_Photog Advertorial Baby Steps Fair Sunday, March 11, 2012 10am - 5pm Oakville Conference Centre Oakville, ON Experience a unique mommy-to-be marketplace at the Baby Steps Fair Baby Steps Fair, Oakville's newest and most exciting baby fair, is taking place at the Oakville Conference Centre this Sunday, March 11, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This unique mommy-to-be marketplace will be home to over 30 phenomenal local businesses that are geared towards making motherhood, from prenatal to preschool, an easier and happier experience for the whole family. The Fair's Co-Founders, Val Nicholson and Krysia Kwiatkowski guarantee visitors will learn interesting and innovative things about caring for infants and young children. "We have oneon-one sleep clinics available for those mothers who are worried about getting a full night's sleep when their baby arrives," says Kwiatkowski. "We will also feature first aid presentations, fitness for mom and baby and infant massage." The Fair also features amazing door prizes, and the Cutest and Grumpiest Baby contests running on their Facebook page. Being a mom has never been as trendy and fun as it is right now. Many amazing new businesses have popped up that help moms through every step from prenatal to preschool. Halton region is home to some of the most unique businesses geared towards mothers and at Baby Steps Fair you will see businesses ranging from belly casting to health and wellness to nursing and baby clothing. There will be a great mix at the Fair and guests will have the added bonus of getting to know their local resources. Baby Steps Fair is designed to be incredibly mommy-friendly. At the Fair you can take advantage of the breastfeeding area, sponsored by EcoParent, as well as a diaper changing area and a play area for kids. "We want every parent to be able to visit the Fair with ease so we are providing large aisles to accommodate strollers and a play area for kids to use up some of the energy of kids accompanying their parents," says Nicholson. In addition, those mothers who show up early to the Fair (the first 300 guests) will receive a Swag Bag with goodies and information provided by local businesses including a Baby and Toddler Guide for parents! For the 'green' mommies and mommies-tobe, there is a marked focus on environmentally friendly products at the Baby Steps Fair. Both Nicholson and Kwiatkowski are very dedicated to bringing eco-friendly products to mothers who are conscious of the negative impact that chemicals in food and cleaning materials have on their children. Whether you are going to check out the latest products and services, to shop for a new baby or just to get a feel for the local businesses catering to mothers, Baby Steps Fair is going to be a mustvisit event! For more information about the Fair, visit www.babystepsfair.com and for the latest exciting updates, connect with the Co-Founders on their Facebook ( www.facebook.com/ babystepsfair) and Twitter (@babystepsfair) One Stop Shopping for Everything Prenatal to Preschool Shopping, Prizes, Workshops & More! Enter Your Baby in our Baby Derby! Get One-on-One Advice from Sleep Experts! Learn Tips and Tricks at our Baby Workshops! Win something amazing in our Fair Raffle! Oakville is now home to Ontario's newest and most exciting baby expo. Bring the whole family to Baby Steps Fair for a full day of fun, prizes and shopping! At our Mommy-to-be marketplace, you will find the information and products you need to care for your growing family. Join Us on Sunday, March 11, 2012, 10am to 5pm at Baby Steps Fair! babystepsfair.com