Principal's Message

Good Morning Garth Webb:

We have teams heading to OFSAA this week and the Girls & Boys Hockey teams are heading into their playoffs in pursuit of a Halton Championship. We wish all teams the best of luck!

There are lots of fun things happening in our classrooms, over lunch, and out on field trips. Instructional Leads from the Board are working on Destreaming teaching strategies in our classrooms. I popped in and saw students solving Murder Mysteries by examining forensic evidence in HSP3CU class. The Black HIstory Month celebrations continued over lunch and students were excited to talk about all the cool cars at the Auto Show in Toronto when they came back....just to name a few. We also did very well at the McMaster Materials Olympics in the DomesDay Dome Construction Competition (see results below).  

The parking lot is packed and I know students are having a hard time finding a spot to park. Of course the parking lot is not built to hold every Sr. student driver, but this lot feels tighter than most.  We are in discussions with the Town of Oakville to open up the back Town parking lot in a reciprocal agreement with the Board. Hopefully this happens sooner rather than later. In the meantime, students cannot park, or drive, on the grass nor can they park in front of the yellow gate or cement blocks. They would run the risk of $100 tickets, fines and/or being towed. Staff parking is the priority. Student drivers need to register their car with the main office and ask for a parking pass.... this however, does not guarantee you a spot. It is first come first serve. The tight parking lot situation has motivated lots of Sr. students to get here earlier for school!!! Silver lining?!?!

Let's all wear PINK on February 28th and show our collective support against bullying!  Be an upstander Chargers!!!

Be kind to one another.

Take care,

Jacquie Pece

From Your Student Services Department

Tuesdays @Ten

Please join us on Tuesday, March 5 for our next parent engagement session. This month a representative from Niagara College will be presenting on what colleges have to offer. This will include general information, the difference between academic vs applied, credential types, how to apply, and how to bridge from college to university. Program specific information will be focussed on Niagara College, but this will be informative as an introduction to college in general. A link will be sent out for this virtual session the day prior.

Scholarships and Awards

Community Awards: (Rotary, Halton Learning Foundation, Maycourt, CFUW, Lion's club, Chinese Canadian Association).

It's that time of year when applications open for the various community awards.  All information can be found on the online awards hub.  Please take a look at the site and direct any questions you may have to your guidance counsellor.  Students are encouraged to create an account and review the various award criteria.  Please note that most application deadlines are in the Spring.

Awards Hub

Pink Shirt Day This Wednesday

On Wednesday, February 28, Garth Webb staff and students will participate in PINK shirt day. On this day we stand together against bullying. We invite everyone to wear pink shirts and our Wellness Club has some fun activities planned.

Now a movement celebrated across the globe, Pink Shirt Day has humble beginnings. Inspired by an act of kindness in small-town Nova Scotia, CKNW Kids' Fund, working with partners Boys & Girls Clubs and 980 CKNW, was inspired to raise funds to support anti-bullying programs. Here is a snippet of an article detailing the original incident:

“David Shepherd, Travis Price and their teenage friends organized a high-school protest to wear pink in sympathy with a Grade 9 boy who was being bullied [for wearing a pink shirt]…[They] took a stand against bullying when they protested against the harassment of a new Grade 9 student by distributing pink T-shirts to all the boys in their school. ‘I learned that two people can come up with an idea, run with it, and it can do wonders,’ says Mr. Price, 17, who organized the pink protest. ‘Finally, someone stood up for a weaker kid.’ So Mr. Shepherd and some others headed off to a discount store and bought 50 pink tank tops. They sent out message to schoolmates that night, and the next morning they hauled the shirts to school in a plastic bag. As they stood in the foyer handing out the shirts, the bullied boy walked in. His face spoke volumes. ‘It looked like a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders,’ Mr. Price recalled. The bullies were never heard from again.”

— GLOBE & MAIL

After David and Travis’ act of kindness in 2007, CKNW was inspired to help other youth affected by bullying, with many staff members wearing pink shirts and collecting funds to support Boys and Girls Clubs. Since then, the idea has only grown each year, with worldwide support and participation. Click here to read more.

March Into Mental Health

 Join the grade 12 leadership class for our lunch time mental health and wellness activity this week. Come down to the gym at lunch on Thursday, February 29 to take part in “March Into Mental Health”! Where we will all be participating in a large circuit of minute to win it fitness games, with a variety of prizes and snacks that will be provided to participants. Everyone is welcome! We can’t wait to enjoy all these amazing games and treats with you all, hope to see you there. Go Chargers!

2023-2024 Yearbook Now on Sale!

The 2023-2024 yearbook is now available to order on School Cash Online. The yearbook will be available for purchase until May 6. We do not order extra copies so you must order online before the deadline to be able to get a copy of the yearbook.

Don't miss out on ordering this keepsake!

Fashion Forward Open Houses

The Halton District School Board will host Fashion Forward Open Houses in February and May for students to select, at no cost, donated formal wear for upcoming prom/graduation celebrations.

Students will have the opportunity to view and try on formal wear in a friendly and welcoming environment. Students may select from a variety of new and gently-used attire that has been donated for proms, graduations and other special events. Many different styles, colours and sizes of formal dresses will be available as well as suits, shirts, ties, shoes, and accessories.

The Open Houses will be held at W.I. Dick Middle School (351 Highside Drive, Milton) from 3:30 - 8 p.m. on the following dates:

• Monday, Feb. 26

• Thursday, May 30 

*An opportunity will be made available for gender diverse youth who require a more private shopping experience between the hours of 3 - 3:30 p.m. during the Open Houses. Students are required to bring student identification to the open house they attend.

Volunteer Club

Volunteer club dedicates to provide more volunteering opportunities to our students. Our goal is to make the information more accessible for everyone. We post opportunities weekly with all of the information included in our google classroom! If you want to learn more about our club and wish to find more opportunities, please join our google classroom through code: dtpah5l.

 You can also find us on instagram (@gwss.volunteer), LinkedIn (GWSS Volunteer Club), and Twitter (@gwss_volunteer)! If you have any question, feel free to email us at gwssvolunteerclub@gmail.com.

Opportunity for This Week:

VR Pro Inc. is looking for volunteers to assist with two upcoming events in Hamilton and Burlington.

1. The 2024 Frigid 10K & Frosty 5K race on Sunday, March 17th, 2024 in Hamilton. This event is raising funds for Joseph Brant Hospital and is part of our $250,000 fundraising commitment to them.

We are looking for volunteers who are available from 8:00AM – 1:00PM to help with the following roles:

• Racecourse Marshal

• Water station volunteer

• Handing out finish line medals

• Handing out fruit/water at finish line

• Waste management and more!

Anyone who is interested should sign up at the link below, or email info@vrpro.ca

Sign up here

2. The 2024 Chilly Half Marathon on Sunday, March 3rd, 2024 in Burlington. This event is raising funds for Joseph Brant Hospital and is part of our $250,000 fundraising commitment to them.

We are looking for volunteers who are available from 8:00AM – 2:00PM to help with the following roles:

• Racecourse Marshal

• Water station volunteer

• Handing out finish line medals

• Handing out fruit/water at finish line

• Waste management

• Race kit pick up and more!

Anyone who is interested should sign up at the link below, or email info@vrpro.ca

Sign up here

Black History Month

Message from the Leadership Class

The Garth Webb leadership class believes in equality and justice for everyone. We want everyones story to be heard and we strive for fairness to all within our school. In acknowledgement of Black History Month, we wanted to give light to inspirational Canadians within the athletic world who have demonstrated a great amount of leadership who may not be as well known as other great sport celebrities. 

The leadership class created this display so that students can reflect on the importance  of these athletes in Canadian history. These athletes are people ranging from all types of sports, genders, sexualities, age, and backgrounds. Each story is significant and has their lists of accomplishments and hurdles they faced as they tried to achieve their goals in becoming a professional athlete. The leadership class hopes that Garth Webb students can gain information by looking at these athletes' biographies and can inspire them to take greater risks and take on a leadership role to inspire others. Stop by the library to learn a little more about our history.

Alumni Event

This past Thursday, our school BSA (Black Student Alliance) hosted an Alumni Event. Four of our graduates came by to share their post secondary experiences with our students. It was an hour of questions, support, and advice. Thank you Chimele Nsitem, Audrey Rosa, Gabe Hylton, and Mickey Griffiths for coming and sharing your stories with our students.

Eritrean Food

Our food expo continued this week with food from East Africa. Students had a chance to sample Eritrean treats made by Saron Abraha and her family. Thank you for taking the time to share your favourite foods with the Garth Webb community.

Ayyám-i-Há - Feb 26-Mar 1

Ayyám-i-Há is a multiple-day Baha’i festival that is joyously celebrated in countries and territories all over the world. It typically falls around the end of February and beginning of March. Ayyam-i-Ha, or the Intercalary Days, is a period dedicated to socializing, being hospitable, giving generously to the poor and needy, and preparing for the upcoming month of fasting. Depending on the year, Ayyam-i-Ha will vary in its duration and it is composed of the excess of days that fall outside of the 19 months of 19 days.

Click here to learn more.

2SLGBTQIA+ Parent/Guardian Advocacy and Support Group

Our next meeting for the 2SLGBTQIA+ Parent/Guardian Advocacy and Support Group will be on Thursday, March 7 at 7 pm (online). New members are always welcome to join. Our group is for parents and guardians of children who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ and/or parents/guardians who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ themselves. The group meets monthly online on the first Thursday of the month.

The goal of the group is to provide a safe space to share resources, expand our education, learn how to better advocate for and support our children, and to share our challenges and victories. We will work together to advocate for all students who experience social and systemic discrimination based on their 2SLGBTQIA+ identity. We have a zero tolerance policy for any kind of discrimination within our group.

On March 7, we will review some of the census data collected from HDSB students in the fall of 2023 as well as review and discuss some valuable feedback from the Garth Webb SAGE group students and their staff mentor Ian Duncan.

If you would like to attend our meeting on Thursday, March 7 or would like more information about the group, please email Kerri Lee at leeke@hdsb.ca.

HDSB Hosting Mental Health & Well-Being Information Sessions for Parents/Guardians

The Halton District School Board is hosting Mental Health & Well-Being Information Sessions for parents/guardians this Winter and Spring. Covering specific topics based on feedback from parents/guardians, each session will be led by a mental health expert in that area who will share their knowledge and provide helpful information and resources.

Sessions include: 

• Executive Functioning for High School Students - Tuesday, March 19 from 6 - 7 p.m.

• Healthy and Unhealthy Stress - Monday, April 15 from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

*Note: These are repeated workshops offered last year. Additional sessions will be announced at a later date. 

Registration is required for these sessions as limited spots are available. Parents/guardians can register by completing the Mental Health & Well-Being Information Sessions Registration Form. Sessions will be held on Google Meet, where closed captioning is available in various languages. Registrants will be emailed a link to access the session. Sessions will not be recorded. 

Parents/guardians will have the opportunity to submit questions when completing the registration form or during the session. The HDSB’s Mental Health & Well-Being webpage has information for parents/guardians and students on mental health, ways to support positive mental health and well-being, and how to get additional support at school and in the broader community.

Ensure Immunization Records are Up to Date with Halton Region Health

Students in Grades 9 to 12 must have up-to-date immunization records with Halton Region Public Health.

Ontario’s Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) requires that all children and adolescents attending school be fully immunized against several designated diseases. All immunization requirements for school attendance align with Ontario’s publicly funded immunization schedule. Vaccines required for school attendance are free, safe and effective.

Parents/guardians of all students born in 2006 to 2009 (Grades 9 to 12) must complete the following steps:

1. Review your student's online record at halton.ca/immunize.

2. If your student has missed any vaccines, make an immunization appointment with a health care provider.

3. Report vaccines online at halton.ca/immunize. Every time a health care provider immunizes a student, parents/guardians must report the vaccines to Public Health. Healthcare providers do not report the vaccines they give to their patients.

Students born in 2006 to 2009 must have up to date immunization records (or a valid medical or non-medical exemption) against the following ISPA designated diseases:

• Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Polio;

• Measles, Mumps, Rubella; and

• Meningococcal Disease.

Halton Region Public Health is reviewing the immunization records of Halton students born in 2006 to 2009. Parents/guardians will be notified by mail if their student's record is not up-to-date, starting in October 2023. This school year, students in Grades 11 to 12 may be suspended from school in March 2024 if their immunization records are not updated.

Please note, at this time COVID-19 vaccines are not required to attend school. You cannot report COVID-19 vaccines using the online reporting tool.

If your student is unable to be immunized for medical reasons or if you choose not to immunize your student, you must submit a vaccine exemption to Halton Region Public Health. For more details about this process, please visit halton.ca/immunize.

To learn more about immunizations, including translated resources, visit ontario.ca/vaccines, immunize.ca/resources or download A Parent's Guide to Vaccination at canada.ca/vaccines.

Upcoming Key Dates

Mar 5 Tuesdays @Ten

Mar 7 5th Week Report Distribution (grade 9 students)

Mar 11 - 15 Spring Break (School Closed)

Mar 21 Parent/Teacher Interview Night 6:30 pm

Mar 27 CP Day - Classes start at 9:30 am

Mar 29 Good Friday (School Closed)

Apr 1 Easter Monday (School Closed)

Apr 2 Tuesdays @Ten

Apr 8 PA Day - no school for students

Apr 17 Last Day of Term 1

Apr 18 First Day of Term 2

Apr 24 OUAC / OCAS Semester 2 Midterm Mark Upload

Apr 24 CP Day - Classes start at 9:30 am

Apr 26 Semester 2 Midterm Report Card Distribution

May 3 Full Disclosure

May 7 Tuesdays @Ten

May 20 Victoria Day Holiday (School Closed)

May 22 CP Day - Classes start at 9:30 am

May 23 15th Week Report Distribution

May 23 Grade 12 Prom

May 27 - Jun 19 Protected Time

Jun 4 Tuesdays @Ten

Jun 10 Class of 2024 Commencement

Jun 20 - 26 Exam Block

Jun 27 Exam Review Day/Last Day of School (early dismissal)

Jun 28 PA Day - no school for students

Jul 3 OUAC / OCAS Semester 2 Final Mark Upload

Jul 8 Semester 2 Final Report Card Distribution

Jul 9-11 Diploma Pick up