Principal's Message

Good Morning Garth Webb:

There was a collective cheer in the senior classrooms when I announced last week that we got the back parking lot opened!! This definitely eases the traffic congestion, flow and parking overall. We are working on this remaining open permanently throughout the school year. Students were very appreciative. One student thanked me for opening the lot because he said he had to get up earlier in order to get to school and find a parking spot... and now... he can sleep in longer - wait, what? I still want students on time!! LOL

The Sr. Semi-Formal was a HUGE success last Thursday night! Thank you to Ms. Tolton and Ms. Murphy and the Student Council for organizing this event and all the staff supervisors for helping out that evening. I was very impressed with the overall event and the outstanding student behaviour. They were polite, thankful, and partied in the "right spirit". There were zero issues. I might have busted a move on the dance floor in case you see the video that is circulating. Thank YOU to the parents/guardians for helping us by reinforcing the adherence to our Code of Conduct with your teen. You raised them right!!

Congratulations to our Ski & Snowboard teams for the impressive performance at the OFSAA provincial championship last week!! We brought home a Bronze medal!! Way to go Nolan!!! See the full results below. I also love that we did so well at the local, regional and provincial Remembrance Day poster contest. Garth Webb would be proud!!

I can't believe it is March already.  5 more sleeps until March Break!!

Thank you for wearing PINK and being kind to one another! Always channel that inner pink Chargers!!!

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

Athletic Council Spirit Week

This week will be our winter sports spirit week to celebrate the end of a great season! We hope to see everyone participating in the various spirit days throughout the week. Thank you to Athletic Council for organizing.

Monday Red & White Day

Tuesday Crocs, Slides, and Birks Day

Wednesday Ski Goggles & Touque Day

Thursday Decades Day

Friday Green Clothing Day

Let's show your spirit Chargers!!

Royal Canadian Legion's Poster Contest

Congratulations to the talented students of Garth Webb Secondary School for their outstanding achievement in winning the local, regional, and provincial Remembrance Day Poster Contest.  On Sunday, February 25 the talented students were honoured at a special award ceremony for their achievement.

The following students were honoured for their achievements: Amaara  Chatterjee (3rd place Poetry - Intermediary),  Maya Lustig (1st place - Intermediary Black and White), Amelie Dumouchel (2nd place - Intermediary Black and White),  Kelly Tran (3rd place - Intermediary Colour), Rylie Boldt (2nd place - Senior Colour), Seoungri Lee (3rd Place - Senior Colour).  

A very special congratulations to Tiffany Sun who not only placed 1st at the local branch for her Senior Black and White Poster, but also placed 3rd in the Region, and Katie Nikkari who placed 1st at the local branch for her Intermediary Colour Poster, but also 1st at the Regional Level, and 2nd at the Provincial Level.  Her poster has moved on to the National Level.

Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you for all your inspiring contributions to this meaningful competition.

Alpine Team at OFSAA

Both the High School Ski and Snowboard Teams traveled up to Collingwood this past week to compete at OFSAA.  The Boys' High School Ski Team, composed of Ryan Goard, Peter Watson, Robbie Mehler, Max Beckett, and James Lawrie represented Garth Webb well on Monday and Tuesday at Osler Bluff Ski Club, where they competed in both Giant Slalom and Slolom races.  Although the boys team did not place, and Tuesday was cut short because of the lightning, the coaches are incredibly proud of their achievement as they are the school's first ski team to make it to OFSAA. 

Continuing the momentum set by the skiers, the High School Boys' Snowboard team composed of Nolan Beale, Carson Beale, and Liam Armstrong, as well as individual girl Nicole Armstrong competed at Devil's Glen Country Club.  The weather continued to be unpredictable and the snow conditions were not ideal, but the coaches are so proud of the athletes and their accomplishments.  A special congratulations to Nolan Beale who brought home the bronze medallion for the High School Boys category! Congratulations to all the athletes on their accomplishments, and particularly Nolan for his dedication to the sport and for his 3rd place win!

Thank you to coaches Ms. Ward & Mr. Chang for their work with the team this year.

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 Donation Request

The Halton District School Board Fashion Forward Open Houses have been a huge success so far with over 200 students attending! There is one more open house in May and they are in search of donations of suits, suit jackets, dress pants, shirts, ties and men's footwear (specifically looking for smaller sizes for our grade 6 and 8 graduates). 

If you would like to donate any of these items, they will be accepting donations at Lakeshore P.S., John William Boich P.S., and Charles R. Beaudoin P.S. during school hours.

The final Open House will be held at W.I. Dick Middle School (351 Highside Drive, Milton) from 3:30 - 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 30, 2024. 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. Students are required to bring student identification to the open house.

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:

Camp Volunteer - Royal City Soccer Club

They offer both full-day and morning sessions, and each day incorporates their unique programming that is child-centred and focuses on the development of their campers.  

You can apply for:

• Morning sessions: (20 hours/week, Mon-Fri, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm)

• Afternoon sessions: (20 hours/week, Mon-Fri, 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm)

• Full-day sessions: (40 hours/week, Mon-Fri, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm)

All 9 weeks of July and August are available to volunteer for (you do not have to volunteer for all 9 weeks) 

Volunteers at their summer day camps may have any of the following responsibilities:

• Assisting staff with coaching and supervising children at camp

• Equipment collection and maintenance (i.e. inflating soccer balls, collecting cones)

• General help around camp

• Maintain a clean camp environment and help staff meet all safety protocols 

• Adhere to and help enforce all camp policies and procedures 

Location: Glenn Abbey Park - 1415 Third Line Oakville, ON L6M 3G2

To apply, use this link: https://halton.cioc.ca/volunteer/record/V-HVC0630?Number=1 OR

Contact: Paige Elliott, Volunteer Coordinator - volunteer@royalsoccer.com

2SLGBTQIA+ Parent/Guardian Advocacy and Support Group

Our next meeting for the 2SLGBTQIA+ Parent/Guardian Advocacy and Support Group will be THIS 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.

Black History Month

This week, we wrapped up the final events for Black History Month. Thank you to Ms. Tolton, Mr. Hines, and all the students in the BSA for ogranizing all of the wonderful learning (and eating) this month!  Thank you all for learning with us this month. 

Food Expo

On Thursday, Feb 29, students were able to try Trinidadian doubles. They were such a success that they were all gone before we had a chance to take any pictures.  If you would like to try one, we encourage you to visit Ranee’s Roti on Kerr Street.

Trinidadian Doubles - Ranee’s Roti Caribbean Cuisine and Tandoori

www.raneesroti.ca

579 Kerr Street, Unit 1B, Oakville, Ontario

Black Mental Health Day & Week

Black Mental Health Day is the first Monday of March and kicks of Black Mental Health Week. This important day acknowledges the impact of 400 years of oppression and anti-Black racism on mental health.

 There is evidence that experiencing or witnessing racism throughout one’s life can have an adverse affect on both mental and physical health. 

By proclaiming Black Mental Health Day & Week, Ontario is striving to improve awareness and understanding around the past and continued racism experienced by Black individuals and communities around the globe. Events & resources will be available for those who have been and are being harmed by anti-Black racism.

For more information, visit: https://blackmentalhealthweek.ca/

At Garth Webb, students can get involved in the Black Student Affinity Group (BSA).  In Halton, the Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK) has the My Hair My Crown group for students to chat and advocate about anti-Black racism.

Bangladeshi Heritage Month

Ontario is home to a large and vibrant Bangladeshi community. Bangladeshi Canadians from across the province have made significant contributions to Ontario's scientific, athletic, cultural, and political development, and they continue to help foster growth, prosperity, and innovation throughout Ontario.

The month of March is an important one for the Bangladeshi community. Every year on March 26th, Bangladeshis around the world celebrate Independence Day in commemoration of their nation gaining independence in 1971. This day is often marked with music, parades, fairs, and various other public and private gatherings held to celebrate the history and traditions of Bangladesh.

By proclaiming the month of March as Bangladeshi Heritage Month in Ontario, the province honours the many significant contributions Bangladeshi Canadians have made throughout the province, and highlights their important role in strengthening the multi-cultural fabric that keeps Ontario's communities strong.

Click here to read more.

International Women's Day

This International Women’s Day, 8 March 2024, join the United Nations in celebrating under the theme Invest in women: Accelerate progress.

The world is facing many crises, ranging from geopolitical conflicts to soaring poverty levels and the escalating impacts of climate change. These challenges can only be addressed by solutions that empower women. By investing in women, we can spark change and speed the transition towards a healthier, safer, and more equal world for all.

If current trends continue, more than 342 million women and girls could be living in extreme poverty by 2030. To ensure women’s needs and priorities are considered, governments must prioritize gender-responsive financing and increase public spending on essential services and social protection.

Policymakers must also value, recognize, and account for the vital contribution women make to economies worldwide through paid and unpaid care work. Women spend around three times more time on unpaid care work than men and if these activities were assigned a monetary value they would account for more than 40 percent of GDP.

Investing in women and championing gender equality turbocharges a future where everyone in society can thrive, creating a world of boundless opportunity and empowerment for all. Learn more here. Click here for local events.

Students can join the Youth in Action Group this Tuesday, March 5 at lunch to play a women's themed game of BINGO in room 2018. See you there Chargers!

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.

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 5 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