March 31, 2024
WEEK B
Principal's Message
Good Morning Garth Webb:
What a week we have had for our Technology Department!! Students competed at the Halton Skills Competition and brought home multiple Gold, Silver and Bronze medals!! Congratulations to all the competitors and their teachers for demonstrating such a high level of skill in their respected areas. This event followed the Robotics competition in North Bay last weekend where our 5409 Chargers bowled over the competition with the amazing design and execution of our robot. A display of STEM skills at its finest!! This was the first competition of the year and we are ranked #1 in Canada and #2 in the world in some categories. The team is competing at McMaster this weekend and we are hoping that their outstanding execution of the tasks continues!!!! (Watch this quick video of our robot and then see in the blog below for all the results from last week).
Our MSA club hosted a sold out family community Iftar event last Thursday night for anyone to attend. Iftar is the celebration for Muslim communities to come together to break the fast. I would like to recognize our students, staff, and parents who helped make this night so much fun and for their efforts in wanting to build and share community. It goes a long way in supporting people's efforts to better understand observances and practices during Ramadan.
Happy Easter, to those of you who observe this holiday, enjoy the celebrations this long weekend! And to everyone else in our community, please use this time to recharge with family and friends.
Please note that I will be away later this week as I need to use up my lieu days before they expire. My husband and I are traveling to Portugal with friends to sightsee and enjoy the culture.Thus, I will be unable to write in the blog next weekend. It will still get posted with some highlights of the week, just with the absence of my message. If you need any assistance while I am away, please contact your alpha VPs or the main office.
Thank you and take care,
Jacquie Pece
Guidance Counsellors
Ms. Tolton (A-E)
Ms. Mactaggart (F-L)
Mr. Sanderson (M-Q)
Ms. Hosany (R-Z)
Google Classrooms
Grade 9 - euk4ho6
Grade 10 - bix3yen
Grade 11 - krgiixa
Grade 12 - reyclkl
From Your Student Services Department
Tuesdays @Ten
Our next Tuesdays @Ten will be taking place virtually on Tuesday, April 2 @ 10 am. This month we will be joined by the two of the board's psychologists to discuss executive functioning. Please join us to hear how to support your student with planning, organization, and time management. The link to the meeting will be shared prior to the meeting.
Scholarships and Awards
Canadian Federation of University Women - Oakville Scholarships and Awards
Deadline to apply is April 22nd. See application info below:
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.
Summer School
Summer school registration with the HDSB will open on April 17. Students will be able to register for courses through myBlueprint. Further information will be available in the coming weeks.
Commencement Ticket Order Form
We are going paperless this year for commencement. Students can now order their Commencement tickets using this form. There is no cost for the tickets. Please place your order ASAP for either 1 or 2 tickets. Students can also request to enter the ticket lottery to potentially receive 1 extra ticket. Please note that only students can place the ticket order on behalf of theri guests.
There will be no paper tickets for commencement and instead, guests on the list will check in with staff when they arrive at the venue.
Commencement Details:
Monday, June 10, 2024 @4:30 pm at the Meeting House (2700 Bristol Circle, Oakville)
5409 Chargers Robotics
The GWSS Robotics Team (FRC 5409) competed at the ONTARIO DISTRICT NORTH BAY EVENT last weekend! 5409, with their robot, Stormont placed 3rd in the qualifications and placed 4th in the playoffs. After all 64 qualifications matches, they were ranked as the #1 team in Canada and #2 in the World for end-game points! They were also awarded the prestigious Quality Award for their robust design and manufacturing.
The team has competed at the McMaster event this weekend and will be at their next competition, which will be live-streamed from the Mississauga International Ctr (April 3-6). For those of you interested in attending the competition in person, the event is free and open to all. The link for the event is: FRC Ontario 2024
Congratulations 5409! We’re very proud of all of you and the incredible feat you have accomplished this season!
Halton Skills
Wednesday last week the largest Technological Education Event took place where students competed in skills ranging from animation to welding in the Annual Halton Skills competition.
Claira Edelman - Silver in Architectural Technology
Dylan Ramnarine - Gold in Cabinet Making
Emily Wellington - Gold in Computer Aided Manufacturing
Afrah Iqbal - Silver in Computer Aided Manufacturing
Leah Stepanek - Bronze in Computer Aided Manufacturing
Jason Li - Gold in Electronics
Carmen Kassis - Gold in Hairstyling
Arav Mathur - Gold in Mechanical Computer Aided Design
Boaz Lee - Bronze in Mechanical Computer Aided Design
Liam Warnock - Gold in Photography
Aidan Carby - Silver in Welding
Ella Nickel - Bronze in Welding
Our other competitors were:
Savir Singh and Rick Liu in Coding
Jessica Wang and Ruby Mooking in Computer Aided Manufacturing
Adrian Tarantino in Electronics
Zoe Dennison in Graphic Design
Kshitij Dewan and Jacob Braid
Congratulations to all Competitors and medal winners. Thank you to all tech coaches and coordinators!
TEDx Save the Date
On Thursday, May 9, 2024 GWSS will be hosting our first licensed TEDx Youth event, Building Our Own Future: Teenage empowerment for a prospective tomorrow! Tickets to this proud platform for the passionate voices of our diverse student population will be available on April 25. Keep an eye on our website for more information.
Volunteer Club
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:
The Royal City Soccer Club, a registered non-profit community organization, is proud to host their 32nd annual popular grassroots summer soccer day camps. The program is designed to promote personal development, team building and of course, FUN! Offering full day and morning sessions to all children aged 5 to 13, the program runs all weeks in July and August. Our nearby camp location details can be found by visiting the LOCATIONS page on our website at royalsoccer.com. To register or for more information, visit royalsoccer.com or call 1-800-427-0536.
If any students are interested in volunteering or being a member of the camp staff, interested applicants can visit the EMPLOYMENT page on the website or click on the link below to apply online. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 1-800-427-0536.
Rupert Raj
Jessica Platt
Kiley May
International Transgender Day of Visibility
Transgender people have historically been marginalized and excluded from mainstream society, often facing discrimination, harassment, and violence. Transphobia and discrimination are still widespread, and many transgender individuals face significant barriers to accessing healthcare, employment, housing, and other necessities.
International Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) occurs every year on March 31st. This day is dedicated to celebrating transgender people, their contributions to society and raising awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide.
Honouring the International Transgender Day of Visibility is critical in the fight for transgender rights and equality. By recognizing and supporting the transgender community, we can create a world that is more just, equitable, and accepting for all.
Read on to find more facts, interesting bits of history about Trans people in Canada and their contributions as well as helpful information to raise awareness and education about our trans community here.
Let’s celebrate the achievements and accomplishments of Trans people in Canada.
Rupert Raj
Rupert Raj has a long history of working towards trans rights in Canada. Amongst his many accomplishments, he has founded three transgender publications including Canada’s first national transgender publication 'Gender Review'. He is also the founder of several trans organizations including the Association for Canadian Transsexuals (A.C.T.) in the late-1970s, when living in Vancouver, and the Foundation for the Advancement of Canadian Transsexuals (FACT) in 1978 while living in Calgary as a lobbying and educational organization on behalf of trans people.
Jessica Platt
Jessica Platt is a professional ice hockey player. She plays for the Toronto Furies in the Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL) and was the first transgender woman to play in the CWHL. Platt was the first professional female hockey player to come out as a transgender woman, and the second player in the professional women's hockey league to come out as transgender.
Kiley May
Kiley May is Hotinonhshón:ni, Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) and Turtle Clan from Six Nations of the Grand River territory, and is now rooted in Aterón:to (Toronto). She is a two-spirit Indigenous transgender multidisciplinary artist and storyteller, a writer and author, an actor, an emerging screenwriter and a filmmaker. Kiley is also an activist and educator, committed to equality, representation, diversity and inclusion.
World Autism Awareness Day
The United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day to highlight the need to help improve the quality of life of those with autism so they can lead full and meaningful lives as an integral part of society.
Autism is a lifelong neurological condition that manifests during early childhood, irrespective of gender, race, or socio-economic status. The term Autism Spectrum refers to a range of characteristics. Appropriate support, accommodation and acceptance of this neurological variation allow those on the Spectrum to enjoy equal opportunity, and full and effective participation in society (source).
Jumu’atul-Wida
Jummatul Wida is celebrated on the last Friday in the Islamic month of Ramadan. This year, it’ll be on April 5th. It is a public holiday in Bangladesh and a regional holiday in the Indian states of Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand, where it is known as 'Jummat-ul-Wida'.
Jummatul Bidah translates as 'Friday of farewell' and marks the last Friday prayers in the holy month of Ramadan. Some Muslims regard this day as the second holiest of Ramadan and spend a large part of the day in worship. In Bangladesh, large numbers will attend prayers and the largest takes place at the National Mosque of Bangladesh in Dhaka known as Baitul Mokarram Mosque.
Laylat al-Qadr
The Night of Power, also known as Laylat al-Qadr, falls the odd-numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadan, which is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is considered the holiest night of the year, according to Islam. Muslims believe that Angel Jibril (Gabriel) delivered the first verses of the Holy Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad on this night. It is believed to be a time when sins are forgiven and supplications are accepted, and the annual decree of people is revealed to the angels by God. People observe Laylat al-Qadr by reflecting on the significance of this day, increasing their donation and generosity, reciting the Qur’an, and praying for others.
2SLGBTQIA+ Parent/Guardian Advocacy and Support Group
Our next meeting for the 2SLGBTQIA+ Parent/Guardian Advocacy and Support Group will be THIS Thursday, April 4 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.
If you would like to attend our meeting on Thursday, April 4 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 has announced additional Mental Health & Well-Being Information Sessions for parents/guardians this Spring.
The upcoming sessions include:
How to Access Mental Health Services in Halton with Access and Service Navigation (ASN) - Thursday, April 4 from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Supporting Elementary Students (K - Grade 8) with Anxiety: Practical Strategies and Interventions - Tuesday, April 9 from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
How to Identify Youth at Risk of Suicide - Wednesday, April 10 from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Supporting Secondary Students (Grade 9-12) with Anxiety and Depression: Practical Strategies and Interventions - Wednesday, April 10 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Black, Mixed Race and Identity - Thursday, April 11 from 6 - 7 p.m.
Healthy and Unhealthy Stress - Monday, April 15 from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Storytime and Strategies - Thursday, May 9 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Learn more about the sessions available by visiting our Mental Health & Well-Being Information Sessions webpage and register online by completing the registration form. When you register, you can also submit a question for the presenters.
Registration is required for these sessions as limited spots are available. Registrants will be emailed a Google Meet link to access the session. Captioning in various languages is available.
Register for the 2024 Parent Involvement Committee Conference
The Halton District School Board’s Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) welcomes parents/guardians and community members to attend the annual Parent Involvement Committee Conference on Saturday, April 20, 2024 from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at Elsie MacGill Secondary School (1410 Bronte St S, Milton). The theme of this year’s conference is Getting Connected.
Registration is now open. Complete the HDSB Parent Conference Registration form to register by Friday, April 12, 2024.
This year’s conference features keynote speaker Kristi Herold, founder and CEO of JAM and best-selling author of It Pays to PLAY. As a parent and a leader, Kristi will share her knowledge and experience with families on how they can foster a healthy and well-connected family and community. Discover how harnessing the power of play can improve mental health and well-being and support the development of essential life skills.
We look forward to welcoming you to an engaging conference, filled with an outstanding keynote speaker, practical workshops and curated content for parents/guardians and community members. Workshops will include Self-Regulation and You, Anti-Sex Trafficking - Introduction and Awareness, Collaborative Problem Solving - Challenging Kids and All Kids Lack Skill, Not Will and many more.
Child minding is provided at no cost for Kindergarten age children up to 12 years of age. Morning refreshments and lunch are also provided.
For more information and to register for the conference, visit the PIC webpage on the HDSB website (hdsb.ca).
Director's Cut
For the past several years, we have been bringing the HDSB's 2020-2024 Multi-Year Plan into greater focus through our Director's Cut video series.
In 2021-2022, we introduced staff, students, and the community to the framework of the Multi-Year Plan and how it drives learning across the system. In 2022-2023, we took a closer look at the classroom level, showing how each of the five areas of focus are integrated and implemented into everyday instruction. In this final year of the MYP, we are digging even deeper by having students show us from their point of view - literally - how the plan is strengthening their learning and making their educational experience successful and engaging.
Tune in now: EPISODE #13: Director's Cut | MYP - Mental Health & Well-Being: Student Point of View.
Thank you for being a part of this exciting learning journey.
Links to Community Resources
School Calendar & Sports Schedule
Important Dates for Your Calendar
Upcoming Key Dates
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
If you have any questions or suggestions for improving the school, our virtual door is always open. Please feel free to contact our admin team by email anytime.
Jacquie Pece, Robin Toffolo, Nancy Annibale, Eric Keunne