Principal's Message

Good Morning Garth Webb:

It was a short week this week and it was jam packed with activities.  It was super great to see PINK throughout the school on Wednesday and then get out to the field to cheer on both football teams to victory!!  Way to go Chargers, you crushed it!!!  Congratulations to Emily McKee for winning our first ever GOLD medal at OFSAA in golf!!!  Unbelievable!!!  Sai Ganju finished a respectable 19th in his OFSAA golf tournament which was a terrific accomplishment, especially when you consider how hard it is to even make it there!  The competition is fierce from around the province.  

We aim to keep school a positive and safe place for students to just be themselves.  I know that it is sometimes hard considering what goes on around the world and how it impacts students.  They worry about themselves, their families, and how others might treat them.  I want you to know that I am very proud of our students and how they have behaved this week.  They have been very respectful and peaceful with each other considering the violence that is occurring in the Middle East. We condemn the violence as it is heartbreaking to see.  We do not take sides in public education nor politicize such things.  My heart goes out to my students and their families through this very difficult time.

We did have activities on Friday for Islamic Heritage Month that were planned by our MSA club and teachers and were approved a month ago.  There were some posters, pamphlets, food tasting, and quizzes for students to test their knowledge and win a prize over lunch.  These things are done in the spirit of spreading awareness and understanding.  However, some of our students may be feeling discomfort in regards to these activities in light of what is happening between Palestinians and Israelis.  I welcome and encourage any student to come see me this week so that they can share how they are feeling and discuss any concerns.   

We have also been discussing that an "Interfaith Group" may be needed at our school so that all faiths are represented and have opportunities to learn from each other.  There is an actual course called World Religion that is offered in Grade 11, but not enough students select it to run it each year.  Student voice is important at our school and students need to see themselves represented here at GW as well as share their various identities. 

In light of Women's History Month, I would like to acknowledge Narges Mohammadi who won the Nobel Peace Prize 2023 for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all.  She is currently still in prison in Iran.

2SLGBTQ+ History Month is also in October and students are encouraged to wear purple on Thursday to be allies with our 2SLGBTQ+ members and stand up against bullying.  There is more on these history months below in the blog.

I look forward to meeting you all this week at the Parent/Guardian Teacher Interview Night this Thursday.

Take care everyone,

Jacquie Pece

Women’s History Month

October is Women’s History Month in Canada, a time to celebrate the women and girls from our past, and our present, who are contributing to a better, more inclusive Canada.

In 1992, the Government of Canada designated October as Women’s History Month, marking the beginning of an annual celebration of the outstanding achievements of women and girls throughout Canada’s history. 

This year’s theme, Through Her Lens: Celebrating the Diversity of Women, emphasizes the importance of recognizing the achievements and contributions of women from diverse backgrounds. It focuses on the unique perspectives, experiences, and challenges faced by Indigenous women; women from 2SLGBTQI+ communities; and newcomer, racialized, and migrant women.

Let’s continue to honour women who don’t accept the status quo and fight hard to improve the lives of all women in the country.

Check out the statement and video from the Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, to mark Women’s History Month.

Get involved

• Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

• Share our social media posts throughout the month or start a conversation using our social media shareables below with the hashtag #WomensHistoryMonth.

• Use Women’s History Month 2023 background below during your virtual meetings.

• Visit the Women of Impact in Canada gallery, which recognizes the contributions and achievements of close to 170 exceptional women and girls who have made an impact in politics, the arts and sciences, and countless other fields.

• View Women in Canadian History: A Timeline, to learn more about notable events in Canadian women’s history.

Click here for more information.

International Day of the Girl Child

In 1995 at the World Conference on Women in Beijing, countries unanimously adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action – the most progressive blueprint ever for advancing the rights of not only women but girls. The Beijing Declaration is the first to specifically call out girls’ rights.

On December 19, 2011, United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.

The International Day of the Girl Child focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights.

Adolescent girls have the right to a safe, educated, and healthy life, not only during these critical formative years, but also as they mature into women. If effectively supported during the adolescent years, girls have the potential to change the world – both as the empowered girls of today and as tomorrow’s workers, mothers, entrepreneurs, mentors, household heads, and political leaders. An investment in realising the power of adolescent girls upholds their rights today and promises a more equitable and prosperous future, one in which half of humanity is an equal partner in solving the problems of climate change, political conflict, economic growth, disease prevention, and global sustainability.

Girls are breaking boundaries and barriers posed by stereotypes and exclusion, including those directed at children with disabilities and those living in marginalized communities. As entrepreneurs, innovators and initiators of global movements, girls are creating a world that is relevant for them and future generations.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by world leaders in 2015, embody a roadmap for progress that is sustainable and leaves no one behind.

Achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment is integral to each of the 17 goals. Only by ensuring the rights of women and girls across all the goals will we get to justice and inclusion, economies that work for all, and sustaining our shared environment now and for future generations.

Source

2SLGBTQ+ History Month

2SLGBTQ+ History Month is in October. When the observance was started, it mainly served as a call to action for the movement and its prosperity. But over the years, 2SLGBTQ+ History Month has evolved into a national collaborative effort to bring extraordinary figures from the 2SLGBTQ+ community into the spotlight.

HISTORY OF 2SLGBTQ+ HISTORY MONTH

2SLGBTQ+ History Month is a month-long celebration of the history of the diverse and beautiful lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community and the importance of civil rights movements in progressing gay rights. The observance was created by Rodney Wilson, a history teacher at a Missouri high school, in 1994. The following year, 2SLGBTQ+ History Month was added to the list of commemorative months in a resolution forwarded by the General Assembly of the National Education Association. October was chosen as the month of observance as National Coming Out Day already existed as a holiday on October 11. Also, the anniversary of the first march for gay rights in Washington took place on October 14, 1979.

2SLGBTQ+ History Month now also includes Ally Week — during which students are encouraged to be allies with LGBTQ members and stand up against bullying, Spirit Day on October 19 — on which the color purple is worn in solidarity with LGBTQ youth, and the death anniversary of Matthew Shepard — a 21-year-old who was murdered in a hate crime on October 12, 1998.

2SLGBTQ+ History Month allows the opportunity to extensively learn about the history of the 2SLGBTQ+ movement, and what factors and measures will be successful in building communities and providing role models who will best represent and address the issues of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

The month-long commemoration is most prominently celebrated in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Hungary, Brazil, and the city of Berlin. The particular month of celebration varies across different countries — in the United States, Canada, and Australia, 2SLGBTQ+ History Month is celebrated in October; in the United Kingdom and Hungary, it is celebrated in February; and in Berlin, the holiday is celebrated in June and is known as Queer History Month.

https://nationaltoday.com/lgbtq-history-month/

So while there might not be a big rainbow parade in your city for 2SLGBTQ+ History Month, there are still a lot of ways to celebrate! Here are some ideas to get you started: 

Learn about 2SLGBTQ+ History!

• Every year, the Equality Forum selects 31 2SLGBTQ+ icons from all over the world, throughout history, and highlights one a day throughout October. You can check out their list here. The HRC also honors people who helped pave the way for 2SLGBTQ+ rights – you can check out their 2021 article here. 

• When you’re scrolling through your favorite streaming service trying to decide what to watch, check out stories about real 2SLGBTQ+ people and historical events. 

Some great documentaries include Disclosure (Netflix), A Secret Love (Netflix), Paris Is Burning (HBO Max), The Celluloid Closet (Amazon), The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson (Netflix), Transhood (HBO Max), Pride To Be Seen (Disney Plus), and PRIDE (Hulu). If you prefer dramas, here are some based on true 2SLGBTQ+ stories: Milk (YouTube/Amazon), The Imitation Game (Netflix), Freeheld (HBO Max), Bohemian Rhapsody (Hulu), Rocketman (YouTube/Amazon), The Danish Girl (Netflix), and Professor Marston and the Wonder Woman (Amazon). 

https://www.crresearch.com/blog/did-you-know-october-is-lgbtq-history-month

Birth of the Báb and Birth of Baha'u'llah

The Bahá’í Faith has been present in Canada since 1898, and has grown to more than 35,000 people in more than 1000 localities, who together reflect Canada’s rich cultural, ethnic, and linguistic diversity.

October 16, 2023 Birth of the Báb, 1819–1850. The Báb (meaning “Gate” in Arabic) is considered to have paved the way for the incarnation of Bahá’u’lláh, similar to the relationship between John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. Born in 1819 in Shiraz, Iran, The Báb’s mission was to awaken the people to the fact that a new period in human history had begun. He called for spiritual and moral reformation – a revolutionary message in his time.

October 17, 2023 Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, 1817–1892. Bahá’u’lláh was born in 1817 in Tehran, Iran and established the Bahá’í Faith whose principal teachings are the oneness of humanity, the oneness of religion and the oneness of God. The appearance of Bahá’u’lláh has been likened to a spiritual springtime, destined to spread peace and unity around the globe.

Source

Click here to learn more about the Bahá’ís of Canada.

Latin American Heritage Month

October is Latin American Heritage Month, a time to remember and celebrate past and current contributions of Canadians of Latin American origin.

Between 1946 and 1955, Canada was home to fewer than 2,000 people of Latin American origin, primarily having immigrated from Argentina and Brazil. Today, the Canadian mosaic is enriched by over half a million Canadians of Latin American descent, representing all 22 Latin American countries.

Canadians of Latin American origin in Canada enrich communities across the country with their vibrant cultures, cuisine, music, and traditions. Their significant contributions to every facet of Canadian society—from business, to innovation, academics, arts, science, and more—have also made our country more resilient.

Happy Latin American Heritage Month!

• Minister Khera (2023)

Other Resources: 

• Films about Latin American communities in Canada and abroad by the National Film Board of Canada

• Hispanic/Latin American Heritage Month Gala Concert 2023

Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/news/2023/09/statement-by-minister-khera-on-latin-american-heritage-month.html

Pink Day Success!

On Wednesday, the Athletic Council hosted Pink Day and a breast cancer research fundraiser in honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The event was a huge success thanks to the support of everyone who wore pink and donated. As a school, we raised $686.70 in donations! All proceeds will go towards the Canadian Cancer Society.

Way to go Chargers!!

Pink Game

Congratulations to both the junior and senior football teams who won their games on Wednesday. The junior team defeated Blakelock 42-0 and the senior team beat Aldershot 29-0. Thank you to all the students and families who cheered on our football teams to victory!

Parent/Teacher Interviews

On Thursday, October 19 you are invited to attend our Semester 1 Parent/Guardian Teacher Interview Night (Open House Format). This is in follow up to our 5th Week Report timeline. The 5th week reports were sent out on October 12 (to grade 9 students). Parents/guardians will have an opportunity to connect informally with teachers and to discuss your student’s overall learning skills and coursework to date.

Meet and Greet:  6:30 – 8:30 p.m.  Staff members will be available to meet parents/guardians around the school with location details to follow closer to the date. Details will also be provided in the main foyer just inside the main doors. Due to the tremendous turnout of GWSS parents, we have asked staff to keep discussions to a maximum of  5 minutes  in order to meet as many parents as possible. If you require a more detailed interview with a staff member, please contact the teacher directly through email to set a mutually convenient date and time.

Parents/guardians who are unable to attend this evening are encouraged to make personal contact with specific staff members to arrange a mutually convenient time to connect (in person or via email) in order to review your student’s performance over the first 5 weeks of school. By the same token, as the evening will conclude promptly at 8:30 p.m., if you encounter a problem connecting with a specific teacher on Thursday night, please do not hesitate to contact the teacher by email or phone to set up a mutually convenient date and time to discuss your child’s progress.

PLEASE NOTE: Guidance Counsellors, Special Education Teachers, and our Student Success Teacher will be available in the Student Services area adjacent to the Main Office. Remember to get the names of your student's teachers from them ahead of time. 

We look forward to seeing you on Thursday!

After School OSSLT Prep Course

For ALL students who signed up for the OSSLT Preparation Program, they will receive an email directly from their teachers on Tuesday, October 17 advising of the location and what to bring for their first day of the program.

If you have any questions regarding this, please reach out to Eric Keunne.

CP Day this Wednesday (Late Start)

This Wednesday, October 18 is a CP (Collaborative Planning) day. Students will start classes at 9:30 am and follow this modified schedule for the day:

PERIOD 1 9:30 - 10:35 AM

PERIOD 2 10:40 - 11:40 AM

PERIOD 3 (LUNCH) 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM

PERIOD 4 12:40 - 1:40 PM

PERIOD 5 1:45 - 2:45 PM

Last Chance to Claim a Locker

This is the last chance for students to choose a locker if they have not already done so. Starting on October 23, we will be bolting closed any lockers without locks on them. Please see the main office staff if you would still like to claim a locker (you must have a working lock).

School Council Meeting Monday

Our first school council meeting for the 2023-2024 school year will be this Monday, October 16 at 6 pm in the Garth Webb library. All parents/guardians are welcome to attend school council meetings. We hope to see you there!

Click here to visit our webpage.

Reminder: Student Parking Passes

Students who will be driving to school on a regular basis must register their vehicle with the main office and must have a school parking pass displayed in their vehicle at all times while it is parked on school property. 

Please use this form to request a parking pass. You will need to have your vehicle make/license plate information to register for a parking pass. 

Students are permitted to park in the lot closest to the front entrance to the school ONLY. The office will contact you via email when your pass is ready.

From Your Student Services Department

Tuesdays @Ten

On Tuesday, October 3 Student Services hosted our monthly parent engagement session. The session was geared to the Grade 12 community as we reviewed the post secondary application process.  If you weren’t able to attend, please review the materials below.

Slidedeck

Recording

Post Secondary Fair

All Grade 12s will have the opportunity to attend the Post Secondary at Sheridan College on Wednesday, October 25.  This will be an amazing opportunity for our senior students to investigate all pathways and connect with representatives from all the Ontario Universities and Colleges.  Families are welcome to attend in the evening of Wednesday, October 25. 

Ontario Universities' Fair (OUF)

The OUF takes place October 21-22, 2023, from 10 am to 5 pm, daily, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in the South Building. Don't let your students miss it!

The OUF gathers Ontario's universities in 1 place. It's a once-a-year, free event where attendees can talk directly with university representatives.

More about the OUF

Post Secondary Applications

Applications to Universities (through OUAC) and Colleges (through OCAS) are now open.  Students can apply anytime between now and the deadline

University Application Portal – applications are due prior to Jan 15, 2024

College Application Portal – applications are due prior to Feb 1, 2024 

National Scholarships - Grade 12 students

Information around scholarships will be shared via the google classroom throughout the year.  Most National Scholarship deadlines are in the fall.  Please feel free to investigate these Scholarships to see if you are eligible.

Deadlines:

Queen's - Dec. 8

Lester B. Pearson - School Nomination Nov. 30

Schulich - School Nomination Jan. 30

Western National - TBD but usually mid-February

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:

Oakville Museum

Do you have experience working with children and the public? Are you interested in historic sites? Volunteers assist museum staff with school-age programs, special workshops and events. This program is a great way to gain valuable work experience, meet new people and contribute to the community. Please note that you must be a minimum of 15 years of age.

Hours available:

Everyday 9 am to 5 pm (weekends included)

Time commitment:

• Special events and workshops: one day (three to 8 hours)

• March Break programs: minimum two-day commitment (8 hours per day)

• Summer Camp programs: minimum of five consecutive days (8 hours per day)

If you are interested, complete this form and email it to oakvillemuseum@oakville.ca (depending on the position, you may be asked to complete a Police Record Check) 

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 9 to 12 may be suspended from school in early 2024 if their immunization records are not updated by the December 2023 deadline.

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

Oct 16 School Council Meeting

Oct 18 CP Day - Classes start at 9:30 am

Oct 19 Parent Teacher Interviews

Oct 25 Grade 12 Post Secondary Exploration Event

Nov 1 Take Our Kids to Work Day (Grade 9)

Nov 6-Dec 1 Grad Photos

Nov 7 Tuesdays @Ten

Nov 9 First Day of Semester 1, Term 2

Nov 10 Remembrance Day (Observed)

Nov 11 Remembrance Day

Nov 15 OUAC / OCAS Midterm Mark Upload 

Nov 15 CP Day - Classes start at 9:30 am

Nov 16 Grade 8 Information Night

Nov 17 Midterm Report Distribution

Nov 24 PA Day - no school for students

Nov 27 Full Disclosure

Dec 5 Tuesdays @Ten

Dec 13 CP Day - Classes start at 9:30 am

Dec 14 15th Week Report Distribution

Dec 18 - Jan 24 Protected Time

Dec 22 Early Dismissal

Dec 25 - Jan 5 Winter Break (School Closed)

Jan 25 - 31 Exam Block

Feb 1 Exam Review Day (early dismissal)

Feb 2 PA Day - no school for students

Feb 5 First Day of Semester 2