Principal's Message

Good Morning Garth Webb:

I have to start by thanking our students for being so awesome!!  We have been asking students to get outside if they choose to vape and they have been gradually complying!!  Of course we would prefer they didn't vape at all, but at least it is way better than vaping in the bathrooms.  As the weather gets colder, we want them to stay outside!!  It has been 3 weeks now without ANY vandalism in the washrooms!! Woo hoo!!!!!  Again, so grateful to the students for refraining from the shenanigans and for being respectful!! I appreciate the help that you all have provided by talking about this issue with your student. Thank you!!

We had an amazing turnout for Parent/Guardian Teacher Interview Night and hopefully you were able to meet with the teachers that you needed to see.  If not, don't forget that you can reach out to your student's teacher at any point to discuss progress or concerns via a phone call or meeting.

These last two months have been packed with a lot of course work and students are working hard on their achievement towards positive mid-term marks for November.  Students are reminded to go see their teachers, attend extra help clinics, talk to SERTs, Guidance or Admin if they feel they need support for any reason.  Club and sport commitments, as well as outside community activities, are keeping everyone busy!  And that is a good thing!!

Take care of you and yours,

Jacquie Pece

German Heritage Month

October is German Heritage Month. This month gives us the chance to highlight the contribution of people of German descent to our country.

About 10 percent of Canadians report being of German descent, representing more than 3 million people who make a difference in their communities every day.

The first German immigrants settled in Canada during various waves of immigration, often due to wars in the United States and Europe. In addition to Germany, German Canadians came from various countries, such as Austria and Switzerland.

Today, the descendants of these immigrants, as well as German newcomers, shine in all spheres of Canadian society, including in science, technology, politics, and music.

German traditions and influences have profoundly enriched our country, and the celebration of Oktoberfest is a prime example. This festival showcases the best of German heritage with beer and cuisine, as well as traditional music, dance, and attire.

• Minister Khera

Did you know? German Walk TO

As of January 2021, born out of the city tours that the German Consulate General of Toronto organizes twice a year with local city tour guides, German Walk TO is a self-guided treasure hunt in discovering German heritage in Toronto. 

Structured into three thematic walks: Architecture, Arts & Culture, Roots, German Walk TO explores the influence of German immigration in Toronto as we know it today. While Germans in Toronto don’t have one particular neighbourhood to call their own, German influence can be found across the city – hidden and not always obvious.

For more information, please visit: https://germanwalkto.com/

Sources:

https://www.heritagetoronto.org/what-we-do/heritage-toronto-awards/2022-public-history-award-nominees/german-walk-tour/

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

Navratri & Durga Puja

Sharad Navratri started on October 15th this year and will end on October 24th. This nine day festival holds a unique significance of 9 colour; pink, white,red, orange, yellow, maroon, dark blue, green, purple, beige which has a special meaning and importance. The Hindu holiday of Navratri is held to honor the goddess Durga in all of her manifestations. Hindus all across the world commemorate the nine-day holiday with great favor and devotion. Each day of the celebration is marked by the use of a new colour to symbolize a distinct aspect of the goddess. The significance of these nine hues is connected to both the goddess’ spiritual and bodily manifestations. If you’d like to learn more about this holiday and its significance, click here.

Part of Navratri is the Durga Puja. Durga Puja is a significant festival of hindu religion which is devoted to Goddess Durga and lasts for 10 days. The Durga Puja festival honors Goddess Durga’s victory over the demonic Mahishasura. On the tenth day, also known as Vijayadashami, it is said that Goddess Durga defeated him after a nine-day battle. Usually on the 9th day, books, laptops, pencils etc are placed in front of the Durga idol to be blessed with knowledge. People gather during Durga Puja to worship Goddess Durga for her blessings while wearing new clothing. The culmination of Durga Puja is marked by the celebration of Dussehra on this day. This holiday serves as a reminder that no matter what occurs, good will always prevail.

Picture Credit: Anshika Nair (Grade 10 Student)

Gurgadi of the Holy Scriptures of Guru Granth Sahib Ji as Guru

Guru Granth Sahib or Adi Sri Granth Sahib Ji (Punjabi ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ; also called the Adi Granth or Adi Guru Darbar) is more than just a scripture of the Sikhs, for the Sikhs treat this Granth (holy book) as their living Guru. The holy text spans 1430 pages and contains the actual words spoken by the founders of the Sikh religion (the Ten Gurus of Sikhism) and the words of various other Saints from other religions including Hinduism and Islam.

Guru Granth Sahib was given the Guruship by the last of the living Sikh Masters, Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1708. Guru Gobind Singh said before his demise that the Sikhs were to treat the Granth Sahib as their next Guru. Guru Ji said – “Sab Sikhan ko hokam hai Guru Manyo Granth” meaning “All Sikhs are commanded to take the Granth as Guru”. So today, if asked, the Sikhs will tell you that they have a total of 11 Gurus. (10 in human form and the SGGS).

When one visits a Gurdwara (a Sikh temple), the Guru Granth Sahib forms the main part of the Darbar Sahib or Main Hall. The holy book is placed on a dominant platform and covered in a very beautiful and attractively coloured fine cloth. The platform is always covered by a canopy, which is also decorated in expensive and very attractive coloured materials. The text in which the Granth is written is a script called Gurmukhi (literally “From the Guru’s mouth”), which is considered a modern development of the ancient language called Sanskrit.

The Sikhs regard Sri Guru Granth Sahib as a complete, inviolable and final embodiment of the message for them. There is to be no word beyond the Word. That is how their last guru, Guru Gobind Sing, spoke to the congregation on October 20th, 1708 shortly before his ascension.

Sources:

https://barusahib.org/general/gurgaddi-purab-sri-guru-granth-sahib-ji/

https://dasmeshdarbar.ca/gurgaddi-diwas-sri-guru-granth-sahib-ji-20-october/

Graduation Photos - Book Now

Graduation Photo Bookings Are Now Open!

To be included in the GRADUATION COMPOSITE PHOTO and the GRADUATION SECTION of the yearbook, please be sure to book your photo during this Fall Grad Photo Session. Once this fall photo session closes, students can book a photo at the studio in Burlington, but we cannot guarantee that photos taken in Burlington will be included in the composite and/or yearbook.

Please click here to book your photo sitting ASAP (School Code is GWE). Please put your booking date/time into your calendar and students should plan to arrive 5-10 minutes before their session already dressed in the clothing you will be wearing for the photo.

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 Fair at Sheridan College this 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. The bus assignments for students are located outside of Student Services and are posted in the grade 12 Google Classroom. Families are welcome to attend in the evening of Wednesday, October 25. 

Ontario Universities' Fair (OUF) THIS WEEKEND!

The OUF is taking place this weekend 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:

Volunteer for HMC Connections

HMC is offering various programs which need volunteers. Newcomer Youth Tutors or Youth Leadership Volunteers are the positions available to highschool students. The time commitment varies from 1-3 hours weekly. 

Volunteer tutors would help students online with academics and homework assignments from grade 6-12 in Math, French, Sciences, and English. 

Currently there is a need for those who can tutor grade 11 and 12 students with the deadline being November 30, 2023. 

For applications for any of these opportunities, go to this link https://hmcconnections.com/community-connections/#volunteering or contact Arleen Pangan, Community Connection Youth Specialist at apangan@hmcconnections.com.

Application Form: https://hmcconnections.com/volunteer-application-form/

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 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