Principal's Message

Good Morning Garth Webb:

Even though it was a short week, it sure feels like we have been back for a month already! Students are rotating through their classes and have adjusted to being back to school. By the level of excitement in the building, they seemed happy to see their friends again, meet new friends ...and their teachers!

The Guidance department has been working hard to update student timetables and get classes settled as quickly as possible. If you need any help with anything, please reach out to teachers, Guidance, Special Education, Student Success, or Admin for support. We are here to help!  

The fall sports, clubs, and extracurricular activities are starting up! Get involved in your school Chargers! Garth Webb is a wonderful place to learn, grow and succeed!!

I would like to thank the Link Crew teacher leaders for doing an outstanding job on Wednesday welcoming our Grade 9s: Ian Duncan, Josh Sanderson, Allison Hoy, and Melissa Senn. Thank you to all the staff who helped cook, flip, and and distribute burgers and keep those Grade 9s moving in the lines. Thank you to all of our staff members for welcoming our students back to school!

Thank you to Ms. Bannerman and our student helpers for making everything run so smoothly on our photo days. Students will get their proofs and student cards sometime in the next few weeks.

We had a fantastic first week!

Sincerely,

Jacquie Pece

Rosh Hashanah

Friday, Septempber 15 marks the beginning of Rosh Hashanah, one of the most important holidays for Jewish people around the world. It is a time of reflection where Jewish people prepare for Yom Kippur. The name “Rosh Hashanah” translates from Hebrew to mean “the head of the year,” and the holiday marks the start of the Jewish New Year. During the two-day celebration, your Jewish friends or coworkers might take time away from work to attend synagogue, eat foods such as apples and honey, or say prayers near a body of water. 

(Source: Samira Mehta, the director of undergraduate studies in the program for Jewish studies at the University of Colorado Boulder)

Some Rosh Hashanah Greetings

1. "Shanah Tovah" means "Good year" (essentially "Happy New Year") in Hebrew.

2. "Shanah tovah um’tukah" means "Have a good and sweet year."

3. "Tizku l'shanim rabot" means "May you see many more years."

Click on the images below to learn more!

Student Engagement Fees

Each year in September, we ask families to purchase the Student Engagement Fee option through their School Cash Online account. These fees are even more needed now than ever with everything being back to "normal" and student engagement being at an all time high for school wide participation in events and activities. 

Garth Webb is an active and inclusive place to learn. The Student Engagement Fees generate start up and operating funds for student run clubs including but not limited to environment issues, global issues, student newspaper, philanthropy, wellness council, etc. The fees also supplement the cost of school wide spirit events, LINK Crew transition, leadership training, motivational speakers, and student recognition awards and events. In addition, student engagement fees fund Student Council events such as assemblies and anti-bullying initiatives. In September alone, the fees will go towards supporting our Grade 9 Welcome BBQ, our Link Crew activities, our Terry Fox Colour Run, and our whole school assemblies. We will have many more activities and events throughout the year that the money collected through these fees will support. 

Our school fee is $30 per student and although it is optional to purchase, we greatly appreciate and depend on the support from our families. We remain aware of the social economic constraints in our present day lives and are working hard to keep these fees low. Please visit School Cash Online today to pay the Student Engagement Fees. Thank you so much for your support in advance!

This Week is Week B

This year we are continuing our “Week A” and “Week B” schedules. This means that every other week, our morning and afternoon classes will flip (i.e. switch places). We will also have 4 Collaborative Planning days for staff each semester (“CP” days). On CP days, students will start school one hour later at 9:30 am, our periods will be shortened slightly, and lunch time is from 11:40 am—12:40 pm.

Week A and Week B schedules as well as the CP schedule and dates are on our website here and in the school calendar for your reference. Please put these dates into your calendar.

From Monday, September 11 - Friday, September 15, students will follow this schedule:

Period 2 8:30 - 9:50 AM

Period 1 9:55 - 11:10 AM

Period 3 (Lunch) 11:10 AM - 12:10 PM

Period 5 12:10 - 1:25 PM

Period 4 1:30 - 2:45 PM

Start Up Forms

All students were sent home with the Secondary Intramural Acknowledgement of Elements of Risk, Consent to Participate, and Medical Information Form this week. Those forms need to be returned to homeroom teachers ASAP. ALL students must have a completed form (whether or not they will be participating in intramurals). For students who have a spare period 1, they will need to collect a blank form from the main office and hand in their completed forms to the main office as well. 

GWS School Council 2023-2024

GWS School Council self nominations are now open for the 2023-2024 school  year. Our school council meets 4—5 times per year and any parent/guardian can attend school council at any time - you do not have to be a member to attend and share ideas.

Every year, we do reach out to the community to see if others would like roles on the council. To be on council as a voting member, it is required for you to attend all meetings and if you are the PIC representative you are required to organize parent involvement events for our school.

If you are interested in being on council for the 2023-2024 school year, please complete this google form. If there is more than one nominee for the executive roles, then it will be determined if a school wide election is needed. Self nominations are open until 3 pm on Thursday, September 14, 2023.

Student Attendance

SchoolMessenger is the application for student attendance and notifications from the school, please sign up if you have not already. This application is used to report all absences from school as well as late arrivals and early departures. You can report using the app on your smartphone (recommended) or by calling 1-877-409-6310.

 Please note that the attendance system does contact parents/guardians during 1st period (the period that starts at 8:30 am) when a student is away from school and the absence/late arrival has not been reported through the SchoolMessenger system. There is a second communication sent to parents in the evening for any unexplained absences throughout the rest of the school day.

 If students are arriving late to school, they should proceed directly to their class and the teacher will update the attendance to reflect the late arrival (students do not come to sign in at the main office). If students are signing out early with parent/guardian permission, they will be dismissed directly from their class. Please remember to enter the early departure through SchoolMessenger so your student’s teacher will see that they have permission to leave at the appropriate time.

 If you have any trouble connecting to the SchoolMessenger system, or if you need any clarification on how our attendance system works, please contact the main office so that we can assist you.

Bicycles, Scooters & Skateboards

Many students at Garth Webb ride bicycles, scooters, and skateboards to school daily. Bicycles and scooters must be locked up outside at the bike racks on the west side of the school (near the main entrance). Please be sure that students have a working lock and remind them to use it EVERY time they park their bike or scooter. There have been unfortunate instances of theft when items are not locked up. 

It is also recommended that students use the 529 Garage app to register their bicycles. The Halton Regional Police Service has partnered with 529 Garage to introduce their bicycle registration app to residents of Halton. 529 Garage is an application that connects you, other cyclists, police, and local bicycle shops in the event your bicycle is stolen. Registration is easy - simply download the app, input your contact information and bicycle serial number, and upload photos of yourself and your bicycle. Registrations can also be made on the 529 Garage website if you do not have a smart phone or tablet. Once you have registered your bicycle on the app, if it is stolen or goes missing, you can notify 529 Garage and they will issue an alert from the app that is sent to other local cyclists and bike shops alerting them to the missing bicycle. Once an alert for your bicycle has been posted, the app will also direct you to the HRPS online reporting tool where you can report it to police. By registering, if a bicycle is recovered, it is easier for police to identify and return the bicycle to the proper owner.

Students who are riding their skateboards to school, can store them in the main office while they are in class. There is a skateboard rack where items can be safely stored (locks can also be used).

Please remind students that bicycles, scooters, and skateboards should not be used on school property. Finally, when traveling to and from school in the designated bike lanes, students are reminded that they are to travel in the same direction as the vehichles on the road. This is important and helps to keep everyone safe.

Student Parking Passes

Students who will be driving to school on a regular basis must have a school parking pass displayed in their vehicle 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.

Locker Distribution

Starting this Tuesday, Grade 9 and 10 students will have the option of selecting a locker within the school. Grade 9 students are assigned to only the second floor and Grade 10 students can choose a locker on the third floor. Students will then let their Period 2 (Homeroom) teacher know their locker number and the combination (for safety reasons). 

Therefore, remember to bring a lock to secure the locker. There is a limited supply of lockers due to the large number of students at Garth Webb, therefore we ask that you please only select a locker if needed. 

Grade 11 students will have the option of selecting a locker on the first floor starting Thursday, September 14, followed by Grade 12 students on Monday, September 18. More information will be shared via morning announcements during the week.

From Your Student Services Department

Course Change Process

The last day to make a change to a semester one course will be Friday, September 15. Appointments can be made directly through the online calendar of your guidance counsellor. Calendars can be found on our website here.

Please note that many courses are at capacity and we may not be able to accommodate all requests.

Student Services Website

Be sure to visit the Student Services website where you can get information about registration, course selection, volunteer hours, how to book an appointment with your Guidance Counsellor, MyBlueprint, Co-operative Education, transition to post secondary, SHSM programs, and much more! 

Google Classrooms

Please join the appropriate classroom for your Grade to stay up to date with information from Student Services.

Grade 9 Code: euk4ho6

Grade 10 Code: bix3yen

Grade 11 Code: krgiixa

Grade 12 Code: reyclkl

Oakville Youth Action Committee

Right now the Town of Oakville is accepting applications for The Oakville Youth Action Committee (OYAC).  The Oakville Youth Action Committee is a group of youth volunteers working to enhance their local community by encouraging meaningful youth participation in community recreation programs and events.

This past year we have set some great initiatives in motion and would love to continue to contribute to the youth community in Oakville. This year we will be focused on a few of projects:

• The Art mural in the QEP Youth Centre, this will consist of regular registered sessions with our Chosen Artist, Yen Lin Thai.  Helping to select the youth artists that will contribute. You would also be eligible to apply to be one of those artist. More details to follow soon.  

• Helping to plan and implement the expansion of youth drop in days and times to community centres around town.  Currently we run Tuesday and Friday at QEPCC and Friday at Glen Abbey.

• We are hoping to have a recognition night with various youth focused awards during National Youth Week (May 1-7 2024), This could include categories like Overall Youth Award, Sports Award, Environmental Award and various others.

As we look to have another great year of events and initiatives with OYAC we would like to extend the opportunity for you to apply for the upcoming school year. If any or all of these initiatives seem like something you would like to help with this year, applications are now open. Show or tell us what you are passionate about. Make a video, write a letter, add in the ideas you have for engaging fellow youth and what existing initiatives look exciting to you.

Submission can be made through Instagram @oakvilleyouth or email oakvilleyouth@oakville.ca. Submissions will be accepted until September 15. Be sure to include, Full name, Age, Grade, School and Contact number.

Upcoming Key Dates

Sep 12 Grade Assemblies

Sep 14 Fire Drill #1

Sep 18 School Council Meeting @6 pm

Sep 20 CP Day - Late Start (students start class at 9:30 am)

Sep 21 Grade 9 Program Night

Sep 28 Fire Drill #2