Principal's Message

Topic: Follow-Up: Introducing the Family Online Safety Agreement

Dear Students, Families, and Staff:

This is a follow-up to last week’s message regarding Healthy Relationships: Navigating Cyberbullying and Cyberviolence. In that communication, we discussed the importance of understanding the challenges our children face online and how we, as a community, can help support them in navigating the digital world safely. If you haven’t had a chance to review that handout yet, I encourage you to take a look, as it contains valuable information on recognizing and addressing cyberbullying and cyberviolence.

Building on that, I’d like to introduce another important resource: the Family Online Safety Agreement. As we continue to support our children in making smart, safe choices online, this agreement provides a framework for families to set clear expectations for technology use and online behavior.

Key Elements of the Family Online Safety Agreement:
This agreement covers a range of important topics, such as:

• Promoting Open Communication: It encourages families to learn about social media apps and online tools together, fostering an environment where children feel comfortable discussing their online experiences.

• Privacy and Safety: It includes practical steps, such as reviewing privacy settings, using strong passwords, avoiding the sharing of personal information, and understanding the implications of location sharing.

• Think Before Posting: It promotes thoughtful decision-making before posting anything online and emphasizes the importance of respect and kindness in digital interactions.

• Immediate Concerns: It encourages families to discuss potential concerns like excessive screen time, inappropriate content, or online bullying.

Creating the Agreement Together:
We recommend that parents/guardians and children collaboratively design this agreement, discussing expectations and goals to ensure it aligns with your family's values. The agreement includes two sections: one for the content and another for signatures. The content section outlines guidelines for technology use, while the signatory section ensures mutual understanding and commitment to online safety.

By signing the agreement, both parents/guardians and children agree to revisit and adjust it as needed, ensuring it evolves with their growing understanding of online safety.

We hope that this resource will empower you to engage with your child about the digital world, making sure that they are equipped with the tools and knowledge to navigate it safely. As always, please feel free to reach out to us for additional support or guidance.

Thank you for your continued partnership in ensuring the safety and well-being of our students.

Kindly,

Luisa Botelho

This year, we have been sharing our Equity & Inclusive Education section on a standalone page on our site. Please click here to read about the various days of significance throughout the year.

Days of significance added this week:

• Good Friday - Apr 18 & Easter - Apr 20

• Orthodox Good Friday - Apr 18 & Easter - Apr 20

• Ridván  - Apr 20 - May 2

• Grounation Day - Apr 21

• Earth Day - Apr 22

• World Book & Copyright Day - Apr 23

• Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) - Apr 23-24

• Feast of Saint Mark - Apr 25

Celebrating Earth Week at 

Garth Webb! 🌎💚

This week, Garth Webb is celebrating Earth Week, an exciting initiative led by the Student Senate, SAC, Green Economy Club, and Eco Club to promote environmental awareness and sustainability. Our school community is coming together to show appreciation for our planet with themed spirit days and engaging activities throughout the week.

🌿 Tuesday – Green Day: Students are encouraged to wear green in support of environmental consciousness.

♻️ Wednesday – Blue Day & Litter Cleanup: Wearing blue symbolizes our responsibility to protect our waterways. At lunch, students can participate in a litter cleanup around the school to help keep our environment clean.

🪴 Thursday – Brown Day & Plant Sale: Students can wear brown and stop by the plant sale at lunch, where they can purchase a small plant to take home and nurture.

☀️ Friday – Yellow Day & Guest Speaker: To end the week, students can wear yellow and attend a special guest speaker session in the library at lunch. This is a great opportunity to learn more about environmental advocacy and how we can all contribute to a more sustainable future.

We are proud to see our students take initiative in making a positive impact on the environment. We encourage everyone to participate, show their school spirit, and take meaningful steps towards sustainability. Let’s make Earth Week a success! 🌍💙

#EarthWeek #ChargersGoGreen

Eco Club Earth Day Litter Clean Up

As part of Earth Week, Eco club is organizing a litter cleanup around our school to promote eco-friendly practices within our community. This event will take place on Wednesday, April 23 in the morning from 8:30 -- 9:20 (CP Day) during Earth Week, and we will start the event in front of the main entrance of school. By participating, you’ll be contributing to a cleaner environment and helping to foster a sense of responsibility toward our community and the planet. Volunteer hours will be provided for your time and effort!

Scan the QR code or click here to sign up for it!

Bee 🐝 the change, our planet is our responsibility! We look forward to seeing you there, Chargers!

CP Day This Wednesday

This Wednesday, April 23 is a Collaborative Planning day (“CP” day). CP Days are for staff and happen 4 times this semester. On Wednesday, 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.

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.

Garth Webb's HLF Fundraiser Dodgeball Tournament

Get ready, everyone — we’re hosting a Fundraising Dodgeball Game for students, staff, and families in celebration of HLF Month! 🏐✨

It’s happening on May 9th from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM at Garth Webb Secondary School’s Gym — and YOU can be a part of it! Invite your friends and family members to sign up or join solo for a chance to play, have fun, and raise money for the Halton Learning Foundation, a foundation that financially supports students who need it. 

Please note that this event is for participants who are 13 years old and up.

Entry is just $20 — and every dollar raised goes toward supporting the Halton Learning Foundation!  For payment use  School Cash Online.

Sign up by Friday, May 2nd and get ready to dodge, duck, dip, dive, and donate!

Let’s make this HLF Month one to remember! See you there!

Details:

Date: Friday, May 9, 2025

Time: 5 - 7:30 PM

Where: Garth Webb S.S.

Fee: $20 per person

Registration: FORM LINK HERE

All attendees are expected to follow the HDSB Code of Conduct at all times.

Commencement Guest List Sign Up

As you know, our Class of 2025 Commencement will happen on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. Tickets are paperless. Students can now tell us who their guests are by using this form. There is no cost for the guest tickets (they were included with the grad package that was already purchased). Students will provide us with the names of the guests who will be attending and when guests arrive at the venue on June 25, they will check in with our registration tables.

Important

Please note that students must be the ones to complete this form from their HDSB account. Parents/Guardians will not be able to access the google form.

Extra Guests

Due to the size of our graduating class of over 425 students, we only have enough seats to allow for up to 3 guests per student. However, there will be a limited number of extra seats so students can also request to enter the ticket lottery (using the google form linked below) to potentially receive 1 extra guest ticket. We will hold the lottery sometime in late May/early June and then will let those who were successful know that they can bring a 4th guest to the event.

Students, please complete this form ASAP and let us know if you would like to enter the lottery for a potential 4th guest. The deadline for completing this form is Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

ORDER YOUR TICKETS NOW!

Business Studies Guest Speaker

McMaster University graduate and former Garth Webb student Lauren Kiss (class of 2020) returned to speak with Business Studies classes this past week. Lauren shared her experiences as a university student with several business classes (grade 11 accounting, grade 11 marketing, grade 12 business management).

Lauren recently completed her Bachelor of Commerce from McMaster University's DeGroote School of Business. She majored in marketing studies and is now working full-time in a marketing position with accounting and consulting firm EY. 

Business teacher Mr. Chau was glad that his former student Lauren agreed to speak with current Garth Webb students to learn about the differences between life in high school vs. university. She provided valuable insights about the need to take ownership and responsibility for learning while attending university.  Lauren encouraged students to get involved in school clubs and networking events in order to build up a variety of life experiences that might help when applying for jobs in the future.

Model UN Conference Results

The GWSS MUN team participated in the ACMUN conference last weekend. We had 6 delegates represent GWSS and two of our delegates won awards. This was their first conference and they were amongst 200 other students!

Alexandra Smith won Best Delegate for her delegation 

Xander Steyn won most Honorable Delegate for his delegation

Congratulations and thank you to Ms. Vander Heyden for her work with the team!

Mock Trial Tournament

Our senior team participated as guests at the Catholic board senior tournament this past week and came in fourth place among the ten teams in a very closely contested day. 

The team secured a guilty verdict against St. Francis Xavier, a not guilty verdict against Corpus Christi before narrowly losing a verdict against Christ the King. 

Our students have been working on this case since February, so this was an excellent chance for them to get practice in before their full tournament against the public school teams on April 30th — we are incredibly proud of the dedication and perseverance of our students as they worked hard to prepare their case. They impressed the judges with their enthusiastic and persuasive arguments on Friday.

Thank you to everyone for your support and well-wishes to the team!

Guest Speaker - Oakville Green

We’re really excited to share that on Friday, April 25, our school will be welcoming a special guest speaker from Oakville Green! As students who care deeply about the environment, this is a great opportunity to learn more about sustainable gardening and biodiversity right in our own community.

The presentation will focus on how we can help protect local ecosystems, with a special spotlight on endangered Monarch butterflies and migratory bird species that travel through the Halton region. These creatures are not just beautiful but they’re important indicators of environmental health, and it’s up to all of us to help them thrive.

We'll be sharing what we learn and how we plan to turn that knowledge into action. So stay tuned!

Elections Canada

Garth Webb S.S. has been designated as a polling station for the upcoming Canadian federal election on Monday, April 28, 2025.

Please be assured that the safety of our students is our top priority. The Halton District School Board (HDSB) and our school staff work closely with Elections Canada to ensure a secure voting area is designated within the school to minimize any disruptions to students and staff. 

On the day of the election, a specific and direct route will be put in place to keep voters separate from school activities. Elections Canada volunteers will be present in high-visibility vests and ID tags at the school entrance and within the voting area to help guide voters and maintain separation between voters and students. In some areas, barriers may be used to further separate the voting space from student areas. 

The decision to use schools as polling stations for federal elections is made by Elections Canada, the non-partisan agency responsible for administering federal elections. Under the Canada Elections Act (S.C. 2000, c. 9), school boards are required to provide space for polling stations when requested, and locations are chosen based on accessibility for voters. HDSB schools have regularly served as polling stations during municipal, provincial and federal elections. 

We appreciate your understanding and support. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at the office.

Free Parent/Guardian Workshop 

Chris Alexiou Think:Kids Certified Trainer Presents:

An Introduction to Collaborative Problem Solving® 

Garth Webb School Council is happy to host the Introduction to Collaborative Problem Solving ® free workshop for parents/guardians on Tuesday, April 29 online at 6 pm.

Join us for this free virtual session with Think:Kids Certified Trainer Chris Alexiou where participants will learn to:

• Recognize everyday examples of how lagging skills contribute to challenging behaviours

• Better understand and feel empathy toward people who exhibit challenging behaviours

• Develop an understanding of what causes concerning behaviour or unmet expectations

• Discover the limitations of motivational approaches to unwanted behaviour

• Envision how the Collaborative Problem Solving® approach can positively change interactions and outcomes

We look forward to seeing you there.

Meeting Link

Career Coaching Event - Guest Speakers

GWSS will be hosting guest speakers through the Ministry of Education’s Career Coach Program for all grade 10 students, which is being led by the non-profit HIEC. This initiative connects students with industry professionals to explore career pathways and develop essential skills for their futures.

Students will hear directly from experts about career options, industry insights, and ways to pursue meaningful opportunities.

Event Details

Date: May 1 and May 2

Time: Period 1 (8:30 - 9:50 am)

Location: GWSS Cafeteria

Order Your Yearbook Today

Don't forget to order your copy of the 2024-2025 yearbook before it's too late. Yearbooks are available to order on School Cash Online only. We do not order extra copies so you must order online before the deadline of May 1, 2025 to be able to get a copy of the 2024-2025 yearbook.

If you don't see the fee available on School Cash Online it is most likely because you have already purchased the yearbook for this year. Please check in your purchase history to confirm. 

Don't miss out on ordering this keepsake!

Final Fashion Forward Open House

Students will have the opportunity to view and try on formal wear in a friendly and welcoming environment. Students may select from a variety of new and gently-used attire that has been donated for proms, graduations, and other special events. Many different styles, colours, and sizes of formal dresses will be available as well as suits, shirts, ties, shoes, and accessories.

The Final Open House will be held on the following date:

• Wednesday, May 7 from 3:30 - 8 p.m. at W.I. Dick Middle School (351 Highside Dr., Milton)

An opportunity will be made available for gender diverse youth who require a private shopping experience between the hours of 3 - 3:30 p.m.

Spring Concert Save the Date

Our Garth Webb musicians have been working hard preparing for their upcoming Spring Concert! Mark your calendars, it's Thursday, May 15 at 7:00 pm in the cafeteria. Admission is free but donations are always appreciated. We look forward to seeing you there for an evening of musical entertainment.

Summer School

Summer school registration is now open.  Please check out Gary Allan’s website for course offerings and timelines.  Registration for courses will occur through myBlueprint.  Also be sure to check out their Frequently Asked Questions

Full Disclosure - Grade 11/12 Students

The full disclosure date for semester two is Friday, May 2, 2025.  Courses dropped after this date will appear on a high school transcript.  If you are considering dropping a course, we encourage you to speak with your guidance counselor and be mindful of the deadline.

Be Wise Program at the YMCA

Be Wise is a free support service for Youth aged 12-18 in the Halton region, through workshops and one-on-ones.  They are hosting an online wellness workshop starting April 23rd for Youth ages 15-18:

Youth Wellness Program: 7-week series, for youth (ages 15-18), that aims to provide support in developing coping strategies for mild to moderate anxiety. The curriculum is based on Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), and includes education about mindfulness, mindfulness techniques and self-compassion.

Scholarship Due Dates Approaching

Don’t forget to apply!

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 awards criteria. Please note that most application deadlines are in the spring.

Awards Hub

Tuesdays @Ten

On April 1, we welcomed Alison Parker from the Regional Assessment and Resource Centre (RARC) to discuss academic support for students with IEPs at postsecondary institutions. 

If you missed it, please feel free to access the recording.

Grade 12 - Graduation Requirements

This message is a reminder of some important information as you navigate the postsecondary application process and completion of the final graduation requirements.

Community Hours

Students need to submit 40 community hours no later than May 1, 2025 for completion of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. Students can submit their hours HERE. If needed, they can complete our recording form found HERE.

Online Learning Requirement

Students are also required to take two e-learning credits to graduate. However, students can opt out by returning this form to Student Services.

Scholarships

Information will be posted on the Grade 12 Google Classroom stream as well as in a document in Classwork. Information can also be found via the HDSB website: HDSB Scholarship Resources.

More details and resources on the above information can be found in our Grade 12 Presentation and Resource Slide Deck: Grade 12 Presentation 2024.

Co-op Update

This week in Co-op, we want to celebrate:

• our Co-op Employers and Community Partners who support and mentor our students

• our dedicated students who are gaining real-world experience, building valuable skills, and representing our school with professionalism and pride!

Follow us on Instagram!

@GWSSCoop 

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:

Join Oakvillegreen on Tuesdays between May to August in maintaining our pollinator gardens across Oakville. If you wish to participate, please confirm your attendance by signing our registration form/waiver (linked below). From May to June, events will run from 4:00–5:30 p.m.; from July to August, they’ll be held from 9:30–11:00 a.m.

The events will be on rain or shine, and all participating high school students will earn volunteer hours.

Please note that:

• Participants under 13 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

• Participants aged 13-17 must have the waiver signed by a parent/guardian

Click here to sign up.

HDSB School Trustee Vacancy

The Halton District School Board is seeking to fill a trustee vacancy for Oakville (Wards 5 & 7) through an appointment process in which members of the Board will select a successful candidate at a special board meeting. 

Interested applicants can apply by submitting an application form and resume by 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22. Click here to learn more.

April is HLF Month at HDSB!

So far this April, school and community teams have raised over $13,000 toward our $50,000 goal to support 200 HDSB students in need. Thank you for your incredible support! Now let’s keep the momentum going and rally our school communities to help us reach the finish line.

 There’s still time to get involved! Your school can create or join a team. Check out the HLF Month page to access tools and ideas to boost your fundraising efforts.

Don’t Miss Our Signature Fundraising Event! 

Join us for “Students in the Spotlight” on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at 7:00 PM at Burlington Central High School —an inspiring evening of live music, dance, and artistic performances by talented HDSB students. All proceeds support students facing financial barriers.  

 Click here to make a donation today!

Virtual Parent Group - Navigating Teens Together

Woodview Mental Health & Autism Services is offering free online parent sessions from May 6 - June 10. Click here for more information about Woodview  and you can call 289-266-0036 to register for this program.

Upcoming Key Dates

Apr 21 Easter Monday - No Classes

Apr 23 CP Day (late start at 9:30 am)

Apr 23 OUAC/OCAS Upload

Apr 25 Semester 2 Mid-Term Reports Issued

May 2 Full Disclosure Date

May 6 Tuesdays @Ten

May 19 Victoria Day Holiday - No Classes

May 21 CP Day (late start at 9:30 am)

May 22 15th Week in Danger Reports Emailed

Jun 3 Tuesdays @Ten

Jun 19-25 Semester 2 Final Evaluation Block

Jun 25 Class of 2025 Commencement @Sixteen Mile Creek 7:30 pm

Jun 26 Exam Review Day

Jun 26 Last Day of Classes for Semester 2

Jun 27 Professional Activity Day – No Classes

Jul 2 OUAC/OCAS Upload

Jul 4 Final Report Cards Sent Electronically