Principal's Message

Topic: How Families Can Help Their Students Develop an Education Plan

Dear Students, Families, and Staff:

After having the opportunity to connect with your student's teachers last week, it’s often beneficial to collaborate on developing a plan to help your student improve or maintain their success. Families play a crucial role in the development of their student's education plan, helping them to consider how their present choices and decisions may affect their options after graduation. Your involvement in the development of your student's education plan remains important and necessary.

There are many ways families can help their student develop a plan for the future. The following strategies can guide you through the planning process:

• Engage in conversations during relaxed moments: Choose quiet, relaxed times to discuss your student's interests, abilities, and future plans. Casual, everyday conversations often lead to positive discussions, such as pointing out their strengths or noting when their interests shift, allowing for deeper conversations about their future.

• Ask about career interests: Inquire about the types of careers that interest your student. It’s important to recognize that their career aspirations may change over time; this is a normal part of the process as they learn more about themselves and the world of work.

• Identify necessary education and training: Determine what kind of education or training is required after graduation to help your student follow their career aspirations. The school’s guidance counsellor is a valuable resource in this area and can provide additional information.

• Review course requirements: Ensure your students are enrolled in the appropriate courses now to be eligible for the education or training needed after graduation. Your student's guidance counsellor can assist in this process, and our website also contains detailed course selection information. Don't forget to explore your student's myBlueprint account for guidance on course planning.

• Encourage participation in school activities: Many extracurricular activities at school offer opportunities for your student to explore their interests and abilities. For example, after-school or lunchtime clubs can expose your student to new experiences and help them discover different career paths. Check out the full list of activities available on our website to see what might be a good fit for your student.

• Attend career information events: Participate in career-related events such as "Tuesdays @Ten," either at school or in the community. These events provide valuable information about various career options, helping your student explore the possibilities.

• Consult with the guidance counsellor: Many families find it helpful to meet with the school’s guidance counsellor to discuss their student's education and career plans. These meetings offer personalized advice to ensure your students are on the right track.

• Stay engaged with your student's education: Keeping track of your student's progress through report cards and teacher feedback during Parent-Teacher Interviews can give you insights into their strengths and areas for growth. These key moments can be excellent opportunities to discuss your student's future and explore potential career paths together.

• Engage with other families and students: Talking with other families and students about their educational and career plans can provide valuable perspective. These discussions can help you understand different paths and options that might resonate with your students.

Your support in helping your students develop their education plan is essential to their success. By staying involved and offering guidance, you can help your students make informed decisions about their future.

Thank you for your continued partnership in fostering your student's educational growth.

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:

• Rama Navami - Apr 6

• International Day of Pink - Apr 9

• Pesach / Passover - Apr 12 - 21

• Hanuman Jayanti - Apr 12

Important Reminders for our Students and Families

School Dismissal

This is just a reminder that students must be out of the building after school no later than 3:15 pm unless you are in a staff supervised activity such as a team or club. Students who are in the building after 3:00 pm must be in the foyer/cafeteria area and should then vacate the school by 3:15 pm.

Trespassing

We wanted to remind students that you are not allowed to visit other schools during the school day without making arrangements with the staff at that school. If you go to another school without permission it is considered trespassing. The same goes for people from other schools visiting Garth Webb during the school day. This is not allowed and there will be consequences if students from another school are in or on our property without permission.

Krispy Kreme Fundraiser This Week!

DECA Business Club - Krispy Kreme Fundraiser “Donuts for DECA”

Craving something sweet?  Come support the Garth Webb DECA business club by purchasing some fresh Krispy Kreme donuts—straight from the bakery!  Our club is raising money in support of students who are heading to Orlando, Florida at the end of April to compete in the prestigious DECA ICDC international high school business competition. 

Fundraiser Date:  Friday April 11, 2025

Location: Main Foyer

Time: Lunch Break

This is a CASH ONLY event, so bring your coins and bills! 

Prices are as follows: 

• 1 donut for $2

• 3 donuts for $5

• 6 donuts for $10

• 12 donuts for $20

Families can also pre-order in advance on School Cash Online. Every bite brings our team one step closer to representing our school on the global stage—don’t miss your chance to treat yourself and support a great cause!

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!

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!

5409 FIRST Robotics Update

Thank you so much for your support and positive feedback throughout the season. Our schools very own FIRST Robotics Team is currently competing in the Ontario Provincial Championships!!!

This exciting opportunity has brought us head to head with the best teams in Canada, and we’re super pumped up to see our robot in action. 💛🤖

A huge Congratulations to Aidan Carby in Grade 12 for winning the prestigious FIRST Robotics Trade Scholarship! This result was earned through hard work, and you are a true inspiration in the school community.

As our competition season comes to an end, we owe a massive thank you to our amazing teachers, admin team, sponsors, mentors, families, and you; the GWSS community for your amazing support.

Special shout out to Ms. Botelho and Ms. Monzavi-Bacon for coming out to support us at the International Centre this weekend!

Stay tuned because Team 5409 will be back shortly with a update after playoffs!!!

BASEF Results

Over the past few months, a group of students from our school developed projects for the Bay Area Science and Engineering Fair (BASEF) at Hillfield Strathallan College in Hamilton on March 21. Last weekend, these students returned to the fair for the awards ceremony, and we're very pleased to share the following award winners from Garth Webb! 

Niam Maharajh - Grade 9

The MagnaVolt 3000: An Electromagnetic Generator That Harnesses Human Power to Feed Our Demand for Electricity

Nikola Tesla Innovation Award (Gold), Mohawk college electrotechnology-energy systems award, Electrical contractors association of Niagara award, and the Chairman award

Maria Polyanska - Grade 9

PicoTrack: Solar Powered Real-Time Monitoring of Near-Stratospheric Conditions

Gold Merit Award, 1st Place Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society (CMOS) Award, and the McMaster Venture Academy Scholarship Award, Qualified for the Canada Wide Science Fair at the University of New Brunswick in June

Anvay Mathur & Adam Nayfeh - Grade 10

How Does Indoor Air Quality Change Based on the Use of Household Products? 

Bronze Merit Award

Congratulations also goes out to Tristan Boyd, Tanush Sarun, Connor Boyd, Juncheng Wu, Akshita Karthik, Minjae Kim, and Hashim Khadhoori for the completion of their projects and for representing our school at BASEF 2025!

Optimist Club Award

The Optimist Club of Oakville believes it is important that the youth of our community are recognized for their efforts and accomplishments in the arts, athletics, academics, and community service. On an annual basis, they honor the accomplishments of students in our community. Each secondary school in Oakville is invited to select one candidate based on their participation in volunteering services within their school and community. Ira Jayaraman has won the Oakville Optimist Youth Appreciation Award for Garth Webb S.S. as the grade 12 student with the most community hours! Congratulations Ira!

Legion Remembrance Day Poster Contest Winners

Last weekend was the award ceremony for the annual Remembrance Day Legion Poster Contest. Garth Webb S.S. continued our past success this year with the following winners:

Black & White Poster

1st place Senior - Lounah Alfahham (moving onto the National Level)

3rd place Senior - Brooke Wiseman

Colour Poster / Senior

2nd place - Sienna Sevenpifer

3rd place - Vladyslava Kliuieva

Thank you also to Jenny Yoon for donating her poster submission of Garth Webb to the school so that we can display it. Beautiful work everyone!

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 appreciated.

Music Field Trip

Last week, our music ensembles went to Roy Thomson Hall to see the Toronto Symphony Orchestra play a concert called “Focus.” The conductor spoke about the value of being in the moment, and demonstrated ways the audience could interact with the pieces they performed. It was an exciting experience for our young musicians!

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.

Tuesdays @Ten

This past Tuesday, 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.

Important Information for the Class of 2025

Recently, we sent some important information out to our Grade 12 families about:

• Students over 18 consent to sharing information with parents/guardians

• 40 Community Service hours

• 2 mandatory online learning credits (including the opt-out process)

• Courses taken outside of the Halton District School Board

Please click here to read the message in full.

Scholarships and Awards

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

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 Student of the Week

Student: Reilly Hall, Grade 12

Placement: Captain R. Wilson P.S. (Grade 1 Classroom) 

My main tasks/responsibilities include:

• Doing one on one work with students who need a little bit of extra attention

• Helping students complete any unfinished work

• Counting mailbags

• Handing out Gems (classroom Currency)

• Watching students to make sure they are following classroom expectations

• Helping the teacher in any way I can

• Photocopying and printing documents for class activities

The most important skills I’ve learned include:

• What my expectations are as a co-op student

• Time management

• Organization

• How to help and interact with the grade 1’s

• How to use the photocopier / printer

Last year I took co-op and I absolutely loved being a kindergarten teacher and being a grade 1 teacher has taught me a lot of patience and emotional regulation. I love getting to be a part of a student’s day and knowing I taught them something that really makes an impact in their lives!

To see what else the Co-op Crew has been up to, please follow us on Instagram @GWSSCoop

Director's Panel Series

We are pleased to invite families, students, staff and community members to an upcoming session of the Director’s Panel Series. Each session in this series explores issues and themes impacting students and education today. Sessions are led by Director of Education Curtis Ennis and Human Rights & Equity Advisor Pardeep Nagra. Other panelists may include HDSB students, parents/guardians and or subject-matter experts. 

The upcoming session in the series will be:

Strengthening Schools Through Kindness, Connection and Community

Monday, April 7 from 6 - 7 p.m. 

This will be a virtual event with the livestream linked on the HDSB website (hdsb.ca). 

Registration is not required.

Strengthening Schools Through Kindness, Connection and Community will explore the HDSB’s commitment to Kindness, Connection and Community, as outlined in the 2024-2028 Multi-Year Strategic Plan, and how it is being brought to life in our schools and workspaces through meaningful actions. Join us as we discuss how centring a culture of kindness in learning and working environments supports staff and student success and well-being, creating a genuine sense of belonging and the conditions for students to thrive. 

Joining the session as panelists will be Amy Collard, Chair of the HDSB, representation from HDSB students and staff, as well as Dr. John-Tyler Binfet, PhD, Professor of Education at the University of British Columbia. Together, the panel will explore how Kindness, Connection and Community strengthen schools. Dr. Binfet will share insights on how students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 conceptualize kindness in learning environments and how they define and enact kindness to themselves and others.

Staff interested in attending the event are invited to share their thoughts on Kindness, Connection and Community and submit a question to the panel before the session through this Google Form.

We look forward to connecting with you at this session.

April is HLF Month at HDSB!

Halton Learning Foundation (HLF) Month is here! April 2025 is the second annual HLF Month and HDSB schools and community members are coming together to help raise awareness and funds for the financial support, provided by HLF, that many HDSB students need to fully engage in learning such as school supplies, food, and clothing.

Each year, HLF supports more than 3,000 students in the HDSB by providing financial support that removes educational barriers and providing the essential resources students need to focus on schoolwork and thrive to their full potential. HLF’s goal is to ensure that they can continue to say ‘yes’ to every request for support received.  Many students in the Garth Webb community benefit from HLF's support.

Families can learn more about the Halton Learning Foundation and how to support HLF Month by visiting the HLF Month webpage on the HLF website (haltonlearningfoundation.ca). 

Are you an HDSB parent/guardian who could use some help? 

If you are an HDSB parent/guardian who needs assistance, please contact your child’s teacher or principal.

Let’s make this HLF Month unforgettable—together, we can unleash the potential in every student!

Click here to make a donation today!

Mental Health & Well-Being Information Sessions This Spring

The HDSB has announced additional Mental Health & Well-Being Information Sessions for parents/guardians this Spring. 

The upcoming sessions include:

• Emotional Validation, Building Positive Relationships and Managing Conflict | April 8 at 6:30 p.m. 

• Strengthening Your Relationship with Your Child: Resource Overview, Relationships and Self-Care | April 14 at 6:30 p.m.

Families are encouraged to learn more about the sessions available and register: https://tinyurl.com/2s474h4b   

Loss and Grief Virtual Workshop for Parents and Caregivers

Join Lighthouse for a free presentation and discussion about how children and youth grieve, and ways to support them as they confront and mourn the loss of the person who died.

Monday, April 14, 2025

7 pm Online

Click here for more information and to register.

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 16 First Day of Semester 2, Term 2

Apr 18 Good Friday - No Classes

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