Principal's Message

Topic: Semester Two Start-Up: A Fresh Beginning 

Dear Students, Families, and Staff:

As we are at the end of the final evaluations, it's time to shift our focus to Semester Two. With a new schedule, new teachers, and exciting new subjects, this is an ideal time for fresh starts and renewed energy.

The turn of the semester offers a wonderful opportunity to set new goals and achievements. It’s a chance to reflect on what went well in the first semester and think about areas where we can grow and improve. Whether it's mastering a challenging concept, improving time management, or exploring a new extracurricular activity, the possibilities are endless.

We encourage our students to embrace this fresh start by making new connections with classmates and teachers, and trying new things - check out the list of our extracurriculars. Every semester brings new opportunities for learning, personal growth, and success. It’s a great time to step outside your comfort zone and challenge yourself to be the best version of yourself.

We are excited to see the continued hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm from our students, and we look forward to the many accomplishments Semester Two will surely bring. Wishing everyone a successful start to the semester!

As mentioned in last week's blog, Rav Bhathal is our new Vice Principal (Alpha G-M). For the past 20 years, Rav has been a dedicated educator in Halton. Born and raised in Oakville, he has deep roots in the community and a strong understanding of its needs. Throughout his career, Rav has demonstrated exceptional leadership, supporting both staff and students. He is excited to join the Garth Webb community and looks forward to fostering a collaborative and welcoming environment. With his student-centered approach and commitment to success, Rav will be a valuable asset to the school. 

Kindly,

Luisa Botelho

BHM Career Panels

In celebration of Black History Month, Garth Webb’s Black and Biracial Student Alliance (BSA), in collaboration with Student Services, has planned a series of Career Panels.

Please join us in the library to hear from the following individuals:

Arts and Social Science Focused

Thursday Feb. 6 @ lunch in the library

Tashauna Reid-Khan - Senior Reporter with CBC

Jared Hines - GW class of 2015, teacher with the HDSB, and music producer

Stacie Grant - Middle School Vice-Principal with the TDSB

Business Focused

Thursday Feb. 13 @ lunch in the library

Rory Webber - VP Marketing and Communications

STEM Focused

Thursday Feb. 27 @ lunch in the library

Judith Robillard - Manager in Health Care

Dr. Shelly Morgan - Pharmacist

Tamika Ramsay - Co-op program Specialist with TMU

All presentations are tied to Education and Career/Life Planning Ministry Policy (Creating Pathways to Success: An Education and Career/Life Planning Program for Ontario Schools – Policy and Program Requirements, Kindergarten to Grade 12, 2013) with the goals of:

• Ensuring that all students develop the knowledge and skills they need to make informed education and career/life choices;

• Providing classroom and school-wide opportunities for this learning;

• Engaging parents and the broader community in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the program, to support students in their learning.

2SLGBTQIA+ Parent/Guardian Advocacy and Support Group

The February meeting for our group will be on Thursday, February 6 from 7-8 pm (online). 

The goal of the group is to provide a safe space to share resources, expand our education, learn how to better advocate for and support our children, and to share our challenges and victories. We will work together to advocate for all students who experience social and systemic discrimination based on their 2SLGBTQIA+ identity. We have a zero tolerance policy for any kind of discrimination within our group. 

We are always happy to welcome new members so if you would like to attend our meeting on Thursday, February 6 or would like more information about the group, please email Kerri Lee at leeke@hdsb.ca. A link for the meeting will be sent to the group members prior to Thursday.

Chargers 5409 Robotics Update

Hey Chargers!!!

Garth Webb’s robotics team, 5409 is back and busier than ever! Every year, FIRST Robotics Teams all across the world are tasked with designing, fabricating, wiring, and programming a unique robot, capable of competing in the year's challenge.

As team 5409 sprints into the 2025 season, we would like to highlight some of our accomplishments:

• Our Design team has been exploring various concepts, and are using a process we call “CrayolaCAD” to finalize prototype blueprints within our computer aided design software. 

• The Manufacturing team is finalizing assembly of our robot cart, one of the big feats of the season! They have also been hard at work fabricating this year's chassis, the foundation of our robot. 

• Electrical team is busy installing light systems on the robot cart, prepping batteries for competition and blueprinting electrical systems to ensure everything is set up for success.

• Over on the Programmering team, they have set up a game simulator, allowing us to test our code before the robot is fabricated.

Want to support the robotics team this season? Please follow us on social media:

LinkedIn - 5409 Garth Webb Robotics 

Youtube - 5409 Chargers

Instagram - gwssrobotics

Guidelines on Use of Technology at Garth Webb

We are once again sharing our Use of Technology guidelines at Garth Webb. After reviewing all the input from our community this past fall, we finalized the document that outlines our updated approach to technology use at the school in November 2024. We believe these guidelines help support our students' learning while ensuring a safe and responsible use of technology.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss the document further, please feel free to reach out.

Luisa Botelho, Principal

Senior Semi Formal

The Student Activities Council (SAC) is excited to share that we will be hosting a Senior (Grade 11 and 12) Semi Formal this year.

When: Thursday Feb 27, 2025

Where: Burlington Convention Centre, 1120 Burloak Dr, Burlington, ON (905) 319-0319

Time: 6-10 pm (doors open at 5:50 pm)

Cost: $80/ticket (purchase on School Cash Online)

What’s included: Buffet meal, DJ dance, and Photo booth

Please note, this event is for Garth Webb students only (no guests allowed). Students must be in Grades 11 or 12 in order to purchase a ticket. There will only be 355 tickets available to be purchased due to the venue capacity. The last possible day to purchase tickets will be Monday, February 10, 2025 or when tickets are sold out.

Considerations:

The tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. As this is a school sanctioned event, all GW rules and expectations apply (Semi Formal Rules & Code of Conduct).

Students will need to bring their student card with them to the event in order to enter as there are no physical tickets. Security will be on site throughout the event.

Menu

Cold Items

European Rolls & Butter

Crudités with Ranch Dip

Three Green Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette and House Dressing

Potato Salad with Grainy Mustard Dressing

Roasted Pepper Fusilli Salad

Hot Entrées (Note: Chicken is halal)

Penne Pasta with Tomato Basil Sauce

Boneless Skin on Breast of Chicken served with Creole Butter Sauce

Medley of Fresh Vegetables

Roasted Potatoes

Dessert Table

Platters of Assorted Pastries & Squares 

Seasonal Fresh Cut Fruit Salad

Unlimited Soft Drinks Serviced from Bar

Fresh Brewed Colombian Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee & Tea Station

Please reach out to Adrienne Tolton (toltona@hdsb.ca) if you have any questions and/or dietary restrictions that are not accommodated for with the menu).

Student Trustee Elections 2025 

Our Student Trustees Kaitlyn Hou and Charlie Ochu are looking for passionate leaders (current Gr. 10 & 11 students) for the Student Trustee Elections - more details here.

Here are the main timelines for our Student Trustee Elections:

• Wed. Feb. 5 - Deadline to submit candidacy application form, submitted to: STelections@hdsb.ca by 6:00 pm

• Mon. Feb. 10 - Deadline for Election Information submitted to: STelections@hdsb.ca by (6:00 pm), including: 2 minute mp4 video, one 8.5 x 11 campaign poster PDF for Senate social media account, a photograph for ballot, and written answer to the main question

• Wed. Feb. 19 - Candidate Speeches available by video link for all HDSB students

• Thur. Feb. 20 - Student Trustee Election (online voting from 8:00am to 5:30pm) 

OSSLT Results

EQAO has notified us with the results of the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) for those students who wrote in the Fall of 2024.  All students will be able to see their results reflected in myBlueprint as of Friday, February 7, 2025 and Individual Student Reports will be available for pick up in the Main Office as of Thursday, February 13, 2025.

Students who were not yet successful and their parent(s)/guardian(s) will be notified via email on Thursday, January 30 at 4:00pm. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to email Sahar Monzavi-Bacon at monzavibacos@hdsb.ca.

Important Message from IT for Students Leaving the HDSB

As of February 15, 2025 students who are not returning for semester 2 will lose access to the HDSB Network & Google Workspace for Education applications, data, and email. Note this includes both Gmail and Drive.  

IMPORTANT:  If you have used your HDSB email when applying for post secondary, resume development, job applications, etc. you will need to update your information and change it to a personal email address before access to your HDSB account is lost 

To retain your Google Workspace data please see one of the options below: 

• Transfer email and Drive files to a personal Google Account using Transfer Your Content - see Transfer their content 

• Personal Gmail accounts only have 15 GB free drive space

• All files in your My Drive will count toward your quota 

• Archive data using Google Takeout

• The traditional Takeout is also available to create an archive of all their data in Google Workspace. 

 This will enable you to easily retain your email, essays, resumes, science projects, and any other files stored on Google Drive before access has been removed to your HDSB account.

This must be completed by February 15, 2025. Please note that the process can take quite some time to complete so don’t delay!

Fashion Forward Open Houses

Thank you to everyone who was able to donate formal wear to the Fashion Forward project. The open houses are scheduled in February through May for students to select, at no cost, donated formal wear for upcoming prom/graduation celebrations.

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 Open Houses will be held on the following dates:

• Monday, Feb. 24 and Wednesday, Feb. 26 from 3:30 - 8 p.m. at W.I. Dick Middle School (351 Highside Dr., Milton)

• Monday, March 31 from 3:30 - 8 p.m at Rolling Meadows Public School (1522 Mountain Grove, Burlington)

• Wednesday, April 2 from 3:30 - 8 p.m at Rolling Meadows Public School (1522 Mountain Grove, Burlington)

• 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

Please join us on Tuesday, Feb. 4 at 10 am for our next monthly community engagement session. This month we will be joined by our School Social Worker, Nidhi Bedi who will be sharing the following presentation with us:

Supporting Secondary Students (Grade 9-12) with Anxiety and Depression: Practical Strategies and Interventions 

This presentation will help parents identify the signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety among teens. Attendees will learn practical mental health coping strategies including how to support and validate your youth. Information about how to access school and community mental health services will be provided.

This meeting will be virtual and a link will be sent out to families on the day prior to the session.

Course Selection 2025/2026 School Year - Less Than 1 Week to Go!

The course selection period is now open and will close on Thursday, February 6, 2025. Please use the resources below to help you with the process.  Students will be using myBlueprint in order to submit their courses (www.myblueprint.ca/halton).

Please read through the document linked below as it outlines considerations and key messages for each grade in order to ensure students are making an informed decision.

GWSS 2025/26 Course Selection Information

Travel for Credit Summer Program

Exciting New Summer Credit Opportunities for HDSB Students!

The HDSB and Gary Allan Learning Centre are collaborating with EduTravel to launch a pilot Travel for Credit summer program in 2025. The program will offer Civics and Careers (CHV2O/GLC2O) and Justice Journeys (CHA3U/HSE4M), with priority registration for HDSB students until February 15, 2025.  

Parent/Guardian Information Session

EduTravel will host an online information session on February 5, 2025 at 7pm where detailed information will be shared with interested students and families. Click here to sign up for the information session.

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.

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:

The KSM Leader In Training program is designed to offer high school students the chance to gain hands-on experience working with kids in our after-school Kids’ Clubs recreational programming and provide opportunities for development through high quality training from leadership professionals.

 You can find all the information and the link to register here.

Provide Input on 2025-2026 Budget Priorities

The HDSB values input from community members and is encouraging parents/guardians and students to provide input on the budget development process for the 2025-2026 school year through an online survey by Feb. 9, 2025 at 4 p.m.

Thank you to everyone who submitted questions and joined our public information session last night. A recording of the session, along with frequently asked questions (FAQs) and additional resources, is available on the 2025-2026 Budget Input webpage of the HDSB website (hdsb.ca). We encourage you to review these resources and provide feedback to help guide decision-making.

The education sector has been presented with unprecedented challenges and funding pressures in recent years, compounded by an expected decline in student enrolment next year, driven by aging neighbourhoods and slower growth in new developments within Halton. With student enrolment as the main driver of funding, this decline will result in lost revenue, leading the HDSB to budget a $1.8 million deficit this year that must be eliminated next school year through a restrained budget development process focused on cost containment and balancing resources within funding limitations.

As we try to eliminate this deficit to balance our budget, we are seeking your input to help us understand how we can minimize impact and achieve our financial goals. Your feedback will inform final decision-making when the budget report is presented to the Board of Trustees for approval in June. 

We thank you in advance for taking the time to provide your input.

An Important Message from Halton Region Public Health

Walk In Clinics for Immunizations

Clinic availability can change rapidly, but there are clinic spots open at our Halton Regional Centre location (1151 Bronte Road) Feb 6, 7, 10, 11, and 12. There will be an opportunity for walk-in appointments at the Milton location (Sherwood Community Centre, 6355 Main St W, Milton) on February 13 and at the Oakville location (Halton Regional Centre, 1151 Bronte Road) on Feb 13 & 14.

 Please call 311 or go to halton.ca/immunize to book an appointment (subject to availability) or for more information.

 Families can also seek vaccination at their Health Care Provider office. They would just need to report those vaccines in person at the Halton Regional Centre, 1151 Bronte Road once completed.

Parents/guardians with questions about their student’s record are encouraged to call 311 to speak to a public health nurse. If the student is 16/16+ the student is encouraged to call 311 themselves. Alternatively, if consent is provided by the student, the parent or guardian can speak on the student’s behalf. 

• Information about vaccine exemption can be found at halton.ca/immunize. 

• For more general information about Immunization in Ontario - see this Ministry of Health Informative Flyer.

•  Additional Language Translations can be found on the Ministry website linked here.

For students who are new to the HDSB and from outside Ontario:

Students over 16 years, or parent/guardians/ custodians of students under 16 years, can take their home country vaccine records in person to the Halton Regional Headquarters Building at 1151 Bronte Road in Oakville. 

AND - request an Immunization Identification Number and Online Account access by emailing: vaccinerecords@halton.ca

For the email Subject Line, use --> "HDSB Student Outside of Ontario Vaccination Record Submission"

In the email body, please attach:

1. Photo or PDF of the student's vaccination record from their outside of Ontario jurisdiction, and include the following student information in the email: Student full LEGAL Name, which would be the name on their passport/ birth certificate.

2. Student Date of Birth, written with Month Day, Year - For example January 1, 2021

3. The HDSB School the student(s) are attending - For example: Garth Webb Secondary School

Click here for further information.

Free Parent Session from ADAPT

ADAPT (Addiction, Drugs and Gambling Assessment Prevention and Treatment Services) – Problem Gambling and Behavioural Addictions Program is offering a 1-Day Education and Information Session:

PROBLEM GAMING AWARENESS & EDUCATION

Wednesday February 26

6-8pm Via ZOOM

This presentation is designed for families, loved ones, and friends who want to better understand Problem Gaming, support a loved one struggling with Gaming dependency, and learn how to maintain boundaries and a healthy balance.

Topics we will explore:   

1. What is Problem Gaming?

2. The Pros and Cons of Gaming

3. How to recognize signs of a Gaming addiction

4. Tips for creating a balance Gaming lifestyle

5. Coping Skills/Self Care  

6. Supports and Resources

**This presentation is free of charge.

Alternatively, Problem Gambling, Problem Gaming and Behavioural Addictions Program offers counselling support to individuals looking for one-on-one support. Our services are available via phone, video, or in-person. All services are client centred, confidential, and free of charge. 

If you are interested in registering for this presentation, or connecting with our program for individual services, please contact Jerico via email at JericoA@haltonadapt.org or Priya (Program Intake) via email priyac@haltonadapt.org or via telephone (905) 875-7924.

Upcoming Key Dates

Feb 3 First Day of Semester 2 Classes

Feb 4 Tuesdays @Ten

Feb 7 Semester 1 Report Cards Distributed Electronically at 4 pm

Feb 11 OUAC/OCAS Upload

Feb 14 Professional Activity Day – No Classes

Feb 17 Family Day Holiday - School Closed

Feb 19 CP Day (late start @9:30 am)

Mar 4 Tuesdays @Ten

Mar 6 5th Week Progress Reports Emailed

Mar 10 - 14 Spring Break

Mar 20 Parent/Teacher Interviews 5:00 - 7:00 pm