Principal's Message

Topic: Getting Ready for the Final Evaluations 

Dear Students, Families, and Staff:

As we enter the final portion of semester one, I wanted to take a moment to share some important information and resources that may be helpful for both students and families as we prepare for the upcoming final evaluations.

We are now entering the period for Final Evaluations, which account for 30% of students' final marks. These evaluations are an essential part of the academic process, offering students the opportunity to independently demonstrate their understanding of the course content they have learned throughout the semester. These assessments are conducted under the supervision of a teacher, and they can take many forms, including tests, performance tasks, essays, projects, or other appropriate evaluations. As outlined in Growing Success, the final evaluations are designed to reflect a range of evidence from various assessment methods, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the subject.

To help our students succeed, I strongly encourage families to check in with their student to discuss their approach to studying for each of their courses. Together, we can identify key areas of focus and develop a clear plan for how they will prepare for their final evaluations. 

It is important that students:

• allocate time for review

• seek clarification on any challenging concepts

• actively engage with the course materials

• for some, this may also involve:

  • creating study schedules 

  • revisiting past assignments and feedback to ensure they feel confident heading into their evaluations.

• Check out this site for other study strategies

In addition to academic preparation, we recognize that this can be a stressful time for students, so mental and emotional support is equally crucial. Encouraging students to maintain a balanced routine that includes:

• rest

• healthy eating

• physical activity will help them manage stress effectively

• Check out the 12 instant stress busters

If students need additional support—whether academic or emotional—please don’t hesitate to reach out to our staff, including teachers, guidance counselors, or administrators. We are here to ensure that every student has the resources they need to thrive.

At this stage, we are also reminding students that it is important to attend all classes leading up to the final evaluations, as teachers will be reviewing key material and providing valuable guidance in the final days before assessments. If students are absent, they should communicate with their teachers promptly to make up for any missed work or seek clarifications.

Lastly, I would like to emphasize that collaboration between home and school is critical during this time. By maintaining open lines of communication, families and teachers can work together to ensure that students have the support they need to succeed. Please feel free to reach out to teachers or school staff if you have any concerns or if there is anything we can do to assist in preparing your student for the final evaluations.

We wish all students the best as they approach this important part of their academic journey. With the right preparation, support, and mindset, they can demonstrate their growth and understanding with confidence.

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing our students succeed in their final evaluations.

Kindly,

Luisa Botelho

January 2025 Final Evaluation Block

The HDSB school year calendar shows there are 5 designated Exam Days at the end of each semester. The Halton District School Board’s 2024-2025 Ministry approved school year calendar’s semester 1 exams days are from Thursday, January 23 to Wednesday, January 29, 2025. This is referred to as our “Final Evaluation Block”, and students will be completing components of the final 30% of a course’s grade on each of these days. The final 30% takes a variety of formats and could include a performance, written assignment, formal exam, presentation, etc., each of which are referred to as “Final Evaluations”. 

As per Growing Success (page 41), “Final Evaluations will be based on evidence from one or a combination  of the following: an examination, a performance task, an essay, and/or another method of evaluation suitable to the course content. The final evaluation must allow the student an opportunity to demonstrate comprehensive achievement of the overall expectations for the course.”

Here are some details in reference to the the Final Evaluation Block:

• Final evaluations are to be written on the assigned date, except in the case of illness and/or extenuating circumstances. As soon as you become aware of a circumstance that will conflict with any final evaluation date, please have your student complete this Final Evaluation Conflict Request form.

• All final evaluations begin at 9:00 a.m. and are scheduled to be written in the regular classroom unless a change in location is announced by the teacher. 

• Students are to exit the building immediately after they complete their final evaluation each day. 

• Click here to see the complete final evaluation schedule.

• The library will be closed during the final evaluation block and the cafeteria will be closed from January 23 - February 1 and will reopen on Monday, February 3. 

• The final evaluation schedule follows the format of one evaluation per day based on a Week A schedule: 

Thu, Jan 23 Period 1 Evaluations @ 9 am

Fri, Jan 24 Period 2 Evaluations @ 9 am

Mon, Jan 27 Period 4 Evaluations @ 9 am

Tue, Jan 28 Period 5 Evaluations @ 9 am

Wed, Jan 29 Evaluation Make Up Day if needed due to school closure

Thu, Jan 30 Evaluation Review Day - shortened schedule (attendance is taken this day)

• If the Board makes a decision to close all schools for any reason, all evaluations will be cancelled for that day and shifted to the final evaluation make-up day - Wednesday, January 29, 2025.

(i.e. If schools were closed on Thursday, January 23, Thursday's Period 1 evaluations would be cancelled and then written on the evaluation make up day which is Wednesday, January 29).

Final Evaluation Review Day: Thursday, January 30, 2025

Students will be provided an opportunity to review their work on the Final Evaluations and receive feedback on their evidence of learning. This date will involve a different timetable where attendance is taken and students will meet with their teachers for a short review period. 

The Final Evaluation Review Day Schedule as follows:

Period 1 8:30 - 9:00 AM

Period 2 9:05 - 9:35 AM

Period 4 9:40 - 10:10 AM

Period 5 and Dismissal 10:15 - 10:45 AM

Click here to access a printable version of this message.

Tips and Tricks: Supporting Grade 9s for Exam Success

Attention, Grade 9 students! Exams are just around the corner, and the student senate wants to help you feel prepared and confident. Check out our Tips and Tricks Workshop slideshow, designed specifically to guide you through effective study strategies, time management techniques, and stress-busting tips.

Whether you're looking to improve your note-taking skills, create a solid study plan, or find ways to stay calm during exams, this resource has you covered. Let’s set you up for success and make your first high school exams a positive experience!

Happy studying! 🎓

Rube Goldberg Machine Engineering Challenge

Grade 11 Physics students unleashed their creativity and engineering prowess in an exhilarating Rube Goldberg Machine Engineering Challenge! Teams of aspiring innovators designed and built elaborate contraptions that performed a simple task in the most complex, over-the-top way imaginable. Combining principles of physics, engineering, and a flair for the theatrical, these intricate machines were judged on their creativity, functionality, and ingenuity. From cascading dominoes to rolling marbles and unexpected chain reactions, every detail mattered. 

In the end, one team achieved the perfect balance of design and execution to claim the championship, delivering a spectacular showcase of science and imagination in motion! Congratulations to all who competed this semester and a special congratulations to team “House of Cards” for being voted as the winners of this semester’s RG Machine Engineering Challenge.

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!

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).

Please Keep Our Parking Lot Clean

We would like to take a moment to remind everyone about the importance of maintaining the cleanliness and safety of our school parking lot, particularly after school hours and weekends. We take great pride in our school and its facilities, and it is essential that we all work together to keep them in good condition.

Please be mindful of the following:

• No littering: Please dispose of any trash properly, ensuring our parking lot remains clean for everyone.

• Avoid breakage or damage: Broken glass or other damage can pose a serious risk, and it’s important we all contribute to keeping the space safe.

By taking these small steps, we help ensure that our parking lot remains a safe, welcoming place for all members of our school community. Let’s all do our part to protect and respect the environment around us.

Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to keeping our school safe and well-maintained.

Grad Photo Bookings Now Open at Edge Imaging Studio

If your grade 12 student missed getting a graduation photo taken at the school, you can now book a photo session at the Edge Imaging Studio in Burlington. Please book as early as possible. We can't guarantee that your student's photo will be in the grad composite or yearbook if you are booking at the studio, but we will do our best if the booking happens before the end of February. 

Please follow the steps below to book your session:

• Go to bookmygrad.ca (Edge Imaging)

• Book an appointment at the Burlington Studio (not out of town please)

• Enter school name or school code is GWE and submit

• Available appointment times will appear and just follow the prompts to book. If there are no appointments available there will be more dates added usually within the following day.

IMPORTANT FINAL STEP

Please send an email to Kerri Lee (leeke@hdsb.ca) in the main office once you have had your photo session and we will do our best to make sure your photo is included in the yearbook and composite. Again, booking early will help with that as well.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Edge Imaging directly at 1-888-416-3343.

Fashion Forward - Donate at GWSS

Donations of clean, current styled formal wear for the Halton District School Board’s Fashion Forward are being accepted until the end of the day on Friday, Jan. 24. The HDSB will host several Fashion Forward Open Houses from February to 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.

Donations of clean, current styled formal wear, such as party dresses, formal gowns, formal suits, dress shirts, ties, footwear, and accessories can be dropped off at Garth Webb by end of day Friday, Jan. 24 (by 3:15 pm).

The dates and locations of the Fashion Forward Open Houses to browse for formal wear are the following:

• 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. All students are required to bring student identification to the Open House they attend.

PA Day Opportunity for Grade 9 and 10 students at HIEC

On Friday, January 31, HIEC will offer a PA day program for students in grades 9 and 10 on-site at our office. The day will feature hands-on activities and workshops that explore current employment trends and in-demand skills, followed by career conversations with industry professionals.

Click here for more detailed information and to register.

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.

Course Selection 2025/2026 School Year

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

Tuesdays @Ten

Student services recently hosted a virtual session and an in-person session on “helping your student with their course selections”.

If you weren’t able to attend either event, feel free to access the recording of the virtual session and the slidedeck. Please note that the images within the slidedeck link out to various resources associated with the topic.

Grade 12 - Post Secondary Applications and 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.

Post Secondary Applications - University

Students can apply via the Ontario Universities' Application Centre using their OENs (Ontario Education Number) and personal email account. An OEN can be found on a student’s report card. The due date for applications is January 15, 2025.

Post Secondary Applications - College 

Students can apply via ontariocolleges.ca using their personal email account. The due date for applications is February 1, 2025.

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.

National Scholarships - Grade 12 Students

Information around scholarships will be shared via the google classroom throughout the year.  Please note that most National Scholarship deadlines are in the fall where has community scholarships are in the Spring.  Please feel free to investigate these Scholarships to see if you are eligible.

Deadlines:

Schulich - School Nomination Jan. 30

Western National - Mid-February

HDSB Scholarship Page

HDSB Guide to Post Secondary

The transition from secondary school to post-secondary is a significant journey and one that is both exciting and potentially overwhelming at the same time. The HDSB has put together this guide to help students and families navigate. Click here to check it out.

Community Hours: New in the 2024-2025 School Year

Students who complete more than 40 community involvement hours are encouraged to maintain their own record of completed community involvement hours. Secondary schools will no longer track and collect documentation for the completion of community involvement hours beyond the 40 hours required. Students can maintain a record of completed involvement hours through a digital or hard copy portfolio should they wish to have proof of hours for future scholarship, award and/or special program opportunities.

Community Involvement Recording Sheet

Submit Your Community Hours

Mental Health & Well-Being information Sessions for Parents/Guardians

The Halton District School Board is hosting Mental Health & Well-Being Information Sessions for parents/guardians this Winter and Spring. Covering specific topics based on feedback from parents/guardians, each session will be led by a mental health expert in that area who will share their knowledge and provide helpful information and resources.

The first session will be:

Navigating the Digital World with Your Child

Wednesday, Jan. 22 from 6:45 - 7:30 p.m. 

Registration is required as limited spots are available. 

Navigating the Digital World with Your Child will explore misconceptions about the online environment and offer practical strategies to help parents/guardians guide their children to engage with technology responsibly and understand what it means to grow up in a digital world.

Parents/guardians can register by completing the Mental Health & Well-Being Information Sessions Registration Form. Sessions will be held on Google Meet, where closed captioning is available in various languages. Registrants will be emailed a link to access the session. Sessions will not be recorded. Additional sessions will be announced at a later date.

Parents/guardians will have the opportunity to submit questions when completing the registration form or during the session. The HDSB’s Mental Health & Well-Being webpage has information for parents/guardians and students on mental health, ways to support positive mental health and well-being, and how to get additional support at school and in the broader community.

An Important Message from Halton Region Public Health

Students (16 & up) or parents can report immunization information by visiting in person at Halton Region Public Health, located at 1151 Bronte Road, Oakville, Ontario, L6M 3L1 - this is the recommended method at this time.

Student immunization records can be viewed and updated online through Immunization Connect Ontario (ICON), available at halton.ca/immunize.  ***NOTE: ICON PINs expire when a student turns 16 years old and will need to be reset. Direct these students to halton.ca/immunize to follow the instructions for resetting a PIN.

Students with incomplete records are encouraged to receive missing vaccine doses through their health care provider, or at a Public Health Community Immunization Clinic. Required vaccines are free of charge.

Parents 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 Flier.

 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 either take their home country vaccine records in person to the Halton Regional Headquarters Building at 1151 Bronte Road in Oakville. 

OR a digit copy/photo can be emailed to accesshalton@halton.ca 

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:

a 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.

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

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

Click here for further information.

Upcoming Key Dates

Jan 22 Last Day of Classes for Semester 1

Jan 23 - 29 Semester 1 Final Evaluation Block

Jan 30 Final Evaluation Review Day

Jan 31 Professional Activity Day – No Classes

Feb 3 First Day of Semester 2 Classes

Feb 4 Tuesdays @Ten

Feb 7 Semester 1 Report Cards Distributed Electronically

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