January 26, 2025

WEEK A

Principal's Message

Topic: Farewells and Welcomes

Dear Students, Families, and Staff:

I hope this message finds you well and embracing the beauty of our Canadian winter!

As we conclude Semester One and look ahead to the opportunities and challenges of Semester Two, I’d like to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to the staff who will be leaving us this semester. Your contributions have been invaluable, and you’ve played an essential role in shaping our school community.

Our Farewells

Some of our Teachers:

As we say goodbye to the end of Semester One, we also bid farewell to several remarkable teachers who have been an integral part of our school community. We want to extend our deepest thanks and appreciation to:

Each of you has brought unique talents, passion, and dedication to our students, creating a lasting impact in and outside the classroom. Your commitment to excellence, creativity in teaching, and care for our students will be truly missed. 


Ms. Nancy Annibale (Vice Principal)

We must say a heartfelt goodbye to Ms. Nancy Annibale, our Vice Principal, who has been an invaluable part of our school community since September 2022.

Ms. Annibale has dedicated herself to the success and well-being of our students, staff, and school as a whole. Her leadership, wisdom, and unwavering support have helped shape our school culture, and her impact will be felt long after her departure. Over the years, Ms. Annibale has built strong relationships with staff and students alike, and her thoughtful guidance has been a cornerstone of our school’s growth and success.

Ms. Annibale, thank you for your years of hard work, your kindness, and your dedication to making Garth Webb such a special place. You will always have a place in our hearts, and we are grateful for everything you have given to our school community. We wish you nothing but success and fulfillment in all that lies ahead. You will be greatly missed!

A message from Ms. Annibale…

“Dear GWSS Community,

It's with a heavy heart that I say farewell to one of the truly, most special schools in the Halton District School Board. I thank all the staff, students, and parents who made coming to work for me everyday, less of a job and more of a place where I felt I was truly making a difference in supporting the academic, social, and emotional needs of a dynamic school community as Garth Webb Secondary School.  My hope is that despite all the changes with the administration team in the past 3 years, you continue to strive to be the best version of yourselves by welcoming your new Vice Principal with the same warmth and respect you've always shown towards me. Wishing you continued success and all the best opportunities this school year has to offer you.

Sincerely,

Nancy Annibale”


Ms. Joanna Anderson (Vice Principal)

As we wrap up Semester One, we bid farewell to Ms. Joanna Anderson, who has been with us as Vice Principal for the past seven weeks.

Although her time with us was short, Joanna made a significant impact on our school community. Her leadership, dedication, and support for both staff and students have been deeply appreciated. Joanna stepped into her role with professionalism and a genuine care for our school, helping to ensure a smooth and positive experience for everyone. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Joanna for all her hard work during her time here. 


Our Welcomes

New Teachers for Semester Two

As we begin Semester Two, we are excited to welcome Ms. N. Christensen, Ms. F. Siddiqui, and Mr. B. Bouffard to our school community. We are thrilled to have them join us and are confident they will bring fresh energy and expertise to our team.


New Vice-Principal, Rav Bhathal

I am pleased to announce that Rav Bhathal will be joining our leadership team as Vice-Principal, effective February 3, 2025. Rav brings a wealth of experience and a true passion for education, and we are thrilled to welcome him to the Garth Webb community.

Mr. Bhathal's dedication to student success, his collaborative approach to leadership, and his commitment to creating a positive and inclusive school culture will be tremendous assets to our school community. We are confident that his leadership will have a lasting and positive impact on our students, staff, and families.

In conclusion, please join me in offering our sincere thanks to those who are leaving and wishing them all the best in their future endeavors. Your contributions will not be forgotten.

At the same time, let’s extend a warm welcome to our new staff members. We are excited to have you join our team, and we look forward to the positive impact you will bring to our school community.

Together, let’s work towards making this semester a great success for all!

Kindly,

Luisa Botelho

Final Evaluation Reminders

Just some reminders as we head into the last 2 days of final evaluations on Monday, January 27 and Tuesday, January 28, 2025:

View Final Evaluation Schedule here.


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.  Student absences for this date should be reported through School Messenger.

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

Tips and Tricks: Supporting Grade 9s for Exam Success

Attention, Grade 9 students! The student senate wants to help you feel prepared and confident for your exams. 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! 🎓

Student Newsletter Juno Journal

Click here to read the Winter Edition of the student newsletter Juno Journal. Thank you to the student newsletter team and advisors for your work in putting this together. We hope you enjoy this issue.

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:

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: 

 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!

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:

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.

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).

Fashion Forward - Corrected Dates

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:

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.

Semester Two Timetables

Timetables for Semester Two were sent to students on Thursday, January 23, 2025. The first day of Semester Two is Monday, February 3, 2025.

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.

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.

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

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 - 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 - February 14, 2025

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

This year, we will be sharing our Equity & Inclusive Education section on a standalone webpage on our site. 

We will have this link in the weekly blog to direct you so that you can read about the various days of significance throughout the school year.

Important Information

Gathering Student Voices on Homophobia and Transphobia

The HDSB values student voice and is committed to creating safe, inclusive, and welcoming learning environments for every student. To gather student insight into the HDSB’s response to incidents of homophobia and transphobia, we are conducting virtual focus groups with secondary students (Grade 9-12) in March. Information gathered through this research will help us to evaluate the effectiveness of current policies and tools in addressing incidents of homophobia and transphobia within HDSB schools.

Participation in the focus groups is voluntary. The focus areas of these sessions were chosen based on community voice/feedback and identified needs of the HDSB.

Students who are interested in participating can complete the Registration Form by Friday, Jan. 31 by 4 p.m. Students will need to log in to their HDSB account to complete the Google Form. Students can choose one of two available sessions based on their preferred date:

These sessions will be facilitated by HDSB staff in the Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion Department, staff from the Research Department and community partners. Students requiring support will be connected with their school social worker and community organizations. 

When registering, students will be asked to provide an HDSB email account. Students will be emailed a link to a Google Meet for their selected focus group 24 hours before the session. 

The information gathered through these focus groups will help us fulfill our commitments to Human Rights, Equity, and Inclusion, Mental Health and Well-Being and Kindness, Connection and Community, as outlined in the 2024-2028 Multi-Year Strategic Plan. The insights provided will be instrumental as we evaluate the effectiveness of current tools and strategies and identify areas for improvement to create safe and caring learning spaces for all. The information gathered will be compiled into a series of reports that will be shared beginning in the Spring through June 2025.

If you have any questions about these sessions, please contact the Research & Accessibility Department at research@hdsb.ca. Thank you for your continued partnership in helping us create safe and welcoming schools where every student feels a genuine sense of belonging.

Gathering Student Voices on Antisemitism

The HDSB values student voice and is committed to creating safe, inclusive, and welcoming learning environments for every student. To gather student insight into the HDSB’s response to incidents of antisemitism, we are conducting virtual focus groups with secondary students (Grade 9-12) in February. Information gathered through this research will help us to evaluate the effectiveness of current policies and tools in addressing incidents of antisemitism within HDSB schools.

Participation in the focus groups is voluntary. The focus area of these sessions was chosen based on community voice/feedback and identified needs of the HDSB.

Students who are interested in participating can complete the Registration Form by Friday, Jan. 31 by 4 p.m. Students will need to log in to their HDSB account to complete the Google Form. Students can choose one of two available sessions based on their preferred date:

These sessions will be facilitated by HDSB staff in the Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion Department, staff from the Research Department and community partners. Students requiring support will be connected with their school social worker and community organizations. 

When registering, students will be asked to provide an HDSB email account. Students will be emailed a link to a Google Meet for their selected focus group 24 hours before the session. 

The information gathered through these focus groups will help us fulfill our commitments to Human Rights, Equity, and Inclusion, Mental Health and Well-Being and Kindness, Connection and Community, as outlined in the 2024-2028 Multi-Year Strategic Plan. The insights provided will be instrumental as we evaluate the effectiveness of current tools and strategies and identify areas for improvement to create safe and caring learning spaces for all. The information gathered will be compiled into a series of reports that will be shared beginning in the Spring through June 2025.

If you have any questions about these sessions, please contact the Research & Accessibility Department at research@hdsb.ca. Thank you for your continued partnership in helping us create safe and welcoming schools where every student feels a genuine sense of belonging.

2025 Parent Involvement Committee Conference - Register Now

Parents/guardians and community members are invited to attend the annual PIC Conference on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2024 from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at Elsie MacGill Secondary School (1410 Bronte St S, Milton). The theme of this year’s conference is Getting Connected. View this video to learn more about the 2025 PIC Conference. 

Registration is free and can be completed through the HDSB 2025 PIC Conference Registration form by Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. 

Morning refreshments and lunch will be provided. Transportation may be available for attendees who require it within Halton and will be confirmed by email one week before the conference. 

For more information, please visit the PIC Conference webpage on the HDSB website (hdsb.ca).

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 as of right now, 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. 

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:

Click here for further information.

Links to Mental Health Resources

Here & Queer is the raddest space for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth agesd 13-17 to build those friendships and master those social skills that keep them soaring! Brace yourself for a warm and welcoming community, where you can have fun, learn social skills, and feel safe to be you. February 4 - March 25 on Tuesdays from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in Oakville.

Activities and crafts designed to increase feelings of self worth, self-compation, self-confidence, and much more! Join us for this 6 week, 2 hour long group on Wednesday evenings in Milton. For more information contact ROCK's ASN @289-266-0036.

School Calendar & Sports Schedule

Families can use the link below to find details on game days/times for our various athletic teams throughout the year.

Important Dates for Your Calendar

Upcoming Key Dates

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

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

If you have any questions or suggestions for improving the school, our door is always open. Please feel free to contact our admin team by email.

Please remember that our work hours may not be your work hours. As a result, responses to emails sent outside our standard hours may not be immediate. We appreciate your understanding. Thank you.

Luisa Botelho, Robin Toffolo, Joanna Anderson, Sahar Monzavi-Bacon

Garth Webb S.S. Admin Team