Principal's Message

Topic: A Spring Break from Social Media – A Chance to Reconnect and Recharge 

Dear Students, Families, and Staff:

With spring upon us, it’s a perfect time to take a step back, breathe in the fresh air, and perhaps take a short break from the digital world. Social media is an ever-present part of our daily lives, but it’s worth considering how much time we—students, staff, and parents/guardians alike—spend on screens, often at the expense of our mental well-being and real-life connections.

One article (from CAMH News & Stories) that recently caught my attention shared an impactful realization: "I could be learning a new language, spending time outside, re-igniting my passion for drawing, but instead, I stare at a screen." This sentiment reflects a growing concern about our relationship with social media. The average person spends about five hours each day on their mobile devices, which adds up to 72 days a year! For many, those hours are spent scrolling through Instagram, Snapchat, or other platforms, often leading to feelings of inadequacy or disconnection.

Taking a break from social media—even for just a week—can have profound benefits for our well-being. One individual shared how disconnecting from social media led to improved productivity, more meaningful family time, and a healthier mindset. This 'cleanse' provided them with the opportunity to rediscover the joy of simple things, like enjoying a car ride with a parent or reading a good book before bed.

Research supports these personal experiences, showing that excessive social media use can contribute to anxiety, depression, lower self-esteem, and even disrupted sleep patterns. For our teenagers, especially, the pull of social media can be overwhelming, affecting their sleep and overall development. It’s crucial that we all consider the impact of our digital habits on our mental health and encourage healthy boundaries, particularly at night.

As we move into spring, I encourage our school community—students, staff, and parents/guardians — to consider a short break from social media. Whether it’s for a day, a weekend, or even longer, disconnecting from screens can help us reconnect with what truly matters: our health, our relationships, and our personal growth. When we return to our devices, we can do so with a refreshed sense of balance and self-control.

Let’s embrace this season of renewal by making time for ourselves and each other in the real world. Whether it’s spending time outside, engaging in a hobby, or simply being present with those around us, these are the moments that truly nourish us.

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to promote healthy habits for our students and their families.

Resources:

•  A study done at UCLA

• Youth, smartphones and social media use (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health)

• Social Media and Mental Health (Canadian Mental Health Association)

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:

• National AccessAbility Week - May 25-31

• Ascension of Baha'u'llah - May 27-28

• Ascension Day - May 29

GWS School Council Meeting

Our next School Council meeting is this Monday, May 26 at 6 pm in person in the Garth Webb Library.  All parents/guardians are welcome to attend school council meetings anytime. 

Visit the Garth Webb School Council page here.

Class of 2025 Prom

Last Thursday was the prom for the Garth Webb Class of 2025. It was great to see our Grade 12 students dressed up and ready to enjoy their evening! Thank you to the prom committee for their excellent job decorating the space. It looked beautiful!

A huge thanks to the staff members on the prom committee: Alex Cardona, Jill Hand, Sophie Maras, Jen Patterson, and Laura Pedlar for all of their work throughout the year planning prom. Thank you to all of the students who helped to plan prom and to all of the staff supervisors who were able to join us. 

It was a wonderful evening celebrating and having fun together.

Grade 9 Exam Tips & Tricks

🎓 Grade 9 Exam Tips & Tricks Workshop – Hosted by the Student Senate

As we head into the final stretch of the school year, we know that exam season can feel overwhelming. But don’t worry, you’re not alone!

The Student Senate is excited to present a fun and interactive “Tips & Tricks” workshop designed to help our Grade 9s tackle exams with confidence. These sessions will offer practical advice, study strategies, and time-management hacks to help set students up for success.

📅 Workshop Dates:

June 4 – Focus on Math & Science

June 11 – Focus on Languages & Social Studies

🕚 Time: 11:15 AM – 12:00 PM (During Lunch Period)

📍 Location: Room 2020

We encourage all Grade 9 students to join us and take advantage of this opportunity to prepare, connect, and feel more confident going into their exams. For any questions, please reach out to the Student Senate directly.

Let’s finish strong, Chargers!

Ecuador Trip 2026 Information

Garth Webb Secondary School’s next international trip is a service trip headed to Ecuador during March Break 2026! This will be our school’s fourth service learning trip, and we can’t wait to offer this amazing opportunity for your student to be a part of a movement to learn about and participate in Reforestation and Conservation in Ecuador. Here is a word from a GW student who was instrumental in the planning of this trip:

My name is Vaishnavi, a Grade 11 student at Garth Webb Secondary School. I’ve always believed the best learning happens through real-world experiences. This project began as a way to take education beyond the classroom, this is something that I first discussed with my uncle. I wanted to help students build empathy, global awareness, and leadership. After the isolation of the pandemic, I wanted to create an opportunity for reconnection, growth, and deeper engagement with the world. This experience reflects what we learn in courses like Indigenous Literature and Sociology and aims to inspire students to think critically, act compassionately, and grow into more independent, responsible individuals. 

Trip Overview

Students will spend 11 days discovering Ecuador’s lush highlands and cloud forests through community projects, reforestation efforts, sightseeing, and Amazonian adventure. This experience is more than a field trip. Students will learn about new cultures, languages, foods, and histories, and learn about themselves as they develop new skills that travelling prompts them to gain.Students will earn community service hours by participating in this trip. 

*Note: This trip is designed for next year’s grade 11 and 12 students (current grade 10, 11, or returning 12 students).

Information Meeting

There will be a PARENT INFO MEETING on Wednesday, May 28th at 7:00pm in the school library. If you would like to learn more about the trip, please attend the meeting. We’re asking families to RSVP with this link. If you cannot attend the meeting, please RSVP as “no but send info” to receive updates about the trip and how to enroll.

We can’t wait to help your student have the experience of a lifetime in Ecuador! We hope to see you at our parent info meeting Wednesday, May 28.

Spring Concert Success!

Congratulations to our Garth Webb bands and choirs on an amazing Spring concert! After a semester of hard work in rehearsals, our student musicians put on a fantastic show. Thank you to all the staff who made it happen and to the parents and students in the audience who came out to support!

Festival of Music

Last Tuesday, our choirs and concert bands performed for the adjudicators at Wonderland’s Festival of Music. They got some valuable feedback, and some well-deserved fun at the park.

Class of 2025 Commencement

Date: Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Time: 7:30 -9:30 pm

Location: Sixteen Mile Sports Complex (3070 Neyagawa Blvd, Oakville, ON L6M 4L6)

Entrance: Students will enter through the west entrance on the lower level. Guests will enter through the north entrance (main entrance).

Guests: All guests will check in with staff upon arrival under the student's name. Guest names are on the list and there are no paper tickets needed. All students who asked for an additional ticket (4 guests total) have been informed that they are able to bring their 4th guest.

Gown Packages: Grad gowns and caps will be handed out at school the week before commencement. Students will be informed of the date/time/location via morning announcements and the information will be posted to the Grade 12 google classroom.

Valedictorian

On Tuesday, May 27 in period 1, the Class of 2025 will hear from the Valedictorian Nominees and then vote for who they would like to represent them at this years Commencement.

The nominees for Valedictorian are: 

• Madi Backo-Shannon

• Summer Charles

• Sarthak Dua

• Lia Harper

• Maya Mahmoud

• Daria Meleshko

• Carter Wang

Pre Order Gifts for Commencement

Once again this year, The Commencement Group will be  offering flowers and graduation teddy bears for sale for anyone who would like to purchase them for commencement. The Commencement Company has an online store where you can order your items ahead and pick them up at the commencement ceremony on June 25. They will also have a kiosk set up at commencement on June 25 where families can purchase items on the day of if they choose.

LINK FOR PRE ORDERS

Girls Rugby Champions

The Varsity Girls Rugby team faced off against their Rugby rivals the OT Red Devils in the cold rainy afternoon this past Wednesday. The Chargers took the lead in the first half with a try scored by Dylen Baatjes. That wasn’t the highlight of the first half though. It was a defensive stop by Tessa Jackson to prevent a try by OT near halftime to keep the score 5 to 0. To start the second half, your Chargers attacked ferociously to expand their lead, with a beauty tip pass from Salma Salim to Dylen Baatjes who punched in her second try of the game. Emi Harumoto converted her kick to make the score 12-0. OT scored a try with a conversion a little bit after to make it 12-7, but the grit and heart from these Chargers defensively wouldn’t allow OT to get any closer. Tessa Jackson punctuated the win with a try at the end of the game with an Emi conversion kick, and your Varsity Girls Rugby team became the Tier 1 Champions of Halton!!!  

They will now face St. Francis Xavier on Monday at 3pm for the GHAC Championship, with the winner advancing to OFSAA. This is a home game, Chargers! WE WANT YOU TO BE THERE!

Sr Boys Soccer Playoffs

The team ended their season with a penalty shootout loss to White Oaks on Wednesday last week. The boys fought bravely and weathered a literal storm to tie the game 2-2 before eventually losing in the penalty shootout. Goals were scored by Matteo P. and Ronit B. Thank you team and thank you to our coaches Mr. Klos and Mr. Hodgson for all of their work with the team this year.

Jr Boys Soccer Semi Final Winners

Our Jr. Boys Soccer team has had an amazing season so far! The boys finished their regular season in 4th place in their division, but last week won their quarter-final match against Nelson AND the semi-final match against Blakelock! They're headed to the finals this coming Tuesday, May 27 at 11:15 am at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex. 

We wish them the best of luck as they represent our school and go for the top prize! Go Chargers!

Summer School

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

Grade 11 Class Presentations

This week guidance counsellors visited Grade 11 classes to share information and resources around post secondary pathways. The slide deck shared with Grade 11s was designed to be a starting point for their research.

More detailed information on the application process will be shared in the Fall of 2025.

Tuesdays @Ten

At our Tuesday, May 6 session we talked about summer school. Here is a link to the recording if you missed the session.

Co-op Update

Check out our new website! Follow us on Instagram! @GWSSCoop

Volunteer Club

Volunteer Club dedicates to provide more volunteering opportunities to our students. Our goal is to make the information more accessible for everyone. We post opportunities weekly with all of the information included in our google classroom! If you want to learn more about our club and wish to find more opportunities, please join our google classroom through code: dtpah5l.

 You can also find us on instagram (@gwss.volunteer), LinkedIn (GWSS Volunteer Club), and Twitter (@gwss_volunteer)! If you have any question, feel free to email us at gwssvolunteerclub@gmail.com.

Opportunities for this Week:

Snapology, Oakville -  2025 Summer Camp Volunteer

Join Snapology as a student volunteer this summer and gain valuable experience in both STEM and Education! You will be working with campers ages of 5 to 11 years old and lead activities such as :

• Fun S.T.E.A.M lessons and building activities using LEGO® bricks

• Indoor and Outdoor Active Play

• Arts & Crafts

• Camp Games

Location: St Luke's Palermo Community Centre, 3114 Dundas St W, Oakville ON L6M 4J3

Date: You can select your available weeks and shifts. 

Detailed info & Application form: 

• https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1orS6t4R5a-9QWOvTlsZjjT-YYeOoVIYkUkoVi2xXoTI/viewform?pli=1&pli=1&edit_requested=true

• https://haltonsummercamps.com/oakville#ee94723d-b853-4c3c-ba84-461981820e29

Heritage Glen P.S. Spring Fling Fun Fair

Heritage Glen School Council is hosting their Annual Spring Fling Fun Fair on Thursday, June 12 and we could use your help!  We are looking for a number of volunteers to help out at the event at a variety of different roles including set-up, clean-up, helping run games like giant jenga, corn hole, hatchet throwing and more, helping with food - serving pop, drinks, popcorn, ice cream, and cotton candy and also helping with simple face painting, temporary tattoos, and gems. The best part is that the time spent helping at the Fair will count towards your volunteer hours.  

Please complete the following form if you are interested in helping! If you have any questions, please reach out to kristibilling@gmail.com for more information.

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:

Indigenous Rights and Education: A Shared Responsibility

Monday, May 26 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.

Indigenous Rights and Education: A Shared Responsibility will explore the ways in which the HDSB promotes Indigenous Rights through education for students and staff that advances knowledge of true history, responsibilities and reconciliation, while amplifying Indigenous voices and addressing systemic barriers to support the achievement of Indigenous students. Join us as we discuss our shared responsibility and commitment to Indigenous Rights as outlined in the HDSB’s 2024-2028 Multi-Year Strategic Plan. Joining the session as panelists will be members of the HDSB’s Indigenous Rights and Education Department. 

Staff interested in attending the event are invited to submit a question to the panel before the session through this Google Form.

We look forward to connecting with you at this session. 

Vaping Awareness Info Sessions

The HDSB and Halton Region Public Health are hosting joint information sessions to raise awareness about the impact of vaping on youth and how parents/guardians can support their children. At the information sessions, parents/guardians will gain a better understanding of vaping, including how to spot the risks, recognize the signs, talk to children about vaping and discover tools, strategies and resources to support their child.

Information Session Details:

The sessions, hosted by Halton Region Public Health and school principals/vice-principals, will be held at four secondary schools across Halton. Each session will run from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. The sessions will deliver identical content and parents/guardians are encouraged to register for the session that best fits their schedule:

• Milton: Craig Kielburger Secondary School – Tuesday, May 27

• Halton Hills: Georgetown District High School – Thursday, May 29

• Oakville: Garth Webb Secondary School – Monday, June 2

• Burlington: Nelson High School – Tuesday, June 3

• Virtual: Those who are unable to attend in-person can register for a virtual session on Thursday, May 22 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

To register, complete the registration form on the Vaping and e-cigarettes webpage of the HDSB website (hdsb.ca) by Thursday, May 22.

Homestay Hosts Needed in Halton

Each year, the HDSB’s International Student Program (ISP) welcomes students into schools, and as a result, our programs benefit, our community benefits and local students create lifelong friendships and global connections. Canada Homestay Network (CHN) is currently looking for hosts in Halton for international students joining the HDSB in September. 

Hosting an international student is a unique and rewarding experience. You'll give a young learner a life-changing opportunity while creating lasting memories for your own family. As a host, you provide a private bedroom, three daily meals, access to WiFi and laundry and a welcoming, supportive and safe home. CHN offers full training, 24/7 support and a monthly stipend.

Families who are interested in becoming a homestay host can apply online through the CHN Host Portal: https://hostportal.chnonline.ca/apply 

To learn more, visit whyihost.ca, email hostinfo@canadahomestaynetwork.ca or call 1-877-441-4443.

Upcoming Key Dates

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

Jul 7/8 Diploma Pick Up 9 am - 2 pm