October 27, 2024

WEEK A

Principal's Message

Topic: Being Physically Active & Extracurriculars

Hello Everyone:

Most students attend school each day with the hope of having a positive experience. We strive to achieve, feel a sense of accomplishment, learn, and belong to a community. School’s aim is to equip students with the tools and support necessary for their success. We invest significant time and resources to deliver the curriculum in a meaningful and engaging manner. However, we also prioritize the holistic development of students, focusing on their minds, bodies, and souls. 

Today, I want to emphasize the importance of participating in school extracurricular activities, especially the physical activities we offer at Garth Webb SS. When students engage in these activities, it positively impacts their physical, psychological, and emotional well-being. Involvement fosters a passion for movement, competition, and teamwork—skills that translate into academic success and future endeavors. It's essential to recognize that participating in physical activities goes beyond just competing; it influences our energy levels, outlook, stress management, focus, body image, and more. Prioritizing physical activity is crucial for our overall health and well-being, and it should be an integral part of our lifestyle.

In December 2014, the National Health and Fitness Act was enacted, establishing the first Saturday of June as “National Health and Fitness Day.” This day encourages Canadians to get out and be active in the pursuit of making our country the Fittest Nation on Earth. It’s important to recognize that everyone is motivated differently, and our activity plans can vary greatly. Therefore, it is essential for us adults to keep discussing the significance and benefits of physical activity with our students.

According to the Ontario Ministry of Education “research has shown a connection between increased levels of physical activity and better academic achievement, better concentration, better classroom behaviour, and more focused learning. Other benefits include improvements in mental health and well-being, physical capacity, self-concept, and the ability to cope with stress.” So what? This information highlights the vital role of physical activity in the overall development of students. By recognizing that increased physical activity correlates with improved academic outcomes, concentration, and behavior, we can better understand its importance in a well-rounded education. Encouraging physical activity not only supports academic success but also promotes mental health and resilience, ultimately contributing to healthier, more engaged students who are better equipped to face challenges both in and out of the classroom.

We encourage our students and families to stay active and explore the many ways to do so, including enrolling in Health and Physical Education courses and participating in our extracurricular activities. Below is a list of all the Fall Sports we offer, and we’ll also have a winter and spring sports lineup. Feel free to check them out and reach out for more information and details.

Stay well and stay active!

Sincerely,

Luisa Botelho

Junior Girls Field Hockey Champions

Our girls are the first ever Garth Webb Halton champs for field hockey!!

What an incredible game against Nelson. We were 0-0 after our hour of regular play, and then 0-0 after 15 min of overtime. In a shoot out we won 2-1! Our goalie Rameen Shekhani (grade 9) made some unreal saves, and Mia Zangari (grade 9) and Carrington Reipas (grade 10) scored in our shoot out!

Our hype squad was also on fire, and so nice to see both senior and junior student fans cheering for a junior girls team. 

A big thank you to coaches Ms. Coe and Ms. Kerr! Way to go Chargers!

Fall Spirit Week

Get ready for an unforgettable week filled with cozy vibes, wild fun, and spooky surprises! 

Let’s make this Fall Spirit Week one for the books!

We Scare Hunger Food Drive

Garth Webb’s Youth in Action club is partnering with Oakville’s Haunted House (Solingate Manor) to “scare” hunger out of our community. We will be collecting food items to donate to the Fare Share Foodbank, an organization supporting over 1,000 households in Oakville. Students can bring in items to their Period 1 class until October 30th (if they have a spare or online class they can help out another class or bring it to their second-period class) and the class which collects the most donations will receive a special prize. Boxes and reusable bags are also greatly appreciated, as we can store the food in them. Below is a list of possible food items that Fare Share needs, but anything is greatly appreciated! 

CANNED ITEMS:

DRY GOODS:

OTHER:

Questions? Email the Youth in Action teacher supervisors: Ms. Zinken and Ms. Smallbone.

Cross Country GHAC Update

The cross country team had a great showing at the GHAC Championships this past week. Our girls led the way with Maria-Jose M. and Rainn B. finishing fourth in the novice and junior girls race. The junior girls team of Rainn B., Samantha H., Maja S., Liana M., Mio T., and Serenity L. finished second overall. Maria-Jose and the junior girls team will compete at the OFSAA Championships in Ottawa on November 4.

The novice boys team of Liam K., Zachary M., Leo G., Joseph V., and Geoffrey M., as well as the senior boys team of Henry Z., Peter W., Jacob C., Noah W., Carson B., Jungcheng W., Rickey Y., Rylan H., Eunwoo J., and Faris K., finished fourth overall.

Thank you to Coach Mr. Monahan for all your work with the team! Great job Chargers!!!

Grad Photo Bookings

Attention Grade 12s! Be sure to book your grad photo sitting so you don't miss out on being in the grad composite and in the grad section of the yearbook. Grad photos are happening here at the school from November 11 - December 13.

Click here to book your appointment today!

Creative Writing Club

Do you love to write? Do you find your pen drawn to the page, just itching to get your thoughts out? Would you like to meet other students who also love to write? Then come to Garth Webb"s brand new Creative Writing Club! We meet Mondays at lunch in room 2016. The Google Classroom code is 6cdca2j.

School Council Fundraiser

The Annual Garth Webb School Council Fundraising Campaign is here!

At GWSS, we have an incredible school and a broad range of clubs and groups that make our school community a rich environment for our students.

The Annual GWS School Council Fundraising Campaign, helps to support our students and supplement a series of projects enhancing academics, athletics, the arts, and student engagement and achievement at the school.

With your help, we can do even more this year to have a positive impact on GWSS students. Please consider making a donation to help our students “Charge into the Future!”

The 2024-2025 campaign will run from October 22 to December 3, 2024.

Our goal this year is to raise $15,000 and the recommended donation is $30 per student. A tax receipt will be issued automatically for any donation over $20.

We are asking parents to donate whatever amount they are able to directly to the GWS School Council.

How do the campaign funds get used?

Since launching this annual fundraiser in 2018, GWS School Council has been able to raise over $46,000. These funds have been used for projects such as:

Donations can be made online through this link.

Thank you for your contribution!

 Sincerely,

GWS School Council

HDSB Spotlight on GW

Recently, the HDSB interviewed our leadership class students about their Terry Fox event and fundraiser. The event raised $6000 for cancer research. The students organized a Colour Run with checkpoints related to locations from Terry Fox's journey, as well as races, tug-of-war, and various lawn games. Click here to see the video. Way to go Chargers!

Tuesdays @Ten

Please join us virtually on Tuesday, November 5 for our next parent engagement session. This month’s session is geared towards families of students in Grade 9 and 10. We will be reviewing the various graduation requirements, programs available within the HDSB as well as student support services available at Garth Webb and within the board.

The meeting will be virtual and a link to the meeting will be shared on the Monday prior.

Take Our Kids to Work Day - Nov 6

Take Our Kids to Work Day will proceed this year on Wednesday, November 6, 2024.  Grade 9 students will be invited to participate in an observational one-day job shadowing experience at the workplace of a family member, friend, or other trusted adult.  Please read this family message for more information on the event.

We are asking that all permission forms be returned to their homeroom teacher (Period 1 Week A) prior to Thursday, October 31.

If your student needs help with finding a placement, please contact Mrs. Andrea Brock (brocka@hdsb.ca).

Grade 12 - Post Secondary Applications and Graduation Requirements

This past week, Student Services met with all Grade 12 classes.  As a follow up to the presentation, we wanted to share the information below with students and their families. 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.

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

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:

Queen's - Deadline typically early December

Schulich - School Nomination Jan. 30

Western National - TBD but usually mid-February

HDSB Scholarship Page

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:

Become a volunteer at Oakville Historical Society!

You can join us for fun, educational activities, learn more about Oakville's history and heritage, and support our fundraising events. 

Volunteer sign up form: https://www.oakvillehistory.org/support/volunteer 

Activities and Events @ Oakville Historical Society: https://www.oakvillehistory.org/activities 

Important Information

A Future that Fits 

Grade 10 Presentation

A Future That Fits is a mandatory period 1 grade 10 virtual event and will take place at GWSS on Tuesday, October 29. The purpose of this event is for grade 10s to explore SHSM, OYAP, and dual credit programs in their region. It will be hosted through afuturethatfits.ca and program leads will be virtually presenting about their focussed programs. Grade 10s will be able to choose 3 presentations they want to attend virtually.

All classes will remain in their period 1 classrooms and will be supervised by their period 1 teachers. Students will need technology and headphones to participate in virtual sessions using a device. Students should plan to bring these items to school that day as we will have a limited number of devices available for students to use.

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.

HDSB High School Information Nights

Discover the exciting opportunities available for incoming high school students! Throughout November, the HDSB will host High School Information Nights to share insights into academic courses, extracurricular activities and pathways to post-secondary education. Join us to explore what each school offers and how we support student success during this key transition. Learn more here. 

An Important Message from Halton Region Public Health

Translated into the following languages: 

اَلْعَرَبِيَّةُ (Arabic)     Français (French)     हिंदी (Hindi)     ਪੰਜਾਬੀ (Punjabi)     中文 (Simplified Chinese)      

Español (Spanish)     اردو (Urdu) 


Students in Grade 9 to 12 for the upcoming school year must have up to date immunization records on file with Halton Region Public Health. This letter explains how to report your immunizations to Public Health if you have not done so already.

In Halton Region, many students do not have updated immunization records, either because they missed receiving routine vaccines, or because parents/guardians have not reported their children’s immunizations to Public Health.

In Ontario, the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) requires that children who attend school be immunized against nine diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, meningitis (meningococcal disease), whooping cough (pertussis), and chickenpox* (varicella - *immunization required for children born in 2010 or later).

For the 2024-2025 school year, Halton Region Public Health will review the immunization records of all Halton secondary students. Parents/guardians will be notified if their child’s record is not up-to-date. As directed by the ISPA, students may be suspended from school if their immunization records are not updated by October 2024. If your child is unable to be immunized for medical reasons, or if you choose not to immunize your child, you must submit vaccine exemption documentation to Halton Region Public Health. For more details about this process, please visit halton.ca/immunize.

Immunizations required for school attendance are free, safe, and effective.

Halton Region Public Health is asking parents/guardians of all students born in 2007 to 2010 (Grades 9 to 12 in the upcoming school year) to complete the following steps:

To learn more about immunizations (including translated resources) visit ontario.ca/vaccines; or download A Parent's Guide to Vaccination at canada.ca/vaccines.


*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.

Links to Mental Health Resources

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

Oct 29 A Future that fits (grade 10 period 1 - Virtual)

Nov 11 - Dec 13 Grad Photos

Nov 5 Tuesdays @Ten

Nov 6 Grade 9 Take Our Kids to Work Day

Nov 7 First Day of Semester 1, Term 2

Nov 13 CP Day (late start @9:30 am)

Nov 13 OUAC/OCAS upload at 8 am

Nov 14 Grade 8 Family Evening – 6:30 pm

Nov 15 Semester 1 Mid-Semester Reports Distribution

Nov 22 Full Disclosure date for Grade 11 & 12 students

Nov 29 Professional Activity Day – No Classes

Dec 3 HDSB Pathways - 4 - 10 pm (@IRHS)

Dec 3 Tuesdays @Ten

Dec 4 Club Photo Day for Yearbook @lunch

Dec 11 CP Day (late start @9:30 am)

Dec 12 15th Week in Danger Reports Emailed

Dec 20 Last Day of Classes in 2024 (early dismissal at 1:15 pm)

Dec 23 - Jan 3 Winter Break

Jan 6 First Day of Classes After Holiday

Jan 7 Tuesdays @Ten

Jan 22 Last Day of Classes for Semester 1

Jan 23 - 29 Semester 1 Exams

Jan 30 Exam Review Day

Jan 31 Professional Activity Day – No Classes

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, Nancy Annibale, Sahar Monzavi-Bacon

Garth Webb S.S. Admin Team