Principal's Message

Hello Everyone:

Garth Webb Secondary School is a vibrant school brimming with activities for our students. Our dedicated teachers invest significant time in organizing experiential learning opportunities that often take place outside the classroom. This approach enhances the educational experience for everyone involved.

Why Experiential Learning?

• Halton has a district-wide, long-term focus on engaging students to motivate learning, based on Creating Pathways to Success;

• Experiential learning promotes learning transfer through connections between (and within) curriculum and the real world, and helps students understand themselves and their opportunities.

What is Experiential Learning?

Experiential learning is an approach to student learning that provides students with opportunities to participate actively in experiences that are somehow (even in a limited way) connected to a community beyond the classroom/curriculum (e.g., in other programs, locally, nationally, or globally); reflect on those experiences to derive meaning from them; and apply their learning to their decisions and actions in various aspects of their lives.

Three Aspects of Experiential Learning:

Participate (the What): the student actively participates in a meaningful activity that supports their learning;

Reflect (the So What?): the student derives meaning from their experience;

Apply (the Now What?): the student considers next steps, choices and goals that are a product of their learning;

For today I will share two examples of what our students have participated in. One is the Grade 11 Environment Science Class going on a Field trip to MacMaster University, and the other one is our Grade 11 “English: Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Voices”.

“Experience plus reflection equals learning.” - John Dewey

Source: adapted from Rolfe, Freshwater, & Jasper 2001

Luisa Botelho

March Break 2025 International Trip

Attention Garth Webb!  We have a special and unique opportunity to visit the European battlefields of WWI and WWII, where brave Canadians helped shape our nation.

During March Break 2025, we will be traveling to France with 40 students, to visit the Juno Beach Centre, various battlefields, cemeteries, and Paris. Students who are interested, should see Mr. Anderson in the Physical Education office to sign up and get a registration form link.

We have a short timeline and limited spots available. Let’s take advantage of this great opportunity Chargers!

Math & Science Peer Tutoring

Attention all GWSS Math and Science students!

Do you need some extra help in math or science this semester?  Come drop into the Math/Science lunchtime help clinic. This year, we have our amazing senior peer tutors in the help room offering help to other students on a variety of math and science courses.  See course list below!

When:  Every day at lunch

Where: Room 3021 (corner room on 3rd floor)

What:  Come in and receive small group tutoring and extra help for your math or science classes.  See list below of what courses senior peer tutors can help you with.

Some frequently asked questions:

Who will help me?  Every day, we have over 10 senior peer tutors and a teacher in the room at lunch to help you!  We can help with any course in math or science. See courses below.

When should I come into the clinic?  As soon as a concept get confusing, or you have a question from homework that you want to ask, or you missed a day of class and need a quick overview of the concept, or you need help with review before an evaluation… come into the help clinic and work with a peer tutor!

Where can I find out what peer tutors help each day?  Come to the clinic and check the tutor schedule on the door.  If you find a tutor you like, keep coming in on that day!

What if I want a 1-to-1 tutor instead of the drop in small group experience?  Ask your math or science teacher, and they will contact Ms. Carmichael and/or Ms. Kaushal.  Then, they will arrange for you to have a private peer tutor - for free!  You will have to make a weekly commitment to attend.

Peer Tutors can offer extra help on the following courses EVERY DAY at lunch:

• Grade 9 Math (MTH1W)

• Grade 10 Math (MPM2D and MFM2P)

• Grade 11 Math (MCR3U, MCF3M, MBF3C)

• Grade 12 Math (MHF4U, MCV4U (Tuesdays only), MDM4U (Tuesdays and Wednesdays only)

• Grade 9 Science (SNC1W)

• Grade 10 Science (SNC2D and SNC2P)

• Grade 11 Physics (SPH3U)

• Grade 11 Chemistry (SCH3U)

• Grade 11 Biology (SBI3U)

If you have any questions please contact Ms. Carmichael (carmichaeld@hdsb.ca) or Ms. Kaushal (kaushalr@hdsb.ca). 

Order Your Yearbook Today

The 2024-2025 yearbooks are now available to order on School Cash Online only. We do not order extra copies so you must order online before the deadline to be able to get a copy of the yearbook. Order early to avoid disappointment!

Don't miss out on ordering this fantastic keepsake!

From Your Student Services Department

Tuesdays @Ten

This past Tuesday, Student Services hosted our monthly virtual community engagement session. Our October presentation was geared to the Grade 12 community as we reviewed the post secondary application process.  

If you weren’t able to attend, please access the recording and slide deck.

Grade 12 Post Secondary Presentation

Student Services will be presenting to all Grade 12 classes next week during period 2 (Wednesday and Thursday).  We will be discussing the post secondary application process and answering any questions students may have.  After the presentation, we will be sharing the materials to all students and families.  

If your student has a spare or online class during period 2, please ask them to join us in the caf on one of the two presentation days.

Ontario College Fair

The Ontario College Fair (OCF) is the largest college information event in Ontario.  Attending OCF provides a unique opportunity to explore various post-secondary institutions and their programs all in one place. It's a chance to meet representatives, ask questions, and gather information that can help make informed decisions about your education and future career.

OCF will be held at the Enercare Centre on Wednesday, October 16 from 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. and Thursday, October 17 from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

For more information please visit ontariocollegefair.ca.

HDSB Post Secondary Exploration Central Events Ontario - Save the Dates

Grades 9-12+:    Tuesday, October 15, 2024 | 6-9 pm

US Schools and Admissions Fair @ Iroquois Ridge High School

*please note that caregivers should register using the link provided, not students

Grades 11-12+:  Wednesday, October 23 and Thursday, October 24 | 5:00 - 8:30 pm

HDSB Post-Secondary Pathways Event @ Sheridan College (Trafalgar Campus)

*families will register to attend one 90 minute block on one of the two nights; capacity will be limited.

Ontario Universities' Fair (OUF)

• October 5-6, 2024, from 9:30 am to 5 pm, daily

• Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building

• Gathers Ontario's universities in 1 place

• Once-a-year, free event where attendees can talk directly with university representatives

• Learn more about the event here

Ontario Universities’ Regional Fairs

We are excited to share the schedule for the fall 2024 Ontario Universities' Regional Fairs.

Events will run from September 16 to October 18. The full schedule is available on the Ontario Universities' Events website. Information for individual events will be updated as it becomes available.

What are the Regional Fairs?

Regional Fairs travel across Ontario in the fall. During these events, university representatives connect directly with hundreds of students and their supporters. Events are held at local high schools, universities and community venues. Each event is typically 1-3 hours long, and each university has an exhibit table staffed by 1-2 university representatives.

Sign Up

Students can register for the event by signing up for an OUEvents Pass. Students will be able to sign up for events later this summer.

Questions?

If you have any questions or would like more information about this year's Regional Fairs, please email: ouevents@ouac.on.ca.

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.  More information will be shared with the Graduating Class of 2025 during the post secondary application presentation (will take place early Oct)

Deadlines:

Loran Scholarship - Oct 15, 2024 

Queen's - Deadline typically early December

Lester B. Pearson (International Student Scholarshio) - School Nomination Oct.11 

Schulich - School Nomination Jan. 30

Western National - TBD but usually mid-February

HDSB Scholarship Page

Oakville Youth Council Opportunity

MPP Crawford is launching the Oakville Youth Council (OYC) for 2024-2025, a dynamic initiative that will give high school students a platform to voice their concerns, explore issues important to youth, and work collaboratively on a project that will be presented to MPP Crawford in June 2025.

The council will meet once a month at MPP Crawford’s Oakville constituency office and focus on areas relevant to youth in our community, such as education, economy, mental health, climate change, or civic engagement. Students will have the opportunity to enhance their leadership skills, network with peers, and make a tangible impact in Oakville.

We are asking for your help in identifying motivated and passionate students who would like to participate in this initiative. Interested students can apply by filling out the application form linked below. Upon submission, applicants will be invited for a short interview, and a final group of participants will be selected.

Application Form

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:

Do you want to volunteer at your previous elementary school or enjoy working with students?

Become a volunteer at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada and start exploring in-school programs:

• Adventure Canada Connections 

Adventure Canada Connections (ACC) is a group mentoring program for newcomer youth that are elementary-aged. The program offers a role model, mentor and a friend to newcomer youth, helping with their adjustment to Canada.

•  Exploring our Roots

Exploring Our Roots provides racialized youth a space to discuss personal identity while learning to celebrate and embrace their own culture, uniqueness and diversity, as well as developing respect and acceptance for others. 

Commitment Length:

1-1.5 hours a week after school

To become a volunteer click here.

HDSB Concussion Protocol

Concussions and Returning to Learning 

When a student is diagnosed with a concussion, whether it happened during school or outside of school, the HDSB has a process to follow to ensure that the student returns to learning safely. There are two documents that must be completed by the parent/guardian (if the student is under 18 years of age) and by a medical practitioner. The two documents are as follows: 

Appendix B - Home and School Concussion Management Plan - Part B

Appendix C - Concussion Medical Clearance

Please note that Appendix B is an ongoing process, therefore you should only fill out what you can at each stage of the process. It outlines steps to follow during recovery, ensuring that students can manage their symptoms while gradually getting back to their studies. This is important because it helps prevent further injury and allows students to adjust their schoolwork based on how they feel. By following this guide, school staff, parents/guardians, and healthcare professionals can work together to support the student, making sure they have the right accommodations as they recover. 

As you complete this paperwork, please sign it and return it to the school (either by email or in-person in the main office). For more information about concussion prevention, identification, and management, please review this page on the HDSB’s website.

Coyote Safety

The Town of Oakville is sharing information about coyotes as the winter mating season nears and has provided a Fact Sheet for awareness. Oakville is experiencing an increase in the number of sightings and encounters with coyotes. Coyotes are common in wooded areas and in ravines in urban areas. They are typically shy animals who are looking for food or garbage. Coyotes intentionally fed by people will lose their fear of humans and may develop aggressive behaviour.To learn more, visit the Town’s Coyotes page. 

Tips include:

• People should never feed wildlife. It’s one of the main reasons conflict arises between people and animals.  

• All garbage including organic waste should be placed in receptacles with lids. 

• If you see a coyote, keep your distance and the animal will most likely avoid you.

• Never approach or touch a coyote.

• Do not turn your back on, or run from, a coyote. 

• Back away from the coyote while remaining calm.

• Stand tall, wave your hands and make lots of noise. 

• Carry a flashlight at night to scare off coyotes.

• If a coyote poses an immediate threat or danger to public safety, call 911. 

Student Passwords are Changing

The HDSB is enhancing security and protection for student HDSB accounts. This process will require all high school students to change their current 4 digit password to a 16 digit passphrase. The purpose of this change is to increase security and protection for students and their personal information. 

GWSS students will be prompted to change their password on Tuesday, October 8th, 2024 when they log into their HDSB account.

We would ask that all families refer to the following resources to assist their student in creating a 16 digit passphrase.

 Please note that students at GWSS will not be able to change their password before the October 8 date.

5th Week Reports

On October 10, 5th Week Progress Reports for each course will be emailed to the parent or guardian of students at Garth Webb Secondary School. Every Grade 9 student will receive an email for each of their semestered courses. For students in Grades 10-12, 5th Week Progress Reports will be issued for any course in which, in the teacher’s professional judgment, the student’s performance and achievement requires careful attention at this early point in the semester. The 5th week report will be in the form of emails to the parents/guardians and will not have a mark assigned.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to your student’s teacher to ensure steps are in place to support your student’s success at school.

Parent/Teacher Interviews

On Thursday, October 17 you are invited to attend our Semester 1 Parent/Guardian Teacher Interview Night (Open House Format). This is in follow up to our 5th Week Report timeline. Parents/guardians will have an opportunity to connect informally with teachers and to discuss your student’s overall learning skills and coursework to date.

Meet and Greet:  5:30 – 7:30 p.m.  Staff members will be available to meet parents/guardians around the school with location details to follow closer to the date. Details will also be provided in the main foyer just inside the main doors. Due to the tremendous turnout of GWSS parents, we have asked staff to keep discussions to a maximum of  5 minutes  in order to meet as many parents as possible. If you require a more detailed interview with a staff member, please contact the teacher directly through email to set a mutually convenient date and time.

Parents/guardians who are unable to attend this evening are encouraged to make personal contact with specific staff members to arrange a mutually convenient time to connect (in person or via email) in order to review your student’s performance over the first 5 weeks of school. By the same token, as the evening will conclude promptly at 7:30 p.m., if you encounter a problem connecting with a specific teacher at the open house, please do not hesitate to contact the teacher by email to set up a mutually convenient date and time to discuss your student's progress.

PLEASE NOTE: Guidance Counsellors, Special Education Teachers, our Youth Settlement Worker, and our Student Success Teacher will be available in the Student Services area adjacent to the Main Office. Remember to get the names of your student's teachers from them ahead of time. 

We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, October 17!

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:

1. Review your child’s online record by visiting halton.ca/immunize. 

2. Book an immunization appointment with your health care provider if your child has missed any vaccines, or visit halton.ca/immunize to schedule an appointment at a Public Health Community Immunization Clinic (available throughout summer 2024).

3. Report vaccines to Public Health. Parents/guardians are responsible to report every vaccine their child receives to Public Health, because health care providers do not report immunizations they provide. Report vaccines by visiting halton.ca/immunize.  

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

Social Work Support at GW

HDSB Social Workers work with students, families, and school communities to promote student well-being, mental health, and academic success. 

Garth Webb S.S. has two social workers who support our students: Nidhi Bedi and Nicole Dass. Students can self refer by emailing our Social Workers anytime. Please see the flyer for more information on services provided or visit the Social Work webpage.

HDSB Mental Health Resources

On the HDSB Parent/Guardian Support for Mental Health we have added these resources on:

Bullying, Cyberbullying:

• Strategies for Parents when your child is being bullied (Prevnet)

• Parenting in a Digital Age: Understanding Kids and Technology (Prevnet)

• What parents can do about Cyberbullying (Prevnet)

• Bullying – We can all help stop it

• Canadian Centre for Child Protection - Parenting Tweens and Teens in the Digital World

• Halton Regional Police Services: Cyber Safety

• Cyber Safety Parent Tip Sheet (Ontario Principals Council) available in 20 languages.

• Family Online Safety Agreement

• Healthy Relationships: Navigating Cyber Violence and Cyber Bullying

 These resources on Learning and Thinking Differences; Neurodivergence

• Understood.org resources for people with learning and thinking differences (ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Language Disorders, Writing Expressing Disorders)

•  Enhancing and Practicing Executive Functioning Skills with Children from Infancy to Adolescence (Harvard University) 

And these resources on Technology, Social Media 

• Unplug-from-Technology-and-Connect-Keeping-Families-Strong-in-a-Wired-World

• Helping Your Child Manage Digital Technology (School Mental Health Ontario) 

• Screen time and digital media: Advice for parents of school-aged children and teens

• Social media: What parents should know

• The Parent Network: Social Media and Your Kids Workshop

• A digital well-being resources from Teens to Parents 

• How to help your child set healthy screen time limits

• Tips for Healthy Screen Use

• Social Media and Mental Health

• Addictions and Problematic Internet Use 

• Social Media and Mental Health

• Social Media Use and Mental Health Among Students in Ontario

• Youth, family and interactive technology

• Social Media Impact On Teens: Substance Abuse & Mental Health

Upcoming Key Dates

Oct 10 5th Week Progress Reports Emailed

Oct 11 Professional Activity Day – No Classes

Oct 14 Thanksgiving Day – School Closed

Oct 15 Photo Retake Day

Oct 16 CP Day (late start @9:30 am)

Oct 17 Parent/Guardian/Teacher Interview Open House - 5:30 pm

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 5 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