Principal's Message

Hello Everyone:

As we wrap up our first week of classes, filled with community-building activities and assessments to gauge what students know and want to learn, I wanted to share some information about Garth Webb.

Our school is designed with a "walk to school" model, meaning many of our students live within walking distance. This proximity also means that our neighbours’ homes, especially their backyards, are close to the routes students use daily. We kindly ask you to discuss with your student the importance of being a good neighbour. 

This includes:

• Respecting others' privacy and property

• Avoiding littering and pick up any trash you come across

• Offering help if someone appears to be hurt

• Being mindful of language and noise levels

• Being attentive to speed limits and traffic signals as a student driver

• Maintaining the cleanliness of trails and parks by avoiding littering

• Reporting vandalism

• Showing respect on public transit while riding the town bus to and from school.

By taking these simple actions, we can all contribute to maintaining a harmonious and respectful community.

Luisa Botelho

Student Engagement Fees

Each year in September, we ask families to purchase the Student Engagement Fee option through their School Cash Online account. Garth Webb is an active and inclusive place to learn. The Student Engagement Fees generate start up and operating funds for student run clubs including but not limited to environment issues, global issues, student newspaper, philanthropy, wellness council, etc. The fees also supplement the cost of school wide spirit events, LINK Crew transition, leadership training, motivational speakers, and student recognition awards and events. In addition, student engagement fees fund Student Council events such as assemblies and anti-bullying initiatives. 

In September alone, the fees will go towards supporting our Grade 9 Welcome BBQ, our Link Crew activities, our Terry Fox Colour Run, and our whole school assemblies. We will have many more activities and events throughout the year that the money collected through these fees will support. 

Our school fee is $30 per student and although it is optional to purchase, we greatly appreciate and depend on the support from our families. We remain aware of the social economic constraints in our present day lives and are working hard to keep these fees low. Please visit School Cash Online today to pay the Student Engagement Fees. Thank you so much for your support in advance!

CP Day This Wednesday

This Wednesday, September 18 is our first Collaborative Planning day (“CP” day) of the 2024-2025 school year. CP Days are for staff and will happen 4 times each semester. On Wednesday, students will start school one hour later at 9:30 am, our periods will be shortened slightly, and lunch time is from 11:40 am—12:40 pm.

The CP schedule and dates are on our website here and in the school calendar for your reference. Please put these dates into your calendar.

Grade 9 Program Night

On Thursday, September 19, 2024, grade 9 families are invited to attend our Grade 9 Program Night from 6:30 - 8:20 pm. This is a chance for you to meet the school administration, school support staff - guidance counselors, and student success teachers, and most importantly your student's first semester teachers.

Students are encouraged to attend with their parents. The evening will start at 6:30 pm in the gym all together and then families will rotate between their student's 4 classes (be sure to have your student's timetable handy so you know where to go).

We will send an email to grade 9 families with further details this week.

Start Up Forms

All students were sent home with the Secondary Intramural Acknowledgement of Elements of Risk, Consent to Participate, and Medical Information Form this past week. Those forms need to be returned to homeroom teachers ASAP. ALL students must have a completed form (whether or not they will be participating in intramurals). For students who have a spare or online class in period 1, they will need to collect a blank form from the main office and hand in their completed forms to the main office ASAP. 

We will be sending the final piece of our start up package to families tomorrow. We will send the verification forms out to our families with instructions on how to inform us of any necessary updates.

Please be sure that your student has returned the paper form that was sent home last week and that you have completed the online forms linked here.

We need completed forms for ALL STUDENTS. Thank you.

GWSS Spirit Wear & 

Class of 2025 Grad Wear

This is the last week to purchase spirit wear and Class of 2025 grad wear ready to be purchased. Please place orders directly through this website. The online store will close September 23 and orders will arrive at the school approximately 6 weeks after that.

If you need financial support to order spirit wear or grad wear for your student, please reach out to our Principal (Luisa Botelho) directly to work together.

2SLGBTQIA+ Parent/Guardian Advocacy and Support Group

Our 2SLGBTQIA+ Parent/Guardian Advocacy and Support Group is for parents and guardians of children who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ and/or parents/guardians who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ themselves. Our group meets most months on the first Thursday of the month. Our first meeting will be on Thursday, October 3 and will be in person at Garth Webb in the Library from 7 - 8:30 pm. Following monthly meetings will be online. Kerri Lee is the GW staff member who will be hosting this group. Ian Duncan is our staff advisor and our admin supporter is Luisa Botelho.

The goal of the group is to provide a safe space to share resources, expand our education, learn how to better advocate for and support our children, and to share our challenges and victories. We invite friends and allies who want to learn more about supporting and affirming the identities of 2SLGBTQIA+ members of our community. 

We will work together to advocate for all students who experience social and systemic discrimination based on their 2SLGBTQIA+ identity. We have a zero tolerance policy for harmful language and discrimination within our group. All members of the group are expected to follow and uphold the HDSB Code of Conduct at all times.

If you would like to join our group or would like more information about the group, please email Kerri Lee at leeke@hdsb.ca. If you are planning to attend our first meeting on Thursday, October 3, please RSVP here.

GWS School Council 2024-2025

Our School Council will meet this Monday, September 16 at 6 pm in the Garth Webb library.  This will be the final meeting for the 2023-2024 council and the first meeting of the 2024-2025 council. 

If you self nominated for the new school council, you must be in attendance at the meeting on Monday, September 16 in order to be acclaimed as a voting member for the 2024-2025 school year. All parents/guardians are welcome to attend school council meetings anytime.

Support Co-op Opportunities at Garth Webb!

Looking to Make a Difference for Students?

We need YOUR help to provide valuable Co-op experiences for our students!

Do you or someone you know:

• Own a business or work in a trade? 

• Have an opportunity to host a motivated high school student?

• Want to contribute to the development of future professionals?

• Work at a company that invests in experiential learning?

Why Host a Co-op Student?

• Mentorship: Guide and inspire the next generation.

• Skill Development: Help students gain real-world experience.

• Community Impact: Strengthen our local workforce and community ties.

What We’re Looking For:

• Businesses & Trade Professionals: Share your expertise and inspire high school students.

• Opportunities to Host: Provide hands-on  work experience and mentorship.

• Commitment to Growth: Help shape the future by contributing to students’ professional development.

We Especially Need Trade Opportunities!

However, all industries and professions are needed.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Contact us:

• anjosc@hdsb.ca – Christina Anjos

• everettk@hdsb.ca – Kerri Everett

Garth Webb Music

Attention musicians and musicians-to-be! Did you know that Garth Webb has a boat-load of music ensembles that you can join? There are junior and senior concert bands, jazz band, and two choirs. Stay tuned to the morning announcements for more details or check out our ensemble information posted on the music room door, room ten fifty-one. 

Student Senate Opportunity

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN A LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY? 

DO YOU WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

DO YOU HAVE LOTS OF IDEAS TO PROMOTE SOCIAL CHANGE?

Then apply to be considered for the position of Student Senator for Garth Webb Secondary School.

The position of Student Senator is one that requires hard work, dedication to your community, and commitment to attend a couple of meetings per month.

For more details, please access the Google Form or check out our social media! 

The application is due Monday, September 23, 2024. 

You can also check out the HDSB Student Senate Website for more information.

Also, our HDSB Student Trustees have created a support document following their presentation at the Leadership Conference taking a more in depth look at their goals for the 2024-2025 school year: Student Trustees Presentation at the Leadership Conference. 

From Your Student Services Department

HDSB Post Secondary Exploration Central Events Ontario

HDSB Post Secondary Exploration Central Events - 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.  A system messenger to 11-12+ families will go out in the fall about this event with registration details.

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

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 15th, 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

Google Classroom

Please join the appropriate classroom for your Grade to stay up to date with information from Student Services:

Grade 9 Code: oerdcjf

Grade 10 Code: euk4ho6

Grade 11 Code: bix3yen

Grade 12 Code: krgiixa

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:

Walk to the Lighthouse - For Mental Health and Addictions - Sunday, September 22, 2024

The Walk to the Lighthouse is sponsored by Equilibrium Burlington in support of the Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation to raise funds for infrastructure and support for patients, families, and caregivers through Joseph Brant Hospital's in-patient and outpatient Mental Health & Addiction (MH&A) services. Click here for information about volunteer opportunities.

Food Bank Volunteers Needed

St. Luke's Palermo is looking for volunteers for their food bank on Thursdays from 3:45 - 5:45 to help set up, distribute food, and clean up. 

See the poster for more details. To register to volunteer, please email: community1@stlukepalermo.ca.

Free Math Tutoring

 Attention all semester 1 math students! TVO Mathify offers FREE 1:1 online Grade 4-12 math tutoring to students enrolled in Ontario’s public schools. The math tutors are Ontario-certified teachers who use interactive whiteboards, voice, and text chat to help with your specific math questions. You can even take a picture of your math question and upload it to the whiteboard to work on with your tutor. For more information and to register please read below:

Website: https://www.tvomathify.com/students

Grades: 4 to 12

Subject: Mathematics

Courses:   All secondary math courses are supported

Tutors Available: Monday to Friday from 9 am to 9 pm; Saturday & Sunday from 3 pm to 9 pm

How do you register? To register use the link above. You will need your OEN number (found on any report card)

Questions?   Please email Ms. Carmichael (carmichaeld@hdsb.ca)

Volunteer Annual Offence Declaration Reminder

For any parents/guardians who have a volunteer package on file at GW, please remember to complete and submit to the main office the annual offence declaration to keep your paperwork current.

If you have not completed a volunteer package and would like to volunteer in some capacity, please visit this page on our website for information.

Oakville Transit

With a new school year in full swing, Oakville Transit would like to update and remind students of the services they could benefit from:

• Ride free with PRESTO: Youth ages 13 to 19 are eligible for free transit service by traveling with a PRESTO card. PRESTO cards are available at all Shoppers Drug Mart locations in Oakville, or students may choose to download a virtual PRESTO card from the Android and iOS app stores. Youth who do not have a valid PRESTO card will be asked to pay the fare rate of $4.

• School Special Routes: Oakville Transit has adjusted service to accommodate the increase in youth ridership. This includes additional school specials at the end of the school day as well as some additional specials during the lunch hour. September school special schedules are available on the Oakville Transit website. 

• Safety Reminders: Riders are reminded to treat Oakville Transit staff and fellow customers with respect and courtesy. To ensure the safety of all, Oakville Transit will be removing any riders who act in an inappropriate, disrespectful, or unsafe manner.

Stay Connected: Riders are encouraged to follow Oakville Transit on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) for ongoing service updates. For service questions, contact Oakville Transit customer service at 905-815-2020 or email transit@oakville.ca. 

Walk to the Lighthouse - For Mental Health and Addictions

Sunday, September 22, 2024

The Walk to the Lighthouse is sponsored by Equilibrium Burlington in support of the Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation to raise funds for infrastructure and support for patients, families, and caregivers through Joseph Brant Hospital's in-patient and outpatient Mental Health & Addiction (MH&A) services.

​WALK WITH US: Assemble your team or walk with a partner to walk toward providing enhanced mental health & addictions programs in our community. The walk takes place on Sunday September 22, 2024.

One Stop Talk 

Consider sharing in home connections. OneStopTalk One Stop Talk offers children and youth (aged 0-17) anywhere in Ontario immediate access to free mental health support. The program provides single session counseling support and ensures direct referral to additional local services when needed. Services are provided through an integrated network of infant, child and youth mental health agencies across Ontario. 

OneStopTalk has videos that can be viewed for your awareness which are available in English and French. 

Cybertip.ca has received over 800 reports of severe harm involving 13-17-year-olds on Discord in the past year. Reports of violence on Discord have increased by 284% over the past two years compared to the previous period. The severity of the online violence reported is particularly alarming.  Please click here for the Cybertip Alert issued last June.

For more information and resources you can share with students and families, visit:

• Canadian Centre for Child Protection

• HDSB AST Website 

• HDSB Technology and You Website

• HDSB Cyber Security Website

• OPC Cyber Safety Parent Tip Sheet

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

Sep 18 CP Day (late start @9:30 am)

Sep 19 Grade 9 Program Evening

Oct 1 Tuesdays@Ten

Oct 10 5th Week Progress Reports Emailed

Oct 11 Professional Activity Day – No Classes

Oct 14 Thanksgiving Day – No Classes

Oct 15 Photo Retake Day

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