Principal's Message

Hello Everyone:

I hope you've had a wonderful week and found some time to enjoy the beautiful weather! 

At Garth Webb Secondary School, like all schools in the HDSB, we are committed to supporting high-quality learning and student well-being. At GWSS, we ensure that each student has the opportunity to learn in ways that best align with their unique strengths and needs. Our staff are dedicated to helping every student thrive both academically and personally, with the ability to choose courses and programs that match their skills, interests, and future goals.

To provide the best learning experiences, we continually improve our facilities. Last school year, Principal Pece approved three major projects: a new Foods room, a Design & Innovation lab, and a Technology and the Skilled Trades room. Today, you'll find brief descriptions of the Foods and Design & Innovation Lab classrooms, written by our teachers.

Please click here to read more about our new classrooms.

Wishing you all a fantastic weekend.

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!

LAST DAY TO ORDER!

GWSS Spirit Wear & 

Class of 2025 Grad Wear

This is the last day to purchase spirit wear and Class of 2025 grad wear. Please place orders directly through this website. The online store will close tomorrow on 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.

Terry Fox Events

Once a year, we celebrate Terry Fox, who is maybe THE most influential Canadian, by hosting a fundraising event in his honour.  The Leadership classes are proud to have the opportunity to run such an event, which will be held on Thursday, September 26.  

During our event, students have a chance to participate in the Colour Run! Perission forms were given out to classes, but you can also find extras in the main office. Bring the signed Colour Run permission forms to your period 2 class (if you are a grade 9 or 11 student) or your period 5 class (if you are a grade 10 or 12 student). 

In addition to the event, we are also holding Bake Sales onTuesday, September 24 and Wednesday, September 25 during lunch in the front foyer to help raise money for the Terry Fox Foundation. This will be CASH ONLY. 

If you wish to donate to our school fundraiser page, please use this link the QR code provided.  We are trying to fundraise $10,000 as a school goal!

Thank you so much for your support and go Chargers!

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!

Jr Girls Field Hockey

A huge congrats goes to our junior girls field hockey team who won their tournament on Friday, September 13 with a record of 4-1-0. Many of the girls had never played the sport before so this was an amazing accomplishment. What a great start to the season. Go Chargers!

Indigenous Self-Identification

The Indigenous Rights and Education Team of the Halton District School Board is focused on supporting Indigenous students and families toward student achievement. The Team can be easily accessed by connecting with the school. Please note, the process of self-identification with the school board is completely voluntary and those who choose not to self-identify are still able to access the support of the Indigenous Rights and Education Team. If you choose to self-identify for a family/kin member please do so by contacting your school or a member of the HDSB Indigenous Rights and Education Team:

System Principal - Gabriela Echeverria (echeverriag@hdsb.ca)

Program Lead - Tammy Hardwick (hardwickt@hdsb.ca

Instructional Program Lead - Karie Hanson (hansonk@hdsb.ca) 

Instructional Program Lead - Rob Rooksby (rooksbyr@hdsb.ca) 

Instructional Program Lead - Tracy O’Connell (oconnellt@hdsb.ca)

Student Support Coordinator - Tanya Vardy (vardyt@hdsb.ca)

GWSS is Scent Free

Our school is a Scent Free Environment. Please help us to accommodate the members of our school community who are sensitive and/or allergic to fragrances and other scented products by keeping the air fragrance free. Please do not wear fragrances or scented products. Thank you.

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  met on Monday, September 16 to wrap up coucil activities for 2023-2024 and our new School Council for 2024-2025 was acclaimed.

2024-2025 School Council

Craig Lemon - Chair

Navia Sharma - Treasurer

Coskun Dolanbay - Secretary

Elsa Boyden - PIC Rep, Voting Member

Erica Ramey - PIC Rep, Voting Member

Tanya Monteith - Voting Member

Penny Reid - Voting Member

Sahar Said - Voting Member

Ellen Wang - Voting Member

Luisa Botelho - Principal

Adrienne Tolton - Student Services (Teacher) Rep

TBD - Student Representative

Our next council meeting will be on Monday, October 7 at 6 pm in the Garth Webb Library. All parents/guardians are welcome to join our meetings anytime. We hope to see you there! Visit our page on this website for further information and meeting dates.

Message from the HDSB:

Get Involved! By joining the school council meetings at your student's school or by joining the HDSB Parent Involvement Committee (PIC), parents/guardians can take an active role in the school community. Let’s work together to create a positive, engaging and inclusive learning environment where all students are empowered to succeed. 

Learn more about how you can help shape your student's educational journey by visiting the Get Involved webpage of the HDSB website and by viewing the Ministry of Education, Your Child’s Education: A Parent Guide to Our School System. This guide helps caregivers, parents, and guardians understand how to be actively involved in their student's education. Get involved today and make a difference!

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

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

Grade 9 Program Night

This past Thursday Garth Webb hosted our annual Grade 9 Program Night.  Families were invited to visit their students' classrooms and hear a short presentation by Student Services.  If you weren’t able to attend, the slidedeck of the presentation is accessible here.

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

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:

MPP Youth Council

Are you a high school student who studies or lives in Oakville North - Burlington? Become an advisor to the MPP Effie Triantafilopoulos. Join the MPP’s Youth Council and share your voice on behalf of youth in Oakville North - Burlington. 

We're looking for young people who want to shape the future, identify the challenges facing youth, and work with the MPP to overcome them.

Applications are open until September 30, 2024. Please use this google form to sign up.

Youth Virtual Tutors Needed

HMC Connections is looking for students in Grade 11 or 12 to tutor elementary students for one hour per week (virtually). See the flyer or click here for more information.

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.

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) 

Dear Parents and Guardians:

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.
 

Sincerely, 

 Halton Region Public Health

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. 

ADAPT Webinar

PROBLEM GAMING AWARENESS & EDUCATION

Monday September 23rd & Monday September 30th

6:30-7:30pm Via ZOOM

This presentation is free of charge

 This presentation is designed for families, loved ones, and friends who want to better understand Problem Gaming, support a loved one struggling with Gaming dependency, and learn how to maintain boundaries and a healthy balance.

 Topics we will explore:   

1. What is Problem Gaming?

2. The Pros and Cons of Gaming

3. How to recognize signs of a Gaming addiction

4. Tips for creating a balance Gaming lifestyle

5. Coping Skills/Self Care  

6. Supports and Resources

 Alternatively, Problem Gambling, Problem Gaming and Behavioural Addictions Program offers counselling support to individuals looking for one-on-one support. Our services are available via phone, video, or in-person. All services are client centered, confidential, and free of charge. 

 If you are interested in registering for this presentation, or connecting with our program for individual services, please contact Jerico via email at JericoA@haltonadapt.org or Priya (Program Intake) via email priyac@haltonadapt.org or via telephone (905) 875-7924.

Youth Mental Health Canada

Youth Mental Health Canada, a registered charitable nonprofit organization in Canada, has resources, workshops, and training courses to assist students, school staff, and families to support student mental well-being. Youth-driven and educator-led, YMHC draws on a wide evidence base to develop educational resources and provide learning opportunities focused on mental health and wellness issues.

We invite you to explore our resources, including special back-to-school discounts, 2024-2025 school year specials, and customized workshops, to help support the mental health and wellbeing of your students as they return to the classroom.

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

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)