Principal's Message

Stay tuned, this section will return next week...

Some Highlights from This Week:

Grads - Order Your Commencement Tickets Now

Shawarma Fundraiser - Order by April 22 

Seeking Mentors for Parent Event

Junior Semi Ticket Deadline This Friday

And much more...

Commencement Ticket Order Form

We are going paperless this year for commencement. Students can now order their Commencement tickets using this form. There is no cost for the tickets. Please place your order ASAP for either 1 or 2 tickets. Students can also request to enter the ticket lottery to potentially receive 1 extra ticket. Students must be the ones to order the tickets.

There will be no paper tickets for commencement and instead, guests on the list will check in with staff when they arrive at the venue.

Commencement Details:

Monday, June 10, 2024 @4:30 pm at the Meeting House (2700 Bristol Circle, Oakville).

Students order your tickets today!

33rd Annual Earth Day Clean Up on Saturday, April 20, 2024 @9 AM

Join others in our community to help clean up and celebrate Earth Day. Let's make a big difference for our health, bidiversity, and the natural environment in our community!

Bags and gloves are provided and high school students will receive two volunteer hours for participating. There are over 65 sites being cleaned up throughout Oakville and Arborview Park right behind Garth Webb S.S. is on the list. Bring your family, friends, and neighbours and help pitch in to keep our community clean!

For more information click here.

Shawarma Fundraiser

The Youth in Action Club is thrilled to announce that we will be hosting a Shawarma Fundraiser at lunch on Tuesday, April 30 in the front foyer! You will be able to pre-order either a Veggie (Falafel) or Chicken Shawarma wrap from Paramount Fine Foods for only $12.25. (No cash or day-of purchases - cashless pre-order before April 22 only). All proceeds from this event will go towards supporting the Woodland Cultural Centre, an organization dedicated to exploring, learning, and sharing the rich histories and cultures of Indigenous peoples.

For those who might not be familiar, the Woodland Cultural Centre is a valuable resource for learning about the impact of Canada’s residential school system. Located on the site of one of the last two residential school buildings left standing in Ontario, it provides an immersive education about the history and its effects on Indigenous peoples. By supporting this fundraiser, you'll be contributing to the preservation and celebration of Indigenous heritage and knowledge.

Support a worthy cause AND enjoy some delicious Shawarma! Starting this week, you can pre-order your Shawarma wraps through School Cash Online for only $12.25! Dietary information is available in the description on School Cash Online. 

The deadline for orders is Monday, April 22nd. Don't miss out!

The Future of Work IdeaThon

The Parents Reaching Out (PRO) Grants program provides funding to school boards to lead projects with a focus on the identification and removal of barriers that prevent parents and families from participating and engaging fully in their student's learning.

This year, the Garth Webb and Abbey Park School Councils are hosting "The Future of Work IdeaThon" on May 2, 2024 from 6 - 8 pm at Garth Webb S.S. This initiative aims to bring clarity to the evolving workforce landscape for parents, helping them prepare their children for the dynamic future ahead. 

We seek mentors from a wide array of professional backgrounds to enrich this event. Your insights into different sectors, educational disciplines, and industries are crucial in providing a holistic view of the future of work to our participants.

Please click here for more information and then complete this form by April 25, 2024 if you would like to sign up to be a Mentor/Presenter at the event.

To reserve your free ticket for the event, click here.

TEDx Save the Date

On Thursday, May 9, 2024 GWSS will be hosting our first licensed TEDx Youth event, Building Our Own Future: Teenage empowerment for a prospective tomorrow! Tickets to this proud platform for the passionate voices of our diverse student population will be available on April 25. Keep an eye on our website for more information.

Junior Semi Formal Ticket Deadline This Friday!

The Student Activities Council (SAC) is excited to share that we will be hosting a Junior (Grade 9 and 10) Semi Formal this year.

When: Thursday April 25th, 2024

Where: Garth Webb SS Cafeteria (students will not have access to the rest of the school, including lockers)

Time: 7-9:30 pm 

Cost: $15/ticket

What’s included: Snacks (pizza and cupcakes), DJ Dance, and Photobooth

Please note, this event is for Garth Webb students only.  Students must be in Grades 9 or 10 in order to purchase a ticket. There will only be 300 tickets available to be purchased due to the school capacity.

All students and parents/guardians must complete and sign the Event Contract after purchasing a ticket. Signed contracts must be submitted to the main office prior to Friday April 19. Hardcopies of the contract will be available for pick up in the main office. Please complete this google form to let us know what type of pizza you would like and if you have any dietary restrictions.

Considerations:

The tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. As this is a school sanctioned event, all GW rules and expectations apply. Students will need to bring their student card with them to the event in order to enter as there are no physical tickets.

Please note that students will not be able to access their lockers at any point during the evening.  This event will be taking place in the cafeteria and there will be no access to any of the other areas of the school. We ask that students plan accordingly.

Please purchase as soon as possible to avoid disappointment as tickets will likely sell out. The last possible day to purchase tickets will be Friday April 19th, 2024 or when tickets are sold out.

Grade 12 Prom May 23

Grade 12 Prom will be on Thursday, May 23, 2024 at the Oakville Conference Centre (2515 Wyecroft Rd, Oakville, ON L6L 6P8). Tickets are now available on School Cash Online. Tickets will need to be purchased no later than April 30, 2024. Everyone attending will need to have a ticket.

All students must complete a prom contract and submit it to the main office once their ticket has been purchased. Blank contracts can be picked up in the main office. If students are bringing a guest, a second ticket will need to be purchased and the guest will need to complete their portion of the contract as well. Please allow time for the guest's school administrator to fill in their section. 

All ticket purchases and contracts must be in by April 30, 2024.

Co-op Student of the Week

Student: Reilly Hall

Placement: Captain R. Wilson P.S.

My main tasks and responsibilities include:

• Supporting Students through activities and learning

• Helping teachers with tasks

• Leading activities

• Encouraging rules to students

The most important skills I have learned through my co-op placement are:

• How to communicate with young children

• How to be understanding and patient with children who have difficulty communicating what they need

• How to teach and be a leader

Before I started in the co-op class I knew I wanted to work with younger children but I wasn’t set on what I wanted to do. After having experienced so many wonderful days at Captain R Wilson with Ms Fraser's students in her classroom I am sure that I want to be a kindergarten teacher in the future!

To see what else the Co-op Crew has been up to, please follow us on Instagram @GWSSCoop

Co-op Information Night

Save the date and join us on Wednesday, May 22 at 8 pm online to learn about what the GWSS Co-op Program entails, including student expectations and how to secure a placement. 

Please click here to register.

 If you have any questions, you can contact Ms. Anjos at anjosc@hdsb.ca. 

Bicycles, Scooters & Skateboards

Many students at Garth Webb ride bicycles, scooters, and skateboards to school daily. Bicycles and scooters must be locked up outside at the bike racks on the west side of the school (near the main entrance). Please be sure that students have a working lock and remind them to use it EVERY time they park their bike or scooter. There have been recent instances of bicycle theft when items are not locked up. 

It is also recommended that students use the 529 Garage app to register their bicycles. The Halton Regional Police Service has partnered with 529 Garage to introduce their bicycle registration app to residents of Halton. 529 Garage is an application that connects you, other cyclists, police, and local bicycle shops in the event your bicycle is stolen. Registration is easy - simply download the app, input your contact information and bicycle serial number, and upload photos of yourself and your bicycle. Registrations can also be made on the 529 Garage website if you do not have a smart phone or tablet. Once you have registered your bicycle on the app, if it is stolen or goes missing, you can notify 529 Garage and they will issue an alert from the app that is sent to other local cyclists and bike shops alerting them to the missing bicycle. Once an alert for your bicycle has been posted, the app will also direct you to the HRPS online reporting tool where you can report it to police. By registering, if a bicycle is recovered, it is easier for police to identify and return the bicycle to the proper owner.

Students who are riding their skateboards to school, can store them in the main office while they are in class. There is a skateboard rack where items can be safely stored (locks can also be used).

Please remind students that bicycles, scooters, and skateboards should not be used on school property. Finally, when traveling to and from school in the designated bike lanes, students are reminded that they are to travel in the same direction as the vehichles on the road. This is important and helps to keep everyone safe.

From Your Student Services Department

Tuesdays @Ten

Our April Tuesdays @Ten session took place virtually on Tuesday, April 2. This month we were joined by the two of the board's psychologists to discuss executive functioning. It was a great session where they provided us with practical strategies that families can use to help their student learn and develop the skills needed for executive functioning. 

If you missed the session, you can access the recording here.

Scholarships and Awards

Canadian Federation of University Women - Oakville Scholarships and Awards

Deadline to apply is April 22. See application info below:

CFUW Scholarship Poster

CFUW Letter

Community Awards: (Rotary, Halton Learning Foundation, Maycourt, CFUW, Lion's Club, Chinese Canadian Association).

It's that time of year when applications open for the various community awards.  All information can be found on the online awards hub.  Please take a look at the site and direct any questions you may have to your guidance counsellor.  Students are encouraged to create an account and review the various award criteria.  Please note that most application deadlines are in the Spring.

Awards Hub

2024 Don MacDonald Optimist Bursary Awards

The Optimist club is offering bursaries for graduating Oakville high school students, worth $2,500.00 for each recipient. Ten bursaries will be awarded this year. The criteria for this award is outlined in the attached Guidelines and applications are available through the Awards Hub.

Summer School

Summer school registration with the HDSB will open on April 17. Students will be able to register for courses through myBlueprint. Further information will be available in the coming weeks.

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:

Stay tuned for a new opportunity next week...

April is Arab Heritage Month

Arab Heritage Month -  In February 2022, Hon. David McGuinty (Ottawa South, Lib.) introduced a private members bill Bill C-232, an act respecting Arab heritage month.  “The first immigrants of Arab origin arrived in Canada in 1882, in the early years after Confederation, some 140 years ago. The population of Arab Canadians has since grown to over one million and continues to flourish.” At the time of print, the bill was in its second reading in the Senate. Learn more about this anticipated historical moment: An Act respecting Arab Heritage Month.  Consider: How might this anticipated event open an opportunity to (re)engage with the Arab Canadians in your community? How might this be an opportunity to highlight your school community as part of the global community?

 
Deepening Our Learning and Understanding

The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) is hosting a webinar with prominent Arab labour leaders, social justice activists, and authors to recognize the contributions and challenges encountered by the Arab community in our workplaces and communities. Click here for more information and to register.

NFB presents: Things Arab Men Say - This documentary paints a picture of Arab men that is vastly different from what we’re accustomed to. In this antidote to mainstream-media depictions of Arabs as terrorists and extremists, we get to meet Jay, Ghassan, and their friends, who gather at Jamal’s Eden Barber Shop to discuss politics, religion, and family over a cut and a shave. Often funny, sometimes sad, this engaging film documents the challenges these men face integrating into Canadian life while preserving their identity and culture. Watch the trailer.

 Canadian Arab Institute

Upcoming Mental Health Information Sessions

How to Access Mental Health Services in Halton with Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK)

Friday, April 19 9:30-10:00 am OR 12:30-1:00 pm

ROCK Managers will present information on how to access virtual and in-person services for children, youth, and families. ROCK staff will share what is available in Halton and how to get the right service at the right time. ROCK staff will also share who, and how school staff and parents/guardians can request support. The length of the presentation is 15-20 mins and then there will be time for questions. 

Google Meet Link

ADAPT Presents Technology Over Use and Social Media Webinar

Monday, April 29, 2024 @ 7 pm

Adapt will provide resources for both parents and teachers about technology overuse, social media, and how to support youth during this 1 hour presentation. More information here: Adapt Webinar Flyer.

HDSB Hosting Mental Health & Well-Being Information Sessions for Parents/Guardians

The Halton District School Board has announced additional Mental Health & Well-Being Information Sessions for parents/guardians this Spring. 

The upcoming sessions include: 

• Healthy and Unhealthy Stress - Monday, April 15 from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

• Storytime and Strategies - Thursday, May 9 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Learn more about the sessions available by visiting our Mental Health & Well-Being Information Sessions webpage and register online by completing the registration form. When you register, you can also submit a question for the presenters.

Registration is required for these sessions as limited spots are available. Registrants will be emailed a Google Meet link to access the session. Captioning in various languages is available.

Upcoming Key Dates

Apr 17 Last Day of Term 1

Apr 18 First Day of Term 2

Apr 24 OUAC / OCAS Semester 2 Midterm Mark Upload

Apr 24 CP Day - Classes start at 9:30 am

Apr 26 Semester 2 Midterm Report Card Distribution

May 3 Full Disclosure

May 7 Tuesdays @Ten

May 20 Victoria Day Holiday (School Closed)

May 22 CP Day - Classes start at 9:30 am

May 23 15th Week Report Distribution

May 23 Grade 12 Prom

May 27 - Jun 19 Protected Time

Jun 4 Tuesdays @Ten

Jun 10 Class of 2024 Commencement

Jun 20 - 26 Exam Block

Jun 27 Exam Review Day/Last Day of School (early dismissal)

Jun 28 PA Day - no school for students

Jul 3 OUAC / OCAS Semester 2 Final Mark Upload

Jul 8 Semester 2 Final Report Card Distribution

Jul 9-11 Diploma Pick up