Principal's Message

Good Morning Garth Webb:

It is good to be back from my trip and to see all the great things students are doing this spring! While I enjoyed Portugal, I did miss home!  

Our spring sports are in full swing and are experiencing some early season wins. The Jr. Boys Rugby team won their tournament at Sheridan College last week and I watched the Sr. Boys Rugby team beat Iroquois Ridge on Friday down at Bronte Athletic field. I will try to get out to see some more action in Badminton, Track & Field, Soccer, Lacrosse, Touch Football, Cricket, Baseball......not to mention the activities the clubs have planned. Wow, we have a lot going on at GW!

If you have a student in Grade 9, please talk to them about the "Assassin" game that some of them are trying to play at school. This involves either water guns or squirting someone in the face with a water bottle.  Clearly this is not allowed on school property for obvious reasons... slip trip and fall hazards, assaulting someone with water that isn't playing the game, it's disrespectful to others, and you never want to be seen running around the school or neighbourhood with any replica gun, water or otherwise.  Normally we see a version of this in Grade 12, not Grade 9. The 12s are smart and play a game called "Gotcha" where they whisper that to someone that they are trying to eliminate from the game when no one else can hear. This is played in teams sometimes too and is considered a "Grad" game. I made an announcement to the Grade 9s on Friday to warn them that there would be consequences if they continue this at school.  We have far too many students and staff on crutches these days where water on the floor is not safe for them. Thank you for reinforcing our concerns with your teen so that this stops.

I am looking forward to hearing all about how the Robotics team did at the Worlds in Texas. Meanwhile our DECA Business students are gearing up for their International Competition in California soon. All those Krispy Kreme donuts that everyone bought will sure help in getting them there! Best of luck DECA students!! Go Chargers Go!!!!!!!!!!!

Take care,

Jacquie Pece

2SLGBTQIA+ Parent/Guardian Advocacy and Support Group Special Guest Speakers @ May Meeting

Our next meeting for the 2SLGBTQIA+ Parent/Guardian Advocacy and Support Group will be on Thursday, May 2 at 7 pm (online). New members are always welcome to join. Our group is for parents and guardians of children who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ and/or parents/guardians who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ themselves. The group meets monthly online on the first Thursday of the month.

At the May meeting we will be joined by special guests:

Reah Shin, HDSB Graduation Coach for 2S&LGBTQ+ Students

Shelita Walker, HDSB System Principal of Human Rights, Equity & Inclusive Education

Join us on May 2 to learn more about Reah & Shelita's roles in the HDSB and how Reah has been supporting 2S&LGBTQ+ students throughout Halton this year in her new role of Graduation Coach.

Please CLICK HERE to register for this meeting (a link to the virtual meeting will only be shared with those who are registered to attend).

If you would like more information about this meeting or the group, please email Kerri Lee at leeke@hdsb.ca.

Reminder: No PA Day this Monday

Just a quick reminder that this Monday is NOT a PA DAY. This date was originally scheduled to be a PA Day but was rescheduled to Monday, April 8 due to the solar eclipse. There will be regularly scheduled classes on Monday, April 22.

CP Day This Wednesday

This Wednesday, April 24 is a Collaborative Planning day (“CP” day). CP Days are for staff and happen 4 times each semester. This is the third one in semester 2. On CP Days, students 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.

Commencement Ticket Orders Due

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!

Shawarma Fundraiser - Order by Monday, April 22

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.

Student Newsletter Juno Journal

Click here to read the April 2024 issue of the student newsletter Juno Journal. Thank you to the student newsletter team and advisors for your work in putting this together. We hope you enjoy this issue.

You can view past issues on our website here.

Intrada Brass Ensemble Visit

This past week, the music department was lucky to host the Intrada Brass Ensemble at Garth Webb. Our students were treated to a fantastic concert, followed by an informative Q&A session with the band. 

Chargers Cup

The Grade 12 Leadership Class is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated Chargers Cup, marking its debut as a hopeful annual tradition at Garth Webb. Set to encompass the entire school community, this exhilarating event will span the entirety of May, promising a month filled with spirit and competition. 

Kicking off the event will be an engaging Opening Ceremony that will happen on May 3rd, serving as the perfect opportunity for teams to connect and ignite the competitive spirit. With many sports on the roster, including volleyball, touch football, basketball, spikeball, dodgeball, and ultimate frisbee, there's something for everyone to enjoy and excel in. As the month progresses, participants will engage in thrilling games, each one bringing them closer to the winning title of the Chargers Cup. Finally, on May 31st, the Closing Ceremony will draw the Chargers Cup to a conclusion, where the winning team will be rewarded. 

To be part of this event, sign-ups are open during lunchtime in the foyer from April 22 to April 26. Let's come together as Chargers and embrace the joy of sportsmanship and teamwork. We'll see you there, Garth Webb! 

TEDx Save the Date

On Thursday, May 9 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 free on School Cash Online starting April 25. Please visit our website for more information. 

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: Rotaj Amer, Grade 12 

Placement: Unique Alterations

For my placement I usually stay 3 hours. I use an hour and a half of my time helping my supervisor with customer orders. This task includes hemming pants, repairing zippers, patching and many other things. During the rest of my time I practice on my skills and work on little mini projects.

Most of the sewing I already knew beforehand but I got to work on having a more stable hand which I needed. Practicing my sewing every day has helped me become more time efficient. Every day I'm trying something new and I'm slowly getting better at my sewing skills.

In the future I hope to work in the fashion industry. I need to understand all the different fabrics and how to work with those fabrics so it's very beneficial to understand this. As I'm doing co-op in an alteration shop I have the privilege of being able to freely play around with many fabric scraps. Having this has helped me explore and create new things!

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. 

From Your Student Services Department

Summer School

Summer school registration is now open through myBlueprint.  All information around summer school can be found on this document and also on the Gary Allan website

Scholarship Deadlines

Many of the community scholarships (Rotary, Halton Learning Foundation, Maycourt, CFUW, Lion's club, Chinese Canadian Association) applications have deadlines of next week.  We encourage all grade 12’s to apply as there are many opportunities available.  

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 fast approaching.

Awards Hub

Scholarships and Awards: 

Canadian Federation of University Women - Oakville Scholarships and Awards

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

CFUW Scholarship Poster

CFUW Letter

2024 Don MacDonald Optimist Bursary Awards

The Optimist club is offering bursaries for graduating Oakville high school students, worth $2500.00 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.

Oakville Rotary Education Awards

This year there are 30 awards which are now worth $3,000 up from $2,000 in previous years. Apply via the Awards Hub.

Full Disclosure - Grade 11/12 students

The full disclosure date for semester two is Friday May 3, 2023.  Courses dropped after this date will appear on a high school transcript.  If you are considering dropping a course, we encourage you to speak with your Guidance Counsellor and be mindful of the deadline.

Graduation Requirement - Community Hours

The 40 hours of Community Involvement is a graduation requirement. As such, the school will not be able to issue a student’s Diploma until they have completed all 40 hours of Community Involvement. We encourage all graduates to submit their hours as soon as possible, with a deadline of May 1st so that we can ensure everything is in place for Graduation and the final upload of information to OUAC/OCAS.

Graduation Requirement - 2 E-Learning Courses

Similar to the Community Involvement hours, the completion of two e-Learning courses is a graduation requirement and the school will not be able to issue you a Diploma until you have either completed Two Online Learning credits or submitted the HDSB opt-out form. If you are currently registered or have intentions of registering for your e-Learning courses, no further action needs to be taken. Please ensure that all documentation is submitted to your Guidance Counsellor for any e-Learning courses taken outside of HDSB to ensure it is included in your transcript.

If you are intending to opt out of the e-Learning requirement, we encourage all graduates to submit their form as soon as possible, with a deadline of May 1st so that we can ensure everything is in place for Graduation and the final upload of marks and information to OUAC/OCAS.

HDSB US University Fair for Secondary Students and Families:

1. • Date: May 14 from 5pm-8pm ET

   • Location: Iroquois Ridge High School in Oakville (1123 Glenashton Dr, Oakville, ON L6H 5M1) 

   • Details: This fair is open to students/families from Gr. 9-12. There are 2 time blocks. Gr.9/10 will have access to the fair from 5 pm-6:30 pm and Gr. 11/12 will have access from 6:30 pm-8 pm

   • Registration:  Please note that families should be registering for this event directly (students should only register themselves with parent/guardian/caregiver permission).

*Note that the timing breakdown by grade may be collapsed (so any secondary family can come between 5-8 pm) if there isn't concern about exceeding capacity. If this is decided, a message will be sent to all registrants to this effect.

Questions about the event can be directed to Lisa Galay, Instructional Program Leader for Student Supports and Regional Programs at galayl@hdsb.ca or to the College Trackr Canada event organizer:

Sujee Kulendran (he/him/his), Director, U.S. College Relations

CollegeTrackr Canada I Not-For-Profit Organization

A  24 Maple Ave, Second Floor, Barrie, ON, L4M 7W4 

P  6473087691

E  sujee@collegetrackr.com 

W  https://collegetrackr.com

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:

Community BBQ in Oakville looking for volunteers...

Munn's United Church (5 Dundas St. E., Oakville, ON)

Saturday, June 15, 2024

2 - 6 PM

For more information or to sign up to volunteer email: amarjitsanghera@live.ca 

or call 905-872-5989

Ridván April 21

Riḍván—also known as the Most Great Festival, commemorates an incredible period in history. It celebrates Baha’u’llah’s time in the garden of Riḍván on the outskirts of Baghdad in 1863 where He publicly declared His station as a Manifestation of God. The Riḍván Festival is 12 days long and, according to the Badi calendar, spans from 13 Jalal (the month of Glory) until 5 Jamal (the month of Beauty). This year, Riḍván begins on April 21. (Source)

Grounation Day April 21

Rastafarians all over the world hold April 21, as an important day in their history. On April 21, 1966, Haile Selassie (Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974) visited Jamaica and it has since been known globally as Grounation Day. They revere it as a holy day that marks their messiah setting foot on Jamaican soil. 

At the airport that day large crowds of Rastas gathered beating drums, chanting and the air was filled with the scent of marijuana. Writers suggest that over 100,000 rastas would have emerged at the Norman Manley Airport to witness the arrival of their king. 

The arrival of the emperor in Jamaica would have been hope to Rastas that a new history was being created for them. It represented divine heritage being fulfilled and opposed that of slavery, racism, and oppression.

Source

Pesach / Passover April 22 - 30

Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, is one of the Jewish religion’s most sacred and widely observed holidays. This year it will occur from April 22-30, 2024. Passover commemorates the story of the Israelites’ departure from ancient Egypt, which appears in the Hebrew Bible’s books of Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, among other texts. Jews observe the weeklong festival with a number of important rituals, including a traditional Passover meal known as a seder, the removal of leavened products from their home, the substitution of matzo for bread, and the retelling of the exodus tale. 

Click here to read more on History.com website. Click here to watch Mayim Bialik’s fun explanation of this holiday on YouTube. Chag Sameach to all who are celebrating Passover.

Earth Day April 22

Join us to honour and celebrate our remarkable planet on this extraordinary day. Earth Day is a reminder of the importance of environmental conservation and sustainability, encouraging us to come together and take action for a healthier planet and brighter future.

Through various events, toolkits, and initiatives, we aim to raise awareness, inspire change, and foster a deeper connection with nature. Let’s unite in our efforts to protect the Earth today and for generations to come. Together, we can make a meaningful impact and create a more sustainable world.

Click here to visit the earthday.org website and Join the Movement! 

Hanuman Jayanti April 23

Hanuman Jayanti is a holiday which commemorates the Vanara God Hanuman and is celebrated on the 15th day of Shukla Paksha – during the month of Chaitra. Although it isn’t a gazetted holiday in India, it is still a highly regarded holiday among Hindus everywhere and in India is a restricted holiday – which means that it could potentially be one of the holidays that a person can take, if they wish.

Although the true origins of this holiday are lost in time, Hanuman is mentioned in both the Mahabharata & the Ramayana. Scholars believe that this deity can be traced back as far as the 8th century. Over the centuries thereafter, Hanuman began to take form. However, it wasn’t until the Middle Ages that he would become very significant. 

Click here to read more.

Theravada New Year April 24

Theravada New Year is observed three days after the first full moon appears in April every year and this day will be marked on April 24. This day marks Buddha’s birth, death, enlightenment, and the start of the rainy season. It’s known by many names, such as Songkran in Central Thailand, Pi Mai in Northern Thailand, Choul Chnam Thmey in Cambodia, and Boun Pi Mai in Laos. It’s considered the biggest holiday of the year, equivalent to the western world’s celebration of the New Year. 

Click here to learn more about this special holiday.

Feast of Saint Mark April 25

The Feast of St. Mark is observed on April 25 by the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches. It helps bring awareness to St. Mark and his efforts to spread Christianity. The holiday takes place on the death anniversary of St. Mark, believed to be one of the 70 disciples sent out by Jesus to preach the gospel in Judea. He is believed to have authored one of the four Gospels in the New Testament.

St. Mark was a traveling companion and close friend of St. Peter, who holds the “keys of Heaven.” He is also the founder of the church in Alexandria, Egypt. 

Click here to read more on nationaltoday.com. 

Upcoming Mental Health Information Sessions

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.

Problem Gambling and Behavioural Addictions Program

Problem Gaming Workshop (4 Evenings)

Monday May 27th, June 3rd, 10th, and 24th

6:30pm – 8:00pm via ZOOM

Problematic gaming refers to the compulsive and harmful engagement with video games, often resulting in distress, suffering, and/or negative life consequences.

Gaming can be accessed through phones, tablets, gaming consoles, and PC’s. Over time gaming addiction can lead to changes in the brain that compromise our ability to focus, prioritize, regulate our moods, and relate to others.

Individuals struggling with gaming commonly experience prolonged gaming sessions, unsuccessful attempts to cut back, inability to stop despite awareness of consequences, negative impacts on offline life enjoyment, reliance on gaming to escape problems and emotions, strained relationships, academic or career setbacks, and feelings of shame and isolation.

This workshop is tailored for individuals seeking to achieve a healthier balance in their gaming use.

Our 4-day workshop will explore:

• Evolution of Gaming

• Benefits and Motivations of Gaming

• Problematic Gaming, Consequences, and the Gaming Industry

• Building a Healthier Relationship with Gaming: Developing Skills

• Wellness, Mindfulness and Self Care

• Resources and Support

If you are interested in registering for this workshop, please contact Priya via email priyac@haltonadapt.org or telephone (905)875-7924

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: 

• 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 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