Principal's Message

Welcome to the new format of the Principal's Blog. Each week, we will post the blog items to the website and a link will go out on Sunday mornings to that week's page so that families can still read our blog but online rather than as an attached PDF document. We hope you like it!

Pam Jenkins

Equity & Inclusive Education

Black History Month

In light of the events that occurred in Memphis last month, it is imperative that we continue to learn and celebrate Black Brilliance. As Nelson Mandela said “education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world”. Please learn with us so we can work to create a community and world which is more just and inclusive for all.

Video Series: 28 Moments of Black Canadian History

This video series features Black Youth speaking about their experiences in Canada, their goals and interests. They will provide you with a small history lesson on an important moment or figure in Black Canadian history.

CBC: Being Black in Canada

CBC website BEING BLACK IN CANADA highlights the stories and experiences of Black Canadians year-round, providing a wide range of content celebrating the culture and achievements of Canada's Black communities while also offering a window into their struggles.

School Photo Day on Monday

This Monday, February 6 is photo day for all NEW students and students who did not previously get a school photo taken in September or November 2022. Bring your best smile!

Get Your Semi Formal Tickets Today!

Thursday, February 23, 2023 from 6 - 10 pm

Burlington Convention Center (1120 Burloak Dr, Burlington, ON)

$70/ticket (includes buffet dinner & DJ dance)

Buy Tickets Here

Considerations:

This event is for Garth Webb students only.

The tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Ticket pick up will occur at lunch in the week prior to the event. As this is a school sanctioned event, all GW rules and expectations apply. Students need to bring their student card with them to pick up their ticket and also have it with them on the day of the event.

Tickets are available for purchase only on School Cash Online. 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, February 10.

OSSLT Update

EQAO has notified us with the results of the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) for those students who wrote in the Fall. 

All students will be able to see their results reflected in myBlueprint as of February 10 and Individual Student Reports will go home with report cards on February 10.

Students who were not yet successful will be notified via email on Tuesday, February 7.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email Meg Carey at careym@hdsb.ca. 

Fashion Forward - Donate at GWSS

Donated formal wear available for HDSB students at Fashion Forward event:

Variety of formal wear available for students to browse at drop-in sessions in March and April; clothing donations accepted until March 3. 

The Halton District School Board will host open houses in March and April for students to select, at no cost, donated formal wear for upcoming prom or graduation celebrations.

Called Fashion Forward, students will have the opportunity to view and try on formal wear in a friendly and welcoming environment. Students may select from a variety of new and gently-used attire that has been donated for proms, graduations, and other special events. There are many different styles, colours, and sizes of formal dresses available as well as suits, shirts, ties, and shoes. 

The dates to browse for formal wear are:

• Saturday, March 25 - 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. at New Street Education Centre (3250 New Street, Burlington)

*An opportunity is available for gender diverse youth who would prefer a more private shopping experience between the hours of 10-11 a.m. on this day

• Monday, April 17 - 2:30 - 6:30 p.m. at Elsie MacGill Secondary School (1410 Bronte St. S, Milton)

• Thursday, April 20 - 2:30 - 6:30 p.m. at Elsie MacGill Secondary School (1410 Bronte St. S, Milton)

Donations of clean, current styled formal wear, such as party dresses, formal gowns, formal suits, dress shirts, ties, footwear and accessories can be dropped off at various locations before March 3, 2023:

Oakville

• Garth Webb Secondary School (2820 Westoak Trails Blvd)

• Falgarwood Public School (1385 Gainsborough Dr)

Burlington

• Charles R. Beaudoin Public School (4313 Clubview Dr)

• M.M. Robinson High School (2425 Upper Middle Rd)

• Dr. Frank J. Hayden Secondary School (3040 Tim Dobbie Dr)                                      

Halton Hills

• Gary Allan - Halton Hills (96 Guelph St, Georgetown)

• Acton High School (21 Cedar Rd, Acton)

Students are required to bring student identification to the open house they attend.

Student Trustee Elections

To Secondary School Students (current Grade 10 or Grade 11) in the HDSB:

The time has come to begin the annual Student Trustee election process. 

Being a Student Trustee is a very important commitment, one that has two of our senior students across Halton representing all 66,000 of our students. These two students sit on the Board of Trustees and serve as the voice of our student population while advocating for youth issues at the Board, regional and provincial levels. In addition to chairing the Student Senate and joining the Board of Trustees, Student Trustees also work with the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association (OSTA-AECO) to discuss educational issues across Ontario.

Click here for more information.

5409 Chargers Robotics Update

Team 5409 has had an intense week with exams and major accomplishments to the Robot. We built an authentic charge station and we are excited to invite Halton robotics teams to join us to  have some  game time! 

Manufacturing was able to finish building the chassis. BMP Metals were kind enough to  spray coat it.  Electrical is working hard to get it  wired up. Design has finished the extension arm, shoulder mechanism, and are working hard to complete the  second prototype of the intake. Manufacturing has also been building  prototypes for the claw and arm. Programming was able to finish their autonomous program and their 3D field tracking. We are on a roll. 

A big Thank you to the media team for their amazing sponsor update video if you get a chance, check it out here.

Have a great week Chargers!

From Your Student Services Dept

Tuesday’s @Ten

Our next Tuesdays @Ten will be taking place virtually on Tuesday, Feb 7 @ 10 am. This month we will be joined by the two of the board's psychologists to discuss executive functioning. Semester two is a fresh start for our students, please join us to hear how to support your student with planning, organization and time management. The link to the meeting will be shared via email on the Monday prior.

2023-2024 Course Selection

Less than 1 week to go!!!

(multilingual assist document)

The course selection period is now open and will close on Friday, Feb 10, 2023.  Please use the resources below to help you with the process.  Students will be using myBlueprint in order to submit their courses (www.myblueprint.ca/halton)

Please read through the attached document as it outlines considerations and key messages for each grade in order to ensure students are making an informed decision.

GWSS 2023/24 Course Selection Information

Course Selection Family Night

In case you weren’t able to join us this past Thursday for the family course selection information night, the slidedeck from the presentation is linked below.

Course Selection Process 2023

Semester Two Course Changes

Students can request a change to their semester two courses up until Feb 10th, by booking an appointment with their guidance counsellor.

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:

Oakville Little League

Students can get involved in a variety of ways:

1) Learn To Play

This is our youngest division. It runs for 90 minutes (8:30 - 10 am) on Saturday mornings from May 6 until June 24. So, any commitment from student Volunteers  is completed before school finishes for the summer.

Students assist with running stations (coordinated by adult volunteers) and assisting the younger players. 

2) Game Day Convenors

Students would pick one evening per week and would be assigned to one baseball diamond. They would make sure the game starts on time, report any problems back to the Little League Convenor.

3) Tournament Support

Students assist with tournaments throughout the summer. The student can choose as many or as few shifts as they would like throughout the summer. They may work the scoreboard, announce games, help with field crew or help at the snack bar. 

If students would like to assist with older T-ball or baseball teams, that can be arranged too.

If you are interested, send a message to Leila: Volunteer@oakvillelittleleague.com.

Town of Oakville

Call for Black, Indigenous and People of Colour Artists: 2023 CreateSpace Public Art Residency

Apply by Sunday, February 12, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

STEPS Public Art is partnering with the Town of Oakville to support the development of a new temporary 2D public artwork (mural) that will debut during Ontario Culture Days in October 2023.

Open the CreateSpace Public Art Call (PDF) for emerging Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), Black, People of Colour, or racialized artists. Details can also be found in the Public Art Call tab.

Click here for further info and a link to the online application.

Online COVID-19 Screening Tool

It is recommended that students continue to complete the Government of Ontario’s online COVID-19 school screening tool prior to attending school each day. Please be sure to read all questions carefully as they do change on occasion. Please carefully follow the instructions that you get at the end of the screening telling you whether to stay home or attend school. Thank you to our families for doing the daily self assessment to help keep everyone safe. For information on COVID-19 health and safety procedures for the 2022-2023 school year, please click here: COVID-19 information page.