May 14, 2023
WEEK B
Equity & Inclusive Education
IDAHOBIT May 17
May 17 marks the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). On May 17, 1990 the World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization no longer listed homosexuality as a possible diagnosis for a mental disorder, so this date has been set aside to commemorate the historical movement. The day has become a global occasion being celebrated in over 130 countries, including 37 where same- sex relationships are illegal. It is used to educate about - and bring awareness to - violence and discrimination regarding 2SLGBTQ+ people and to advocate for sensible public policies regarding the community. Celebrations on this day are particularly strong in Europe and Latin America, where it is commemorated with public events. As of 2019, 69 countries criminalize same-sex relationships and in 26 countries] transgender individuals are subjected to punishments. Today, trans peoples are disproportionately at risk of violence across the globe. IDAHOBIT is frequently used as a platform for organizing initiatives to advance the fight for the rights of 2LGBTQ+ groups in many countries.
Spring Spirit Week
Hey Chargers, it's time for Spring Spirit Week! Get ready to dress up, show off your creativity, and have some fun. Look forward to events like karaoke, food trucks and free freezies, and fun spirit days like GW spirit day, cozy/comfy clothes, and tie dye day. See the poster below and follow our instagram at @garthwebbevents to stay updated on the activities planned!
CP Day Wednesday
This Wednesday, May 17 is a “Collaborative Planning Day” (CP Day). Staff will have an opportunity to work on curriculum, assessment & evaluation, and instructional strategies within professional learning communities. Staff will take one hour at the start of the day to work together. Classes will start at 9:30 a.m. and the end of the school day will remain the same at 2:45 p.m. Students need to be in their first period class for the opening exercises at 9:30 a.m. The full schedule is pictured here.
Juno Beach Centre 20th Anniversary
The Juno Beach Centre Museum is celebrating its 20th Anniversary in June this year. Click on the image below for more details about all the events that have been planned.
GW Rugby Update
The Varsity Girls Rugby team finished off their season going 4-1 and secured a semi-final playoff game on Wednesday May 17th at Garth Webb! They successfully defeated Milton last Friday 32-0, went to Georgetown on Monday and won 38-5 and unfortunately due to injury concerns for Iroquois, they could not play so Chargers won by forfeit. They finished the league season in second place, however they have scored the most points and allowed the fewest points against! The HSSAA Championship is on Tuesday May 23rd which will be held at Norton Field in Burlington. The winner of that game goes straight to the GHAC Final which will be held on May 30th and the winner goes to OFSAA that is being held in Bolton, Ontario June 5th-7th. The girls are determined to be there!
The Junior Boys Rugby team had an excellent week. On Tuesday, they played against an always tough rugby powerhouse Saltfleet DHS from Stoney Creek in a 15s game. The first half was exciting and was tied 12-12 at break, but Saltfleet pulled away in the second half to win the game. However, it was a good learning experience for the boys and the trip bonded the team closer together. On Thursday, the boys travelled to Oakville Trafalgar to continue their Rugby 10s season. After a strong showing last week at home on a rainy afternoon, the boys played in sunshine this time around and looked stellar by defeating Elsie MacGill 32-0, Abbey Park 25-5, and Oakville Trafalgar 34-5. Next week, they walk down to Abbey Park to play their last round of season games until their Championship Day which is also May 23rd at Norton Field. Let's keep those W's up!
GW Track & Field Update
Garth Webb had another great meet at Nelson this past week. Top five results include:
Sarah Watson and Claire Hickey finished first and second in the senior girls 800 m.
Sarah, Claire, Keya Banerjee and Gwenny Yoo finished first in the open girls 4x400 m relay.
Callum Wheway finished second overall in the senior boys long jump.
Mirna Eweis and Cate Draheim finished second and third in the senior girls long jump.
Nolan Beale, Nathan Omole, Logan Hand and Callum finished second overall in the senior boys 4 x 100 relay.
Noah Waters finished third in the junior boys 800m.
Keya, Gwenny, Linda Kiss and Fiona Tran finished third in the novice girls 4x100 m relay.
Diya Kalia, Summer Charles, Sarah McClure and Sofia Henry finished third in the junior girls 4 x 100 relay.
Nick Bajenov, Millen Sidhu, Karman Bains and Rylan Healy finished third overall in the novice boys 4x100 m relay.
Vilohith Rao finished fourth in the senior boys 800m.
Millen Sidhu finished fourth in the novice boys relay.
Sienna Sevenpifer finished fifth overall in the junior girls long jump.
Stephanie Vieriu finished fifth overall in the senior girls 200m.
Stephanie, Cate, Mirna and Ayah Dimachkie finished fifth overall in the senior girls 4x100 m relay.
Nathan, Nolan, Liam Mateer and Eric Hayes finished fifth in the senior boys 4x400 m relay.
Stay tuned for an update next week on how things went at May Madness last Friday in Hamilton.
Apple Inc. Challenge Winner
Garth Webb grade 12 student John Seong will be heading to Apple HQ as a Swift Student Challenge/WWDC23 Scholar. John was lucky enough to be invited to the in person event as a student developer who was nominated for this award.
Out of 350 students worldwide who have received the award, less than 10 people get to be invited to this exclusive event in California. John is looking forward to meeting Apple's top engineers and executives like Tim Cook and Craig Federighi.
John would like to thank the Garth Webb community and staff for all of their support! Congratulations John!
Guidance Counsellors
For the 2022-2023 school year, the following counsellors are working with each group of students:
Ms. Tolton (A-E)
Ms. Mactaggart (F-L)
Mr. Sanderson (M-Q)
Ms. Hosany (R-Z)
Google Classrooms
Grade 9 - bix3yen
Grade 10 - krgiixa
Grade 11 - reyclkl
Grade 12 - cenqs5v
From Your Student Services Department
Apprenticeship Training Program
Student Services wanted to share this amazing pre-apprenticeship program. Sheridan is offering a FREE 24-week program provides hands-on training and paid on-the-job experience to help you secure an apprenticeship as a millwright which starts in July
If you are interested, there are upcoming information sessions. Further information, can be accessed below:
Industrial Mechanic Millwright Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program
Grade 11 Class Presentation
At the start of the month, guidance counsellors visited all Grade 11 classes, to introduce and discuss the post secondary application process. This presentation was a quick introduction so students are aware of the various timelines that exist in their Grade 12 year. Please click here to view the slidedeck.
Summer School
Summer school registration is now open. Students can register through myBlueprint. All information can be found on the Gary Allan website as well as in the communication shared with students and families.
Tuesdays @Ten
On Tuesday, May 2nd we discussed Summer School, the new eLearning graduation requirements, as well as the 40 hours of Community Involvement graduation requirement. If you weren’t able to join us, a copy of the slidedeck can be accessed here and a recording of the presentation can be accessed here.
Volunteer Club
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:
Just a reminder of the guidelines for community hours. If in doubt if your placement will count towards your 40 hours, check with your guidance counselor.
Links to our Regular Columns
Please take some time to click on the below links to view these regular Principal's Blog columns online.
HDSB Hosting Mental Health & Well-Being Information Sessions for Parents/Guardians This Spring
The Halton District School Board is hosting additional Mental Health & Well-Being Information Sessions for parents/guardians this Spring. Covering specific topics based on feedback from parents/guardians, each session will be led by a mental health expert in that area who will share their knowledge and provide helpful information and resources.
Upcoming Sessions:
May 23, 2023 6-7pm: Prevention of Disordered Eating - Information & Registration Link
June 1, 2023 6-7pm: Cyberbullying - Parenting in Today's Online World - Information & Registration Link
Registration is required for these sessions as limited spots are available. Sessions will be held on Google Meet, where closed captioning is available in various languages. Registrants will be emailed a link to access the session. Sessions will not be recorded.
Parents/guardians will have the opportunity to submit questions when completing the registration form or during the session. The Board’s Mental Health & Well-Being webpage has information for parents/guardians and students on mental health, ways to support positive mental health and well-being, and how to get additional support at school and in the broader community.
Director’s Panel Series: Bringing the Multi-Year Strategic Plan to Life
We are inviting families, students, staff and community members to the Director’s Panel Series on Bringing the Multi-Year Plan to Life to raise awareness about the commitments outlined in the HDSB’s Multi-Year Strategic Plan (2020-2024). Each session in the series will explore issues and themes outlined in our Multi-Year Plan from various perspectives, including student voice.
Next session:
Indigenous Perspectives and Awareness (Tuesday, May 16 at 6 - 7:30 p.m.)
Through the Director’s Panel Series, we will dive deeper into the work we’re doing to advance Mental Health and Well-Being, Environmental Leadership and Indigenous Perspectives and Awareness, as reflected in the HDSB’s Multi-Year Plan 2020-2024 and the Human Rights Equity Action & Accountability Plan - The Way Forward.
Links to Community Resources
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.
School Calendar & Sports Schedule
Important Dates for Your Calendar
Upcoming Key Dates
May 17 CP Day - Late Start at 9:30 am
May 18 GW Parents for Black & Biracial Student Achievement Elevating Excellence
May 22 Victoria Day - School Closed
May 23 Grade 12 Graduation Assembly
May 25 15th Week Report Distribution
May 25 Grade 12 Prom
May 29 School Council Meeting
Jun 1 Spring Concert
Jun 6 Tuesdays @Ten Parent Session
Jun 12 Class of 2023 Commencement
Jun 22 - 28 Semester 2 Exam Block
Jun 29 Exam Review Day - Last Day of School - Early Dismissal
Jun 30 PA Day - No School for Students
Jul 5 OCAS/OUAC FInal Mark Upload
Jul 6 Final Report Card & Diploma Pick Up
If you have any questions or suggestions for improving the school, our virtual door is always open. Please feel free to contact our admin team by email anytime.
Pam Jenkins, Meg Carey, Nancy Annibale, Derek Graham