Principal's Message

Good Morning Garth Webb:

We survived the first full week of classes and undoubtedly everyone was a little tired by Friday. Classes are settled and students are enjoying the start up of all clubs, extra help clinics, sports, field trips, Welcome Back assemblies...and tryouts have begun for this year's musical as well! It is an exciting place to be when everything is in full swing!!   

I do need your help with students vaping in the washrooms here at GW. Please talk to your teen. We have cautioned all students at the assemblies and I am giving everyone due notice that vaping will not be allowed in the school.  Students will be warned and then we will start suspending students.  We do not want students to be guilty by association in there, as so many are standing around with others who are vaping. We will be clearing everyone out and suspending as needed to rectify this problem. 

I was hoping that vaping was trending lower amongst teenagers, but here at GW it seems to be much more popular than at other schools. I did remind students of the "no vaping" rules and by-laws that exist in Halton and there are signs posted all around the school. There is a fine of approximately $300 that can be applied to any student as well. Right now, at any given time, you could find upwards of 20 students standing in a bathroom vaping. It is awkward for anyone who actually has to go in and use the bathroom, not to mention bad for their health to inhale exhaust fumes from others that choose to vape.  Vaping will make someone sick and damage their lungs far faster than cigarettes ever did. It is not regulated at all! Don't get me wrong, I don't want them smoking cigarettes either!!! I have told students that they need to get outside if they choose to vape. Vandalism is also trending in the boys washrooms.

So please, talk to your teen about vaping and vandalism and caution them of the consequences. Together we can solve this problem.

Thank you for your help in this matter.

(Not all Principal Blogs are sunshine and roses...just saying)

Sincerely,

Jacquie Pece

September 19 is Powley Day

Now known as “Powley Day”, September 19 celebrates the anniversary of the landmark Métis rights victory at the Supreme Court of Canada in R v Powley.

As Métis, we are nation builders; we stand up and stand strong for the rights, respect and recognition of our families and communities. It has been 18 years since the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) celebrated Canada’s highest court’s unanimous decision alongside the Métis Governments in Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia, ending a ten-year legal battle and ushering in a new era recognizing Métis rights in Canada.

In Powley, the courts recognized and affirmed what the MNO had been saying all along–-that there were distinct Métis people and communities on the land before Canada became Canada, before Ontario became Ontario, with a culture and identity all their own, and that their rights were entrenched within Section 35 of Canada’s Constitution. While other Métis rights cases had been fought in the courts before, Powley was the first to be appealed all the way up to the Supreme Court. It was lead by the MNO, the Powley family and the Métis community around Sault Ste. Marie, but all Métis communities across Canada have greatly benefited from it.

The victory in Powley set the stage for a series of achievements for Métis people, not just in Ontario but across the Métis Nation Homeland, including the ground-breaking Métis Government Recognition and Self-Government Agreements signed in June, 2019 by the MNO, the Métis Nation of Alberta, Métis Nation–Saskatchewan and the Manitoba Metis Federation.

Today, we remember the sacrifices made by Steve, Roddy and the entire Powley family, and reflect on how the Powley decision forever changed the world for Métis in Canada-–finally securing recognition of Métis as a distinct Indigenous peoples within Canada, and helping open the path forward toward full Métis self-government.

(Source)

CP Day This Wednesday

This Wednesday, September 20 is our first Collaborative Planning day (“CP” day) of the 2023-2024 school year. CP Days are for staff and will happen 4 times each semester. On Wednesday, students will 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.

Grade 9 Program Night

On Thursday, September 21, 2023, grade 9 families are invited to attend our Grade 9 Program Night. This is a chance for you to meet the school administration, school support staff - guidance counselor, and student success teachers, and most importantly your student's first semester teachers.

Students are encouraged to attend with their parents. We will start in the gym all together and then families will rotate between their student's 4 classes ( be sure to have your student's timetable handy so you know where to go).

We will send an email to grade 9 families with further details this week.

Student Engagement Fees

Each year in September, we ask families to purchase the Student Engagement Fee option through their School Cash Online account. These fees are even more needed now than ever with everything being back to "normal" and student engagement being at an all time high for school wide participation in events and activities. 

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!

Start Up Forms - Action Required

All students were sent home with the Secondary Intramural Acknowledgement of Elements of Risk, Consent to Participate, and Medical Information Form this week. Those forms need to be returned to homeroom teachers ASAP. ALL students must have a completed form (whether or not they will be participating in intramurals). For students who have a spare period 1, they will need to collect a blank form from the main office and hand in their completed forms to the main office as well. 

We also sent out electronic forms this week (that are different from the paper form mentioned above) and we need this form filled in online for every student at GWSS. Please click here to access the form if you have not already completed it.

There will be one more electronic form sent out next week (Student Verification Form) that will need to be completed. Please keep an eye on your email throughout the week.

Your prompt attention to these important forms is much appreciated.

Lights, Camera, Los Angeles

Coming This March...

Thanks to all students and families who attended the parent information meeting for the Lights, Camera, Los Angeles international trip that Garth Webb Secondary School is offering this coming March Break (2024). If you would like to register your student for the trip please ensure you've read our parent information slideshow. When you're ready to commit to the trip, please fill out this google form. The deadline for the form is Monday, September 18 at 8pm. There are 45 spaces available. If more than 45 students register, a lottery system will be applied and 45 families will receive the registration code / link.

As a reminder, the trip is intended for grade 11 and 12 students taking Studies in Film & Literature, Media Studies, and/or Communication Technology first, but will be open to other students if spots remain available. If you have any questions, please contact Christine Zinken (zinkenc@hdsb.ca) for information. Thank-you!

GWS School Council 2023-2024

Our School Council will meet this Monday, September 18 at 6 pm in the Garth Webb library.  This will be the final meeting for the 2022-2023 council and the first meeting of the 2023-2024 council. If you self nominated for the new school council, please be sure to attend the meeting on Monday. All parents/guardians are welcome to attend school council meetings.

Locker Distribution

Grade 12 students will be able to choose a locker on Monday, September 18. Please remember to bring a lock. Students must share their locker number and lock combination with their homeroom teacher (or the main office if they have a spare in period 1). 

From Your Student Services Department

National Scholarships - Grade 12 students

Information around scholarships will be shared via the google classroom throughout the year.  Most National Scholarship deadlines are in the fall.  Please feel free to investigate these Scholarships to see if you are eligible.

Deadlines:

Loran Scholarship - Oct 11th 

Queen's - Dec. 8

Lester B. Pearson - School Nomination Nov. 30

Schulich - School Nomination Jan. 30

Western National - TBD but usually mid-February

Student Services Website

Be sure to visit the Student Services website where you can get information about registration, course selection, volunteer hours, how to book an appointment with your Guidance Counsellor, MyBlueprint, Co-operative Education, transition to post secondary, SHSM programs, and much more! 

Google Classrooms

Please join the appropriate classroom for your Grade to stay up to date with information from Student Services.

Grade 9 Code: euk4ho6

Grade 10 Code: bix3yen

Grade 11 Code: krgiixa

Grade 12 Code: reyclkl

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:

The Canadian Cancer Society is hosting a virtual youth volunteer fair on Monday, September 18, at 7 p.m. There are lots of great opportunities for HDSB students! Click the link below for more information.

Volunteer Fair Poster

St. Luke's has tons of volunteer opportunities coming up: 

Opportunity #1 Front Desk Volunteer- ongoing, October 2 start. Resume required We are looking for some help filling in hours on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and the occasional Saturday. Duties include greeting people coming into the Community Centre, giving tours, answering the phone, customer inquiries. Training is provided, and yes you can study while you're at the desk! 

Opportunity #2 : Talent Show Volunteers - Saturday, October 21 from 7:00-9pm. We are looking for 5 people to help with set up, serving, stagehands, and clean up-plus you get to see some neat acts. 

Opportunity # 3: Food bank Volunteers - October, November, December - Thursdays from 3:30-5:30 or 4-6 pm. We are looking for 3 volunteers for October, 5 volunteers for November, and 5 volunteers for December.

Opportunity #4 Christmas Bazaar Volunteers - Friday, November 24, 6-8 pm, Saturday, November 25, 8 am-12, or 12 pm-4. We are looking for 15 volunteers to help with set up, vendor assistance, elevator operation, and tidy up. If you're interested in any of these please contact: community1@stlukepalermo.ca.

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)

Oakville Youth Action Committee

Right now the Town of Oakville is accepting applications for The Oakville Youth Action Committee (OYAC).  The Oakville Youth Action Committee is a group of youth volunteers working to enhance their local community by encouraging meaningful youth participation in community recreation programs and events.

This past year we have set some great initiatives in motion and would love to continue to contribute to the youth community in Oakville. This year we will be focused on a few of projects:

• The Art mural in the QEP Youth Centre, this will consist of regular registered sessions with our Chosen Artist, Yen Lin Thai.  Helping to select the youth artists that will contribute. You would also be eligible to apply to be one of those artist. More details to follow soon.  

• Helping to plan and implement the expansion of youth drop in days and times to community centres around town.  Currently we run Tuesday and Friday at QEPCC and Friday at Glen Abbey.

• We are hoping to have a recognition night with various youth focused awards during National Youth Week (May 1-7 2024), This could include categories like Overall Youth Award, Sports Award, Environmental Award and various others.

As we look to have another great year of events and initiatives with OYAC we would like to extend the opportunity for you to apply for the upcoming school year. If any or all of these initiatives seem like something you would like to help with this year, applications are now open. Show or tell us what you are passionate about. Make a video, write a letter, add in the ideas you have for engaging fellow youth and what existing initiatives look exciting to you.

Submission can be made through Instagram @oakvilleyouth or email oakvilleyouth@oakville.ca. Submissions will be accepted until September 15. Be sure to include, Full name, Age, Grade, School and Contact number.

Upcoming Key Dates

Sep 18 School Council Meeting @6 pm

Sep 20 CP Day - Late Start (students start class at 9:30 am)

Sep 21 Grade 9 Program Night

Sep 28 Fire Drill #2