Important Updates
Yearbooks have Arrived!
The 2022-23 yearbooks have arrived at GDHS. If you purchased a yearbook last year, it will be available for pick-up during periods 1 & 2 during the week of Oct 2 - Oct 5 in room 116. Students will be called alphabetically, by grade to collect their yearbook, entering room 116 through the library foyer. At this time there are no extra yearbooks. As such, only students with names appearing on our GDHS generated list will be given a book. Students picking up their yearbooks will be required to show a piece of ID, a student card, or a copy of their timetable as proof of identification.
Graduates or their families who purchased a yearbook are invited to stop into the main office to pick it up. Please do not walk into Room 116 to collect it.
Gr 12 HDSB Post-Secondary Exploration Event Field Trip
On Thursday, October 26, all Gr 12 Students will be participating in an in-person post-secondary event at Sheridan College Oakville Trafalgar Campus. Field Trip forms were distributed in Period 1 Gr 12 Homeroom Classes and must be signed by parents and returned to their student's homeroom teacher. Gr 12s with a Period 1 spare or eLearning course have been emailed a copy of the permission form and must submit the completed form to the Guidance Office. Additional paper copies of the field trip form and letter to parents and families are available in the Guidance Office.
Forms are due by Thursday, October 5th.
Gr 9 Take Our Kids to Work Day
On November 1st, Grade 9 students across Canada will go to work with a parent, relative, or other trusted adult. Students who are unable to accompany a parent, relative, family friend to their workplace will be supported in finding a placement, where possible. Virtual placements are also an option with family approval.
Please ensure that the Take Our Kids to Work Day Permission Form is signed and returned to their Gr 9 student's PERIOD 5 teacher by October 25th. Electronic copies of the permission form are available below:
Weekly Newsletter
GDHS Weekly Newsletter - Friday, September 29th
Hello GDHS Families,
It is hard to believe that we have come to the end of September. It has been an exceptionally busy month for us here at GDHS and that’s just the way we like it!
We would like to send out a hearty thank-you to all of our school staff and those amazing community volunteers that have been working with our clubs and teams this fall. A big thanks to all of the staff, students, parents and alumni who came out last night to support our Senior Boys Football team in their game on our field here. You can follow the progress, upcoming games, results and standings of all of our school teams by checking out https://hssaa.ca
A big thank-you to our Guidance staff who have been working tirelessly to accommodate the over 1,000 timetable changes that our students have requested over the past 4 weeks. As well, a huge thanks to our office staff who have been working tirelessly right out of the gate to keep the day to day operations of school running smoothly, accurately and on time.
We hope everyone has a restful and enjoyable weekend. School updates and information can be found below.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
September 30th marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This week, students had opportunities to learn about Indigenous brilliance and Indigenous contributions to Canadian society. Today we recognized Orange Shirt Day in commemoration of the tragic impacts of the residential school system on Indigenous communities. Together we deepened our understanding through Phyllis Webstad’s story and participated in a moment of silent reflection. At GDHS, Every Child Matters.
Parents Night
Parents Night will take place on Wednesday, October 18th from 5-8pm.
5-6pm: Grade 9 Parent Night & Grade 12 Post-Secondary Application Assembly
6-7pm: Meet and Greet
7-8pm: Scheduled interviews with teachers. Sign-up information will be shared next week.
Post-Secondary Application Assembly & Parent Session
Guidance Counsellors emailed very important post-secondary information to all Gr 12 students this week. All these resources are available on the Guidance Post-Secondary Planning Webpage. An assembly reviewing application information to apprenticeships, college, universities, and workplace is scheduled for Period 3 on Monday, October 2nd for Gr 12 classes - all students with a Period 3 spare/lunch are asked to join the assembly in the Theatre at the start of Period 3.
Guidance Counsellors will repeat this presentation for parents and families at 5pm on Parent Interview Evening on October 18th. If your student is in Gr 12 and you are seeking information on post-secondary education, applications, and timelines we encourage you to attend our presentation on parent night.
Gr 12 HDSB Post-Secondary Exploration Event Field Trip October 26
On Thursday, October 26, all Gr 12 Students will be participating in an in-person Post-Secondary Exploration Event at Sheridan College Oakville Trafalgar Campus. Field Trip forms are due on Thursday, October 5th to Period 1 teachers or the Guidance Office. Please ensure your Gr 12 students return these forms to secure a spot on the trip.
GDHS Drama
Auditions for our annual One Act Festival are this Tuesday, October 3rd, right after school in drama room 123. All students are welcome and no experience is needed. Callbacks are on Wednesday, October 4th. Follow @gdhsdrama on Instagram for more information about anything drama related.
Yearbook Distribution
The 2022-23 yearbooks have arrived at GDHS. If you purchased a yearbook last year, it will be available for pick-up during periods 1 & 2 during the week of Oct 2 - Oct 5 in room 116. Students will be called alphabetically, by grade to collect their yearbook, entering room 116 through the library foyer. At this time there are no extra yearbooks. As such, only students with names appearing on our GDHS generated list will be given a book. Students picking up their yearbooks will be required to show a piece of ID, a student card, or a copy of their timetable as proof of identification
Graduates or their families who purchased a yearbook are invited to stop into the main office to pick it up. Please do not walk into Room 116 to collect it.
Well-being team
Our Well-Being Team is excited to announce that we will be meeting on October 4th from 3:30pm - 4:30pm in the main office conference room. If you are interested in supporting the development of a comprehensive plan to create a positive school climate focused on safety, inclusivity, and the well-being of students - this opportunity is for you!
We are in need of representation from a variety of groups, ie. staff (all staff are welcome), students, parents, community. Please reach out to Ronda Rumig (rumigr@hdsb.ca) if you have any questions.
Angel Fund Support
Every year we have families reach out looking for financial support for their children through this fund. If you would like to contribute to the Parent Council Angel Fund, please do so through School Cash Online - specific instructions are linked here (please read carefully). Last year was a particularly challenging year for many and we anticipate even higher needs this year. Thank you in advance for all your support.
Coming up at GDHS
Fire drill - October 4
PD Day - October 6
Thanksgiving Day (no school) - October 9
5th Week Reports - October 12
Fire drill - October 18
Parents Night - October 18
IB & ALP Information Evening - October 19
Post-secondary Exploration Event (Grade 12s) - October 26
Take Our Kids to Work Day (Grade 9s) - November 1
-Your GDHS Admin Team