Important Updates
Friday, May 7th - Weekly Parent Newsletter
Hello GDHS families,
The first week of May is now behind us, meaning we have completed the first two weeks of Quadmester 4. This time of year always seems to move quickly in schools, and perhaps even more so this year. Our staff is working hard to help students finish the year strongly and we know that you are doing your best in this regard as well. As always, please let us know how we can help.
GDHS Student of Excellence
Congratulations to Jaylynn Barrows, our GDHS 2021 Student of Excellence. Jaylynn was recognized at last night’s virtual celebration and joins the rich history of academic and community achievement that is so prevalent amongst our Georgetown students. We are very proud of Jaylynn!
Update on the OSSLT
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Education released an update to school boards on plans for the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT). Students graduating in the 2021-22 school year are exempted from the literacy graduation requirement. This means that there is no need for students currently in grade 11 and on track to graduate next year to write the OSSLT field test. The literacy graduation requirement will be restored for students graduating in the 2022-23 school year. At this time, no further information has been provided about this year’s OSSLT field testing.
Have Your Say Survey
The HDSB engagement survey Have Your Say is available from April 26 - May 24, 2021. Students are asked to complete the survey during school time and we invite parents/guardians to complete the parent/guardian survey when you have time.
Parent/guardian feedback and support is integral to the success of our students. Your participation in the Have Your Say survey will help us identify opportunities to improve schools and ensure student achievement and well-being are at the centre of everything we do.
Trustees’ Corner - A Message from the HDSB Trustees
The Trustees of the Halton District School Board are reaching out to parents to build awareness and encourage you to contact the provincial government regarding a proposal to change how students access online and remote learning. The current proposal has not been shared with education stakeholders, and has only come to light through the media. The proposal has potentially many negative impacts for students in public education.
The concerns Trustees have with the “Expanding Student Access to Online and Remote Learning” proposal are shared by many key education partners across the province. Some common concerns about the significant changes being proposed include the:
lack of direct and transparent consultation with students, parents, Boards of Education and all education partners. To date, the information contained in the proposal is known only through a series of media articles.
devaluing of the positive impact that in-person learning has on students’ mental, social and physical health.
exacerbation of inequities in online learning for students from low income families, students with special needs and students who don’t have access to technology or high-speed internet access.
lack of research evidence to support that synchronous learning provides long term benefits to student learning and well being.
negative impacts on operations, funding and student-centred expertise in local schools.
These are only a few of the many concerns that Trustees have regarding the proposal. Simply put, the wide sweeping changes to online learning for students, the timing of the proposal (during a pandemic), and the lack of transparent consultation requires that this proposal be delayed and reconsidered.
We need you to speak up.
We urge you to become informed about how your child will be impacted by the government’s proposal and share your views with your MPP and the Minister of Education. For more information, please visit haltoneducationaction.ca and plan to join the HDSB Trustees at a virtual Town Hall meeting on Thursday May 13 from 7 to 8:00 p.m. Information on how to join the Town Hall meeting can be found on the website noted above.
Schedule for the Week of May 10th
Next week students have Period 1 in the morning and Period 2 in the afternoon. As a result of the provincial school closures, all classes will be done virtually from home for the time being.
Please see our Key Dates page for detailed Quadmester calendars.
-Your GDHS Admin Team
Summer School Registration Now Open
Registration for summer school in the HDSB is NOW OPEN and completed through the student's myBlueprint account. Students must login to www.myblueprint.ca/halton and login with their school credentials. Course offerings, class times, registration information, and additional details about summer school is available on the Gary Allan Summer School website.
Inclement Weather Procedures
GDHS Commencement Ceremony 2020
GDHS Athletic Banquet Ceremony 2020
We Are Georgetown
