215 PARKSIDE DRIVE
WATERDOWN, ON L8B 1B9
TEL: 905.689.6692
FAX: 905.689.3413 / EMAIL:
www.hwdsb.on.ca/waterdown
PRINCIPAL: Wanda Bielak
VICE-PRINCIPAL: Brent Monkley
VICE-PRINCIPAL: Dan Stepaniuk
Dear Waterdown Warrior and Families, July 2017
Welcome to Waterdown District High School! We are so thrilled and excited that you will be joining us very soon. While the thought of beginning high school may be a little unnerving for some of you, I want to assure you that the staff and students at Waterdown are outstanding and will be there to support you as you make your move to high school. Staff are ready to help with the academic and social aspects of this important transition and will support you as you navigate diploma requirements and explore various pathways. Our school plan, all school activities and events are tied to supporting your success, well-being and sense of belonging. You are part of our community and part of us.
Grade 9 Orientation:
At 10:00 AM on Wednesday August 30th, there will be an opportunity for all incoming Grade 9 students to have a short orientation (approx. 1 hour) to the school. Students will be able to locate their semester 1 classes and set up their locker. Your locker is assigned to you only. You are solely responsible for your locker and its contents so please do not share your locker or combination. For reasons of locker security, only combination locks are permitted. The school does not sell locks so please bring your lock with you on August 30th. If an alternative is required, please see a member of the School Administration to discuss an acceptable alternative. If you are not able to attend on August 30th, timetables and locker information will be given out on the first day of school during period 1. Period 1 class locations will be posted on the wall outside of Main Office and Student Services.
First Day(s) of School:
On the first day of school, Tuesday, September 5th, all Grade 9 students are to report to their homeroom (period 1 class), by 8:05 AM. We will be holding a welcome Assembly during Period 1. On this first day, you will attend all of your Semester 1 classes, receive textbooks, course information and perhaps some homework. Dismissal time will be at 2:35 p.m. Cafeteria service will be available for those wishing to purchase their lunch or, plan to bring your lunch. Get into good habits early- eat breakfast and lunch every day. See the main office with any concerns re lunch or access to breakfast. At W.D.H.S. we expect Grade 9 students to be prepared for school. Some simple ways to start your high school experience in an organized way are: to come to school with a 3-ring binder notebook organized separately with dividers for each class with paper (depending on your semester one subjects) or, a separate binder for each class with paper, an eraser and ruler, pencil case, pen and pencil, etc. Information regarding appropriate electronic devices for use at school will be addressed during the first week of school. Other required equipment will either be provided or identified in course outlines distributed on the first day of classes. Please contact classroom teachers with any questions or concerns. All grade 9 students will receive a copy of the Student Handbook. Please familiarize yourself and your student with its contents including important dates, staff contact information, school expectations for learning and behaviour, whom to contact with questions or concerns, and other valuable information.
Grade 9 students will receive an iPad from the school to be used during their time at Waterdown. Details regarding the distribution and expectations for use of this vital tool will be provided in a separate communication prior to the allocation during the month of September.
Important Dates for Students:
· Monday, September 11th - Picture Day- For photo ID, yearbook and personal portraits.
· Wednesday September 21th - Grade 9 Day at Christie’s Conservation Area –This is a full day of welcoming fun activities for all Grade 9 students run by our senior students. All students are expected to be in attendance for this event, which is held off-campus at Christie’s Conservation Area. You will learn more about this great day once school starts.
· Wednesday November 1st- Take Our Kids to Work Day - Over the summer students and families should start exploring possible work locations for Take Our Kids to Work Day, a provincially mandated school/work experience for all grade 9 students in the province of Ontario.
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Important Dates For Families of Grade 9 Students:
· Tuesday, September 19th at 6:30 pm Waterdown School Council meets in the Learning Commons for the first meeting of the school year. Please plan to attend; all are welcome and students benefit when families are involved with the school.
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Health and Medical Information Sharing with WDHS:
Waterdown District High School fully adheres to school, board and ministry policies regarding privacy, confidentiality and supporting students with critical medical or health needs. Please share required information for your student’s safety using the required forms for: Epipen/Anaphylaxis/Life-Threatening Allergies, Diabetes Management, and/or any other critical medical information required for the school to know for your student’s safety and well-being. Please ensure the school has up-to-date emergency contact information and is updated as it changes. Completed forms should be handed in to your student’s home-room teacher on the first day of school/ASAP. Contact the school with any questions or concerns; speak your student’s Vice Principal- Mr Brent Monkley, A-K; Mr Dan Stepaniuk, L-Z for specific details or special requests.
Absences/Excusal from School, Attendance and Exams:
Daily attendance at school is required. All absences must be reported by families responsible for the student(s) in a timely fashion, preferably on the day or the evening before the absence. Unaccounted for absences will be recorded as unexplained. Students with extensive unexplained absences will be monitored by school administration and arrangements will be made with families to address school attendance concerns. Long-term absences from school for medical or other approved reasons must be reported to the school and appropriate arrangements may be made with the school for alternative schooling if required, e.g. home instruction.
Please contact the school in advance for excusal during the day for appointments. Excused pupils will receive an excusal form if notes or calls are made in advance for appointments. Students will not be excused from class without an excusal form obtained in advance. Do not call, text or summon your child during class time to be excused or picked up. Contact the main office or attendance to arrange for your child to be excused from class if unable to do so prior to the start of the school day.
When planning family vacations please avoid semester-end dates in January and June as culminating activities, in-class and final exams occur during these times. Semester end final exams in January run from January 25th- 31st, 2018 and in June from June 21st – June 27th, 2018. Please contact the school administration when alternative dates/requests are required for any reason so arrangements can be made in advance. A student may be excused from an exam with medical documentation.
Stay informed and up-to-date about Waterdown:
A great way to stay aware of happenings at W.D.H.S. is to look at our website which is updated regularly at www.hwdsb.on.ca/waterdown. Please sign up for our parent messaging service Remind (details found below). Another way to see what is happening is following us on Twitter at @waterdownDHS. The Synervoice message service is used for daily attendance/absence notifications and important school messages. A newsletter will accompany mid-term and final reports.
Our values:
/ Waterdown District High School215 PARKSIDE DRIVE
WATERDOWN, ON L0R 2H1
TEL: 905.689.6692
FAX: 905.689.3413 / EMAIL:
www.hwdsb.on.ca/waterdown
PRINCIPAL: Wanda Bielak
VICE-PRINCIPAL: Brent Monkley
VICE-PRINCIPAL: Dan Stepaniuk
We hope this year will be rewarding, successful and exciting for you. At Waterdown District High School, we use the guiding principles of respect, achievement and accountability to guide our work and interactions with all staff, students
and members of the community. We believe that through these principles we can establish a common understanding about expectations for commitment to learning and achievement and conduct essential for our staff, students and community to thrive together. We encourage you to take part in Waterdown’s extensive offering of co-and extra-extracurricular clubs, teams and activities. We are committed to the principles of equity and inclusion and strive to be barrier free/fully accessible in all our actions, attitudes and activities. Should you or your student require specific supports to ensure equity of access and opportunity, please contact the school administration either by phone or email to discuss how best to meet the needs of you or your student(s). There is always someone available to help answer questions and provide support. Guidance Counsellors, the Student Success teacher, Classroom teachers, Office staff, Vice-Principals, and, of course, the Principal, are all her to support you and your student(s)’ well-being and success. Your success is our success and we take this responsibility and privilege very seriously. Please share your concerns, any time.
Summertime Tip:
Incoming grade 9 students are encouraged and permitted to begin their community service hours during the summer months prior to entering high school. Please consider getting started on your community service hours this summer. 10 hours/each year of high school is recommended. Check with the school for approved locations and agencies.
Sincerely,
Wanda Bielak
Principal
IMPORTANT SCHOOL DATES2017 - 2018
SEMESTER 1 & 2
EVENT / 2017-2018
Picture Day / Sept 11
Gr 9 Day Christies / Sept 21
Picture Retakes / Oct 2
Awards Assembly / Oct 12
Parent Teacher Interviews / Oct 19
Grad Photo's / Oct 23-Nov 3
Gr 9 Kids to Work Day / Nov 1
Gr 7 & 8 Open House / Nov 22
Christmas Break / Dec 25-Jan 5
Gr 8 Parent Info Night / Jan 18
EQAO (Math) / Jan 18/19/22
Sem 1 Final Exams / Jan 25-31
Experience a Day at WDHS / Jan. 31
Sem 2 Begins / Feb. 2
Option Sheet Presentations / Feb 12-16
Family Day / Feb 19
March Break / March 12-16
Parent Teacher Interviews / March 22
OSSLT (Gr 10) / April 10
Sr Prom / TBD
Grad Breakfast / June 1
EQAO Numeracy / June 13/14/15
Sem 2 Final Exams / June 21 - 27
Commencement / June 28