Wildcat's Weekly - June 22-26

Wildcat’s Weekly – Parent Edition

 June 22-26

Upcoming Dates

Summer Office Hours 9am - 2:30pm 

Principal’s Message 

Dear Williams Families,

As exams are nearly done, and we have come to the close of another school year, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the many people who have contributed to the life of our school community. I am especially grateful to our School Council members for their partnership, support, and commitment throughout the year. Their advocacy has helped strengthen our school in meaningful ways. I would also like to thank our teaching and support staff for the dedication, professionalism, and heart they bring to their work each day. Their efforts have made a lasting difference in the lives of our students.

I also want to congratulate our students for all they have accomplished this year. Whether in the classroom, on the field, on the stage, or through clubs and activities, our students have represented Dr. G. W. Williams Secondary School with pride and spirit. We are proud of their hard work, growth, and contributions across all areas of school life.

To all of our families, thank you for your ongoing support and partnership throughout the year. I wish you a restful summer.

Mr. Andrew Gazaneo 

Principal

Graduation Information

Our graduation ceremony will take place on June 24 at Bellevue Manor (8083 Jane St., Concord, Ontario). Please note: This is a ticketed event, and all guests must have a ticket to enter. Due to fire safety regulations, guests without a ticket will not be admitted.  If you purchased additional graduation tickets and have not yet picked them up, please visit the main office by June 22 at 3:00 p.m. to collect them. Parking is limited at the venue, so we strongly encourage carpooling whenever possible. 

Event Schedule

🎓 Graduates Arrive: 5:45 p.m.

• Please enter through the back entrance
• Graduates should arrive dressed in their graduation gown and ready for the ceremony

🚪 Guest Front Doors Open: 6:00 p.m.

🎉 Graduation Ceremony: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. 

We look forward to celebrating this special milestone with you!

Pre Order Flowers for Graduation

If you are interested in pre-ordering flowers for your graduates please see the website : https://www.thecommencementgroup.com/williamsss

Diploma Pick up
Graduates may pick up their diplomas beginning July 6. A valid student ID is required when picking up a diploma. If a graduate is 18 years of age or older and would like someone else to pick up their diploma on their behalf, they must provide written authorization (either by email or letter) before the diploma can be released to that person.

Gapps Accounts Report Cards

Anyone who will no longer be attending a YRDSB school please download all items from your GAPPS account that you’d like to preserve; you will lose access to their GAPPS at the end of August.

Final Report Cards will be digitally sent out starting July 6, 2026.

Locker Clean Out

All students are expected to have cleared out their lockers so that lockers can be cleaned during the summer. We will have volunteers going around and cleaning out any lockers that have not been cleaned out. If your student has not cleaned out their locker, please get them to do so now. Any items that are unclaimed by June 30th will be donated.

Access Report Cards in the Family Dashboard When Available

As we reach the end of the school year, schools will be sharing student report cards by July 6 for secondary schools. Report cards will be available in the Family Dashboard. You will receive an email when your child’s report card is available. 

For families who do not yet have a Family Dashboard account, you can sign up for an account at any time at family.yrdsb.ca. You can find information on how to create an account on the Board website or in this instructional video. 

The Family Dashboard gives parents/guardians secure one-stop access to information and applications related to your child’s education. It is designed to make it easier for families to engage with their child’s education.  

As we wrap up the school year, we also want to remind families that it’s important that the school has updated contact information for students and parents/guardians, including home address, phone numbers, email address and emergency contacts. This will ensure that the school can contact families in case of emergency, and also that you continue to receive important communications and updates from the school. Please contact the school directly with any changes.  

Student Drop-Off Areas

Just a reminder to all families that the yellow zones in our parking lot are designated as No Drop-Off zones. These areas must remain clear at all times to support safe traffic flow and emergency vehicle access. Please use the designated drop-off areas when arriving at or leaving the school. Thank you for helping us keep our parking lot safe for everyone. 

Semester 2 Exam Schedule

Please note:

All exams begin at 8:30 am.

Performance-based and oral exams are scheduled directly with the classroom teacher.

Students MUST write their exam at school on the day and at the time for which it is scheduled. If students are absent from their exam, they will receive a mark of zero (0) for the final exam. Final exams will NOT be rescheduled to accommodate alternate activities which conflict with the timing of exams (i.e. vacations, employment commitments, appointments, etc.).

Guidance

YRDSB Summer School Information

Summer School registration is now open.  Students can register through their My Pathway Planner account under “Continuing Education”.  Please see the YRDSB Summer School information page for details around course offerings, sessions, dates, locations, delivery models and the registration process.

Non-YRDSB Final Report Cards

• Any student planning on graduating this June who is completing a course outside of the YRDSB (i.e private school) must submit their final report card to the Guidance Office by Friday June 12, 2026.

Final Pick ups

This is a final reminder, if you have purchased a yearbook or a grad hoodie please be sure to pick them up on or before June 26, 2026.

English Department 

If you would like to enjoy some reading over the summer break, the English department has created a reading list.  Click here to see this reading list.

Student Mental Health and Additions Newsletter

Summer Wellness Guide

The Summer Wellness Guide is a collection of resources, professional training, and strategies/tip sheets to support Positive Mental Health.

YRDSB Calendar 2026-2027 

The YRDSB 2026-2027 school year calendars have been approved by the Ministry. These calendars may accessed on the YRDSB website at: https://www2.yrdsb.ca/school-year-calendar 

Caring. Inclusive. Respectful. The next generation of global leaders.