Wildcat's Weekly - March 9-27

Wildcat’s Weekly – Parent Edition

 Mar. 9-Mar. 27

Upcoming Dates

Office Hours 7:45am - 3:45pm 

Principal’s Message

Dear Williams Families,

Reading remains one of the most effective ways for students to strengthen their thinking and communication skills. A regular reading habit builds confidence, sharpens understanding, and supports learning across all subjects. When students read both fiction and non‑fiction, they develop curiosity, learn to ask thoughtful questions, and gain a clearer sense of how ideas shape the world around them.

Reading also nurtures empathy and helps students appreciate the diversity within our school community. As they encounter different voices and experiences, they learn to interpret information with care and respond to others with understanding. By encouraging reading at home and at school, we give students a powerful foundation for success, both in their classes and in their lives beyond Williams.

Have a great weekend

Mr. Andrew Gazaneo 

Principal

Parent-Teacher Interview Night

Parent Teacher Interview Night is scheduled for Thursday, March 26, 2026, offering an opportunity to meet in person with your child's teachers. Online booking opens on March 12 after 3:00 pm via the TeachAssist Parent Portal; simply enter your email and leave the password blank to receive a login link. If you are unable to attend the event in person, you can reach out to teachers directly via email to arrange an alternate meeting time.

York Hills Centre for Children, Youth and Families

For more information on the Triple P Teen Seminar please see this link 

Guidance

The course selection window for the 2026/2027 school year is now over.

Post-Secondary Accessibility Fair - Registration Now Open!

The Transition Strategy team is thrilled to share the details for the upcoming Post-Secondary Accessibility Fair hosted by YRDSB & YCDSB. This is a valuable opportunity for students, families, and staff to connect directly with Admissions, Recruitment, Accessibility, and Student Support Offices.  Accessibility and Student Support Offices will be present at this event! This is a fantastic opportunity for students to ask questions about accommodations and transition support directly.

 Event Details:

·                Date: March 25, 2026

·                Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

·                Location: Sir William Mulock Secondary School (705 Columbus Way, Newmarket, ON L3X 2M7)

·                More Info: https://www2.yrdsb.ca/post-secondary-fair

·                Registration Link: https://forms.gle/9WdjpeC2ZnZTxsJw6

·                Flyer linked here 

Event Highlights:

·                Special Presentation: The Regional Assessment and Resource Centre (RARC) will present on "Accessing Support in Post-Secondary: How Accessibility Services Help You Succeed".

·                Participating Institutions: Attendees can meet with representatives from Centennial, Durham, George Brown, Georgian, Guelph, Guelph-Humber, Humber, Laurier, McMaster, Seneca, Skilled Trades Ontario, TMU, UofT, Waterloo, Western, and York.

For more information, please contact transition.strategy@yrdsb.ca

Community Involvement Hours

The Ministry of Education has recently announced the Minister's Certificate of Recognition for Community Involvement.  All students must complete a minimum of 40 hours to earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).  However, interested students may now pursue a Community Involvement Recognition Certificate for going above and beyond the 40 hours. There are now three tiers of recognition.

• Bronze (50-99 hours)
• Silver (100-199 hours)
• Gold (200+ hours).

Previously, Guidance recorded the first 40 Community Involvement Hours. However, we will now collect up to 200 hours. Please be aware of the following dates:

• Tuesday March 31, 2026 - Date by which Grade 12 students seeking a certificate must submit all of their hours to the Guidance Office using this Google Form.
• Tuesday May 19, 2026 - Date by which all graduating students must have their 40 hours submitted.

OYAP (Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program) 

Click here for more information. 

The Alliance

We are looking forward to welcoming a YRDSB School Social Worker and Community Partnership Developer to meet with our GSA students the week of March 9th to talk about well-being, self-care, and managing stress

Graduation June 24, 2026

Grad Gowns 

Grade 12 students, graduating this year, are invited to the annual Graduation and Awards Ceremony. The Graduation package is available for purchase on School Cash Online. There are two options to choose from:

• Graduation Ceremony and Reception + Cap and Gown Fee 2025-2026 ($85)

or

• Graduation Ceremony and Reception (No Gown or Cap) - Fee 2025-2026 ($70)

This fee finances the Graduation Ceremony. The deadline to pay for the Graduation package is March 13, 2026, to ensure timely delivery of the caps & gowns. If you have any questions, please email dr.g.w.williams.ss@yrdsb.ca.

Yearbooks 

Have you ordered the 2025-2026 G.W. Yearbook? The deadline to order is quickly approaching to order the first ever yearbook from our new location of 11 Spring Farm Rd  

Our dedicated Yearbook Team has been working around the clock capturing moments, designing layouts, and telling the story of this milestone year.  It’s more than a book — it’s a lasting gift they’ll treasure for years to come.

Important: Yearbooks are available by pre-order only and will not be available for purchase when they arrive in June.  Our order deadline is fast approaching so don't miss out. Please visit School Cash Online to order your copy today:https://www.schoolcashonline.com/

If you experience any issues placing your order through SCO or do not see the yearbook listed, please contact our Budget Secretary at connie.trepanier@yrdsb.ca.

Thank you for supporting the Yearbook — a timeless high school keepsake and a student-created snapshot of GW history.

Inclement Weather 

Bus or School Cancellations

With winter weather here, we want to share some important reminders for families.

When an inclement weather or extreme cold day is declared, school transportation (including buses and taxis) is cancelled in the morning and afternoon. Schools will remain open. If you drive your child to school, or your child takes alternate transportation, you must make arrangements for your child to get home at the end of the day. Please call/email the school if your child will not be attending school on those days. If you do not call/email the school the student will be marked absent and an automated call will be sent out. 

There may be rare instances when emergency winter events occur and we need to close all schools and Board locations. Please take the time to make plans in the event of an emergency school closure.

Information about transportation cancellations and Board closures will be shared through local media, board and school websites and on X @YRDSB.

Our process for extreme cold, inclement weather and emergency weather days is outlined in the board’s Severe Weather policy.

Mental Health Ontario

School Mental Health Ontario has introduced a new Parent/Caregiver resource hub to support your child's mental health and well-being.  By Your Side, a suite of resources to support mental health and well-being for every family. 

We know that parents and caregivers want their children to be physically and mentally healthy, and already have many effective tools and strategies in place. 

By Your Side recognizes the expertise of parents and caregivers and offers resources to support and strengthen mental health and well-being in every family. 

The new Learning Hub is an online resource centre co-created by Ontario parents/caregivers and school mental health professionals designed to meet the needs of Ontario’s families. Resources and support are made available in multiple formats—including web content, PDFs, videos and webinars (coming soon!)—the Hub ensures families can access information and strategies that promote mental health and well-being at home. 

Key topics in the Parent/Caregiver Learning Hub include:

•  understanding mental health
• promoting mental health at home
• supporting mental health at school
• stress and anxiety management
• substance use prevention
• navigating digital technology use
• reaching out for help 

Scan the QR code with your phone’s camera to access the Hub or click on this link!

YRT Service Update

Please see the link regarding updated information for Route 426

York Region Public Health 

** NEW ** Please see this link for information on the Flu Vaccine and where you can get it.  

Please see the link from York Region Public Health regarding student absenteeism.

Please see the attached flyer providing information from Public Health regarding the Measles vaccine. 

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