Wildcat’s Weekly – Parent Edition
Nov 3 - 14, 2025
Upcoming Dates
Monday, Nov 3
- Girls Varsity Hockey practise @ SARC (leave GWW @ 1:15pm)
Wednesday, Nov 5
- Grade 9 Take Your Kids to Work Day (TYKWD)
- Grade 8 Take Your Students to High School Day (TYSHSD)
- Last Day of Semester 1, Term 1
Thursday, Nov 6
- Grade 8 Open House (6:30pm - 8pm)
- Start of Semester 1, Term 2
- OUAC Transmission
Monday, Nov 10
- Beaver Computing Contest (starting at 1:45pm)
Tuesday, Nov 11
- Remembrance Day
- Girls Varsity Hockey game against Sacred Heart @ Magna Center (leave GWW @1:40pm)
Wednesday, Nov 12
- Canadian Sr & Int Math Competition
- Midterm marks are shared with Grade 11& 12 students
Friday, Nov 14
- Fire Drill
- OCAS Transmission
Monday, Nov 17
- School Council Meeting (Agenda)
Thursday Nov 20
- OUAC Transmission
Friday, Nov 28
- Full Disclosure Date - Courses dropped by this date will not show on a student’s transcript.
Principal’s Message
Hello Families,
As we near mid-term report cards, now is the time to reinforce strong study habits and time management skills that will serve students well throughout the school year. Families can play a key role by encouraging their child to set up a consistent homework routine each day. Additionally, encourage your child to regularly use a calendar or planner to track assignments and deadlines. Creating a quiet, distraction-free space for schoolwork is also important. These small but meaningful actions help foster confidence, independence, and a sense of balance during a busy time in the school year.
I’m also pleased to welcome all parents/guardians to our next School Council event on Monday, November 17th at 6:30 pm in our library. We will have a guest speaker from the York Hills Centre for Children, Youth, and Families, speaking about Building Mentally Healthy and Resilient Teenagers. All families are welcome to join us and we will have brief school council remarks following the presentation.
Have a restful weekend.
Mr. Gazaneo
Principal
School Events
Take Your Kids To Work Day (Grade 9)
On Wednesday, November 5, 2025, Grade 9 students will have an opportunity to spend the day at a workplace of a parent/guardian, relative or family friend and OBSERVE a work environment. There will be no formal instruction/lessons for Grade 9 students on November 5th.
The Yearbook and Newscast Team would love to showcase our Grade 9 students participating in Take Your Kids to Work Day on Wednesday, November 5th! Parents and guardians are encouraged to snap a photo of their child at their workplace and share it with us. We’d love to see our GW students exploring different careers in our community. When submitting your photo, please include your child’s name, the workplace location, and a brief description of what they did to help us provide accurate captions. For safety reasons, all images must be submitted through your child’s GAPPS account using the form provided or directly with the teacher advisor. More information is available through the form. https://forms.gle/foEuqAFGe9fFXio38 We are looking forward to seeing all the great photos of our Grade 9s gaining real-world experiences!
Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT)
The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) measures whether students are meeting the provincial standard for literacy skills expected by the end of Grade 9. Successful completion of the OSSLT is a requirement for earning the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).
Grade 10 students will complete the test in their homeroom class over two days: Session A on Tuesday, November 17 and Session B on Wednesday, November 18.
Grade 11 and 12 previously eligible students will write the test in the Library. Session A will be written on Tuesday, November 25 and Session B on Wednesday, November 26.
Each session will begin promptly at 8:20 a.m. and is designed to take approximately 65–75 minutes to complete. Extra time will be provided to all students who require it.
Save the Date: Semi Formal 2025
Semi Formal is approaching quickly, and the staff of Dr. G. W. Williams Secondary School is pleased to celebrate this occasion with students in grades 9-12 on Thursday, November 20, 2025 at The Royal Venetian, 400 Industrial Parkway South, Aurora. The evening will begin at 6:00 PM and end at 10:00 PM. Doors close promptly at 6:30 PM. The evening’s events will include dinner at 7:00 PM followed by dancing. The Semi-Formal will be supervised by school board staff and the York Regional Police.
In order to attend, proof of ticket purchase is required.
Tickets will be available for purchase through School Cash Online, from Thursday, October 30th - Monday, November 10th - only.
Please Note:
- Due to venue size, only 325 tickets will be sold to this event.
- Only one ticket per student may be purchased.
- Individual ticket price is dependent on whether or not the student activity fee has previously been paid. All ticket sales will be reviewed to ensure the correct payment amount has been demonstrated.
- If unable to attend the Semi Formal, no refunds will be issued.
- Any questions should be directed to lisa.shillum@yrdsb.ca
Designation Technovation
We are excited to invite female and LGBTQ2+ students to participate in an upcoming Designation on November 25th, hosted at the Aurora Public Library in partnership with Women in Computer Science at the University of Waterloo. This free event offers a fun and inclusive space to explore coding, design and technology. Transportation is provided, and students can sign up by November 20th using this link: https://forms.gle/Y7DBzJHeW7Highum8. Please email jasper.park@yrdsb.ca with any questions.
Update your Contact Information
If your email or phone number has changed, please contact the main office to update your record. Students who are 18 years or older are also asked to provide their own phone number and email address. This ensures you receive all important messages.
Medical Information
If your child has asthma, seizures, anaphylaxis, or diabetes, please complete the appropriate Health Care Plan form as soon as possible. If your child requires an EpiPen, inhaler, or any other medication related to their condition, please ensure it is provided to the Main Office ASAP. The school board requires updated medical information for these conditions each year.
Fillable Health Care forms are available for families who have children with asthma, seizure disorders, anaphylaxis, and diabetes. These forms can be accessed through the link provided or a paper copy can also be requested from the main office. Please choose the one that applies to your child, click download and fill out. Please email lisa.degeer@yrdsb.ca the completed form or return to Mrs. DeGeer in the Main Office.
York Region Public Health
Please see the attached flyer providing information from Public Health regarding the Measles vaccine.
Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services Poverty Reduction Strategy Survey
The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services is assessing Ontario’s current 2020–2025 poverty reduction strategy and developing the next poverty reduction strategy. Willing families are asked to fill in this survey to provide feedback to the Ministry. The deadline to submit a response is November 30, 2025. The survey should take around 20 minutes to complete. Please email prs@ontario.ca if you have questions about the poverty reduction strategy consultation or how we collect and use your personal information.
Important:If your child no longer requires a Health Care Plan, please email us to let us know so we can update our records.
Caring. Inclusive. Respectful. The next generation of global leaders.