Take Our Kids To Work - Grade 9 Students
Dear Parents/Guardians and Grade 9 Students,
Take Our Kids to Work (TOKW) Day is a unique initiative designed to provide Grade 9 students with invaluable insights into the world of work. It aims to assist students in considering future career paths by offering them the opportunity to observe a work environment for one day.
On Wednesday, November 6, 2024, Grade 9 students will have the chance to spend the day at a workplace of a parent/guardian, relative, friend or volunteer. Alternatively, they can choose career-related activities to explore either at home or within the school environment. It is a day dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding of various career options and pathways.
The Students Commission of Canada is the new organization that supports this program and offers resources for educators and students. The 2024 TOKW Theme is Breaking Barriers, Transforming Communities.
To share the plans for your child on November 6, please complete the following google form by Friday, November 1: WCI Take our Kids to Work Day 2024
If you have any questions, please contact the Main Office at Westmount C.I
GUIDANCE
UPDATES - October 22 |
 |
COLLEGE APPLICATION
WORKSHOP October 23 Period 4 Westmount Library |
I Want to Visit College and University Campuses…. Attend Fall Open Houses! Find a
detailed schedule in The Scholarship Report. Click here to
access the documents. The
password is: ask your student (password protected). (they
were emailed this info to their gapps account) Look for this link on the right-hand side of the page and click to access the information. |
Grade 11 and 12 Students…please
pay attention to these key dates regarding OEN number distribution (required
for applications to College and University) and dropping courses. |
GRADE 12 STUDENTS requesting Part Time status (Dropping 3 courses to 2 courses) Or…any morning
on the dates above from 8:15-8:30 **DEADLINE TO DROP NOVEMBER 14** |
GRADE 11 (or 12) STUDENTS requesting to drop a course NOVEMBER
27 is
the FULL DISCLOSURE date, which is the final day that a student, in a Grade
11 or 12 course, may drop a course in order that it not be recorded on the
Ontario Student Transcript. |
Talking to Youth About Vaping - For Families from York Region Public Health
There are many reasons why youth may start to use vapes. Friends may pressure others to start using vape products. Youth may see family members vape or smoke and imitate that behaviour. Additionally, the last few years may have been extraordinarily difficult for many youth and they may think that vapes and nicotine products will help them cope with stress.
Whether you are a parent, guardian or teacher, starting a discussion with your kids about vaping may not be easy but having the conversation early about drugs and experimenting is important so that youth can get the real facts.
Parents and Caregivers play an important role
The adolescent period is a time of critical growth and development making youth more susceptible to the effects of nicotine, the addictive substance found in many vapes. Nicotine can interfere with teenage brain development and can cause changes in the brain affecting learning, memory and concentration, making youth more susceptible to other substance misuse and risk-taking behaviours.
Some tips for starting a conversation about vapes and youth vaping include:
Get the facts about the health risks and laws around vaping before your talk – information and products change quickly so conversations should reflect the child’s growing maturity and the pressures they may face
Keep your talk informal and look for natural opportunities for discussion (e.g., a new vape store opens near you)
Ask questions and try to be empathetic about what they know and how they feel about vaping
Share some vaping facts with them
If their friends use vapes/e-cigarettes, disapprove of the use of these products rather than disapproving of the friends themselves
Remember: listening is just as important as talking.
For more information and tips about how to talk with youth, read Talking with your teen about vaping: a tip sheet for parents and visit Tobacco, Vaping And Youth.
When talking with youth about tobacco products and vaping, it is important to:
Understand tobacco and vaping from a youth’s point of view – youth understand the issue differently based on their developmental stage.
Talk about the tactics used by the tobacco industry to make tobacco and vaping appealing to youth. Explain how the industry tempts youth to buy tobacco products and/or engage in behaviours that might be harmful to their health.
Role play, practice and provide options about how to refuse tobacco products to help youth prepare for situations involving tobacco and vaping with their peers.
Equip youth with the information, skills and motivation they need to make informed and healthy choices.
Discuss vape-free laws so youth understand that it is illegal to sell or supply vapes to anyone under 19 years of age;= and that it is illegal to vape anywhere you can’t smoke cigarettes, including on or around school and community centre properties, among other places.
Quitting vaping/tobacco
Quitting vaping and/or tobacco is one of the best things you can do to improve your health. If you or someone you know needs help, call York Region Access York at 1-877-464-9675 TTY (for those with hearing disabilities) 1-866-512-6228 or email tobaccofreeliving@york.ca.
Bare Necessities
Bare Necessities is back for it's 35th season, opening
it's doors this morning for business. Come down to the store to load your
student card with cash at 8:30 on Monday morning or 12:45, 2:00 or 3:20 Monday
through Wednesday. Then you can buy school clothing, some snacks or
drinks or other school merchandise. Come check us out today! All profits
raised are donated to the Canadian Cancer Society
Student Leadership Council Elections
As we prepare to get our Student Leadership Council for the 2024/35 school year up and running, we are encouraging students to apply for a range of available positions. If your child is interested in applying, please have them complete the application form linked below, available roles are listed in the Google Form. Please also discuss the important dates listed here and in the form.
Google Form Link: https://forms.gle/KMHHAXPa7d6in1du7
Important Dates:
- Information Meeting: Thursday
October 17th- 3:30pm to 4:30pm
- Application Google Form
Due: Tuesday October 15th by 3pm
- Interviews (Non-Elected
Roles): Thursday October 17th and Friday October 18th
- Poster/Video Approval
(Elected Roles): Tuesday October 22nd
- Campaign Start Date (Elected Roles): Wednesday, October 23rd…DO NOT put up posters before this date/time. Posters must be approved by Staff Advisors and VP’s
- Campaign End Date: Friday
October 25th @ 3:00 pm… Posters must be taken down before 3:30pm
- Elections/Voting: Monday October 28th
- Results: Wednesday October 30th! 🙂
- First
Meeting Tuesday November 5th 3:30-4:30
pm
SHSM Information Meeting
A Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) is a specialized program that allows students to experience a range of customized, career-focused learning opportunities while working towards their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).
Gr. 11 and 12 students have
the opportunity to customize their high school experience, explore new ways of
learning and 'reach ahead' to their post-secondary destination of choice (apprenticeship,
college, university or the workplace).
**For students in Gr. 10, this is a great chance to learn about this option for
their senior high school years.
Watch YRDSB’s SHSM video here.
You are invited to a SHSM information meeting to learn more about the SHSM program!!
When: Wednesday, Oct. 9th @ 11:25 am
Where: WCI library
** Students who are already
enrolled in the SHSM program are expected to attend this meeting and have
already been notified.
If students have a class per. 3, they will receive a note to bring to the main office and their teacher (to excuse your late arrival to class).
Questions? Please contact Mrs. Rosenberg in Guidance at stephanie.rosenberg@yrdsb.ca
WCI Interview Night
Dear Families,
Interview
Night is on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. You
will have an opportunity to meet with your child(ren)’s teacher(s) and learn
more about the classroom. Families can use TeachAssist, an online platform, to
schedule a meeting time with their child(ren)’s teacher(s) on Interview Night.
All students in our school currently have a TeachAssist account to access
information associated with their class assessments.
Families may access appointment bookings on Thursday, October 17 to
Thursday, October 24, 2024 through the TeachAssist Parent Portal available at https://ta.yrdsb.ca/parents. From
there, enter in your email address and leave the password blank, to set up a
one time access link, or to reset a password that you've created. An email will
be sent with a time limited link that will look similar to this:
To: parent_email
Click here for your one-time access to teachassist
https://ta.yrdsb.ca/live/parents/listReports.php?email=parent&token=serdftyugio678
Once
logged in, parents/guardians will have the option to set up a password. For
instructions on how to book an interview through TeachAssist, please click here or see
below. If you have any questions about this process, please contact our main
office.
If you have any challenges with meeting in-person on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 , please contact your child’s teacher to make alternative arrangements for another day.
FORMAT OF THE EVENING
6:30-7:00
pm - Meet and Greet with Teachers in the Atrium of the school. This is an
opportunity for a quick chat or to meet your child's teachers and touch
base.
7:10-8:30 pm - Parent/Guarding Teacher Meetings.
IMPORTANT
TIMELINES: OCTOBER 15-29, 2024
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Thursday, October 17 - Thursday, October 24 |
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Wednesday, October 16 |
18+ students via the Electronic Distribution Process. |
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Thursday, October 24 |
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Friday, October 25 |
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Tuesday, October 29 |
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Your partners in education,
Susan Paula
Lana
Maharaj
Borges
Fisher
GUIDANCE
UPDATES - October 2 |
…….THIS WEEKEND!   Please CLICK HERE for additional information. |
IVEY BUSINESS PROGRAM -
WESTERN UNIVERSITY A representative will be visiting Westmount. October 8. Period 2 or 3. Westmount Library. *Only for Grade 11 and 12 students. SIGN UP IS REQUIRED. PLEASE FILL IN THIS GOOGLE FORM: |
GRADE
12 STUDENTS - ASSEMBLY October 9 Period 1 Cafeteria Grade 12
Classes will be called down If you
have a spare Period 1, please make arrangements to attend. In the
assembly we will cover Options after High School, How to Research your
Options, How to Apply to College and University, and How to Finance your
Education |
THINKING ABOUT APPLYING ABROAD?  FREE REGISTRATION: |
DISTRIBUTION OF OEN NUMBERS - GRADE 12 STUDENTS Required for University and College applications *you can also find your OEN number on any report card  Applying to University: https://www.ouac.on.ca/planning/how-to-apply/ Deadline: January 15 Applying to College: https://www.ontariocolleges.ca/en/apply Deadline: February 1 |
ARE YOU IN GRADE 10 OR 11 AND
THINKING OF APPLYING TO US SCHOOLS? Things to Think About… ·
All your marks count - your GPA will be calculated from grade 9
on ·
Start your research ASAP: Which schools do you apply to through
the Common App? Which schools do you apply to directly? ·
Is it necessary to write SATs/ACTs? Give yourself lots of
time to prepare. Register to write the test well in
advance. ·
Many US schools require students to submit essays ·
Student Athlete? Register with NCAA. There are
eligibility requirements. Work with your coach. ·
Look at degree prerequisites, just like you would if you were
applying here in Ontario ·
Connect with the International Admissions office at the schools
you want to apply to For More Information… |
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