ADS Newsletter December 20th, 2024

Hello Families!

We are all still on a high note after yesterday’s School/Community Annual Hockey Tournament run by our Leadership Class and DECA students. What an absolutely fantastic day!

On behalf of the entire staff we wish you and yours a bright and peaceful break.

As we head off to the holiday, I hope you are able to focus on the things that really matter: shower your student with time rather than ‘things.’ Enjoy two weeks of activities that bring you together, no matter how small. My favourite is family board games.

We wish for the safe return of all students on Monday January 6th. Please make sure you are checking for inclement weather notices when it gets closer to return time.

When you start to plan for thereturn…please make sure you do not book a vacation/appointments during the Final Performance Task/Exam block. This will affect your student’s final grade in their classes.

The holidays is also a great time to double check your immunization record and visit a clinic as neeeded.

Again, all of our best to you and your family. We send your students off with our caring and support and look forward to seeing them in the new year!

Kelli

If you are interested in purchasing a graduation hoodie for your grade 8 graduate, please visit school cash online to purchase. Hoodies are $43.75 and are on sale from now until January 10.

Semester 1 Exams

The exam period impacts our regular schedule.
Please see below for a detailed outline of how the exam period will impact our schedule:

Thursday January 23rd 9:00 AM (Period 1 Exams)

Friday January 24th 9:00 AM (Period 2 Exams)

Monday January 27th 9:00 AM (Period 3 Exams)

Monday January 27th 1:00 PM (Period 4 Exams)

Tuesday January 28th 9:00 AM (Period 5 Exams)

Please make sure your student arrives on time for each exam. You can help your student be successful on their exam by making sure there is a quiet place to study at home, free from distractions including T.V., video games, and cell phones. Please also encourage your student to reach out to their teacher if they have any questions or concerns about their achievement.

Please see here for the exam schedule: Acton District School Semester 1 Exam Schedule

Exam Conflicts

If a student is scheduled for two exams on Monday January 27th, please complete our Exam Conflict Form. If a student has a specialist appointment etc which impacts their ability to attend a scheduled exam, they also need to complete the Exam Conflict Form.

Thursday January 30th Exam Return Day Altered Schedule

Friday January 31st PD Day

Monday February 3rd First Day of Semester Two

Inclement Weather

Any exams cancelled for inclement weather will be written on Wednesday, January 29th. Communication will be shared with families if this is required

Transportation

Buses will continue to run at their regular scheduled times.

Semester 2 Timetables

Semester 2 timetables will be emailed to HDSB student accounts on Friday January 26. Students are encouraged to take a screenshot of their timetable, so it is easily accessible for the first day of semester two.

Best Wishes to all our student writers!

Hockey Tournament a Huge Success, Raising Over $1,000 for Local Causes

On December 19, our community came together for an exciting and charitable hockey tournament that featured four teams battling it out for the coveted annual trophy. In the end, the Puck Pirates claimed victory!

The tournament raised over $1,000, with funds going to the Local Acton Youth Centre and Kids Help Phone—two organizations that play a vital role in supporting our youth. This event also showcased the continued support of our local police service, as the annual students & police game brought together players from all walks of life to show solidarity and community spirit.

It was great to have our teachers and students playing hockey all day long. As well as having staff playing host to off-ice activities as well.

The Grade 12 leadership class would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the staff, students, and community members who contributed to making this event such a great success. Your involvement made a significant impact, and we look forward to many more events like this in the future!

Library Activities:

During lunch break this week, the Library hosted “paint a decoration” with interested 7s and 8s, as well as interested secondary students. Lots of fun being creative!

Grade 10 Food & Nutrition
students worked in teams to bake and prepare DIY cookie decorating kits that were sold on preorder at our annual Holiday Craft market in November. The tight timelines, and order details meant all three classes had to work together to ensure everything was packed and met quality control standards. They then celebrated their success with a treat for themselves decorating their own cookies and cupcakes learning some new skills to take home for the holidays!

Artist: Norval Moriseau

Artist: Christi Belcourt

Grade 11 English Class Explores the Indigenous Galleries at the AGO

The grade 11 Indigenous Voices English class attended a great field trip to the Art Gallery of Ontario last Friday to explore art created by Indigenous artists and learn more about the history of Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island. Highlights included works by Kent Monkment, Christi Belcourt, and Norval Morrisseau. Students recorded their learning in their common place books and will use it to help them complete their Final Performance Tasks in January. They continued their artistic learning by creating tiles inspired by Survivors of Residential schools this week. Thank you to the HDSB Indigenous Rights and Education Team for providing funding for this trip and to Mr. Brown for his help with supervision. See some of our favourite works below.

Winter spirit week!

the winter spirit was bright this week! Student council delivered an incredible spirit week - complete with movies, hot cocoa, candy grams and more! Our bearcats showed their excitement for the holidays by participating in events and dress up days all week for full pictures follow @adsstudentcouncil on Instagram.

Inquiry Project - 7-1 & 7-2

7-1 & 7-2 classes participated in a 3 week long inquiry project that had them connect to the local Acton environment. Students chose topics that ranged from the water quality in Fairy Lake, fishing and turtles, to dirt biking and sports fields, to waste management, transportation and quarries, and even the effects the Hide House had on the environment. Students connected with local experts and the Town of Halton Hills, and learned how they can contribute to a healthy town. They completed their project by sharing what they learned with their classmates in a gallery walk/presentation. There were some really wonderful conversations and plenty of learning happening. The students should be proud of their hard work.

Grade 7&8 Skating

The Grade 7’s and 8’s are going skating in the new year! Four sets of ice times have been booked for each class at the Acton Arena. This will take place on the last block of the school day on the following dates:

7-1 and 7/8

Tuesday Jan. 14

Monday Jan. 20

Monday Feb. 3

Tuesday Feb 11

8-1 and 8-2

Wednesday Jan. 15

Wednesday Jan 22

Wednesday Feb. 5

Wednesday Feb. 12

7-2 and 7/8FI

Thursdays Jan. 16

Thursdays Jan. 23

Thursdays Feb. 6

Thursdays Feb. 13

There is no charge for the ice time, but equipment is needed: specifically skates and HOCKEY helmets. No other type of helmet will be permitted, as per the OPHEA guidelines which HDSB follows. The arena does offer a LIMITED number of rentals for this equipment, but it's best that you try to source your own first. Start asking neighbors, family and friends over the break or hunt on Facebook Marketplace, Kjijij or your local used sports store. There is tons of used equipment out there for this age group!

If your child does not know how to skate or is unsure of their ability, it’s a great place to learn. We’ve had lots of kids over the last few years that have had a blast being taught by their friends and teachers.

Forms will go home first thing in the new year. If you have any questions send them to Mr. Bloemendal: bloemendalt@hdsb.ca

Save the date! HDSB parents/guardians and community members are invited to the 2025 Parent Involvement Committee Conference: Getting Connected on Saturday, Feb. 8, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Elsie MacGill Secondary School in Milton.

This free event will feature informative workshops, community partners and displays and a keynote address by Dr. Alex Russell, Ph.D., C.Psych., Clinical Psychologist and author of Drop the Worry Ball: How to Parent in the Age of Entitlement. Lunch will be provided and free childminding for children aged 4-12 is available. Further information and registration details will be shared in January!

HDSB needs Homestay Hosts in the Acton Community

Homestay Hosts in the Acton Community Needed for Students in the HDSB International Student Program (ISP)

Dear Halton District School Board families:

The HDSB welcomes international students to our schools every year. International students benefit our programs, our communities, and provide experiences that positively shape the worldview of our local students. International students perform better in school when they live in a home that welcomes them and provides a supportive, safe and nurturing environment. We are looking for Homestay Hosts in the Acton area - You can help by inviting international students to stay with your family while they study with us.

Our partner homestay agency works with public schools boards; colleges and universities across Canada. They are well established and provide support to host families 24x7.

Host families who welcome international students into their home:

Grow their understanding of the world’s cultures
Make life-long friendships
Get to share the beauty of their home and community
Receive a generous allowance to offset expenses

What you provide:

Three nutritious meals / day
Utilities including laundry and internet
A private bedroom, desk and closet
A patient, caring, and friendly home atmosphere
The same guidance and attention you would want for your loved ones travelling overseas!

Please share your interest by completing the following form: https://forms.gle/fnHzpFjXpb48Cxxw8

Thank you!

The HDSB International Student Program Team

2025-2026 School Year Budget Development - Public Information Session

The HDSB is preparing to develop the 2025-2026 school year budget and is holding a Public Information Session to answer questions about how the HDSB is funded, how resources are allocated and how community members can provide feedback. We are asking administrators to share this information on their school websites and social media starting Dec. 20.

Website and Social Media Text:

The HDSB is starting the process of developing the 2025-2026 school year budget and will soon be seeking public feedback to help guide decision-making. To keep our community informed about the budget development process, parents/guardians, students, staff and community members are invited to a virtual Public Information Session on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 at 7 p.m.

This session will provide key details about how the HDSB is funded, how resources are allocated and how you can provide input. Following the session, the HDSB will launch a public consultation process. Visit our Budget Consultation webpage to learn more and submit your questions for the Public Information Session: https://bit.ly/4iPGAdY

Graphics:

HDSB Website Refresh - Public Input

We're refreshing the HDSB website and school sites and are inviting HDSB families, students, staff and community members to help us test and evaluate the navigation structure. We are asking administrators to share this information in their school newsletters and social media.

Newsletter and Social Media Text:

We're refreshing the HDSB website and school websites and want your input! HDSB families, students, staff and community members are invited to help us create a more clear and user-friendly experience by testing and evaluating the navigation structure of our websites. Explore the proposed sitemaps and share your thoughts.

Learn more and complete the survey by Monday, Jan. 6: https://bit.ly/4gpVyoW

Graphics:

INFORMATION

Upcoming Days of Significance

The HDSB’s Days of Significance graphics and heritage month graphics are available for schools to use at their discretion as administrators see fit. The following days of significance and heritage months will be recognized over the upcoming weeks (Dec. 22 - Jan. 11):

Mental Health Supports for students:

Support Services are available to students year round! If you find yourself in need with your mental health and well-being over the break, you are not alone. Be sure to use one of the resources that are available to you:

ROCK 24 hr crisis line support: 905-878-9785
COAST (16+): 1-877-825-9011
Kids Help Phone (up to age 24): 1-800-668-6868 or text 686868
9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline (24 hr support for all ages): call or text 9-8-8.
One Stop Talk Connect with a Therapist: www.onestoptalk.ca or 1-855-416-TALK
Visit HDSB Student Support Services website.

With temperatures still keeping us guessing, winter weather could surprise us any time! To stay prepared, families are encouraged to review the HDSB Inclement Weather Reminders to know how we communicate important updates about school closures and bus cancellations. A printable version of this information is also available. If your child is bused to school, please ensure you know which transportation zone you are located in. Let’s stay connected and safe when wintry conditions arrive!