News
End of Year Information for All Students
June 23, 2020
GSS Eagles and Eagle Families,
I want to thank each of you for being so resilient, supportive and understanding as we have gone through this journey together. Your collaborative effort to keep the learning going and support students is very much appreciated.
Without our normal routines and structures, this time of year seems unusual for all - please reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.
At this point in time, students should have submitted any remaining assignments - congratulations to each of you in completing your courses for the year!.
Grad Pick-up/Drop-off appointments
All graduating students should have received an email to their DSBN email address, with an appointment time on Thursday June 25th. If your graduate has not received an email, please reach out to me. In some cases, these emails have been received in “junk” or “other” folders - please have a look through these folders if you did not receive the email. Students will be picking up their caps and gowns; transcripts, reports and scholarship cheques, as well as some graduation surprises. Graduates will be dropping off any school materials - books, chromebooks, team uniforms etc. at this time as well. Please make sure you take the time to read through the procedure, and to do the COVID-19 self assessment on the morning of the 25th. I recognize the complexity of the plan, but keeping everyone healthy and safe is most important.
Loaned Items for students in Grades 9,10,11
If you are in grade 9, 10 or 11 and were loaned items by the school this year such as textbooks, items from the library, and Chromebooks, please keep them until September. These items are very important to the school, so please store them safely. If you are moving to another school that is not part of the DSBN in the fall, please contact the school to find out how you can return these items. We will need items returned before July 2, in that case. If the DSBN provided you with Internet access, we will be providing that service until the end of the summer
Report Cards for students in Grades 9, 10, 11
Your report card will be mailed to your home in July.
Community Involvement Hours
An important requirement for high school graduation is completing 40 community involvement hours. Summer is a great time to earn hours toward this requirement. Click the link for some ideas for community involvement hours during the summer.
Summer Learning Opportunities
See the following pdf file for Summer Learning Opportunities
Athletic Awards
Click here for a slideshow profiling athletics at GSS this year, and the award winners for each team. Congratulations to all of our athletes, and thank you to the coaches who make athletics happen. Our athletic program is thriving, winning, and providing opportunities for many students to participate through both competitive sport and our student-run intramural program.
Graduate Art Show
This link leads to the DSBN Graduate Art Show, where some GSS-created art features prominently. The format used is Microsoft Teams. The show debuts on Tuesday, June 23rd at 6pm. Congratulations to all of our artists - we are very proud of your work.
COVID-19 School Closure
We want to hear about your experiences and your opinions to inform our planning for the opening of our school in September 2020. We see your input as an important way to ensure that our secondary students’ transition back to school in the fall is as safe and smooth as possible. The survey has three questions and should take approximately 5 minutes or less to complete. The survey will be closed on June 29th so we can consider your input as we continue to build our plan. Please complete the survey here.
School in the Fall
We are currently planning for September, and how we will keep students safe and healthy. Our plans will be based on requirements from the Ministry of Education and Public Health. On Friday, the Ministry of Education announced that there are 3 possible models for the fall: full-time online learning, full return to school with extra health and safety precautions or a blended model that will involve some online learning and some time at school. As a result we will not be distributing timetables until the end of the summer.
There will be a “DSBN Return to School Updates” link added to our school website. Please be sure to check for updates regularly through the summer
Staffing Notes
We are sad to say goodbye to a number of staff this semester: some to retirement, and some to the normal staffing process. We are still moving through the hiring process for a few positions, as well. If you or your children are hoping to be able to send good wishes to any departing staff, all staff email addresses can be found on the GSS webpage.
Departing:
Mrs. P. Burton - VP - to new position - DSBN Student Achievement Leader for Mental Health and Well-Being, Equity and Inclusion
Mr. C. Hruska - Coop - Retirement
Mr. R. McBride - Program Leader, Canadian and World Studies - Retirement
Mrs. C. Dupont Mr. B. Featherston Mr. G. Hales
Ms. S. Khan
Ms. M. McKay
Ms. J. Miotto
Mr. A. Proudlock
Welcoming:
Ms. J. Folino - VP
Ms. E. Zombolas - Program Leader for Student Success and Indigenous Studies Mr. J. McIntosh - Program Leader for Canadian and World Studies
Mr. B. Coreno - Technology
Ms. J. DeSimone - English
Ms. J. Edwards - Canadian and World Studies
Ms. M. Fazzari - Canadian and World Studies, Social Sciences and Humanities Mr. J. Gemella - Civics and Careers
MSIP Schedule
Beginning in September, 2020 GSS will be following a full-time MSIP schedule. This means that each student will follow a 5 period day every day. Four of the periods will be courses, as per usual. One of the periods will be their MSIP period. MSIP stands for Multi-Subject Instructional Period, and is an opportunity for students to complete homework assignments, collaborate on group projects and seek out extra help in particular subjects. During their MSIP period, students will be able to travel to different subject area classrooms if they need extra help or assistance. This system may look a little different this September, due to different possibilities announced by the Ministry of Education around schools reopening - but the description above is where we are heading.
Thanks to each of you for patiently navigating this, and all of the other emails I have sent to try keep all of us on the same page. I have been truly impressed with our GSS community - how our school family has continued to learn, how so many of you have selflessly worked on the front lines to keep our towns operating, and how you have handled it all bravely and with great understanding.
As always, please reach out to me if I can help.
Mat Miller
Principal - GSS
mat.miller@dsbn.org
Information for End of Year Drop Off and Pick Up of Materials
June 12th, 2020
GSS Families,
I hope that you are all safe, healthy and doing well.
I’m writing at this time to describe the pick up and drop off procedure for school items at the end of the year.
All pick up and drop offs will be done curb-side. This means that, at your scheduled time, one person will leave the vehicle, do the pick up/drop off, and return to the vehicle before the next person’s turn. There will be no lineups as with locker clean out. More specific details will be given in the individual emails you receive with appointment times.
There are two different plans, based on the grades your children are in.
Students in Grades 9, 10 and 11
-these students will only be returning musical instruments and cameras used for art classes -your child’s teacher will be communicating with you around drop off times, as well as the procedure we must follow to keep everyone safe and healthy
-these drop offs will happen on Friday, June 19th
-students in grade 9, 10, and 11 will not be returning anything else at this time (e.g. textbooks, borrowed computers etc.)
Students in Grade 12
-these students will be returning all school materials (all books, borrowed computers, musical instruments, uniforms etc.)
-this will happen at the same time as your pick up of graduation items on Thursday, June 25th -each student will receive an email with a pick up/drop off appointment time on their DSBN email - please check this email regularly
-the email will have the details about your appointment time, location (front/back door), and the procedure we have to follow to keep everyone safe and healthy
-emails will be sent to graduating students on Monday, June 15th
Please email me with any questions or concerns.
Mat Miller - Principal, GSS mat.miller@dsbn.org
Information for Graduating Students
June 5th, 2020
Dear graduating students and families of Grimsby Secondary School,
I hope that you and your families are safe, healthy and doing well. This has been an extremely challenging way to finish your time at high school. As a staff, we applaud the patience, resilience and hard work that you, and your families, have put forward to get through this very challenging circumstance.
Below, I have outlined some important information around the end of the year, and plans to celebrate your accomplishments.
First, as you know from your teachers, your culminating activities will be finishing during the week of June 15. Next, you have until June 24 to complete any credit completion/credit rescue activities to be included in your marks that will be submitted to OCAS and OUAC for post secondary applications.
We are excited to announce that there will be a virtual recognition event for you, the Class of 2020, on June 25th at 5:00pm. It is very important that student interests, voice, and content drives this student recognition event. We are inviting you to submit content in several categories: TikTok videos; photo, video and written memories of your time at GSS; grad/baby pictures; and nominations for some “most likely to” categories. Instructions on how to submit content to be included in this virtual recognition event can be found at the link below - the deadline for submissions is June 12th at 5:00pm.
How Can I Submit Content for the Graduate Celebration? (PDF Document)
We really look forward to seeing and reading your submissions - we want this virtual event to represent and document your memories from your time at GSS.
During the day on June 25th, you will be able to pick up your report card, transcript, scholarship cheques that you may have received, your grad cap and gown, and some graduation “swag”. This will also be the date when you return any items back to the school (Chromebook, musical instrument, Cogeco receiver, Bell Phone, sports uniform/equipment, textbooks, library books etc.).
The safe pick-up and return of items will be accomplished with appointments for each student, and following directions from Niagara Public Health. We will be in touch closer to the end of June to let you know the details. This date is for graduates only - students in grades 9-11 will do their dropping off on another day.
Your teachers and I are here to support you as you finish high school. If you need any support, please contact me (mat.miller@dsbn.org) or your teachers.
Sincerely,
Mat Miller
Principal - Grimsby Secondary School
Update for All Students
May 19, 2020
Dear graduating students and families of Grimsby Secondary School:
Due to the extended closure of schools, and with Niagara Public Health requirements to limit gatherings and the spread of Covid-19, we have had to make some changes to our end of year celebrations.
DSBN has made the difficult decision to reschedule graduation ceremonies to the fall of 2020 for all secondary schools. We recognize that this will be disappointing news for graduating students and their families, but the safety of students and staff remains our highest priority.
Many of you have indicated how important it is for you to be able to honour this milestone with your families, classmates and staff members in attendance. By moving our graduation ceremony to the fall, there is a better opportunity for everyone to be able to celebrate together.
With the end of the semester quickly approaching, it is important that you continue your focus on your learning through June. As you know there is another submission of your marks to OCAS and OUAC at the end of the semester.
You are a very special group of graduates and the staff look forward to celebrating your success and your time in high school with you in the fall. We will keep you updated on further details over the coming weeks. As always, please reach out to me with any questions or concerns you may have at mat.miller@dsbn.org. Our school staff is here to support students and families.
Sincerely,
Mat Miller
Principal, Grimsby Secondary School
Update for All Students
Friday May 8th, 2020
Dear students and families of Grimsby Secondary School,
I hope that you are all safe, healthy and doing well. Thanks to each of you for the work you are doing at home to keep the learning going. We recognize that including learning in your already busy and hectic days at home is not easy. Please continue to reach out to your teachers, or to myself, if you are running into struggles or roadblocks. Our work is to put students in the best possible position to learn - we are here to support you.
To that end, Monday May 11th at GSS will be an “Achievement Day”. This is, in effect, a catch up day. Teachers will not be assigning new work for that day, and students will have the time to catch up on any missed or ongoing assignments and consolidate prior learning.
I also wanted to mention that we know Graduation is on many of your minds. We value and respect the importance of Graduation in the lives of our students and parents, and share the collective concern about what may happen this June. As soon as there is a Provincial Government, and DSBN, direction around Graduation and other aspects of school in June, we will communicate those with you.
The Minister of Education recently announced that the PD days and exam days will now be instructional days, so I wanted to provide you with a few details.
PD Day (Friday May 15)
● This originally planned PD day will now be an instructional day where your teachers will be available to support your learning
Exams Days
● You will NOT be writing exams
● Your teachers will be communicating with you shortly about your final summative evaluations/culminating activities
● Without exams, we will not be continuing with Demonstration of Learning this semester
Mark submissions
● The final date for mark submissions is June 24 for grade 12 students and June 26 for students in grades 9, 10 and 11.
We know that many things have had to be adjusted during the school closure period and they impact you every day. This has not been easy for anyone and I want to thank you for your flexibility in working through this process with me and all of our teachers. I wanted to assure you that your teachers will do everything they can to support your success. If you have any questions, or need any assistance, please reach out to your teachers or to me.
Sincerely
Mat Miller
Principal, Grimsby Secondary School
mat.miller@dsbn.org
Update for All Students
April 28, 2020
Good morning students and families of Grimsby Secondary School
This week, the Ministry of Education announced that the school closure will be extended to at least May 31. For secondary students, this means we will be continuing with online learning to assist students in earning their credits this semester. We know that is challenging, with students not attending school as usual, and we know that everyone is trying their best to make this semester successful.
I wanted to clarify the expectations for students with respect to online learning. It is expected that students are engaging with all of their teachers in the online learning provided. This includes logging in regularly to your online classrooms, checking your emails daily and submitting work as required. If there is a circumstance/situation that prevents you from doing so, please contact your teacher through your online class, by emailing them, or by calling the school at 905 945-5416. The Ministry of Education recently announced that marks can’t drop after March 13th, if students are engaging in their learning. It is critical that you continue to actively participate in the online learning opportunities provided.
We are here to help you. There are additional supports available to you including:
- DSBN Homework Help is available for grade 9-12 math, science and ESL. Specific times are pinned in D2L and on our school’s social media
- Guidance counsellors, Special Education Resource Teachers and social worker supports are also available. Please contact us through our school emails available on the GSS website, through the student support request online form (also on the GSS website), or by emailing me at mat.miller@dsbn.org
- If you require a Chromebook or Internet access, please contact me
This week, graduate mid-semester marks are being submitted to OCAS and OUAC for college and university applications; students taking careers/civics will be receiving their final marks. Teachers will be sharing these marks with students this week. Over the next couple of weeks, teachers will be updating students on their progress in their other courses. In June all secondary students will receive report cards with marks, learning skills and comments. If you have any questions about student progress, please feel free to contact the teacher.
I am proud of how you have adapted to our new circumstances, and understand how challenging it has been. I also appreciate how you have been following directions from public health about social distancing. The number of our students who are working in essential service sectors to keep our towns running at this difficult time is incredible - thanks to each one of you for your work. Together we can make a difference.
Sincerely
Mat Miller
Principal, Grimsby Secondary School
Course Drop Date- UPDATED
Attention grade 12 and grade 11 students, please note that May 6th is the last date to drop a course without it showing up on your student transcript.
Update for All Grimsby Students
April 3, 2020
Good Afternoon Grimsby Secondary School Students,
I hope this letter finds you all safe and doing well with your families.
Earlier this week, the Ministry of Education provided updates on the continuation of learning during the extended school closure period. They announced that schools would reopen for students on May 4th, depending on Public Health recommendations.
We hope that you have already been in contact with your teachers this week, whether it was through online classes, email or on the phone. Please check in with your online classes every day. You should also regularly check your DSBN email account, school website, DSBN website and social media for ongoing updates.
Teacher led learning will formally begin on Monday April 6 . You should be spending approximately 3 hours on assigned work for each of your courses per week. Your learning may include tasks, projects, culminating activities and these will be marked by your teachers for formative and summative evaluation.
DSBN has many supports in place to assist you with your learning:
DSBN Supports for Grade 9-12 Students
DSBN Learn from Home resources to support your learning
https://dsbn.org/learn-from-home/secondary
DSBN ESL Homework Help will begin next week: Monday to Friday 12:30pm - 3:30pm
To access DSBN Homework Help, go to 'My Courses' when you log into D2L
DSBN Homework Help for Grade 11 and 12 Students
Our regular evening DSBN Homework Help for grades 11 & 12 math is up and running:
Sunday to Thursday 7:00pm - 10:00pm.
New starting next week, we will also be adding day time hours for grade 11 & 12 math and grade 11 and 12 science courses Tuesday to Friday 10:00am - 3:30pm
To access DSBN grade 11 and 12 Homework Help, go to 'My Courses' when you log into D2L.
We want you to know that we will not be issuing progress report cards and that mid-semester report cards will be issued for graduates only. You will all receive a report card at the end of the semester. If you have questions about your progress in a class, please communicate with your teacher next week.
We wanted to let you know that we have started to distribute devices to students that need them, and families requesting Internet access will hear from an Internet provider next week.
If you have any questions, or require a device or Internet access, contact me at mat.miller@dsbn.org. Please share this messaging with other students, so that we make sure everyone is receiving these messages.
Sincerely,
Mat Miller
Principal, Grimsby Secondary School
Update for Graduating Students
April 1st, 2020
Good Afternoon Grimsby Secondary School Graduates,
I hope you are all safe and doing well. I know that our current school shutdown, and the global health situation, is a challenge for all - and causes particular stress for students graduating in June. Please continue to reach out to me with questions and concerns as they come up.
Yesterday afternoon, the Ministry of Education provided updates on the continuation of learning during the extended school closure period. They announced that schools would reopen for students on May 4th, depending on Public Health recommendations.
The Community Involvement hours requirement for this year’s graduates has been suspended.
Students enrolled in SHSM programs will receive their red seal upon completion of their courses.
For cooperative learning courses, your community placement is suspended. You will work with your coop teacher and modify your Learning Plan to work through the curriculum expectations. Where possible virtual career exploration activities will be explored.
You should be spending approximately 3 hours on assigned work for each of your courses per week. Your learning may include tasks, projects, culminating activities and these will be marked by your teachers for formative and summative evaluation.
Mid-semester report cards will be issued for graduates only. Marks will be provided by April 23rd to meet submission deadlines for post secondary applications. The Ministry is in ongoing discussions with post secondary colleges and universities regarding your post secondary acceptances.
Please check in with your online classes (D2L, Google Classrooms), DSBN email account, school website, DSBN website and social media for updates.
If you have any questions, or require a device or internet access, contact me at mat.miller@dsbn.org, or at 905 945-5416 extension 62401. Please share this messaging with other graduating students, so that we make sure everyone is receiving these messages.
Sincerely
Mat Miller
Principal, Grimsby Secondary School
Letter from the Minister of Education
April 1st, 2020
Dear Parents,
I am writing to you today exactly two weeks since our government declared a State of Emergency in the province.
I know this period has not been easy for you or your children, especially as the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak begin to have increasing effects on your day-to-day lives and livelihoods.
The battle against COVID-19 has not been easy, but I continue to be incredibly inspired by the bravery and steadfastness you and your children have demonstrated in our efforts to stop the spread of this outbreak. Since Cabinet made the decision to close the public- school system on March 12, we have seen cascading steps taken by the public and private sectors to protect our most vulnerable.
I want to assure you that, as Minister of Education, the health and safety of your children remains our government’s utmost priority; there is simply no priority more critical. Every decision we make is rooted in the fundamental commitment to safeguard your children’s well-being. We are incredibly grateful for the considerable understanding and flexibility you and your children have shown during this period of school closure.
With that commitment in mind, today our government decided to extend the closure of public schools in the province to May 4, along with child care centres and private schools until April 13. In ordinary times, this would be a difficult decision. However, given that Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health concurs that this is in the best interest of you and your children’s’ health, this decision was clear and obvious.
While this announcement is consistent with public health policy, I know that this will raise questions about what your children will be doing over the coming weeks with regards to their education, as in-school instruction will not be taking place.
Today, I was proud to announce our government’s plan for the next phase of Learn at Home and how we are supporting students, families, and educators during this period.
To start, we have instructed school boards that, by Monday, April 6, teacher-led learning will resume across the province. Students will begin receiving communication from their teachers and school board staff this week to determine the best way your child can continue learning during this period. For our youngest learners, especially, I am asking you to lend a helping-hand in facilitating these initial conversations with educators when they begin reaching out. This early communication will help ensure all students can participate actively and fully in the rich online learning strategy. We have designed the strategy based on the technology and resources that currently exist at home.
I also know many families in the province may not have access to the technology and broadband connection needed to participate fully in online learning. To remedy this situation, our government has instructed local school boards to offer their existing inventory of computers and devices to students who do not have in-home access. Boards will work with the Ministry to develop a plan to expand the technology to those who need it. I also want to recognize that boards have explored alternative options for students’ access to technology, including engaging in regular conversations with telecommunications providers to determine what options exist to allow families to access Ontario’s world-leading online learning resources.
This is especially necessary for rural and remote communities where connections might not be optimal. I will update you as these conversations regarding technology and broadband options continue to evolve.
As part of this plan for online learning, our government has outlined the minimum expectations for student work-time in a given week based on learning materials and work assigned by your student’s teacher. These expectations, for each teacher, include:
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Kindergarten to grade three: Five hours of work per student per week, with a focus on literacy and math;
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Grades four to six: Five hours of work per week, with a focus on literacy, math, science, and social studies;
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Grades seven to eight: 10 hours of work per week, with a focus on math, literacy, science and social studies; and,
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Grades nine to 12: Three hours of work per course per week for semestered students, and 1.5 hours of work per course per week for non-semestered students, with a focus on credit accumulation and graduation.
Based on these expectations, this second phase of LearnAtHome will require students to adopt academic discipline and commitment to ensure that they can experience continued academic growth and achievement. I know our students are up to the task.
While these are unprecedented times, I encourage you to support and enable your children to fully commit to the strong learning program we have created for this period of school closure. Your support, inspiration, and motivation will continue to prepare your children to succeed in their learning journey.
I know this period is concerning for parents of students in a graduating cohort. I have said before, and I want to reiterate: no student will have their graduation jeopardized by the developments of COVID-19. I am working closely with the Honourable Ross Romano, Minister of Colleges and Universities, and the post-secondary sector. Our government will ensure students, who plan on entering college or university in September 2020, have our full support to accomplish this goal.
As students continue to accumulate credits during this closure period, we will provide further information about how students can align with the post-secondary application process in the coming weeks.
I understand parents with children who may have special education needs, have concerns about at-home learning and the physical absence of educational support staff and resources during this period. I am firmly and unequivocally committed to ensuring that all students continue to have access to the wrap-around supports that promote continued learning and development.
Our government has instructed boards to enable immediate restoration of communication between students and educational assistants, paraprofessionals, and other education workers to reintroduce the continuity of professional support to students. We will not allow any student to fall through the cracks during this unprecedented time. My Ministry is equipping educators with the tools and supports they need to maximize the opportunities and achievements of all learners in the province in an online setting.
While much of the discourse around COVID-19 focuses on the impacts on physical health, I want to acknowledge the significant effects this outbreak may be having on the mental health of Ontarians. Particularly, our youngest learners may be struggling to fully understand and process what it means to their lives, families, friends, and communities. This may very well be a time of fear and anxiety for your child, even if it is not readily apparent.
While you and your children may have many questions about what the future holds, I want to express my heartfelt hope that all children know there are a variety of supports to help process and overcome the multitude of emotions and reactions they may be facing during this period. Our government has directed school boards to ensure mental health workers and professional staff are ready to engage with students immediately in a secure and safe conversation. We continue to support the incredible work being done to provide wrap- around counselling and resources to students across the province.
We have numerous organizations providing critical and professional support for children facing mental health concerns or distress. For example, Kids Help Phone offers 24/7 counselling and referral services across the province. To use this free resource, children can call 1-800-668-6868, or text CONNECT to 686868.
As we move forward in the next phase of school closure, the expectations of parents, guardians, students, educators, and my Ministry will continue to rise. Having already met countless driven and determined students, educators, and educational workers across the province, I know that we are ready to meet the challenges ahead.
To you, and your child, I want to extend my sincere and unwavering commitment to ensuring every student in the province can continue learning in Ontario’s world-class education system. Our collective commitment to inspiring, supporting, and uplifting our future leaders during this time is unwavering.
Sincerely,
The Honourable Stephen Lecce
Minister of Education
Attention Families of Grimsby Secondary School Students
March 27, 2020
Dear students and families of Grimsby Secondary School:
I’m glad to be writing to you in a time where connecting with each other is more difficult than usual. In these unprecedented times I hope all families and students are safe at home.
We have been working on developing plans to continue to engage students and keep your learning moving forward during the school closures. Due to the extension of the shutdown of schools, we will be moving to a model of online and distance learning with your courses. We will all require time to adjust to this new approach to learning. We appreciate your patience as we sort out all of the details of this transition.
In making this adjustment to your classes we encourage students to check in with your teachers if you are already using D2L, Google Classrooms or other online tools, and look to them for direction. For those classes not yet online, we will be working with teachers to get this set up over the next week. Please check these tools regularly for updates.
We know that many families or students may not have a device or Internet access, and we are making plans to support you. I am asking that you reach out to me, if this is the case for you, and we will determine a plan moving forward to support your learning.
The Ministry has posted some materials https://www.ontario.ca/page/learn-at-home. The DSBN has added a link to our website https://www.dsbn.org/learn-from-home to provide you with some additional learning resources. We will continue to add to these over the next few days. Our DSBN Grade 11 and 12 Math Homework Help has expanded its tutoring hours next week to include day time hours and we will be adding tutors and additional subject areas in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for updates.
We encourage you to continue to follow public health directions about social distancing to help decrease the spread of the Covid-19 virus to others.
If you have questions or need any support, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. If there are fellow classmates who cannot access this message, please reach out to them and share the contact information below with them. We want to make accommodations and support the learning of all students. Please contact me at mat.miller@dsbn.org, or at 905 945-5416, extension 62401, with any questions, concerns or other communication.
Sincerely
Mat Miller
Principal - Grimsby Secondary School
Attention Graduating Students
March 25, 2020
Dear graduating students and families of graduating students of Grimsby Secondary School:
We hope that you and your families are doing well in these very challenging times. We want to reassure you that we are working on plans to ensure you graduate in June. The DSBN is collaborating with the Ministry of Education who are working with both the Ministry of Colleges and Universities, and the Ministry of Labour Training and Skills Development to ensure your post secondary plans continue (including Apprenticeship, College and University).
Our graduates are of top priority during the school shut down. We are planning to transition to an online or distance format of learning. Over the next number of days you will receive more specific details about what this will look like. Please follow school and DSBN websites and social media to keep up to date on new developments. For those of you that have not completed the OSSLT (literacy requirement), the government has waived this requirement for your graduation this June. More information about the 40 community involvement hours and SHSMs will follow, however the Ministry has stated that there will be no barriers to your graduation.
If you are taking elearning courses or dual credits, we will share some more specific information with you in the next few days.
We encourage you as student leaders to follow public health directions about social distancing. We've heard from some of you already asking about graduation related events. At this time, it is too early to determine if these events will occur.
We are doing everything we can to support your path to graduation. Please contact me if you do not have access to a device or Internet service, so that we can make accommodations to support your learning. Additionally, if there are fellow graduating students you know who cannot access this message - please share the contact information below with them. We want to be able to make accommodations and support the learning of all students. Additionally if you and your family have any other needs, do not hesitate to reach out. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at: mat.miller@dsbn.org (email), 905 945-5416 ext. 62401 (phone), monitor the GSS and DSBN websites, and follow school social media on Twitter, and Facebook (information below).
Sincerely
Mat Miller
Principal, Grimsby Secondary School
District School Board of Niagara
Social Media: Twitter: @GrimsbySS Twitter: @MrMillerGSS Facebook: @GrimsbySS
Website: grimsbyss.dsbn.org
Grimsby Secondary Wins Best Float
The Grimsby Santa Claus Parade was back for its 62nd year and the theme for 2019 was Hometown Christmas. Grimsby Secondary School was honoured to win "Best Float".
Speaker Series with Tanya Talaga
FREE: Community Welcome to Attend
View Full Tanya Talaga Flyer PDF
GUIDANCE
For important Guidance info please visit our Guidance Page Here.
SHSM Program Information
Parents of GSS students: Is your child interested in pursuing a career in one of the following areas: Health & Wellness, Arts & Culture, Construction or Manufacturing? GSS offers SHSM programs in each of these areas. Through the SHSM, students can gain valuable experience in the area of interest, as well as key certifications and qualifications to get them started on their careers early.
Check out the Ministry of Education link to learn more about this opportunity for your child. Call the school and ask for Mrs. Heeringa to discuss any questions you may have.
What is MSIP Wednesday?
Remind App
Please sign up for our Remind App to stay up to date on all activities at GSS! Each grade has it's own section so select the correct grade and let's get started! Find the codes
here
Weatherdon to Dance at International Competition
Grimsby Secondary School would like to congratulate Maggie Weatherdon on being selected to dance at
the Prix de Lausanne, an elite international competition for young dancers. Maggie was the only Canadian selected out of 12 candidates, and one of only 51 girls and 377 total candidates selected to participate from around the world.
After the video audition process and her acceptance to the Prix de Lausanne, Maggie will begin preparing one classical variation and one contemporary variation which she will perform in February during the week-long Prix in Montreux, Switzerland.
Maggie has been dancing since she was 3 years old and has pursued ballet full-time since she was 13. Since then she has attended ballet classes and private lessons 6 days a week at Neglia Ballet in Buffalo, New York all while maintaining an honour roll status as a full-time GSS student. In June of 2018 Maggie was selected as one of three Canadians to attend the USAIBC, coined the Olympics of ballet, held every 4 years in Jackson, Mississippi. Maggie spent 4 weeks this past summer at the prestigious San Francisco Ballet Summer Intensive.
Maggie can be seen locally at Shea’s Theatre in Buffalo in Neglia Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker.
Congratulations Maggie and good luck at the Prix!
EAGLES WIN 2ND FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP IN 3 YEARS
Your Grimsby Varsity Football team has done it again!!! With its second Tier 2 championship in 3 years the Eagles recaptured the hardware on a cold snowy night in Welland. After defeating Governor Simcoe 15-14 in OT we travelled to face the undefeated Centennial Cougars on their home turf. Our defense rose to the occasion, our offense was crisp and on that day we were the better team. A 21-15 victory and the coaching staff couldn't be more proud. A special thanks to all the friends and family that came to support the team and to all the graduating players...it's been a pleasure... EAGLES ON 3!!!
Nelles Selected for U18 Women’s Ontario National Team in November
Grimsby Secondary’s own Grace Nelles has been selected to be a part of Ontario’s elite U18 women’s hockey team. She will playing for Team Ontario Red as they vie for the National Championship in Winkler, Manitoba from November 5-9, 2019. Nelles, who has been playing hockey for the Stoney Creek Sabres AA for the past several seasons, was thrilled to be chosen for Team Red. Nelles has also been on the radar for the Canadian National U18 team this season. In August, she attended the BFL National Women’s U18 Selection Camp in Calgary, Alberta along with 44 other under 18 hopeful young female players. Although she did not make the series team, she is still being evaluated to determine whether she will represent Canada at the U18 world championships in Slovakia this winter. “It’s a real honour to be chosen for Team Red,” said Nelles. “To be on Team Ontario with girls from all over the province is a really exciting opportunity.”
Grace has verbally committed to Mercyhurst University for the 2020/2021 season. Grace is an honour roll student, serves on student council, athletic council, prefect member, and plays on the school’s field hockey, basketball and hockey teams as well. Congratulations on your tremendous accomplishments, Grace!
Lupish soars at Spanish World Cup event
Grimsby’s Kieran Lupish continues to fly high in international trampoline competition. In October, he
travelled to Valladolid, Spain to compete in a world age group competition at a World Cup event. Competing against the best in the world in the 15-16 age group, Kieran came second on double mini trampoline, winning a silver medal. He also competed in individual trampoline and placed 11th.
In July, Kieran qualified for his third World Age Group Championships in trampoline and double mini trampoline. This year’s competition will take place in Tokyo, Japan from December 4-8th. He’s hoping to win another international medal at Worlds.
“Representing Canada is really cool,” said Lupish. “It’s such an honour to wear the maple leaf and have the opportunity to meet people from all over the world.”