Panther's Post - Weekly Updates

Important Dates:

September 21st, 7 pm: School Council Meeting - link here

September 21st:  Grade 7 & 8 Immunization forms due to the office

September 24th: Student Start-up Forms completion date 

September 30th: National Day of Truth and Reconciliation (Orange Shirt Day)

Thank you!

      Our School Council kicked us off well with coffee/tea on the blacktop this past Tuesday! Thank you to our Council members, and our parents for stopping by to chat and learn more about our incredible Council.  Please join us for our first meeting, next Monday at 7pm - either in-person at the school or virtual with this link. (if attending in person please use the side West door).  If you are interested in joining the Council and taking on a Council role, please fill in the nomination form, linked here. 

Parent Involvement Committee

The HDSB Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) invites parents/guardians and community members to attend the upcoming Parent Involvement Committee Conference on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Elsie MacGill Secondary School in Milton.

The theme for this year’s event is Get Connected. Parents/guardians are invited to explore practical workshops on Student Mental Health and Well Being, Special Education, Generative AI and Social Media, Literacy, Mathematics, School Pathways, Equity and Inclusion. Come learn, connect and discover ways to support student success. Registration is now open for this free event, including childcare, a light lunch and transportation within Halton Region. 

Learn more and register by Friday, Oct. 9: tinyurl.com/mrxw6hxp

Reminder - Morning Drop off Procedures

A reminder to families that our parking lot is closed in the mornings for parents dropping off their children. We are proud to be a walking school and would ask that you park off-site and walk your children up to the school. *please refrain from stopping your car/dropping children off on Caldwell Drive.  For those with extenuating circumstances, please clearly display your red PC tag on your front mirror to identify your vehicle as you enter the parking lot. Thank you, everyone for keeping our school zones safe. 

Calling all Scholars!

Scholars’ Hub is a free, in-person academic support initiative led by experienced Halton District School Board (HDSB) educators. Scholars’ Hub provides targeted academic support in a supportive, engaging learning environment.

Who Can Participate?

The program is open to Grade 7–8 students from elementary schools that feed into

White Oaks Secondary School, including:  Palermo PS, Dr. David R. Williams PS, Oodenawi PS, Post’s Corners PS, River Oaks PS, Harvest Oak PS, Montclair PS, Falgarwood PS, Munn’s PS, Sunningdale PS and Forest Trail PS.

Students will attend sessions at the secondary school their elementary school feeds into, helping them become familiar with the high school environment.

What Does the Program Offer?

• Focused support in literacy and numeracy in a welcoming, encouraging environment to build skills and confidence

• Homework help and guided practice

• Support for the transition to secondary school

• Smaller class sizes with individualized attention and meaningful learning support

Program Schedule

Scholars’ Hub is offered for five weeks, with students attending two sessions per week.

Location:  White Oaks Secondary School

Time: 3:30-6:00 pm

Days: Mondays/Wednesdays and Tuesdays/Thursdays (choose your preference)

First session: October 5 - November 6

Spots will be given to students on a first-come, first-served basis.  The registration link will close on September 27, 2026.

Register today at:  WOSS Scholars' Hub Session 1 Registration Link

Town of Oakville

Fire Prevention Week Kickoff! - Flyer home with students Kindergarten to Grade 6 

Saturday, September 26th 

11:00 am to 4:00 pm

Oakville Fire Department 

Office Reminders:

Mandatory HDSB School Start-up Action Items

Please complete and return school startup forms as a priority

• Elementary Physical Education and Intramural Form (paper copy)

• Walking Permissions and Photo Authorization (google form)

• School Cash Online Account One time setup for new students or returning students who do not have an account. Look for a green flyer in your child’s backpack with step by step instructions. Please note that most school purchases such as hot lunch, payment for field trips, donations/fundraisers are on School Cash Online.

• School Messenger/Safe Arrival, please download the app and report any absences or late arrivals using the app or calling the phone numer 1-877-409-6310 (toll-free) 

• Student Verification forms to update student information - coming soon 

Visitors and Volunteers

Please come in through the front door only, office staff will assist you at the office window. Any students arriving after the entry bell are also to come in from the front door and sign in at the office.  The YMCA access code is not available during school hours. 

Important Dates:

September 8th: First Day of School! 

September 15th, 8:45am: Tea & Coffee on the Blacktop

September 21st, 7 pm: School Council Meeting

September 24th: Student Start-up Forms completion date 

September 30th: National Day of Truth and Reconciliation (Orange Shirt Day)

School Council for the 2026-27 year

We will be having our first meeting (either virtual or in-person @ the school, we will provide a hybrid opportunity) on Monday, September 21st at 7pm. If you are interested in joining the Council and taking on a Council role, please fill in the nomination form, linked here. 

Nutrition Time Reminders!

This school year we have moved to a 60-min period model.  Therefore, our Nutrition Break times have changed.  Please see the following:

Mandatory School Start-up Action Items

Please complete and return school startup forms as a priority

• Elementary Physical Education and Intramural Form (paper copy)

• Walking Permissions and Photo Authorization (google form)

• School Cash Online Account One time setup for new students or returning students who do not have an account. Look for a green flyer in your child’s backpack with step by step instructions. Please note that most school purchases such as hot lunch, payment for field trips, donations/fundraisers are on School Cash Online.

• School Messenger/Safe Arrival, please download the app and report any absences or late arrivals using the app or calling the phone numer 1-877-409-6310 (toll-free) 

• Student Verification forms to update student information - coming soon 

Visitors and Volunteers

Please come in through the front door only, office staff will assist you at the office window. Any students arriving after the entry bell are also to come in from the front door and sign in at the office. 

Some reminders from the Town of Oakville, Traffic Services:

The following are important reminders for pedestrians and drivers:

Safe Crossing Protocols

• Always use designated crosswalks and follow the instructions of crossing guards.

• Children and parents must stay well back from the curb until assisted by a crossing guard.

• Cyclists must dismount and walk their bicycles across the street when using a crosswalk

• Avoid distractions such as phones or headphones while crossing streets.

Driving in School Zones

• Drivers and cyclists must stop and yield the entire roadway at school crossings, pedestrian crossovers, and where crossing guards are present.

• Proceed only after all pedestrians and crossing guard have safely reached the sidewalk.

• Never block crosswalks, intersections, or driveways.

Parking Guidelines

• Illegally stopped or parked vehicles near school zones can obstruct visibility and create serious safety risks.

• Streets around our schools are posted with "No Stopping" and "No Parking" signs to enhance safety. Please respect these restrictions.

• Consider parking a block away and walking to the school to help reduce congestion and create a safer environment for everyone.

Timing Matters

• Please note that many crossing guards serve multiple locations and it is important that students arrive at and leave school during the designated school supervision periods in the morning and afternoon to ensure their safety and proper crossing guard coverage.

Identification of School Crossing Guard Locations Procedure  

From the Student and Family Support Office

Questions about your child's education? Start by speaking with your child's teacher and principal. If you still need support, the HDSB’s Student and Family Support Office can help answer questions, provide information and connect you with the appropriate supports. 

From the Halton Learning Foundation:

Help 400 HDSB Students Start School with Confidence

As students across our community head back to school, some will arrive without the basics they need: a backpack, school supplies, or even lunch. The Halton Learning Foundation (HLF), thanks to our generous community, is here to help.

HLF launched its Back-to-School campaign, with the help of our cheerful helper Carrie the Backpack, to help 400 HDSB students by September 30. Families are counting on this support, and HLF is asking our generous community to step in urgently so they can continue to say “YES” to every request for emergency support they receive.

Here's what one parent shared about what saying “YES” meant to her family:

Just wanted to say how grateful I am for this support. I’m a single mom, and because of your help, I’m able to get what my daughter needs for back-to-school and food, and I’m so unbelievably grateful for the support.

Make a gift for a student in need today: Donate Now

Together, we can give students not just supplies, but confidence, dignity, and hope.

Learn more about Carrie’s Back to School mission and how you can help at GoBack2School.ca.

Help Name Oakville’s New Secondary School

The HDSB is inviting students, families and community members to help name Oakville’s new secondary school, opening at 4020 Sixth Line in September 2027. Share your creativity and submit a name suggestion by Sunday, Sept. 13. Every idea will be reviewed as part of the school naming process. Learn more and submit a name suggestion at hdsb.ca/NameOakvilleSchool. 

Homestay Hosts Needed in the Oakville Area

Each year, the HDSB’s International Student Program (ISP) welcomes students into schools, and as a result, our programs benefit, our community benefits and local students create lifelong friendships and global connections. 

We have an urgent need for homestay hosts for a short term group of Grade 8 - 9 visiting students, from  Sept. 24 - Oct. 3, 2026 (ten days) in the Oakville area.  

Our homestay partner, Dream Homestay Ontario (DHO), offers full training, 24/7 support and a generous stipend.

To express your interest or ask questions, please contact:

Jenny Wong

Cell: 647-918-1953

Email: jennyw@dreamhomestayontario.com

Thank you for your interest and support.

Regards,

HDSB International Student Program

isp@hdsb.ca