We had an AMAZING week at WID!
Black History Month - Message from Director Ennis
In celebration of Black History Month, Director Ennis has recorded the following video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ta6vjPMRp-228kdKo727rYDIaJGk32uq/view?usp=sharing. Schools are welcome to share this video at Black History Month activities this month.
Reminder: Brilliant Black Futures: A Celebration in Honour of Black History Month - Feb. 26
HDSB administrators and educators are reminded to join us on Thursday, Feb. 26 from 4:30 - 8 p.m. at Rattlesnake Point Public School (1385 Kovachik Blvd., Milton) for an evening celebrating Black excellence during Black History Month. The event is open to families and community members and will feature a screening of episodes from Black Life: Untold Stories, a CBC documentary series that explores the rich and complex history of the Black experience in Canada over the past 400 years and connects to new curriculum being introduced by the Ontario Ministry of Education in Fall 2026.
The event offers opportunities to connect with community vendors and resources supporting Black students and families, attend student exhibitions on Black history in Canada and learn about HDSB programs, student groups and wellness supports for Black students. It also features a reading circle for early learners led by children’s author Yolanda Marshall. Staff interested in attending can complete the registration form by Friday, Feb. 20 or until the event reaches capacity.
School Council Meeting
Our next School Council meeting is scheduled for Monday February 9th at 6pm in the library. All are welcome to attend the School Council meeting where discussions about fundraising and current events at WI Dick are discussed. Please join us!
Humane Society Fundraiser
The Humane Society Club will be having a fundraiser for the Oakville/Milton Humane Society next Thursday, February 12th. We will be having a Bake/Snack/Craft sale, and all proceeds will go to the Humane Society. Items will not contain peanuts, and baked goods will be store bought with the label displayed. All items will range between $1.00-$3.00 (cash only). Please help support the Humane Society next Thursday!
Dressing for the Weather
As the cold weather is now upon us, please remind your children of the importance of wearing their coats, hats, mittens/gloves - winter wear! Students are expected to be outside twice daily for nutrition breaks. There are far too many children hiding in the bathrooms or saying they forgot their coats, in order to avoid going outside. Just a reminder that our COLD WEATHER THRESHOLD is -20 degrees. Getting outside for fresh air and exercise is an important part of a healthy growth mindset as well.
Inclement Weather Reminders
With the arrival of winter weather, 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 note that Milton is Zone 2 for transportation. Let’s stay connected and safe this snowy season.
Spectators at Games
The Milton Family of Schools has agreed that spectators at after school games are limited to team family members of the teams playing ONLY. All other spectators MUST be accompanied by an adult. This includes games/tournaments that WID is participating in during the school day. PLEASE NOTE - If you are signing your child out for the day to attend a school sanctioned event, and they are not on the team, it is HDSB’s policy that you stay with and supervise your child. This is for the safety and well-being of your child. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our students safe.
Signing Students Out
We understand that essential appointments often occur during the school day. To ensure the safety of our students, we are asking that you please ring the bell at the front door letting our Administrative Staff know that you are picking up a student. You will be allowed into the school, where an administrative assistant will sign your children out. You no longer need to send an email to our Administrative Staff. PLEASE NOTE that if you are giving another adult permission (someone NOT named in your emergency contacts) to sign your child out for a special event (lunch, games, etc.) an email MUST be sent to our Administrative Assistants (kapitanb@hdsb.ca / careyma@hdsb.ca /vanveenc@hdsb.ca). Thank you for your cooperation, as this is an essential part of student safety.
Stacked Pancakes
We are now offering Stacked Pancakes every Tuesday for lunch. We will be using Lunchbox once again in partnership with our local Stacked restaurant. Families can choose to buy every week or just once in a while. Orders must be completed by noon on Sundays for the upcoming week. Please go to https://www.lunchboxorders.net/login.aspx to place an order.
Subway
Subway Thursday lunches are also returning. We will be using Lunchbox once again in partnership with our local Subway restaurant. Families can choose to buy every week or just once in a while. Subs must be ordered by noon on Sundays for the upcoming week. Please go to https://www.lunchboxorders.net/login.aspx to place an order.
Pizza Term #2
Pizza is now CLOSED on school cash!
Phones
Students are NOT permitted to have cell phones at school. If your child brings a cell phone to school it needs to stay in their lockers or backpacks. If students need to call home (feeling sick) they are allowed to use the school phone. Students are NOT permitted to text their parents to drop off forgotten items. Students who are using their cell phones at school will be asked to put their phones in their lockers. If a student is reminded more than once, their phone will be kept in Ms. Vasilakos’ office until the end of the school day.
Cash in the school
This is just a reminder that we strongly encourage using School Cash Online as the method of payment when making any purchases throughout the school year. This will help reduce cash getting lost or stolen. If you have not signed up for School Cash Online please so by clicking on the link: https://hdsb.schoolcashonline.com/
Buses
For those with children who ride a bus, we strongly encourage you to sign up for the alerts about bus delays, etc. This will become especially helpful when the colder weather arrives. You can sign up through the Parent Portal on haltonbus.ca. You can find the instructions for setting up your Parent Portal here. Halton Student Transportation Services have indicated to all families and schools that in the first month of school, buses may be delayed for pick up and drop off. Please DO NOT call the school about buses being late. We know that this is frustrating, however, please understand that there are hundreds of children taking the bus daily and there continues to be a shortage of bus drivers. If your children are NOT taking the bus, you need to contact the bus company directly. Students are NOT permitted to go home on a different bus with a friend.
Bus Lanes
Please DO NOT park in our bus lanes at the front of the school in the morning or afternoon. Our parking lot is closed in the morning and the afternoon, for the safety of our students, staff and community. It is imperative that our bus lanes are free and clear for our buses to park in. We appreciate that many of you are picking up and dropping off closer to Mountainview, Elm or Ridge. For those of you who have children who ride bikes or scooters, please remind them about road safety as we have had numerous reports of bikes and scooters being ridden down the middle of streets.
Phys-Ed
Students are reminded that during Phys-Ed classes they need to have appropriate footwear. Students must wear running shoes, Crocs, sandals, and boots are NOT permitted.
As always, we are here to answer any questions and address any concerns that you may have. Please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Here’s to another FABULOUS week!
The WID Staff
Upcoming Dates:
School Council Meeting Feb 9th
PA DAY - no school for students Feb 13th
Family Day - no school for students Feb 16th
Report Cards Home Feb 17th