We had another TERRIFIC week at WI Dick!
Upcoming Mental Health Sessions
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“Just One More!” When Kids and Teens Can't Stop Wanting More – Thursday, Nov. 12 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. This session is virtual.
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Caring for Grieving Children and Youth – Wednesday, Nov. 25 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. This session is virtual.
Learn more about the sessions available by visiting our Mental Health & Well-Being Information Sessions webpage and register by completing the registration form. When you register, you can also submit a question for the presenters. Registration is required for these sessions as limited spots are available. Registrants will be emailed a Google Meet link to access the session. Captioning in various languages is available.
Hamilton Hammers School Day Hockey Game
On November 25th, 2026 join the whole school as we go to see the Hamilton Hammers play the Syracuse Crunch for a great game of hockey. The cost of the trip is $31.50 that includes your bus ride to the game as well as your ticket. Location: TD Coliseum in Hamilton Game Time: 11:00am Please visit School Cash Online for tickets. The arena is a cash free location and students must bring credit or debit cards to purchase inside the facility. Students are welcome to bring their own lunch. Should you require financial assistance with this trip, please email Ms. Vasilakos directly at vasilakost@hdsb.ca
Covenant House Presentations
On Thursday, November 5, 2026, Covenant House will be coming to WID to deliver presentations to our students. They are scheduled to deliver Before You Run for Grade 6’s, Reality Check for Grade 7’s, and Trafficked for Grade 8’s. A letter from Covenant House was emailed this past week outlining the presentations in more detail. Any questions or concerns should be directed to presentations@covenanthouse.ca
Inclement Weather
With winter weather arriving soon, families are encouraged to review the HDSB Inclement Weather Reminders to know how we communicate important updates about school closures and bus cancellations. If your child is bused to school, please ensure you know which transportation zone you are located in. Let’s stay connected and safe this snowy season!
Food Orders/Door Dash/Uber
Just a reminder that we DO NOT encourage families to send ordered food to school for students. Middle school is a great time to build independence with your children. Having your children prepare their lunches the night before on their own, filling water bottles and ensuring their backpacks are ready for the next day is a great way to build independence and to reduce phone calls home for forgotten items.
Attendance
If your child will be absent from school, late or picked up early, the absence must be reported to the attendance line. There are 3 options to do so:
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Download the HDSB mobile app and report your child(ren)’s absence there
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Visit go.schoolmessenger.ca to report the absence
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Call 1-877-409-6310 (toll free)
Transportation Issues
If there are any questions or concerns regarding your child(ren)’s bus transportation, please report them directly to the appropriate bus company for your child(ren)’s bus routes.
Attridge Transportation: 905-333-4047
First Student: 905-877-2251
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/
Locks
Please ensure students have a lock for their locker. This should be a combination lock, not a key lock. We are strongly encouraging students to keep technology in their locker and a lock will ensure their belongings are safe and secure throughout the school day.
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.
Dropping Items off at WID
One of the most important life skills we teach is organization. Each day before school, we ask that you ensure your children have all of their important items with them before they leave for school. School materials, water bottles, lunches, coats and hats. We DO NOT have water bottles to hand out. Students NEED a water bottle that they can fill up at the water filling station. Dropping off items for your children is disruptive to the learning environment.
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.
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 and your student(s) will be signed out by our office staff. You no longer need to send an email to our Administrative Staff, however the early dismissal should be reported to School Messenger prior to pickup.
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 FANTASTIC week!
The WID Staff
Upcoming Dates:
Covenant House presentations Nov. 5th
Progress Reports go home Nov. 17th
Hamilton Hammers School Day Game (6-8) Nov. 25th
Student Led Conferences Nov. 26th
P.A. Day - no school for students Nov. 27th