Looking for something?

Wildcats Weekly

April 17, 2026

Wildcats Weekly

We had a WONDERFUL week at WID!

 

School Council Meeting

Our next School Council Meeting is Monday April 20th.  Please join us at 6 pm in the Library to hear all the great things that are happening at WID.  All are welcome!

Halton Learning Foundation Month

Halton Learning Foundation (HLF) Month is here! April 2026 is the third annual HLF Month and HDSB schools and community members are coming together to help raise awareness and funds for the financial support, provided by HLF, that many HDSB students need to fully engage in learning such as school supplies, food and clothing. 

Each year, HLF supports more than 3,000 students in the HDSB by providing financial support that removes educational barriers and providing the essential resources students need to focus on schoolwork and thrive to their full potential. HLF’s goal is to ensure that they can continue to say ‘yes’ to every request for support received. 

Families can learn more about the Halton Learning Foundation and how to support HLF Month by visiting the HLF Month webpage on the HLF website (haltonlearningfoundation.ca). 

Are you an HDSB parent/guardian who could use some help?

If you are an HDSB parent/guardian who needs assistance, please contact your child’s teacher or principal.


Courtesy Seat Application for 2026-27

Each year, in accordance with HSTS Procedure HS-1-004 – Courtesy Seats, families with children who are not eligible for school bus transportation to and from school, may apply for a courtesy seat. The HSTS Courtesy Seat online application will be open for submissions from April 15th, 2026 until Tuesday, June 30th, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

HSTS will complete the courtesy seat application review and allocation process over the summer, in order to allow approved courtesy riders to begin riding the bus on the first day of school in September 2026. Parents and guardians will be advised of the status of their application by the third week of August via email, to the primary contact provided to the school. Approved applicants can access their transportation schedule via the HSTS Parent Portal (Parent Portal Instructions) during the third week of August.

 

Please complete the HSTS Opt out form if your eligible child(ren) do not intend on using the school bus in 2026-27. This will allow HSTS the opportunity to assign as many courtesy seat riders as possible over the summer. 

 

Volunteers in Schools

The Ministry of Education has provided us with new guidelines that all schools must adhere to with regard to Criminal Record Checks with Vulnerable Sector Screening.  We have reviewed our police checks that we currently have on file with the school and none of them will meet the new guidelines, so ANYONE wishing to volunteer in the school or on field trips will need to provide a new one by the start of next school year.  Please note:

  • All volunteers must have a Criminal Background Check which includes vulnerable sector screening. 

  • The Halton Regional Police Service now has an online process for residents who require a criminal reference check. Note: There are many online background check services (e.g., mybackcheck.com) on the internet. These services do not include vulnerable sector screening, a mandatory requirement for HDSB volunteering.  

  • For reference: HDSB Volunteer Application Form 

  • For more information: Volunteers in Schools

 

Food Deliveries at School

While we understand that there are times when you will need to have food delivered to your children at school, we ask that you please limit the use of Uber Eats/Door Dash, etc as a means to do so.  If the need arises to send food to your child while at school, please call the office to let us know to expect the delivery. We are not permitted to accept food deliveries that do not come directly from a parent/guardian or family member, or that the office is aware of.   Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.  

 

Homestay Hosts Needed in Halton

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. Canada Homestay Network (CHN) is currently looking for hosts in Halton for international students joining the HDSB during the 2026-2027 school year.

The HDSB has received a strong number of applications for the 2026-2027 school year, including several students who will be staying for a shorter period of approximately three to four months. This creates a great opportunity for families who may be interested in short-term hosting.

Hosting an international student is a unique and rewarding experience. You'll give a young learner a life-changing opportunity while creating lasting memories for your own family. As a host, you provide a private bedroom, three daily meals, access to WiFi and laundry and a welcoming, supportive and safe home. CHN offers full training, 24/7 support and a monthly stipend.

CHN will be hosting two virtual information sessions for families interested in learning more about becoming a homestay host:

For more information about becoming a host for an international student, please visit the Become a Homestay Host webpage of the HDSB website (hdsb.ca) or contact hostinfo@canadahomestaynetwork.ca, call 1-877-441-4443 or visit: https://whyihost.ca. 

 

Free webinar series for parents/caregivers: Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health from School Mental Health Ontario. 

We are excited to share a valuable opportunity to support your child’s well-being. School Mental Health Ontario is offering a free webinar series as part of the By Your Side Learning Hub, designed to help parents and caregivers navigate important topics to support their children’s mental health.   

This expert-led series will provide insights and practical strategies on:  

  • balanced device use 

  • vaping 

  • body image 

  • anxiety 

The webinars will also include answers to questions that parents/caregivers can provide ahead of the webinar, giving you the chance to ask questions and gain practical guidance.  Sessions run March to June

Register for free today   

 

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. 

 

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 INCREDIBLE week!

The WID Staff