September Message
A Great Start to the School Year!
I hope this message finds you well as we wrap up a fantastic September at Gloucester High School. The energy in the building has been amazing, and it has been wonderful to see both returning students and new Grade 9s settle in and embrace the school community.
This month was filled with remarkable activity. The Student Council kicked off the year with a fantastic BBQ on the 19th, and the spirit continued with the annual Grade 9 Gator Games on the 22nd. The energy and participation in the challenge events were truly excellent! We also had a successful school-wide Club Fair with over 25 groups participating, ensuring every student has a chance to get involved. A special shout-out goes to Gloucester’s dedicated Link Crew, who not only helped the newest Gators feel welcome with introductory Try-A-Sport events but also attended a two-day leadership camp at Camp Ontonbee to further develop their skills.
Gator athletics are in full swing! A big congratulations to the Varsity Girls Basketball team on their season-opening wins. It’s been great to see so many of GHS teams, including Girls and Boys Rugby, Boys Soccer, Senior Boys Volleyball, and Cross Country, already practicing and competing. We're also excited about the new Cricket club, which is holding dedicated sessions for both boys and girls at lunch.
On September 29th, GHS educators participated in an inspiring Professional Development Day focused on strengthening literacy and numeracy across all disciplines. The day's learning focused on deepening their instructional strategies and skills to better meet the diverse needs of every student. Specifically, teachers concentrated on integrating math conversations—with a key emphasis on proportional reasoning—into all content areas, while also exploring high-impact strategies to help students develop strong, confident writing skills.
We are deeply committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment, a commitment beautifully demonstrated by our school's participation in Truth and Reconciliation Week. This year, Indigenous students designed and produced orange shirts, which were sold to staff and students in support of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Tuesday, September 30th. The powerful design used was created by a former Gloucester student. This initiative is an important step in our ongoing journey to learn more truths and actively support the path toward reconciliation.
As we look ahead, there are many exciting things on the horizon, from an experiential learning trip for ELD students to the Canadian Museum of Agriculture to the return of the Huddle Up program with the Ottawa Redblacks. Keep an eye out for our new Gator Gear, including t-shirts and hoodies, so you can show your school spirit!
Looking Ahead: Key Dates & Events
- October 2: Special Olympics Soccer
- October 7: Civics and Careers Field Trip - Best Places to Work Career Fair
- October 9: Initial Learning Update for Semester-Based Courses Delivered
- October 15: Parent/Guardian Interviews (4:30 PM to 7:00 PM)
- October 15-16: Civics and Career Field Trip - House of Commons
- October 22: Muslim Student Association Pot Luck
Student Accident Insurance
Creating a caring and safe environment for our students is our top priority. Unfortunately, despite all reasonable precautions being taken, accidents can still happen. Some injuries may result in medical, dental or other expenses that are not covered by provincial health care or employer group plans, and caregivers become responsible for these expenses.
The OCDSB does not provide student accident insurance and encourages all caregivers to consider purchasing accident insurance or student accident insurance for incidents that may not be covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) or any additional medical plans they have.
Student accident insurance is available for purchase voluntarily. Caregivers may apply online at insuremykids.com or call 1-800-463-5437. The accident insurance coverage options range from $17.00/year to $33.00/year. All plans provide 24/7 coverage and a variety of important accident benefits (benefit limits differ based on plan selected). If you have any questions, please call Jones DesLauriers Ottawa (formerly Binks Insurance Brokers) directly at 613-226-1350.
Thank you for your ongoing support as we embark on this new chapter together. I am incredibly proud of the students and staff, and I look forward to all that we will accomplish this year.
Yours in Gratitude,
Joe Ross
Principal, Gloucester High School