Welcome Back Sept 2023
I hope you are enjoying your summer and are looking forward to start up! I would like to take this opportunity to share with you some information about school start up. Our main communication platform is the school website. Please find it at gss.sd42.ca and make this your first point of contact with the school. The GAZETTE can be viewed on the main page and is updated daily. Here you will find all the latest school news, information including Parent Information Evenings, and Parent Advisory Committee agendas and minutes. All teacher email addresses and additional school contact information is posted. Newsletters will be posted to: https://secondary.sd42.ca/gss/gss-newsletters . We take pride in updating the website frequently.
Student timetable will be available Tuesday August 29 in the “Myclass system”. We will be balancing classes in the days that follow so these timetables need to be considered as draft. Time table changes will be serviced in the first few weeks of school in a priority order, Grade 12 to Gr 8. While counsellors are in the week prior to school this is to service new student registrations and other emergent issues. There are no drop in course / timetable changes.
Garibaldi is an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP) school. There are only 3 public schools in BC to obtain this level of accreditation. We are proud of our status.
The Middle Years Programme is an INCLUSIVE, WHOLE SCHOOL programme that is offered to more than 1 million students in over 3,700 schools in 147 countries. The Middle Years Programme focuses on developing critical, creative, and reflective thinkers within a global perspective. It encourages students to make connections between their studies and the real world. The new provincial curriculum for grades 8 and 9, which are being fully implemented this year, aligns with the IB Middle Years Programme. The new curriculum places emphasis on student inquiry, big ideas, competencies, and global awareness, all part of the IB Middle Years Programme.
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme challenges students in advance curriculum. Upon completion it may allow students to obtain first year university in a single or variety of subjects. IB – DP is an optional program beginning in grade 11. Students can participate in a single course “certificate” or complete diploma. The IB DP information is available online at: https://gssib.sd42.ca .
For Incoming Grade 8 Students:
GSS Supports the Link Crew initiative. Link Crew is a high school transition program that aims to make grade 8 students feel comfortable and connected during their first year of high school. The program is built on the belief that students can help students succeed. Link Crew follows a proven method of training senior students to be Link Crew mentors throughout the year.
On the first day of school, grade 8 students will attend a special orientation led by our student Link Crew Leaders & Link Crew teachers, Ms. Lemieux & Mrs. Gibbs
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5TH
8:45 AM – Grade 8 students will arrive at the gym to meet with the link crew and staff.
10:15AM – 11:30 AM – Link Crew leaders will lead the small group activities and orientation
11:30AM – 11:45AM – Link Crew closing assembly
11:45 Approx Gr 8 Dismissal
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH
A regular full day.
For Grade 9 – 12 Students:
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5TH
For all Gr 9 – 12 Students:
Grade 9 to 12 students will need to determine their homeroom / Blk A class in MyClass or, by looking at posted this located in the main entrance hallway the library hallway and the theatre entrance. These lists will be inside the school and not be available for we can do in through the windows.
12:30 AM – Grade 9 – 12 Report to homeroom / Blk A. At this time there will be fee collection (if fees are not paid by portal), locker distribution and paper timetable distribution.
1:30 – Approx Dismissal
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH
A regular full day.
SCHOOL FEES:
The following school fees apply and can now be paid on the SD 42 Parent Portal, including:
Student fee $35
There is a FREE GSS Planner APP, download at either the App Store or Google play – Search Garibaldi Secondary
Yearbook $65.00 (OPTIONAL)
Used Locks purchase $5.00 each (OPTIONAL – 2 recommended – one for gym locker)
Required supplies for each course will be outlined by subject teachers. All students require binders, paper, pens, pencils and gym strip for the first week of school.
I look forward to the upcoming school year. We have made many positive additions to our school community. Please do not hesitate to contact the school If you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Mr. Ian Liversidge
Principal