As we head into December, the colder weather has officially arrived, and with it comes a noticeable shift in the energy around the school. Please remember to send students with warm clothing—hats, mitts, and winter jackets—as classes continue to enjoy outdoor breaks whenever possible.

This week, we hosted our Semi-Formal Dance. Our student leaders have been working hard to prepare a fun and memorable evening, and everyone enjoyed themselves in a safe and positive environment.

Our athletics programs continue to shine. The swim team has been practicing diligently in preparation for their upcoming meet next week, and we’re very proud of their commitment and dedication. Our volleyball teams have also been rocking it on the court, demonstrating great teamwork, sportsmanship, and school spirit at every game. Well done, Bearcats!

Around the building, the holiday spirit is growing stronger each day. Students and staff alike are getting excited for the upcoming break, and classrooms are buzzing with seasonal activities, learning, and celebrations.

Looking ahead to next week, we invite all families to join us on December 11th for our Winter Arts Night. This special evening will showcase the incredible artistic talent within our school, including visual arts displays and a performance by our school band. It’s a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community and celebrate the creativity and hard work of our students.

We hope to see you there!

Students interested in beginning Advanced Placement learning in Grade 9 may apply to the AP Prep entry program through the AP Prep Application during the Fall application window.

2025-26 AP Key Dates

Oct. 24, 2025 - Online Application Opens

Dec. 2, 2025 - Online Application Closes at 11:59 p.m.

Dec. 5, 2025 - Date by which schools will inform candidates as to the status of their application

Dec. 12, 2025 - Last date for students to accept a spot in the program 

Elementary Pizza Days!

Pizza Days (Session 2) – January 8 to March 26, 2026
Pizza will be supplied by Pizza Hub – Acton.

Important Information:

Please record these lunch dates on your 2025/2026 calendar.

Orders are for the full term only (11 delivery days).

Choose ONE option only for the term: (Cheese or Pepperoni, Vegan, Gluten Free)

No combination orders.

Late orders cannot be accepted.

No refunds for absences; food cannot be saved.

Always check your receipt and order history to ensure your order went through.

Pizza Days run every Thursday from January 8 – March 26 (11 days total).

Fee closes Thursday, December 18th at NOON. 

Grade 8 Grad Hoodie Now Available!

We’re excited to announce that this year’s Grade 8 Graduation Hoodie is now available for purchase on School Cash Online for $50!

This special hoodie will feature the signatures of all our Grade 8 graduates, making it a meaningful keepsake your child can cherish for years to come. It also makes a fantastic holiday gift!

To order, simply log in to School Cash Online, select your child’s hoodie size, and complete the payment there. Hoodies will be delivered in the new year. 

The order link will be live from Friday, December 5 to Sunday, January 11 to give you lots of time to order!

Let’s celebrate our amazing Grade 8s in style!

Bearcat Spirit Wear Now Available!

We’re excited to share that Bearcat Spirit Wear is now open for orders.
Please note that delivery will take place after Christmas.

Show your Bearcat pride and get your gear today! 🎉

www.lcms.ca/adsbearcats 

Attention Current Grade 8 Families

Grade 9 Course Selection for the 2026–2027 School Year

This is a reminder to all parents and guardians that Grade 9 course selection forms are due on December 15, 2025.

Please visit our website for detailed information about available courses and the selection process.

Thank you for your support in helping students prepare for a successful transition to Grade 9!

Senator News 

Hi Acton! Last week we posted our introduction on the Newsletter, and this week we want to tell you more about some of the things we do. At the annual Acton District Christmas Craft Sale, your Student Senators were running a booth to raise awareness and help promote Kindness and Global Citizenship. We handed out buttons and pamphlets to those who were interested. If you are a student at Acton District and have any questions, concerns, or ideas about your school; there are QR codes around the school to fill out a google form and let us know. Check out our Instagram account called Acton Student Senate, to find out more about what we do! Come back next week to hear more about us on the Newsletter! Have a great week!

🏒 Silent Auction Donations Needed for Our Charity Hockey Tournament! 

Our annual Charity Hockey Tournament is just around the corner, taking place December 18 at the McKnight Rink in the Acton Arena—and we need your help to make it our most successful event yet!

This year, our grade 12 Leadership class has chosen to support SAVIS of Halton, a local organization dedicated to providing confidential support to survivors of sexual violence. SAVIS offers 24/7 crisis assistance, counseling, advocacy, and education programs aimed at creating safer communities and supporting individuals on their path to healing.

To help raise funds for this important cause, we will be hosting a Silent Auction during the tournament. We are reaching out to families, community members, and local businesses for donations of items or services that can be included in the auction. Popular contributions in past years have included gift baskets, sports memorabilia, handcrafted items, gift cards, event tickets, and specialty services—but all donations are gratefully accepted!

How to Donate:
Items can be dropped off at the main office, c/o Shawn Brown, anytime leading up to the event.

Your generosity will not only support a meaningful cause but also help bring our community together for an exciting day of hockey, fun, and positive impact.

Presidential Scholar Spotlight: Ella Zucchero’s Journey to UC - University of Charleston 

Acton Graduate Ella Zucchero's post secondary journey, read the full article here!

 https://www.ucwv.edu/2025/11/presidential-scholar-spotlight-ella-zuccheros-journey-to-uc/ https://www.ucwv.edu/2025/11/presidential-scholar-spotlight-ella-zuccheros-journey-to-uc/?fbclid=IwY2xjawOcCD1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA80MDk5NjI2MjMwODU2MDkAAR402cPvaeuquhNjZWnBlOmp_LWJDJFVbOsJu5t3EWK2MBO03S1PKs2kIBtT0g_aem_hmM2jWvktNVRtjHahZJYeg 

Aspen Family Portal

The HDSB offers the Aspen Family Portal - a secure online space that provides parents/guardians with convenient access to:

• Student Information
  View your child’s demographics, contact details, and real-time attendance records.

• Report Cards
  Access report cards electronically instead of paper copies (unless requested). Once posted, report cards remain in the portal for future reference. Please note that report cards issued before the portal’s launch will not be available.

• Key Links in One Place
  Quickly access HDSB-approved websites and resources without the need to search or save links.

Activate your Aspen Family Portal Account 

Please use a computer (not a mobile device) and follow these steps to activate an HDSB parent/guardian account in our secure Aspen Student Information System. 

This account is meant to be created by a parent/guardian. A valid e-mail address (the email address on file at your child’s school) is required to verify your identity when requesting an account. Once the account is created, you will be able to login to the HDSB Family Portal.

Please visit our Student Services Page on our website for the most up to date information:

https://act.hdsb.ca/student-services

📢 Stay Connected: Join Your Grade’s Google Classroom!

All students are encouraged to join their Grade Google Classroom to stay informed throughout the school year. Each classroom is tailored to your grade and will be used to share important announcements, guidance updates, post-secondary planning information, volunteer and job opportunities, and more.

By joining, students can ensure they don’t miss out on key dates, events, and resources that support both academic and personal success.

🔑 Join using the code for your grade below:

• Grade 9: n54uhqn6
  
  

• Grade 10: rgbi47nv
  
  

• Grade 11: xslvacpi
  
  

• Grade 12: 4uxurjpz

We strongly recommend all students join as soon as possible. It's one of the best ways to stay in the loop and make the most of the school year!

📣 Student Services Update – New Way to Submit Your Community Hours!

Dear Students,

We’re excited to announce a new and improved way to submit your community service hours to Student Services! 💼✨

Starting Wednesday, September 3rd, all students will be able to submit their community hours online through our updated system. This change is designed to make the process faster, easier, and more convenient for everyone.

🔹 What’s New?

• Online Submission Form: Submit your hours directly from your phone or computer — no need to hand in your paper forms!

• Upload Documentation: Attach your signed Record of Community Involvement Hours form or a photo of the form in just a few clicks.

• Instant Confirmation: Receive an email confirmation as soon as your hours are submitted.

🔹 How to Submit:

1. Visit:  Acton District School - Community Involvement
   
   

2. Fill out the required details
   
   

3. Upload your supporting documents
   
   

4. Click submit — and you're done!
   
   

We know your time is valuable, and we’re committed to supporting your involvement in the community. 

If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to
Mrs. Norton in the guidance office.

Thank you for all the incredible work you do in and around our community! 💙

Sincerely,
Student Services Team

School Cash Online

At Acton District., we use School Cash Online for all payments made to the school. It is recommended that you set up your account so you are prepared for any fees that pertain to your student throughout the school year.

Some of the benefits of using School Cash Online include:

· Ability to pay by credit card and Visa debit or echeck(out of bank account)

· Receive reminder emails so you never miss a payment due date

· See only items available to purchase online that are applicable to your student(s)

· Uses Google Translate in over 100 languages to assist you when making purchases

· Make an online donation and receive your tax receipt by email

· Support available 24 x 7

Visit hdsb.schoolcashonline.com to sign up today and have the ability to track all payments made. You will need the Halton student number for your student (not the OEN)  in order to set up an account. Please contact the school at 519.853.2920 if you don’t have your student’s number.

Secondary Pizza Day May 15th, 2025

Extended Absence Reminder

Parents/guardians who withdraw students during school time are advised that, depending on the timing and length of the absence, academic performance of your student may be affected. It is the student’s responsibility to catch-up on missed work.

In secondary school, any absence that is longer than 3 consecutive days is referred to as an extended absence. If you know that your student will be away for more than 3 consecutive school days, please print this Planned Absence Form and fill it in with the information requested 2 weeks prior to the planned absence (hard copies are available in the office). Students should ask their parent/guardian and teachers to fill in the form and once it is complete, the form should be handed in at the main office. The Vice Principal will then review the form and it will be given to the attendance Administrative Assistant for attendance to be entered (absences longer than 3 days are not able to be entered into School Messenger by parents). If you have any questions about this process, please reach out to the main office at 905-847-6875. Thank you. 

• December 11 Winter Arts Night

• December 18 School Hockey Tournament

• December 19 Early Dismissal - 1:50PM

• December 22- Christmas Break - School CLOSED
  January 2