Hello Families,

Just a friendly reminder that any time you come to the school to see your student you must sign in at the front office counter rather than roam the building. Our office staff will help to efficiently locate your student and connect you with them readily. All visitors must sign in every time regardless of the reason for the visit.

Thank you so much!

On Wednesday, November 5, 2025, Grade 9 students across Ontario will participate in Take Our Kids to Work Day—a national initiative that gives students the opportunity to explore the working world by spending the day on the job with a parent, relative, or family friend.

This annual event, organized by The Learning Partnership, helps students connect what they learn in school with real-world career possibilities. It’s an exciting way for students to gain insight into different professions, develop a better understanding of workplace expectations, and start thinking about their future goals.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to discuss possible placements with their children and to ensure that workplace safety requirements are met. Students who are unable to attend a workplace are encouraged to speak with their homeroom teacher to arrange an alternate learning activity for the day. There will be a board field trip form going him to excuse them from the day. 

We look forward to hearing about the many exciting experiences our Grade 9s will have as they explore the world of work!

For more information about Take Our Kids to Work Day, visit: www.thelearningpartnership.ca 

It’s Hearing and Vision Screening time!

 The School Screening Association will be at our school for students in grades 7 and 8 on Thursday, October 30th.

Register your child and complete the payment through this Online Registration:   

                                      https://form.jotform.com/252675097727268

 Deadline for registration is Oct. 27th

A fee of $25.00 is collected to help offset the cost of bringing this clinic to your school.

Why Screening Matters:

• Growing children are very susceptible to middle ear problems and one of the best ways to prevent hearing loss is early detection of middle ear function issues.

• Vision issues are common in children, so early detection is crucial for their healthy development and academic success.

  Our screening program helps identify hearing and vision concerns before they impact learning and social development, ensuring children get the support they need to thrive. As part of the program, we will refer any results that are considered outside the normal range to the parents for follow-up with their physician and/or optometrist.

  For hearing concerns, we recommend bringing your referral to your physician, who can then refer you to an ENT specialist, which is covered by OHIP. Alternatively, you have the option to schedule an appointment with an Audiologist without needing a referral from your family physician. Please note that visits to an Audiologist may not be covered by OHIP, and you could incur a fee ranging from $75 to $150 or more.

  Your child's hearing is not being monitored unless they're seeing an audiologist or an ENT specialist, making our screening program a valuable resource for your child's health.

While eye exams are covered by OHIP, our hearing clinic offers a basic vision screening for students participating in the hearing clinic.

  For more information and to address all your questions and concerns, please visit our website at www.schoolscreeningassociation.ca.

Good Grades start with Good Hearing and Vision

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From November 3rd to 7th — Grade 12 Leadership class from Acton District will be hosting Guide Dog Awareness Week.

This initiative is all about helping students understand how guide dogs support people with academic, physical and emotional challenges in their lives, and by giving them greater independence and confidence.

Throughout the week, students will be involved in fun and interactive activities around the school to explore this topic. It’s a great opportunity for them to build empathy and learn how service animals make a real impact.

As part of the week, we’ve set a fundraising goal of $800 to help support the training of guide dogs and the building of their new facility in Oakville. If your family is able to donate, any amount would be a meaningful contribution.

Thanks for your support as we work to build awareness and understanding within our school community.

There is still time to register for the upcoming Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) Conference! 

The conference will take place on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Elsie MacGill Secondary School in Milton. The theme for this year’s event is Embrace. Engage. Celebrate: Building Welcoming Communities Together. 

This free event will feature informative workshops, community partners and displays and a keynote address by Pardeep Nagra, Human Rights & Equity Advisor at the HDSB.

Lunch will be provided and child minding is available at no cost for Kindergarten-age children 

up to 12 years of age. Morning refreshments and a light lunch are also provided. Transportation may be available for attendees who require it to travel from various areas within Halton to the conference. 

Learn more and register by Friday, Oct. 31: https://tinyurl.com/az3tmdx6 

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. 

• October 30 Elementary Hearing and Vision Clinic

• October 31 Halloween

• November 5 Grade 9 - Take your kid to work day

• November 13 Swim Meet - McMaster university

• November 17 Secondary Midterm Reports

• November 17 Elementary Report Cards Due

• November 19-20 EQAO OSSLT

• November 28 PA Day

• November 28 Elementary Parent/Teacher Interviews

• December 1-3 Graduation Photo Days