2023-24 School Year

Dear Students and Parents,
 
The 2023-2024 school year will soon be in session and we are very much looking forward to seeing both our returning students and all the new Tigers that will become part of the Woodroffe High School Community. We hope that all students and families had an enjoyable summer. To our incoming grade 9 students, we can’t wait to meet you and help you settle into a wonderful high school experience.  
 
I would like to share some important information that will help us all have a great start to the year.  
 
First Day of School
The first day of school is Tuesday September 5, 2023. Students, please arrive 15 minutes earlier than you might normally in order to locate your first class. There will be lists posted inside the school indicating the first room that each student should go to on the first day.  Student timetables will be provided in the first class.
 
Timetable Concerns
It is normal that some student timetables will need to be changed or adjusted at the start of the year.  For example, a student may have completed a summer school course and now needs a different course; or perhaps a course is full, or, a student has selected two courses that are both offered in the same time slot. Students needing timetable changes should make an appointment with their guidance counsellor. The guidance team works very hard to resolve these issues and prioritizes those students without timetables or missing courses and then proceeds to students wanting to change electives etc.  Guidance will share with students the process to follow for timetable changes.
 
Daily Schedule
Woodroffe High School follows a rotating schedule.  Morning classes alternate between being either the 1st or 2nd class of the day and afternoon classes alternate between being the 3rd and 4th classes.  On odd-number days (1st, 3rd, 5th…) students follow a Day 1 schedule.  On even-numbered days (2nd, 4th, 6th…) students follow the Day 2 schedule.  
 
Times
Day 1
Day 2
9:00 - 10:15
Period 1
Period 2
10:15 - 10:20
Travel Time
Travel Time
10:20 - 11:35
Period 2
Period 1
11:35 - 12:25
Lunch
Lunch
12:25 - 1:40
Period 3
Period 4
1:40 - 1:45
Travel Time
Travel Time
1:45 - 3:00
Period 4
Period 3
 
Grade 9 Orientation - First Day of School
We will have a grade 9 orientation program on the first day.  Details of this will be shared either later next week or on the first day of school. Grade 9 students will go to their first class on the first day of school to receive their timetables and receive further instruction regarding the morning of the first day.  All grade 9 students will be in their afternoon classes on the first day. 
 
Sankofa Centre (room 103)
In addition to the services offered by Guidance and other support services in the school, Black students, Students of Colour, and Middle Eastern Students can access the Sankofa centre for academic and emotional-social support. More information will be shared at the beginning of the year.
 
Indigenous Hub (room 157)
Indigenous students are welcome to use Room 157, a space dedicated for use by Indigenous students. Students may use the space in a variety of ways including connecting with other students and staff, smudging, and other activities.  Smudging is welcome. We are developing a schedule for the Hub that will be shared with all students.  Typically, once a week Indigenous staff are present to connect with students. More information will be shared at the beginning of the year. 
 
Lockers 
Students wishing to get a jump start on settling into school may select their locker on Thursday, August 31st.  A lock is required to secure your locker, so please bring a combination lock. A limited number of locks will be on sale at the school for $5. Instructions will be given to students when they arrive at the school.  Please come only during the interval of time assigned:
 
Grade 12:     9 a.m.
Grade 11:    10 a.m.
Grade 10:    11 a.m.
Grade   9:    12:00 p.m.
 
Voluntary Student Fee
Voluntary Student Fees may be paid at any time, but we would ask that those students coming in on the locker registration day, pay the voluntary fee at that time, or, through School Cash Online (Voluntary Student fees) . Any amount for the entirely voluntary fee would be welcome.  About $10 for the first child and then $5 for an additional child would be very much appreciated. We use the money collected to support student activities that involve large numbers of students (e.g. grade-wide and school-wide activities). 
 
Renovations
Over the summer, some important and badly needed renovations of washrooms and change rooms have begun.  The renovations will increase the number of units, provide upgrade facilities, be culturally responsive to the needs of our entire student body, and provide gender-appropriate access.  The immediate impact for the return to school is that the boy’s washroom and the gender-neutral washroom for students on the ground floor near the main entrance will not be open at the start of the year.  Other washroom facilities will be open to accommodate students.
 
Student Drop Off and Pickup
At the beginning and end of the day, all student drop off and pick up should be done via the lower parking lot at the doors adjacent to the cafeteria.  Please follow the large yellow arrows painted on the pavement.  Predictable traffic flow and student movement lowers the risk of injury for students.  Students attending appointments etc. during the school day may be picked up or dropped off at either the lower doors or the doors at the main entrance by the flagpoles.  Everyone’s attention to this is very much appreciated.
 
Chromebook Return
Some students were loaned Chromebooks over the summer in order to take summer school courses. Please return these Chromebooks to the library.
 
Footbridge and Lincoln Transit Station Walkway
Some good news after a year of looking at an almost-complete footbridge. The Footbridge over the OC Transitway that allows pedestrian and bicycle access between WHS and the community of Queensway Terrace North is now open.  Foot traffic from the Lincoln Transit Station is still being detoured through the community.  When the walkway is open, we will update our community.
 
Student Transportation
Students who live more than 3.2 km walking distance to the school may receive Presto Cards for OC Transpo.  Cards will be distributed to those students that qualify for them on the first day of school. Students in Special Program Classes receive van transportation. Families can confirm transportation through the OSTA web page: http://www.ottawaschoolbus.ca/confirmation.
 
If students live within 3.2 km but have extenuating circumstances, whether temporary (e.g. injury) or permanent (e.g. medical condition), then they may apply to the school for a Presto Card.  The application will be reviewed by a central office and a determination made and communicated back to concerned families.  Please note that we will collect all applications in the first 2-3 weeks of school and then prioritize those applications.  During that time, families should ensure that their child has a way to and from school. More details will be forthcoming.
 
Information for Students with Life Threatening Conditions
Life-threatening Conditions mean medical conditions that may result in a medical incident that requires immediate response and monitoring as it may progress to an emergency and lead to death. These include, but are not limited to, asthma, anaphylaxis, diabetes, and epilepsy. If a student has a Life-threatening condition, the school will work with the family, student and staff to develop a Plan of Care, with individualized information, to ensure an appropriate response plan is in place for the student.  Normally, this information and process is begun at the time of registration at our school. However, if your child has a Life-threatening condition, please reach out to the school to ensure we are aware and that we have an appropriate plan in place.
 
Best regards,
 
Steve Jackson
Principal,Woodroffe High School.
 
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