February 2020
Dear
Parents/Guardians and Students,
We are pleased that you have taken
the time to visit The Dr. G. W. Williams Secondary School website. Our hope is
that you find our website to be user-friendly and informative.
As you open each of the tabs, you
will find that Williams offers a variety of learning opportunities for
students, ones in which students are able to develop their skills and talents,
increase their knowledge and understanding, and form their character. Williams’ students are encouraged through
these opportunities to develop into literate students who are innovative,
well-rounded lifelong learners and critical thinkers. We also aim to foster caring global citizens
who maintain inclusive and respectful interactions with others.
The Dr. G. W. Williams Secondary School
values a longstanding tradition of excellence.
At the core of that tradition is a caring and committed staff that
provides many opportunities for student learning and success and also endeavors
to create an environment where everyone feels safe, welcome and respected. Our goal is to ensure that all of our students
are challenged to reach their fullest potential by offering a rigorous academic
environment combined with any support that may be essential for their success. We also offer students many co-curricular
activities through their participation in the areas of athletics, music, and
drama as well as in various clubs.
Currently, DGWSS serves a diverse community and offers programming
opportunities to meet the needs and aspirations of all of our students. Our enrolment this year is over 1100 students
with more than 100 teachers and support staff who are committed to assisting
students in their learning. Williams is
a semestered school offering students up to eight courses a year with classes
at the academic, applied, locally developed, university, college and/or
workplace levels. We are also pleased
to be an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School offering the IB Diploma
Programme. Students in the IB Diploma
Programme benefit from a variety of opportunities to broaden their knowledge,
creativity, activity and service. In
addition, the school offers 5 Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Programs in
the areas of Arts & Culture, Business, Environment, Health & Wellness
and Transportation. Courses are also
offered in other specialty areas including technology & computers, music,
drama, community based education (Co-op) and alternative education.
A personalized
weekly newsletter for parents/guardians is sent home via email each Friday which
includes information regarding events that have occurred at the school, and upcoming
events. It is important that we have a current
working email to ensure that you receive this weekly newsletter. You can advise us
of changes and/or additional e-mail addresses by emailing us at dr.g.w.williams.ss@yrdsb.ca Please use
the subject line: EMAIL ADDRESS FOR PARENT OF [STUDENT’S NAME]
Please visit the Board’s website at www.yrdsb.ca
to learn more about news and events of our Board. While there, please also take a moment to
view our school’s profile in order to obtain more information regarding our
students, EQAO results, and curriculum & co-curricular activities.
Once again, welcome to our school website. I encourage you to contact us
at dr.g.w.williams.ss@yrdsb.ca if you have any questions or comments as we
welcome the opportunity to speak with you.
I wish you all a happy, safe and successful school year.
Thank you for visiting us on-line.
Go Wildcats!
Melissa Schmidt
Principal