2024-25 Dundas Valley Secondary School Welcome

Welcome back as we lead up to a new school year!

We want to thank Dian Alexandre as Acting Principal for her leadership at DVSS for her care and implementation of efficient school operations, for leading the school instructional program, and for fostering a safe and welcoming school and community environment.  Dian will be missed, and we wish her all the best at her new placement in September.

We would also like to thank Scott Barr for his leadership as Vice-Principal over the past few years, as he has left his impact most prominently with his work in literacy, health and safety, transportation, and athletics/OFSAA.  Scott will be moving to his new placement at Westdale in September, and we wish him all the best.

We would like to welcome Andrea Moore to DVSS as our incoming Vice-Principal.  Andrea is a tenured administrator who leads with care and passion.  She is a problem-solver who eagerly and meticulously works with students, staff, and families to promote successful outcomes.  I look forward to working with Andrea, and Chuck Balazs (whom will be returning!) this year as we work alongside students, staff and families in the greater Dundas community.

Grade 9 Orientation:
Our new grade 9s are invited to join us at school on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 27 & 28^th  from 9-12:30 pm!  Please have students arrive by 9 am through the front doors of the building.  Students will then be welcomed into our Library & Learning Commons for a morning of fun and interactive events!  We look forward to welcoming our new Gryphons!

Summer Hours
If you need to contact the office or Guidance department next week (Aug 26-30), please note that we are on summer hours to allow caretaking to still complete their amazing work before September 3^rd start-up.

Summer hours are Monday to Friday next week from 8-1:30 pm.

Student Timetables:
Students and families will have access to timetables on Parent Portal starting on Monday, August 26th.  Timetables may be tweaked next week following updates from summer school credits and any potential course changes…so please be sure to check again just before the start of school!  Please reach out to your guidance counsellor if you have any questions or concerns and see the note below for navigating appointments.  Reminder that summer hours next week are 8 am-1:30 pm.

A message from Guidance:
If you would like to investigate a timetable change for semester 1, please stop by Guidance to put your name on our Timetable Change Request List. You will need to include the following:

1. Your first and last name
2. The change you would like to make
3. The reason you would like to  make the change
4. A phone number where we can reach you

If your last name begins with A – L, please select Mr. O’Connor’s list.
If your last name begins with M – Z, please select Ms. Warren’s list.

We will be prioritizing students who do not yet have a full timetable, and students who need a course change for their pathway (e.g.  adding grade 12 math to apply to a Kinesiology program).

The sign-up lists will be available from Monday August 26th to Friday September 6th in the Guidance Office.

First Day of School:
Classes start on the Tuesday following Labour Day long weekend September 3rd and will follow a Day 1 Schedule.

Bell Schedule:
Please click the link to see the bell schedule (follows a Day 1/Day 2 cycle) for this year, as well as important school year dates to include in your calendar.  There are no changes to our bell schedule from last year:
DVSS 2024-25 Bell Schedule

I look forward to meeting many of you and working with your students this year.  Information about getting involved in School Council will be forthcoming.  I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable last week of summer!

Take care,
Kim Collier
Principal, DVSS