February 2025 Community Message
This information was originally shared with DVSS families via School Messenger on February 3, 2025
February 3rd, 2025
Good Afternoon DVSS Families,
I wanted to reach out and connect with everyone following the cyber security incident, and the implications created with having our Board Website and some of our platforms currently being offline. I know this has caused some challenges with our students, staff, and families alike. Thank you for your ongoing patience as our Board works through this situation. A couple things to note that are pressing due to previous due dates include:
Report Cards Sent Home Digitally (January 10th). If there is a change to this date, I will reach out and let you know as soon as possible. In the past, parents/guardians/caregivers were able access the Parent Portal in advance of report cards being sent home to see student marks. At this point, Parent Portal is offline in communication with our PowerSchool mark storage program, so you will not be able to see marks early.
New Registrations to DVSS. At this point our school and Board website are offline, so new registrations will be on pause until all our systems are up and running.
Out of Catchment Requests. The deadline for this is not until March and at this time accessing the forms to complete this process are on pause until all our systems are up and running. New timelines will be shared by the Board once the cyber security threat has been lifted.
Timetable Change Requests. If your student requires a timetable change for Semester 2, they should come to guidance (before/after school or on their lunch) and add their name to the appointment list. Counsellors will call students from class for appointments in the order in which they have signed up. Students are expected to attend their existing, scheduled classes until they receive a modified timetable from a counsellor. Please note that the guidance team will do their best to accommodate and support requests and changes; however, many classes at this time are full. All Semester 2 eLearning classes are full. At this time, our PowerSchool access to be able to change timetables is offline, so change requests are on pause until our systems are up and running.
In order to receive the most up to date communications directly from our Board, please consider joining HWDSB on Facebook and/or on Instagram
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Safe Arrival/School Messenger
A reminder that student absences, late arrivals and early dismissals can be reported online (or using the app) through Safe Arrival/School Messenger. Instructions for accessing this system can be found at https://www.hwdsb.on.ca/secondary/supports/safearrival/.
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Safe Schools
We are looking at making some changes to support our Safe Schools protocols that include:
- Exterior Doors
We will begin locking many of the school’s exterior doors at 8:30 am daily. Students will still be able to enter the school through the main front entrance throughout the school day.
- Code of Conduct
In an effort to reduce traffic in the halls, we will be implementing the following changes to the school code of conduct starting new this semester:
- NO bags/coats/personal belongings are to be left unattended in the hallways. Students may put their personal belongings in a locker. Come to the main office to request a locker if you need one. All student lockers must have a lock; all unlocked lockers will be bolted shut and belongings will be removed.
- Students on a spare or eLearning period should work in the Cafeteria (TF1, 2 & 4), the Library, or the Alcove near the East Gym. Please do not wander the halls as it is disruptive to classes.
- NO loitering in stairwells at any time (including lunch).
- The 2nd floor Science Wing is out of bounds to students at lunch.
Other Important Dates:
February 5th – Course Selections open to choose courses for next year in myBluePrint (see below for details)
February 13th & 14th – Uploaded marks to OUAC and OCAS respectively (for grade 12 students only)
February 14th -Semester 2 Photo Day (this is a change of date from the 11th)
February 17th -Family Day, no school for staff or students
February 21st -Last day to submit course selections for next year in myBluePrint
February 25th -Public Health Vaccine Clinic at DVSS. Please also see attached flyer with more information and FAQs
February 28th –PD day, no school for students
March 7th -Last day of school before start of March Break (March 10-14)
March 17th -First day back at school following March Break
June 26th -SAVE THE DATE! Commencement for all grade 12s at the Convention Centre
Starting at 4pm. Please also see attached flyer with more details.
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From our Guidance Department:
DUNDAS VALLEY SECONDARY SCHOOL
COURSE SELECTION INFORMATION 2025-2026
Greetings Dundas Valley parents, caregivers and guardians!
We would like to share information about course option selection for the 2025-2026 school year.
Students will be using a new program for HWDSB, myBlueprint, for their course selections. This replaces Xello which has been used for the past few years.
Students can access myBlueprint on their HWDSB student main page by going to HWDSB Students, logging in and selecting:
From the landing page, students will scroll down and select “Dundas Valley Secondary School” under “High School Progress”:
This will open the course selection page, and students can start filling in their courses for next year.
All students must complete their course selections in myBlueprint. Grade 12 students who are not returning will click the “Not returning next year?” link and follow the prompts.
Important dates:
February 5, 2025
First day that myBlueprint opens for submissions.
February 21, 2025
myBlueprint closes for submissions
Resources:
Guidance counsellors will be presenting to each grade during the morning of Tuesday February 4th, 2025. We have posted those presentations and other helpful resources on the Dundas Valley website:
DVSS-Course-Offerings-2025-2026-1.pdf
Researching-Grade-12-Required-Courses-for-College-and-University-Programs.pdf
Option presentations for each grade:
Dundas Valley S.S. Grade 9 Option Counselling
Dundas Valley S.S. Grade 10 Option Counselling
Dundas Valley S.S. Grade 11 Option Counselling
Dundas Valley S.S. Grade 10 Option Counselling
Summer School Registration
Students have two timeframes in which they can select a course for summer school:
- February 5th until February 21st, 2025
- After April 1st to June 27th, 2025 (closing at 11:00 AM)
From the myBlueprint landing page, students will select “Continuing Education” from the side menu:
They then click “Explore Courses” which lets them open the “Summer School” tab and select a course:
QUESTIONS?
If any students have questions about their course selections, they can book an appointment with their guidance counselor by going to the Guidance HUB course page and using the appointment booking tool.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your student’s guidance counselor for help:
Students whose last names begin with A – K
Mr. O’Connor
Students whose last names begin with L-Z
Ms. Warren
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Thank you everyone. As always, please reach out to the office if you need any additional support.
Sincerely,
Kim Collier
Principal, DVSS
Updated on Friday, February 14, 2025.