Principal’s Message February 1, 2022

To: Sherwood Parents/Guardians and students,

Please let me introduce myself as the new Principal of Sherwood Secondary School. It is my honour and privilege to come to this school and community that I have heard so many great things about!

I am a lifelong Hamilton resident with a family of five. I have been an educator for 29 years and in secondary administration for over half of that time. I have three children who have completed their entire schooling in the HWDSB system. My youngest child is currently completing grade twelve and will graduate at the end of this school year (that will be 3 for 3 if you are counting!).

My passion is connecting with people. I firmly believe we are in the business of building strong relationships that allow our school community to thrive. I very much look forward to working with the great staff at Sherwood to support the highest achievement levels of learning that all our students deserve.

Please allow me to share some informational items as we begin a new semester here at Sherwood during the 2021/2022 school year.

Semester 2 Information

Semester 2: Begins February 3 (all students attend school face to face).

We are moving back to a Semester model – 5 period day.

Our start and end times remain unchanged at 8:00 AM and 2:30 PM.

The daily schedule is in the chart below:

Period 1	8:00 – 9:15
Period 2	9:20 – 10:35
Period 3 (Senior lunch)	10:40 – 11:55
Period 4 (Junior lunch)	11:55 – 1:10
Period 5	1:15 – 2:30

As we return to the semester model (75 minute classes), expectations and responsibilities for students also return to the semester model. Of note, students now must manage four courses at the same time. This requires improved time management skills and attendance and daily participation in class is critical.

Semester 2 course schedules were given to students in physical paper form last week. They will be sent out tomorrow by Secure Document Delivery. The password to open the file is your student’s birthdate (MM/DD/YYYY).Student course schedules for semester two are also available in the Parent Portal and we will have staff available on Thursday Feb 3/22 to provide hard extra copies of student schedules as needed.

Students can make Guidance Appointments using the Booking app in the Hub. Counsellors will remain the same for Semester 2. Counsellors will see students who have incomplete timetables, are changing pathways, are missing a prerequisite, or have failed a semester 1 course. Optional courses changes cannot be considered now that semester 2 has started.

Course selection for next year will officially start on February 11 in all classes. Students have access to their course planners in Xello and can start adding or removing courses if they wish at this time, but must still submit their course choices once the Submit window opens. Students can see the Guidance 2122 Hub page and Parents can check the Sherwood Website under Student Services for more information and some helpful videos.

School Protocol Update:

Masking: All staff and students to wear a mask (no change)

Entry/Exits: students enter/exit the building as per same protocols as last semester

Co-Curricular: Clubs, Low contact athletics may continue (high contact activities on pause still)

Cafeteria: space will open for students having lunch; cohort seating by grade will occur (designated grade are seating); cafeteria food service still on pause

Elearning: students enrolled in elearning courses may work in the Cafeteria or LLC

Note: All of this is subject to change pending Public Health and Pandemic related changes.

Update on Sherwood Accommodation Consultation

As the Board shared in December 2021, HWDSB was unsuccessful in its capital priorities submission to build a replacement school for Sherwood Secondary School. This means that HWDSB must decide on the best accommodation option for current and future students at Sherwood, which needs about $11.96 million in high and urgent renewal work. We are inviting students, families, staff and community members to learn about this challenge and provide input before Trustees decide on the future of Sherwood. See the flyer for how to share your voice.

Read more: https://www.hwdsb.on.ca/sherwood/2022/01/27/update-on-sherwood-accommodation-consultation/

Sincerely,

Wendall Gillis
Principal Sherwood Secondary School

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