Newsletter

Dear GDCI Students, Parents, and Caregivers,

 

Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year. We are so excited to welcome all of our new and returning Vikings to what promises to be a fantastic year ahead. We hope you have enjoyed a restful and enjoyable summer. The entire GDCI team is eagerly looking forward to seeing everyone back in the building on Tuesday, September 8th.

 

As we prepare for the first week, please take note of the following important updates and upcoming dates for your calendar:

 

Upcoming Dates & Events

• Tuesday, September 8: First Day of School  

• Wednesday, September 9: Welcome Back Assembly (organized by Student Council)

• Tuesday, September 15: School Picture Day

• Monday, September 21: First School Council Meeting at 6:00 PM in the Learning Commons

• November 5 & 6: Grade 7 & 8 Parent-Teacher Interviews (details to follow)

Exciting News: Student Council is Back!

We are thrilled to share that Student Council is returning to GDCI this year! Our student leaders are already hard at work planning events to build school spirit and foster a welcoming community. Their first official event will be a Welcome Back Assembly on Wednesday, September 9th to kick off the term with energy and pride.

 

Secondary Assessment & Grading Updates (Grades 9–12)

The Avon Maitland District School Board has introduced updated secondary assessment and evaluation requirements for this school year to support student success and learning growth:

• Attendance & Participation: Active engagement and attendance now contribute directly to final course marks (15% in Grades 9–10; 10% in Grades 11–12).

• Excused Absences: Permitted excused absences (such as illness, holy days, school sports/events, or bus cancellations) will not negatively impact student grades. However, students remain responsible for completing missed coursework and assessments.

• Mandatory Final Evaluations: All Grade 9–12 courses will include structured final evaluations, which may consist of written exams, culminating tasks, or a combination.

• Special Course Benchmarks:

  • Grade 9 Math (MTH1W): The EQAO assessment now serves as the mandatory written final exam, accounting for 20% of the course mark.

  • Grade 10 Career Studies (GLC2O): Includes a mandatory Financial Literacy component worth 5% of the final mark, requiring a minimum score of 70%.

Semester 1 Reporting & Evaluation Schedule

• Nov 3–30, 2026: OSSLT Literacy Test Administration

• Nov 11, 2026: Last Day of Term 1 (Half-Credit Courses)

• Nov 19, 2026: Mid-Semester Report Cards Distributed

• Nov 26, 2026: Full Disclosure Deadline (Course Withdrawals)

• Jan 21–26, 2027: Consolidation & Review Days (In-class review and project completion; no new content)

• Jan 27 – Feb 2, 2027: Final Evaluation Week (Morning written exams; afternoon academic support sessions)
   

 Note: A moratorium on school-day extracurricular activities will be in place the week before and during Final Evaluation Weeks so students can focus on their studies.

 

Join Us for School Council

Caregiver involvement is a vital part of our school community. Our first School Council Meeting will take place on Monday, September 21st at 6:00 PM in the Learning Commons. All parents, guardians, and caregivers are warmly invited to attend, connect with administration, and share input for the school year.

 

GDCI Student Handbook: Please review the attached Student Handbook with your child prior to the start of school. It contains essential information regarding daily routines, school policies, and student expectations for the 2026–2027 school year. 

 

Enjoy the long weekend. We cannot wait to see all our Vikings on Tuesday, September 8th!

 

Warm regards,

GDCI Staff