New Attendance Procedures
When a student is going to be absent from school, as per Ministry of Education regulations, all excusals are to be submitted through the school messenger application or website. This system automatically validates the absence and sends you an email confirmation verifying that it’s excused.
Here are the instructions for setting up SchoolMessenger if you have not yet done so.
If you are unable to access the SchoolMessenger app or website, please email the school - aphs@hdsb.ca and state the following:
Subject Line: Student Attendance
Please include the following information:
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Your child's full name
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Grade
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Date of absence
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If it’s a full day or partial day (include time they are leaving and time they are due to return)
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Reason for absence
On receipt, we will log it in the system and email you back a written confirmation.
Ministry of Education audit guidelines confirm that phone calls will no longer be accepted as they cannot provide a paper trail, phone reports remain unexcused until documented in writing.
School Council - On November 9th at 7:00 pm we will be holding our second School Council meeting in the school cafeteria.
This is an in-person meeting, and we invite all parents and guardians to attend. You will be able to meet the new school council members along with the school admin team and hear about opportunities and events going on within the school community.
We always aim to cover topics that are relevant and helpful to our school community. If there is a subject area you would like us to discuss at an upcoming meeting or if you have any suggestions on how the School Council can support our community, please complete this form and we will do our best to accommodate your request.
Here is the agenda for Monday’s meeting.
Everyone is welcome.
Catch up Day
On Thursday November 12, Abbey Park will be hosting our annual catch up day. The day follows an assembly day schedule where you go to period 1 at the start of the day. After period 1 you will attend a catch up period of your choice. To indicate which subject you are catching up on please fill out this form. After the catch up period, you will have the rest of your classes in normal order.
Health and Wellbeing Team
Specialized Program Applications - Open Until Nov 30, 2026
Ahead of course selection, we encourage any students interested in pursuing specialized programs such as Advanced Placement (AP) or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) in Grade 11 and 12 to connect with their guidance counselor for more information. Students can explore programs at the following links:
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Advanced Placement (AP) Prep Program: hdsb.ca/AP
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International Baccalaureate (IB) Prep Program: hdsb.ca/IB
Semi-Formal - November 20th
Once upon a time a high school's fairy tale dreams came true!
The students danced and dined on November 20th, 2026 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm under the soft light of the St. Volodymyr Event Centre. Tickets are now on sale on School Cash Online and will be available until November 13th so make sure to get them before they sell out!
Also pick up a permission form from the office to be handed in by November 16th. We can't wait to see you there!
Deadline to Drop a Course - Thursday, November 26 at 3pm
This is an important date for students taking a Grade 11 or Grade 12 course. It is the last day that students can drop a course without it appearing on your official transcript. As per Full Disclosure Policy, courses dropped after the Ministry Full Disclosure Date will be recorded on the student's transcript and will be shared with post-secondary institutions.
Sport Updates:
The Senior Football team has advanced to the Tier 1 Championship after defeating the Frank Hayden Huskies in the semi-finals. Down at the break, the defence posted a 2nd half shutout for the third straight game, while the offence caught fire to score 19 unanswered points.
After winning the Tier 2 Championship last year, our Eagles now advance to play the #5 provincially-ranked Nelson Lords at McMaster on Thursday!
OLTS Free Virtual Post-Secondary Transition Information Night
We are excited to invite you to our upcoming virtual Post-Secondary Transition Information Night, designed for Grade 11 and 12 students with LD, ADHD, ASD, and mental health disorders. This event will provide valuable information to help students and families plan and prepare for the transition from high school to post-secondary education. Please feel free to share this invitation with any students, families, or colleagues who may be interested.
Event Details:
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Thursday, November 26, 2026
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6:00pm - 7:00pm EST
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Event Registration Link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Dv3uiJMDTFiUtD_i89IxWw
During this session, we will cover important topics such as:
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Understanding academic accommodations and supports available at college/university
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Transition programs
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Psychoeducational assessments and funding
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Q & A
Who Should Attend:
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Grade 11 and 12 students with LD, ADHD, ASD, or mental health disorders going to post-secondary
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Parents and guardians of students with LD, ADHD, ASD, or mental health disorders
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Educators and guidance counsellors supporting students through the transition process
Click here for more information
March Break Trip 2027 - A Taste of Italy
Don't miss out on this fabulous travel opportunity to Bologna, Florence and Rome - Spaces are filling up.
Register at: explorica.ca/Weston-9014
Voucher Code: Weston305
Additionally, here is a link to the Google Slide Presentation
If you have any further questions please feel free to contact Miss Weston: westonh@hdsb.ca
The HDSB Student Well-Being Department is dedicated to providing mental health and addictions resources and education to parents/caregiver as part of our Yearly Action Plan. Please register here for upcoming November parent/caregiver webinars:
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“Just One More!” When Kids and Teens Can't Stop Wanting More – Thursday, Nov. 12 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. This session is virtual.
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Caring for Grieving Children and Youth – Wednesday, Nov. 25 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. This session is virtual.
Inclement Weather - With winter weather arriving soon, families are encouraged to review the HDSB Inclement Weather Reminders to know how we communicate important updates about school closures and bus cancellations. If your child is bused to school, please ensure you know which transportation zone you are located in. Let’s stay connected and safe this snowy season!
Important Dates for 2026 - 2027
Please click here for important dates for the upcoming school year - Events in red are still to be confirmed.
Multi Faith Calendar
Please click here to view our Multi Faith calendar
Upcoming Events:
Nov 8: DECA Regionals @ Brock University - all day
Nov 9: HFN2O1 / GLS / ESL classes to Royal Winter Fair @ CNE - all day
Nov 9”: Varsity Girls Basketball semi -final - tbc
Nov 9: School Parent Council Meeting 7:00 pm
Nov 10 - 13: Rock Climbing in Gym for Phys Ed Classes
Nov 11: Remembrance Day
Nov 11: Term on Ends
Nov 12: Term Two Begins
Nov 12: Catch-up Day - Assembly Day Schedule
Nov 12: Sr. Football Tier 1 championship game vs Nelson @ McMaster - 11:45 am
Nov 13: Wrestling Team to CKSS
Nov 13: Varsity Girls Basketball Final @ Alton Community Centre - tbc
Nov 16: TEJ/ICS & ICT/EV SHSM Students to Film.ca - 9:00 am
Nov 17: Advanced Strings Performance at Feeder schools - all day
Nov 18: SHSM First aid / CPR Session #2
Nov 18: CISMC Math Exam P3 & P4 in Rooms 218 / 219 / 220
Nov 18: Grade 11 US History Class to Fort York, Toronto - 10:00 am
Nov 18: Battle of the Bands Event - 7:00 pm
Nov 19: SHSM First aid / CPR Session #2
Nov 19: PA3O & PAF4O Classes to Climbers Rock - 9:30 am - 1:15 pm
Nov 19: Swim Team to McMaster - all day
Nov 20: Semi-Formal @ St. Volodymyrs
Nov 23: Mid Term Reports distributed
Nov 23: Non Grade 10 OSSLT - P 1 & P 2
Nov 24: OSSLT - Grade 10 Classes P1 & P2
Nov 25: Non Grade 10 OSSLT - P 1 & P 2
Nov 26: Parent / Teacher evening 6:00 pm
Nov 27: P D Day