Author: Chris Byrne
Dear Families,
WELCOME TO SYMMES!
I hope you all had a lovely summer. We are so excited to welcome our students back to school this week.
Here is some preliminary information to kick off the year:
Administration Team
- Tara Laine – Principal – tlaine@wqsb.qc.ca
- Kate Smith – Vice-Principal – students with last names A-L – katesmith@wqsb.qc.ca
- Chris Byrne – Vice-Principal – students with last names M-Z – chrisbyrne@wqsb.qc.ca
- Holly Richardson – Guidance Counselor – students with last names A-F – hrichardson@wqsb.qc.ca
- Danielle Nikora – Guidance Counselor – students with last names G-M – dnikota@wqsb.qc.ca
- Franny Maloney – Guidance Counselor – students with last names N-Z – fmaloney@wqsb.qc.ca
Opening Days
- I have attached our school calendar to this email
- Our students have a staggered start to the school year:
- Thursday August 28th – ONLY grade 7, 9 and 10 students as well as our PY1 and PY2 students (those following the work-oriented training pathway) will attend on this day – all other students remain at home
- Friday August 29th – ONLY grade 8 and grade 11 students as well as our PY3 students (those following the work-oriented training pathway) will attend on this day – all other students remain at home
- Tuesday September 2nd – ALL students attend school
- When students arrive on their first day, they will be directed to the cafeteria to receive a hard copy of their schedule, their locker assignment and to receive further instructions from school staff
- If parents are dropping their children off in the morning, please use our dedicated kiss-and-ride route at the front of the school (please DO NOT drop students off in the parking lots on either side of the school as this poses a safety risk) – school staff will be present to bring students down to the cafeteria to meet their peers
- There will be LOTS of adults present to support and direct our students – they will be okay!
- Students will follow DAY 9 of their timetable on their first day
- Teachers will be focusing on building connections with their students as well as outlining our code of conduct and course expectations – there will also be time for FUN!
Transportation Information
- Transportation information will be published to the parent portal and will be available until 9am on Friday August 29th
- I have attached the Parent Portal Guide to this email if you do not already have an account
- If you are having trouble with the Portal, please email Ms. Anne Spear directly at: annespear@wqsb.qc.ca
- Between August 29th and September 12th, the process time for new registrations or changes of address will be 10 days
- After that time period, the process time will be 3 days
Suggested School Supplies
- I have attached a list of suggested school supplies to this email
- Your child’s teachers will let them know if they require additional materials
- Generally, having a fully stocked pencil case and a binder with lined paper should be sufficient for the first few days
Cell Phone Ban
- As you have likely heard, the Province of Quebec has mandated a complete ban of cell phones on school properties during the school day for students in the youth sector
- Students will not be permitted to use their phones between 8:50am (first bell) and 3:33pm (last bell)
- This ban includes lunch hour and breaks between classes
- Students will be required to leave their devices in their lockers for the duration of the day
- Here is a breakdown of consequences if the ban is not respected:
- First infraction – student is required to turn over their phone which will be safely stored in the office, for the duration of the day
- Second infraction – student is required to turn over their phone which will be safely stored in the office, for the duration of the day – parents will be notified
- Third infraction – student is required to turn over their phone which will be safely stored in the office, until a parent can come to the school to collect it
- If a student chooses not to relinquish their phone, they will be suspended from school
- If a student is disrespectful or argumentative with a staff member, they will be suspended from school
- This policy aims to limit distractions, enhance academic performance and encourage meaningful interactions
- If you need to reach your child during the day, please call the main office (819-684-7472 ext 437006) and we will pass the necessary information to your child
- If your child needs to reach you during the day, they are very welcome to use one of the landlines in the main office
Student Absences
- If you need to report a student absence, please send an email to: sdmattendance@wqsb.qc.ca
Communication
- You can expect to receive an email directly from me every Friday
- You can also see important information posted to our website: https://symmesdarcy.westernquebec.ca/
- Please note that we do not currently communicate via social media and the existing parent Facebook page is not monitored by school staff and is managed by someone not associated with our school
Annual General Assembly (AGA)
- The AGA for Symmes parents will be in our auditorium on September 17th at 6pm
- The AGA for D’Arcy parents will be in our auditorium on September 24th at 6pm
- The purpose of the AGA is to inform parents of the structures and routines of school as well as to elect the parent representatives to our Governing Board
- I have attached information about Governing Boards to this email for your information – it’s a great way to get involved!
- At the AGA, we will also be taking names for potential spots on the WQSB Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)
- Parents will also have an opportunity to meet their child’s teacher and tour the school
School Photos
- Picture day is September 12th
Baseball
- The season will begin the week of Monday, September 8th
- All students interested in playing should sign up in the cafeteria at lunch on August 28th and 29th
- Students can also contact Ms. Brown or Ms. Ray via Teams
- Tryouts may be held August 31st – September 3rd, depending on interest
Running Club
- The first practice for running club/cross country is Thursday September 4th at 3:45pm – students will meet the coaches at the front door to the school
We can’t wait to get started! It’s going to be a great year.
Have a nice week and take care.
| Tara Laine Directrice Principal Symmes-D’Arcy McGee High School |
The Gee-Gee Cup Junior Athletes winners for 2024-2025 are Iain Campbell and Victoria Idone. Congratulations to both of our student-athletes.
Dear Families,
I hope you are doing well.
Here is some information for this week:
From the WQSB
- This is a reminder of the Parent Voice survey that was sent out on Monday evening via email (wqsbnotification@wqsb.qc.ca)
- It is an important way for the school board to get your feedback on the quality of services we provide to our diverse populations
- Your responses will provide us with key information as we plan for programming, training and purchases for the future. – your thoughts on your child’s experience at school is important to us
- Please note there were two messages sent Monday due to a technical issue with the first
- Also, please note if the message is not in your Inbox, it may have been received in your Junk folder
Next Week’s Exams
- Here is a video detailing which exams will be running at school next week:
Symmes Awards Ceremony
- The Symmes staff is happy to be celebrating academic achievement this year at the Grade 7 Awards Assembly on June 13th at 1pm in the auditorium and the Grade 8 Awards Assembly on June 16th at 1pm in the auditorium
- Students receiving an award this year will be given an invitation to give to parents on Tuesday June 3rd – please check with your child next week to see if they have received a letter
Ministry Exams
- Here is an overview of Ministry exams (grade 10 science, grade 10 math, grade 10 history, grade 11 English, grade 11 French) along with some sample questions:
- I have attached information on how grade 10 and grade 11 students can create an account on the Ministry of Education (MEQ) portal
- This will allow students to access their statement of marks (official transcripts) from the MEQ as early as July 7th
- Please note that the MEQ will also be mailing hard copies out to families in mid-July – creating the account allows for earlier access
- Please note that the accounts must be created by students and NOT by parents
Grade 11 Graduation Event – SAVE THE DATE!
- This milestone event will take place on June 25th at 2pm in our school gymnasium
- More information to come as we continue working on our plans
- For planning purposes, each graduating student should expect to be able to invite up to 4 guests
- Tickets are available for pick up (by parents or grade 11 students) from our front office starting on Monday June 2nd
Quebec Basic School Regulations – Promotion Policies
Please take note of the following promotion policies which determine if a student advances to the next grade level for the 2025-2026 school year:
Grade 7 & 8
- Grade level promotion
- A student must be successful in 6 out 8 courses to be promoted to the next grade level
- 2 of these courses must be English, French or Math
Grade 9, 10 & 11
- Subject promotion
- A student must successfully complete EACH course in order to advance to the next grade level
- For example, if a grade 9 student is unsuccessful in math but is successful in all other subjects, they will advance to grade 10 but will be repeating grade 9 math
. Upcoming Dates
- Please see the attached exam schedule
Have a great weekend!
| Tara Laine Directrice Principal Symmes-D’Arcy McGee High School |
Flag football Juvenile Boys Division 4
(2024-2025) • Playoffs
Semi Final #02
Saturday 2025-05-31 14:00 @ Collège Nouvelles Frontières
D’Arcy McGee
Finale (Bronze) medal game
Sunday 2025-06-01 18:00 @ École secondaire D’Arcy McGee
Finale (or) (Gold) medal game
Sunday 2025-06-01 19:15 winner of Semi Final #02 vs. winner Semi Final #1 @ École secondaire D’Arcy McGee
More to follow>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Flag football Juvenile Boys Division 3
Quart de finale QF01 Wednesday 2025-05-28 18:45 D’Arcy McGee Du Versant École secondaire D’Arcy McGee
Benjamin Girls Flag Football Divison 4
Semi Final
Thursday 2025-05-29 17:30 D’Arcy McGee BFD4 VS Collège Saint-Alexandre BFD4
@ École secondaire D’Arcy McGee
Dear Families,
I hope you are doing well.
Here is some information for this week:
Grade 9 & 10 Vaccines
- The team of CISSSO nurses will be back at our school on May 13th to administer vaccines to students in grades 9 & 10 who are missing doses
- These vaccines are part of the regular vaccination campaign through Public Health and include: measles, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, poliomyelitis, mumps, rubella, meningitis group ACWY, varicella (chicken pox), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and HPV
- Parents of students missing any of these vaccines received a letter earlier this week
Final Exam Schedule
- I have attached our final exam schedule to this email
- Attendance during final exams is mandatory and as per the Ministry of Education Guidelines, only the following reasons for student absences will be accepted:
· Illness or accident confirmed by a medical report or certificate
· Death of a close relative
· A court summons
· Participation in a provincial or national event
Grade 11 Graduation Event – SAVE THE DATE!
- This milestone event will take place on June 25th at 2pm in our school gymnasium
- More information to come as we continue working on our plans
- For planning purposes, each graduating student should expect to be able to invite up to 4 guests
Upcoming Dates
- May 16th – PD Day
- May 19th – Holiday
Have a great weekend!
| Tara Laine Directrice Principal Symmes-D’Arcy McGee High School |
Dear Families,
I hope you are doing well.
Here is some information for this week:
Grade 9 & 10 Vaccines
- The team of CISSSO nurses will be back at our school on May 13th to administer vaccines to students in grades 9 & 10 who are missing doses
- These vaccines are part of the regular vaccination campaign through Public Health and include: measles, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, poliomyelitis, mumps, rubella, meningitis group ACWY, varicella (chicken pox), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and HPV
- Parents of students missing any of these vaccines will receive a letter with more information prior to May 13th
What’s the Plan?
- The Service de Police de la Ville de Gatineau (SPVG) has launched a new impaired driving prevention initiative called “What’s the Plan?”
- Our grade 11 students will listen to a presentation given by our school police educator next Tuesday, April 29th
- We encourage parents to speak with their children about the importance of making safe choices when driving
- I have attached a letter from the SPVG to this email
WQSB Virtual Library
- The WQSB Virtual Library has been newly designed and updated and the link can be found here:
https://bibliowqsbvirtuallibrary.my.canva.site
- I have attached a student guide to this email as well
Upcoming Dates
- May 16th – PD Day
- May 19th – Holiday
Have a great weekend!
| Tara Laine Directrice Principal Symmes-D’Arcy McGee High School Phone: 819-684-7472 Ext. 437001 925 boul. du PlateauGatineau, QC, J9J 3G2 Website: https://symmesdarcy.westernquebec.ca/ |
Benjamin girls D4
| Calendrier de l’équipe |
Cadet girls D3
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Cadet girls D4
| Calendrier de l’équipe |
Cade boys D4
| Calendrier de l’équipe |
Juvenile girls D4
| Calendrier de l’équipe |
Juvenile boys D3
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Juvenile boys D4
| Calendrier de l’équipe |