Hello Parents/Guardians and Students,

We hope that you are enjoying the last few days of summer. The staff at SWL are excited to welcome students back to the 2025-2026 school year! Our first day of school for students is Tuesday, September 2nd. Please note that our first class starts at 8:20 am and school will finish at 2:25 pm.

School Schedule

SWL will operate on a semestered schedule with four classes each day. All students are expected to attend school every day.  Semester one runs from the beginning of September to the end of January. 

When students arrive on Tuesday, September 2nd, they will find lists posted by the doors indicating their name and the location of their first class.  They will receive a paper copy of their timetable in this class.

Final evaluations and exams for this semester will be held January 23rd - January 29th. All students are expected to attend and will have final exams/evaluation tasks to complete on these days. Please review the year-long Secondary School Year Calendar for other important dates throughout the school year.

Course Changes
Students requiring a course change must have their parents / guardians fill out the Course Change Request Google Form. Course Change Request Form 2025-2026

Other Information

• Lockers have been assigned to students and the locker number is on the timetable they will receive Sept. 2nd. All students must provide a lock and keep their own belongings secure in their assigned locker. Sharing lockers is not permitted.
• Grade 9 families will receive information later today about their Grade 9 Student Orientation Day that will take place on the first day of school.
• Parents and Students are reminded of the province-wide ban on cell phones/personal electronics, social media, and vaping that is still in place. Please see: Ministry Directives on Personal Mobile Devices and Vaping
• School cafeteria services are expected to be available starting on Sept 15th.
• Students leaving the school at lunchtime (10:55 am-11:45 am) are reminded of the importance of respectful behaviour in the community, as representatives of our school. Your support on this matter as parents/guardians is greatly appreciated.
• School Photo Day will take place on October 1st, with retake opportunities on October 22nd. Additional details will follow in mid-September.
• Media Permission Form: Help us celebrate student achievement by sharing good news on our website. Please complete this form to authorize your child to be included https://forms.ocdsb.ca/Forms/Media-School-Website-Consent-Form

Student Activity Fee

To continue to offer as rich and varied extracurricular opportunities for students as possible, it is critical that as many families as possible participate in contributing to the student activity fund.

The student fee ($20) can be paid online (LINK) or in-person at the main office. For those who are in a position to assist other families, an option is available to allow you to also pay the fee on behalf of another family in financial need. Thank you in advance for assisting in this matter. If you have not already set up an account in SchoolCash, you will need to do so. If you need assistance with the SchoolCash website to make payment, please contact the school office (613-834-4500) and we would be happy to assist.

Finding Academic Success

Students with well established routines and habits that support learning find success in reaching their goals. As parents, it is critical that you support that work by:

• Please see the attached recommended supply list in the attached “SWL Starter Pack PDF” SWIL Start Pack PDF 2025-26
• Ensuring students arrive every day, on time, with the tools they need to learn
• Communicate regularly with teachers to stay up to date on progress
• Establish routines for homework, studying, and project completion that factors in other commitments such as part-time jobs, family responsibilities, etc
• Communicate in advance with teachers/school office of any absences so that students don’t miss essential instructional days.
  
  

Transportation & Vehicle Traffic

• If you have questions about yellow school bus transportation, the parent portal at Ottawa School Transportation Authority is now available and parents who live is bus transportation areas can check on pickup/drop off times: OSTA's Parent Portal now open - Ottawa School Bus
• Please note that OC Transpo routes and schedules have changed - students who use this service will need to research schedules and travel times in advance. OC Transpo
• For students being dropped off or picked up by car, please refer to the traffic plan below. For the safety of all students, families and staff, please follow the path indicated by green arrows, and drop off students in the Drop-Off Zone indicated in purple so that they can safely walk along the sidewalk to the school entrance C. Please do not use the service road at the back of the school or driveway in front of the school, which are reserved for school buses only.

Traffic Map 

We look forward to welcoming all students back and are excited about the upcoming school year. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Office at 613-834-4500 (open 7:30 am to 3:30 pm beginning next week) or sirwilfridlaurierss@ocdsb.ca.

Thank you,

Tim Hawes (Principal)
Amanda Anderson (Vice-Principal, last names A-J)
Jamie Bell (Vice-Principal, last names K-Z)