Haliburton Highlands Secondary School
Newsletter – February 2026
website: hss.tldsb.on.ca 705-457-2950 email: [email protected]
Please reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns.
Student and Family Handbook (linked here).
Welcome to Semester 2!
Week 1: Semester 1 starts February 2. It starts as a Week 1 – ABCD. Here is the school year calendar with each week and the corresponding class order.
Schedules: To access your schedule, log into your PowerSchool account. Please see the instructions on our school website: https://hss.tldsb.on.ca/powerschool-information/
Most of our classes are full, therefore changing courses will be unlikely. However, if you would like to inquire aboutswitching a class please email guidance teacher, Brett Caputo ([email protected]).
Students, you need to attend your scheduled class on the first day and wait for Mr. Caputo to contact you to see if your request is possible.
*Please note that if a teacher’s name isn’t listed, there is a teacher teaching that class – they are just not in our powerschool system yet.
Inclement Weather: As you know inclement weather days happen. When buses are cancelled, the school remains open. If students are able to attend safely we welcome them to attend. Students can do work or get help from their teachers. Please come to the office to sign-in when you get to school.
*Haliburton is in Zone 3 for TLDSB.
Choosing next school year’s course – Pathway Info Night: On February 11th from 6:00pm-7:30pm there will be a Pathways Information night held in the theater for Parents/Guardians with students in grade 9, 10 and 11. The information presented will help with making a decision for students and families when choosing between the Academic, Applied and workplace pathway in grade 10 and the University, College and Workplace pathway in grade 11 and 12.
Course Selection will begin on February 18th and finish on February 27th. Prior to picking courses students and parents are welcome to make an appointment with Mr.Caputo if they have any questions or concerns related pathway selection or required courses.
It’s time to RESET!
With a new semester comes the opportunity to reflect on last semester and decide how you want this semester to go. What goals do you want to work on? How can we help you?
Being successful all starts with showing up! Attendance is key!
Students watched this video “Attendance: Why it Matters”, 1st semester about the importance of coming to class and how to get out of the cycle of not attending if you fall into it!
Setting students up for success: We want to set students up for success in their future. Having a regular routine of attending school everyday will help them get into that pattern when they enter the workforce and must go to work everyday to maintain a job.
Our goal is for students to try to attend 90% or more of their classes (as we know illness and other circumstances happen). Please let us know if your child is absent or going to be late. Thank you families for helping us set your child up for success by reiterating the importance of attending all classes!
Reminder: All work being assessed must be completed at school, which makes it difficult if students are absent a lot. If a student is away during an assessment, they will need to complete it at lunch the day they return (unless prior arrangements have been made with their teachers).
The best way to earn credits is to: attend all classes, participate in class, do the work assigned and get help when needed. If your child is struggling, please talk to the classroom teacher. You can also reach out to our guidance staff or administration as a next step.
Being on time and ready to learn! Part of attending class is being on time with everything you need. Thank you students for making this a priority.
Please remember to bring:
- Your CHARGED Chromebook – Chromebooks need to be at school every day. If a student has lost their power cord, they can buy a new one for $60 in the main office. If a chromebook is lost, a new one can be purchased (talk to Mrs. Mills).
*We do not have extra cords or Chromebooks to lend out.
*If your Chromebook is damaged, please bring it to the Library to get a replacement
while it’s being fixed.
- Pencil, paper and binders (or organizational systems) are required for each class. In our Student Success room (the Learning Hub) we have binders and some materials if you need them. We also have a few backpacks if you need one.
Students must remain in class for the 75 minutes of class time. Unless it’s an emergency, students should be in class so that they don’t miss important learning.
Students, please remember to get a drink, fill up water bottles or use the bathroom during your break or at lunchtime.
Signing Out: Reminder: If you are signing your child out of school then they must be picked up and be off school property. They cannot be given permission to miss class and remain at school.
Please let the office know in advance, if possible, when you are picking up your child early to be signed out.
HHSS SCHOOL CLOTHING
Haliburton Highlands Secondary School has their own online store—your one-stop shop for all things spirit wear! Whether you’re a student, parent, staff member, or proud supporter, you can now show your Red Hawk pride with custom gear designed just for our HHSS community.
- Choose your favourite styles
- Personalize with school designs
- Add your name or sports number
And the best part? Ten percent of every purchase supports HHSS fundraising efforts!
Start shopping today and show your school spirit!
https://hhssredhawks.entripyshops.com/
HHSS SCHOOL COUNCIL
All parents/guardians are welcome! If you want more info, look in the last section of the Student Handbook or email Jenn Mills!
It’s a great way to be a part of the amazing things happening at HHSS!
School Council meeting dates:
March 24, 2026
April 21, 2026
June 9, 2026
UPCOMING DATES
Dates for our events, sports, excursions & activities are on the HHSS calendar on our website. You can subscribe to our HHSS calendar by clicking on the “subscribe” button at the top of the calendar.
February 2: 1st day of sem 2 classes
February 10: Semester 1 Report Cards sent home by email
February 11: Parent/Guardian Info Night on choosing courses and pathways
February 16: Family Day
February 18-27: Course Selection for 2025/26 for Grade 9- 11’s
February 20 – Grad Photo Absentee/Retake Day
March 16-20: March Break
June 18-24: Exams
June 26: Graduation
HHSS is on Facebook and Instagram if you want to follow us to get information and updates.
From the Community
Gym Nights at Haliburton Highlands Secondary School
Haliburton Youth Unlimited is hosting Gym Nights again this school year!
One Friday a month students in Grades 5 to 12 are invited to play a variety of sports in the gym. See the dates below:
January 23 – sports and nine square
March 6 – sports and nine square
April 17 – nine square and bubble soccer
For more information contact [email protected].
The Minden Hills Cultural Centre is currently seeking volunteers to assist with the following programming activities and events:
• March Break drop-in programs during March Break from March 16 to 20
• Easter Egg Hunt activities on Saturday, April 4
• Season Opening on Saturday, May 16
• PA Day Activities on Friday, June 5
Volunteer tasks include greeting guests, assisting with crafts, and supporting visitor services and event activities. Students who are looking to accumulate community hours are encouraged to apply.
Those interested in volunteering are encouraged to email [email protected] with their name, contact information, and availability, or call (705) 286-3763 for more details.
Minden Hills Cultural Centre documentary screening: Speakers of the Dead (2000)
The Minden Hills Cultural Centre, in collaboration with the Haliburton County Public Library, will offer a documentary screening event of Speakers of the Dead (2000) on February 5 at 1 at the Minden Hills Cultural Centre.
The film explores the burial and later restoration of a historic Black cemetery in Priceville, Ontario, and examines how racism and silence shaped local memory.
All ages are welcome and no registration is required.
Learn more at [email protected].
