FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2026
DAYS OF SIGNIFICANCE
Isra Wal Miraj: Commemorates the Prophet Muhammad's journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and his ascent into heaven. This day is also known as the Night Journey.
TODAY’S NEWS
AAPEX: Getting ready to drive and want to feel safer behind the wheel? You could win a free driving program focused on defensive driving and road safety. To enter, simply visit the main office and fill out a ballot entry. Contest runs until January 23, so don’t wait.
Sip & Study: Hey Spartans, just a heads-up that the last day of Sip & Study will occur on Monday, January 19th from 2:10 to 4:00, where our Math and Science department will be around to help! Free hot chocolate will be served as well.
Drop In Badminton: Hey Spartans, Interact Club is hosting a drop-in badminton in the main gym TODAY. It will take place between 4-6pm and entry fee will be $2, CASH ONLY, so don't forget to bring the cash! All proceeds will go towards NF Soup Kitchen, so bring your friends to the main gym, 4-6pm!
TECH
Toronto Auto Show February 19. Come see your favourite car. Tickets $35 SchoolCashOnline. Permission forms available from ANY TECH teacher, returned to main office. Don’t miss out. Act quickly, spots are filling up!
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2026
DAYS OF SIGNIFICANCE
Thai Pongal: A three-day rice harvest festival in South India is celebrated with a cultural evening of song and dance.
Makar Sankranti: The transition of the Sun from Sagittarius to Capricorn during the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere is known as Makar Sankranti. The days gradually lengthen in the northern hemisphere.
New Year (Orthodox Calendar): The Orthodox New Year, also known as the Old New Year, according to the Julian calendar is on January 14.
TODAY’S NEWS
AAPEX: Getting ready to drive and want to feel safer behind the wheel? You could win a free driving program focused on defensive driving and road safety. To enter, simply visit the main office and fill out a ballot entry. Contest runs until January 23, so don’t wait.
Student Senate: Hey Spartans! Your Westlane Student Senate representatives are in the main foyer today at lunch! Come learn about what we do as a part of the DSBN Student Senate and how you can take our survey to share some valuable input! We would love to share what we do!
Sip & Study: just a reminder that Sip & Study will take place tomorrow in the library from 2:10 to 4:00! The English and Math departments will be accessible for help, and free hot chocolate will be provided!
Drop-In Badminton: Hey Spartans, Interact Club is hosting a drop-in badminton in the main gym TODAY. It will take place between 4-6pm and entry fee will be $2 CASH only so don't forget to bring the cash! All the raised money will go towards NF Soup Kitchen, so bring your friends today in the main gym 4-6pm!
Co-Op: Any Semester 2 co‑op students interested in completing their placement at Greater Niagara General Hospital are asked to see Mr. Mazzone for important information.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2026
DAYS OF SIGNIFICANCE
Lohri: A traditional winter Punjabi folk festival, celebrated primarily by Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims from the Punjab region to mark the harvest season in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent, on January 13 of every year.
Maghi: Maghi is the occasion when Sikhs commemorate the sacrifice of the forty Sikhs, who fought for Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Maghi means primarily the festival at Muktsar, a district town of the Punjab, in commemoration of the heroic fight of the Chali Mukte, literally, the Forty Liberated Ones, who laid down their lives warding off an attack by an imperial army marching in pursuit of Guru Gobind Singh.
TODAY’S NEWS
Yearbook: Spartans. The 2025/2026 yearbook is now officially on sale and can be purchased through school cash online for $55. This is a great way to preserve your high school memories for many years to come! If you have any questions, please see Mr. Ricci in room 1030 or Ms. Dimond in the main office.
AAPEX: Getting ready to drive and want to feel safer behind the wheel? You could win a free driving program focused on defensive driving and road safety. To enter, simply visit the main office and fill out a ballot entry. Contest runs until January 23, so don’t wait.
Student Senate: Hey Spartans! Your Westlane Student Senate representatives are in the main foyer today at lunch! Come learn about what we do as a part of the DSBN Student Senate and how you can take our survey to share some valuable input! We would love to share what we do!
Sip & Study: Need extra time studying for upcoming exams? Sip & Study will be held in the Library after school from 2:10 to 4:00! Our English and Math department will be accessible, as well as free hot chocolate!
Co-op: Any Semester 2 co‑op students interested in completing their placement at Greater Niagara General Hospital are asked to see Mr. Mazzone for important information.
Volunteer Hours: Want to earn 10 Community Involvement Hours this winter? Help older adults by shovelling snow! Sign up by scanning the QR code in guidance.
MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2026
Co-op: Any Semester 2 co‑op students interested in completing their placement at Greater Niagara General Hospital are asked to see Mr. Mazzone for important information.
Art club: Art club is running today after school in room 1073. New members are always welcome!
Illustrated Anthology: Interested in having your artwork or creative writing printed in this year’s Illustrated Anthology? This special printed booklet showcases the creative talents of our school community by combining art and writing in one curated collection. We are looking for student artwork like drawings, paintings, digital art, etc, as well as short writing like poetry, short stories, creative paragraphs, etc. To submit your work, join the Google Classroom code posted on the art room door or speak to Mrs. Dunn in room 1073.
AAPEX: Getting ready to drive and want to feel safer behind the wheel? You could win a free driving program focused on defensive driving and road safety. To enter, simply visit the main office and fill out a ballot entry. Contest runs until January 23, so don’t wait.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2026
AAPEX: Getting ready to drive and want to feel safer behind the wheel? You could win a free driving program focused on defensive driving and road safety. To enter, simply visit the main office and fill out a ballot entry. Contest runs until January 23, so don’t wait.
HOSA: There will be a HOSA meeting today in room 2006. If you have an questions, please reach out to Ms. Weber.
SPORTS
Junior Boys Basketball: What an exciting win for our Junior Boys Basketball Team, who defeated Sir Winston Churchill in a fast-paced and highly competitive matchup this past Wednesday! The game was filled with strong defence, great hustle, and outstanding teamwork from start to finish. The coaches are extremely proud of all the players for their teamwork, determination, and never-give-up attitude that led to the win. Best of luck to the team today as they have a game against Centennial!
Swim team is reminded of their practice on Monday after school. If there are changes to your transportation needs, please contact Mrs. Kornelsen as soon as possible.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2026
TODAY’S NEWS
Yearbook: Spartans. The 2025/2026 yearbook is now officially on sale and can be purchased through school cash online for $55. This is a great way to preserve your high school memories for many years to come! If you have any questions, please see Mr. Ricci in room 1030 or Ms. Dimond in the main office.
AAPEX: Getting ready to drive and want to feel safer behind the wheel? You could win a free driving program focused on defensive driving and road safety. To enter, simply visit the main office and fill out a ballot entry. Contest runs until January 23, so don’t wait.
CLUBS
Homework Club will be happening after school today in the library. See you there!
Fashion Club: Fashion club will be happening today at lunch! Come on out to the fashion room to work on your latest project, all are welcome!
Interact Club: This is a reminder that the Interact Club will be meeting TODAY at lunch in room 2009, in Mrs. Armiento's class. New members are always welcome. So see you there!!
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2026
DAYS OF SIGNIFICANCE
Feast of the Nativity/ Orthodox Christmas (Gregorian Calendar): The feast of the Nativity of Jesus is one of the most joyful days of the Orthodox Church and is seen as the day that Jesus became a man into the world as a saviour. Eastern Orthodox Christians recognize this day as Christmas - 13 days later - because they follow the Julian calendar rather than the Gregorian version of the Western calendar.
Art Club: Art club is running today after school in room 1073. New members are always welcome!
Illustrated Anthology: Interested in having your artwork or creative writing printed in this year’s Illustrated Anthology? This special printed booklet showcases the creative talents of our school community by combining art and writing in one curated collection. We are looking for student artwork like drawings, paintings, digital art, etc, as well as short writing like poetry, short stories, creative paragraphs, etc. To submit your work, join the Google Classroom code posted on the art room door or speak to Mrs. Dunn in room 1073.
Curling: The Westlane curling teams hit the ice again this week in two exciting matchups against Eden High School. Both the boys and girls teams showed incredible determination and teamwork. The effort was outstanding from start to finish and there was fantastic sportsmanship from all our curlers, with each game coming right down to the final rock! Well done! Looking forward to another exciting game at the Welland Curling Club next week.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2026
DAYS OF SIGNIFICANCE
Feast of the Epiphany/Dia de los Reyes: In Western church, this day celebrates the journey of the three Wise men to Bethlehem to offer gifts to the infant Jesus. Called Helje Dree Kjeenijch (Day of the Three Holy Wise Men) in Low German.
Yearbook: Spartans. The 2025/2026 yearbook is now officially on sale and can be purchased through school cash online for $55. This is a great way to preserve your high school memories for many years to come! If you have any questions, please see Mr. Ricci in room 1030 or Ms. Dimond in the main office.
CLUBS
Sparta-bots - There is a meeting today at lunch in room 1041 in order to discuss the remainder of the season. Attendance is mandatory.
Homework Club will be happening after school today in the library. See you there!
Fashion - The Fashion room will be open today at lunch for any students who would like extra time to work on any projects. See you there!
Diversity Club is meeting today at lunch in room 2010. New Members are always welcome!
MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2026
DAYS OF SIGNIFICANCE
Twelfth Night: Is a festival marking the coming of Epiphany and concluding the twelve days of Christmas.
Art club: Art club is running today after school in room 1073. New members are always welcome!
