WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2026
During Pride Month, it's important to celebrate and respect the diversity in our school. One big part of this is understanding and using pronouns correctly. Pronouns are more than just words - they show who we are. Using the right pronouns for someone is a way to show them respect and support, no matter their gender identity. Some people might use pronouns like they/them or ze/zir instead of he/him or she/her. By making it normal to share and respect pronouns, we make our school a safer and more welcoming place for everyone. Let's learn about pronouns and use them in a way that makes everyone feel accepted and valued for who they are.
TODAY’S NEWS
Indigenous People’s History:
Harold Cardinal is Cree and grew up on Sucker Creek First Nation in Alberta. Harold Cardinal is known for his leadership and advocacy for Indigenous rights. In 1968, he was president of the then Indian Association of Alberta and was immediately faced with the Trudeau government’s White Paper Policy. His response, ‘Citizens Plus’, more commonly referred to as the ‘Red Paper’, was a landmark document in articulating the importance of honouring treaty obligations and Indigenous rights to self-determination.
GUIDANCE:
For all grads the sweet celebration will be happening tomorrow starting during period 3. Please remind all of your friends on spares and coops.
Art club is running today after school in room 1073.
Grad Art Show: Last night was the opening ceremony for the Grad Art show at the DSBN Education center. This art show consists of artwork from grade 12 students from across the DSBN. Shout out to the following students who represented Westlane in the show - Janna G, Andrea T, Oliviah M, Mustafa J, Ajla P, Milo M, Elizabeth P, Ethan C, and Ashley I.
Special congratulations goes to Janna G for winning an award for Most Interesting Use of Material for her piece, Soul Ties, which combined embroidery with acrylic paint on raw canvas. Shout out to Oliviah M for receiving an honourable mention for her painting, My Senior Year; and Elizabeth P for her painting, Sankofa, Looking Back and Learning from the Past, which was selected as one of the showcase pieces for Westlane.
EduCon Field Trip: If you are attending the EduCon Field Trip with Ms. Devereux tomorrow your passes have arrived! Please pick-up your NFCC passes TODAY at lunch outside the PHED Office.
Spartans for Christ will be meeting today at lunch in room 1098.
Homework Club will be cancelled tomorrow due to the Athletic Banquet. We will see you all next Tuesday!
SPORTS
Sports Banquet: Last chance to purchase tickets!!! Tomorrow June 4th, Westlane will host its Athletic Banquet! All Westlane students are welcome to attend and help us celebrate Westlane Sports! There will be pizza, prizes and awards. The banquet will be after school in the gym from 2:15 to 4:00. Tickets are available on school cash online! Come help us make the day memorable and celebrate your year in sports!
Athletic Ticket Pick-up: If you have already pre-purchased your Athletic Banquet ticket, please come to the table outside the PHED Office at the beginning of lunch to it pick-up.
TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2026
DAYS OF SIGNIFICANCE
June is designated as Pride Month and kicks off Pride Season which is a term that refers to the wide range of Pride events that take place from June to September when 2SLGBTQ+ communities and allies come together to spotlight the resilience, celebrate the talent, and recognize the contributions of 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Although special attention is put on the Pride events during the summer months, they happen throughout the year as well.
Historically, Pride gatherings emerged from the first large-scale protests for 2SLGBTQ+ rights. In Canada, the first demonstrations took place in Ottawa and Vancouver in 1971. By 1973, Pride events were held in several Canadian cities.
The month of June, in particular, consists of both political activism and a celebration of 2SLGBTQ+ culture. It is a month for 2SLGBTQ+ communities to show their pride, celebrate diversity and love in all its forms, and to honour the tremendous achievements made to expand inclusivity and equality for 2SLGBTQ+ people.
Throughout this month, we will be highlighting the contributions of Canadian members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
TODAY’S NEWS
Attention all grads: if you are attending prom be sure to complete your tickets and guest form with Mrs. Gorman this week.
Indigenous People’s History: Christi Belcourt is a Métis visual artist whose work reflects deep connections to the land, nature, and traditional Métis knowledge. Her intricate paintings often resemble beadwork and highlight the beauty and importance of biodiversity. Beyond her art, she is a strong advocate for environmental protection and Indigenous cultural resurgence.
Pegasus Driving Academy will be here at lunch today. They offer Beginner Driver Education (BDE) courses, private driving lessons, flexible scheduling, and experienced instructors throughout the Niagara Region. Complete your BDE course, build confidence behind the wheel, and qualify for potential insurance discounts. Ask about their student specials and start your driving journey with Pegasus Driving Academy
GUIDANCE
Attention Class of 2026 - Nominations for Valedicatorian are now open. If you would like to run as the Class of 2026 Valedictorian, see Mrs. Bilon in Guidance for the nomination form. Potential Valedictorians will present speeches next Thursday during the Grad Celebration during Periods 3 and 4.
EduCon Field Trip
ALL students who are attending the EduCon Field Trip with Ms. Devereux on Thursday, June 4 please come to the Fashion Room TODAY at the beginning of lunch for a brief but important meeting.
SPORTS
Freezies will be available for $1.00 outside the PHED Office at the beginning of lunch.
Sports Banquet: Only two more days! On Thursday June 4th, Westlane will host its Athletic Banquet! All Westlane students are welcome to attend and help us celebrate Westlane Sports! There will be pizza, prizes and awards. The banquet will be after school in the gym from 2:15 to 4:00. Tickets are available on school cash online! Come help us make the day memorable and celebrate your year in sports!
MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2026
DAYS OF SIGNIFICANCE
National Access Ability Week: This month recognizes and acknowledges: • the valuable contributions of Canadians with disabilities • the accomplishments of individuals, communities and workplaces to remove barriers to accessibility and inclusion, and • the ongoing work we all have to do to counter discrimination against persons with disabilities and promote a culture of inclusion.
School Crossing Guard Appreciation Week: School Crossing Guard Appreciation Week is an opportunity to recognize and thank crossing guards for the important role they play in helping students and families travel safely to and from school. As an integral part of the school community, crossing guards provide care, consistency, and a welcoming presence that supports safer routes to school and reminds us that student safety is a shared responsibility.
DSBN Pride Flag Raising: The DSBN raises the Pride Progress Flag to affirm our commitment to safe, caring, respectful, and inclusive school communities. Representation and visibility help 2SLGBTQ+ students, staff, and families feel seen, valued, and supported. Pride Month is also an opportunity to celebrate 2SLGBTQ+ identities and raise awareness of the ongoing discrimination and oppression experienced by members of the community.
Ontario Day: By proclaiming June 1 as Ontario Day, the Province of Ontario recognizes the contributions Ontarians have made to Ontario’s social, economic, political and cultural fabric. Ontario Day is also an opportunity to remember, celebrate and educate future generations about the significant roles that Ontario and Ontarians have played and continue to play in Canada.
Indigenous People’s History:: Jesse Wente is an influential Anishinaabe media leader, broadcaster, and advocate for Indigenous representation in film and the arts. As a former chair of the Canada Council for the Arts, he has worked to ensure Indigenous creators have space and support to tell their own stories. His writing and public speaking challenge harmful stereotypes and promote authentic Indigenous voices in the media.
GUIDANCE
Attention Class of 2026 - Nominations for Valedicatorian are now open. If you would like to run as the Class of 2026 Valedictorian, see Mrs. Bilon in Guidance for the nomination form. Potential Valedictorians will present speeches next Thursday during the Grad Celebration during Periods 3 and 4. Very important update: for all University bound Grads, today is the last day to accept your university offer. There is a volunteering opportunity tonight with the Niagara Falls Historical Society, please see Google Classroom for details.
Art club is running today after school in room 1073.
Track and Field: The Westlane Track and Field Team continued its successful season at the South Region Qualifier meet. Once again, Savannah Rodgers had an outstanding performance and won the Junior Girls Discus, Shot Put, and Javelin. Savannah will represent Westlane at OFSAA later this week. Also punching their ticket to OFSAA were Colby Craig in both the 800m and 1500m, Musab Mohommed in the 400m and 200m, Messiah Ishmael, who won Novice Boys High Jump, and Max MacNeil in the 3000m. These 9 events mark the most Westlane OFSAA qualifiers in recent memory! Congratulations and best of luck at OFSAA!
Sports Banquet: On Thursday June 4th, Westlane will host its Athletic Banquet! All Westlane students are welcome to attend and help us celebrate Westlane Sports! There will be pizza, prizes and awards. The banquet will be after school in the gym from 2:15 to 4:00. Tickets are available on school cash online! Come help us make the day memorable and celebrate your year in sports!