It was great to have the hallways of Forest Hill alive with students and staff last week. We welcomed over 150 new Falcons to Forest Hill on Monday, August 30th for our grade 9 Head Start to High School! Teachers, office and caretaking staff have also been in getting the classrooms and school ready for the official first day of school this Thursday, September 9th.
We know students will be both excited and anxious to be returning to school after so many months away and the challenges of the past year and a half. We are working hard to have all the academic, health and safety systems in place that will ensure a smooth return to class for everyone. Rest assured we will prioritize the mental health and well-being of each student, and will focus on their needs to connect with each other and our staff.
Although brevity is the soul of wit, there is no way to shorten the following information. Please take the time to read what follows and help prepare your student and family for a smooth transition back to school.
We would also like to take this opportunity to say L’shanah Tovah to all our school community members celebrating Rosh Hashanah.
Sincerely,
Yvette Duffy, Principal Joseph Ghassibe, Vice Principal Anita Love, Vice Principal
Student Timetables
Our apologies for the miscommunication in last week’s newsletter as we had stated that students would receive their timetables via the TDSB Connects App. Please note that timetables will be available in the app as of September 8th. In the meantime, we emailed timetables earlier this week to all parents/guardians and copied these to students using their TDSB student emails. Please check your email or request that your student check their TDSB email.
How to Read a Student Timetable
Our systems are not designed to schedule classes on a weekly basis, learn how to read a timetable:
Student Password Reset to Access TDSB Student Email:
Students who have forgotten their email password can reset their passwords by following these instructions: Student Password Reset.
Our Daily Schedule
The weeks will alternate with classes 1 and 2 running during Week 1 and classes 3 and 4 running during week 2. Classes will begin with a Week 1 schedule – i.e. with courses 1 and 2. Courses 3 and 4 will begin in week 2 on September 13.
Note that there will be a late start on Wednesdays twice per month with classes beginning at 10:00 a.m. to support professional learning and staff meetings. Link to our website to view the live FHCI calendar located in the right sidebar to see what is happening daily at Forest Hill.
Screening for Covid-19
Prior to leaving for school each day, students are required to complete a Covid-19 self-assessment. This can be done using the Now Mobile app or a self-screening paper version. The Now Mobile app can be downloaded from Apple App Store or Google Play. Details on the screening process can be found on the TDSB website: Daily Health Screening. The student screening questions can be found here: TPH Covid-19 Screening for Children/Students.
Entering & Exiting Forest Hill Collegiate
To minimize student contact and allow for screening, students will need to enter the school through two entrances depending on where their classroom is located inside the building:
- Entrance 1 - Front Doors located at the front of the building at 730 Eglinton Ave West
- Entrance fr students who have a class located on the second floor (200 series) or third floor (300 series) as well as classes scheduled in Rooms T1 & T2
- Entrance 3 - Ramp on Mayfair located near the small parking lot on Mayfair Ave.
- Entrance fr students who have a class located on the first floor (100 series) or grund level (G series) as well as classes in the Gym and Weight Room
For more specific information, please link to Entering & Exiting Forest Hill Collegiate.
Staying Safe: Masking, Physical Distancing, Hand Washing/Sanitizing, Washrooms & More
While waiting to enter and when inside our building, students are required to wear a mask and maintain physical distance of 2 meters from others. There is signage in our halls, on our walls and doors reminding students of our expectations. Furthermore, students will be asked to remember to wear their masks at all time while indoors, wash and/or sanitize hands regularly, abide by wait stickers for washrooms and water filling stations, and be respectful of others at all times.
Mask breaks will be provided twice each day – i.e. once during the morning class and once during the afternoon class – during scheduled outside breaks. Students will also be encouraged to take a mask break during lunch when going outside.
If everyone does their part, we can work together to mitigate the spread of Covid-19.
Visitors to Forest Hill:
As a health and safety precaution, we cannot at this time welcome visitors to our school and instead we encourage you to consider booking a telephone or virtual meeting with our staff.
Digital Platform: All TDSB Teachers Will Launch Online Spaces Using Brightspace
All TDSB teachers will launch their digital learning classrooms using Brightspace this school year. Teachers may link other TDSB approved digital tools, such as Zoom, Google Classroom and Drive, to their Brightspace. The TDSB Virtual Library will also be linked within Brightspace. Students will log into the Brightspace digital learning classrooms using their TDSB credentials.
Virtual/Simultaneous Learners
Given that only 6% Forest Hill students are opting to learn virtually and with the needs of these students spanning all grades and courses, virtual learners will be joining their Forest Hill classes simultaneously. Students who have opted for virtual learning this semester will receive a separate email from their subject teachers outlining the necessary steps to connect to their classes.
Switching from In-Person to Virtual or Virtual to In-Person Learning
As mentioned in last week’s communication, students will have an opportunity to change their choice of learning from in-person to virtual and vice versa for second semester classes in February. More information will be provided as the year progresses.
Start of Year Forms
Once your student attends school on September 9th, an automatic email will be sent to the parent/guardian email address on file requesting that a host of digital forms be completed. Completing this package of forms will ensure that the school has the most current and up-to-date information.
Please keep an eye out for an email from noreply@tdsb.on.ca. This email will direct you to a secure site to complete and submit the following forms:
- Consent package
- Code of Conduct – in-person and online
- Walking Excursion
- Media Release
- Medical Information
- Severe Weather Conditions – Permission to Leave School
- Digital Learning Tool Consent
- Permission to contact parent/guardian by email
- 1:1 Device Agreement (grade 9s only)
If you do not receive this automatic email after your student has attended their first class (either in-person or virtually), please contact the school at foresthill.ci@tdsb.on.ca or 416.393.1860, option 1.
Students who are unable to attend their classes on September 9
For a whole host of reasons, such as need to quarantine or a personal matter, a student may not be able to attend their class on September 9. If your student is not planning to attend their class on September 9, please advise the school via email at foresthill.ci@tdsb.on.ca or call 416.393.1860, option 1.
Loaned Items – How to Return Textbooks
Loaned textbooks can be returned directly to the school starting on Thursday, September 9th. Bins will be located at each screening station. Please print and complete the Return of Loaned Textbooks form before arrival at the school to allow for a quick and smooth drop off of borrowed textbooks.
Grade 9 Chromebooks – 1:1 Device Program
The TDSB will provide all grade 9 students with a Chromebook this September. Prior to receiving a device, families will need to opt into the program by completing a Device Agreement. Families who are not interested in borrowing such a device may opt out of this program. The device agreement will be available through the digital start of year forms (see below).
Borrowed devices will be assigned through our library system directly to grade 9 students who want such a device. These devices will remain with students during their high school years. Students are welcome to take the devices home each night and bring them to school each day to support learning.
Lockers:
At this time, lockers will not be permitted and all lockers have been sealed at this time. Encourage your student to only bring items required for each day and in a manner that is easy for them to manage.
Cafeteria:
Our cafeteria will be available to students to eat bagged lunches at this time. Note that given the physical distancing requirements set out by Toronto Public Health, the cafeteria can only accommodate 100 students. Therefore, the courtyard and outside areas will also be available when weather permits. Although not ideal, the basement level hallways will also be made available. Students who live close to the school are encouraged to go home for lunch.
Message from Guidance
The Guidance department has processed course change requests submitted before noon of September 3rd. Students received e-mails last Friday afternoon to provide a status update as to whether their request was completed, waitlisted, or could not be completed. Course change requests will continue to be processed next week. Students are encouraged to check their TDSB email for further information.
Please note the deadline to submit any timetable changes is: today; use the google forms posted on FHCI Guidance Site.
Students are encouraged to consider TDSB e-Learning and virtual Night School options, if their course change requests could not be granted. For more information, please visit the FHCI Guidance Site.
Message from Trustee Shelley Laskin
For those wanting even more guidance on the school year, please see Trustee Laskin’s weekly newsletter: September 5, 2021.
Message from School Council
As mentioned in last week’s newsletter, consider getting involved in our School Council. Become a voting member by completing the self-nomination form by Friday, September 24th. Click this link to have your voice heard: FHCI School Council Self Nomination Form. Our first School Council meeting will take place virtually on Tuesday, September 28th at 7:30 p.m. – so save this date!
Important Dates at a Glance:
