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In this issue:
- This Week is Week 1
- Late Start for Students - Wednesday, September 22 – Classes begin at 10:00 a.m.
- Students Absent and Requesting Simultaneous Access to Classes
- Students on Morning Spares
- Student Vote Canada 2021: Coming to FHCI on Monday, September 20th!
- Welcome Assembly – Thursday, September 23
- Last Call for Textbooks, Art Kits, Laptops
- Toonies For Terry - Terry Fox Fundraiser
- September 30th is Orange Shirt Day & the First National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
- The Centre for Excellence for Black Student Achievement
- Messages from Guidance: Timetable Changes, OSSLT, Ontario University Fairs
- Message from School Council Chair, Tracy Kowal
- Trustee Laskin’s Weekly Updates
- Worth Mentioning Again this Week
This Week is Week 1
Remember that this coming week is a Week 1. As mentioned last week, our systems were not designed to schedule classes on a weekly basis, students will be attending the Day 1 classes on their timetable this coming week. For more support with understanding a student’s timetable, link to How to Read a Student Timetable and our Daily Schedule.
Late Start for Students - Wednesday, September 22 – Classes begin at 10:00 a.m.
Each month our staff will participate in a Professional Learning Community (PLC) and a Staff Meeting. This will result in a late start for students as classes will begin at 10:00 a.m. on these dates. Course 1/3 will run from 10:00 a.m. to noon; followed by lunch from noon to 12:45 p.m.; and course 2/4 from 12:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Link to Forest Hill PLC & Staff Meeting Schedule/Dates 2021/2022 for more information.
Students Absent and Requesting Simultaneous Access to Classes
Students who are taking a sick day are not permitted to join a class simultaneously. Students should be resting and getting better to allow them to return to in-person learning more quickly. If a student, parent or guardian contacts the teacher directly for a simultaneous link, they will be referred to the student’s Vice Principal. Students quarantining or self-isolating owing to Covid-19 should communicate directly with their Vice Principal: Surnames A to K – Anita Love (anita.love@tdsb.on.ca); Surnames L to Z – Joseph Ghassibe (joseph.ghassibe@tdsb.on.ca).
Students on Morning Spares
All students are required to be screened prior to entering Forest Hill Collegiate. Students on morning spares must touch base with an administrator upon arrival to allow for screening. Administrators are located at both entrances when our doors open after lunch. Please have your QR code or self-screening sheet ready upon arrival.
Student Vote Canada 2021: Coming to FHCI on Monday, September 20th!
The 44th federal general election is fast approaching and FHCI students and this year FHCI will be participating in Student Vote Canada, a program that allows students to engage in the democratic process of voting and to cast their ballot at polling stations run by student volunteers at the school on election day.
Below are some resources and tools that were shared with students last week to help them become more informed before voting in Student Vote on Monday:
Vote Compass Youth Edition - https://youth.votecompass.com/canada/
Pollenize.org - https://pollenize.org/en/elections/canada-2021
Civix - Our Electoral System - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USK3Q4rsgnw
Civix - The Right to Vote - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AFU17NpVS4
Thank you to Mr. Billinghurst and his civics students who are all working to make this opportunity available to our students. We will share how our students voted in our next newsletter.
Welcome Assembly – Thursday, September 23
On Thursday, September 23rd, students will be presented with our Welcome Assembly. The school administration will review important school rules and procedures as outlined in the Forest Hill Student Handbook 2021/2022. Questions about school rules and procedures can be directed to the Vice Principals: Surnames A to K – Anita Love (anita.love@tdsb.on.ca); Surnames L to Z – Joseph Ghassibe (joseph.ghassibe@tdsb.on.ca).
Last Call for Textbooks, Art Kits, Laptops
Please remember to return any textbooks, art kits or laptops that were borrowed last year before Wednesday, September 22, 2021. These items are required to support students during this school year. Bins for collection are located at both entrances.
Toonies For Terry - Terry Fox Fundraiser
This month Forest Hill is proudly celebrating the 41st anniversary of the Terry Fox Run; however, owing to Covid-19 our students will not be out running in the community.
This year will once again we ask that students and their families donate a toonie to help us reach our school goal of $1000 for this important cause. We invite you to donate in increments of $2 through School Cash Online. Instructions to login or set up an account can be found at: School Cash Online Instructions. Thank you for supporting Toonies for Terry!
September 30th is Orange Shirt Day & the First National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
Thursday, September 30th is Orange Shirt Day. It also marks the first annual National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, which was passed by legislation this summer to become a federal statutory holiday.
Established in 2013, Orange Shirt Day was inspired by Phyllis Webstad, who was excited to wear her new orange shirt to her first day of school in 1973. However, when she arrived at St. Joseph Mission Residential School, her shirt was taken and never returned. From that day forward, the colour orange, for Phyllis, reminded her of that moment, how her feelings didn't matter, how she felt like she wasn't worth anything and that no one cared for the children who were crying about it that day.
Now, on this day, we recognize the legacy and impact of the residential schools system on First Nations, Métis and Inuit families and communities. We acknowledge the legacy of residential schools in Canada by wearing orange and we honour the survivors. Earlier this year, there were the tragic discoveries confirming the remains of Indigenous children found on the sites of some former residential schools. On September 30th, we will remember the thousands of children who were murdered and buried in these and other unmarked graves.
On Thursday, September 30, 2021 wear orange to participate in Orange Shirt Day.
Follow @UIEC_tdsb and @tdsb on Twitter to see how students and staff from across the Toronto District School Board recognize Orange Shirt Day. For more information, visit the Urban Indigenous Education Centre website. To learn more about Phyllis' story and Orange Shirt Day visit http://www.orangeshirtday.org.
The Centre for Excellence for Black Student Achievement
Toronto District School Board is committed to ensuring that all students can succeed and to improving equity, human rights, anti-racism and anti-oppression practices within all schools, programs and services. As part of this commitment, the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement has created a website to support and ensure meaningful and sustained change for African, Afro-Caribbean and Black students, families and communities.
The Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement website features many resources and tools that focus on improving experiences of belonging and academic outcomes for Black students. They also highlight programs, initiatives and opportunities that emphasize responsiveness to the voices of Black communities who have advocated for systemic change within educational institutions. Link to: www.tdsb.on.ca/cebsa for more information.
Messages from Guidance
Timetable Changes
All course changes for semester 1 have been finalized and no further requests will be honoured at this time. Students may still drop a course using the drop form on the FHCI Guidance Site.
In the next couple of weeks, more information regarding post-secondary applications will be updated on the Post-Secondary page of the FHCI Guidance Site. Graduating students are encouraged to check this page regularly for the most up-to-date information and opportunities.
There will be a virtual assembly for graduating students coming up soon. More details to follow.
Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) 2021-2022
Students graduating in the 2021-22 school year are exempted from the literacy graduation requirement. The literacy graduation requirement will be restored for students graduating in the 2022-23 school year.
Ontario University Fair – Virtual Events – September 25 & October 26
Ontario's universities are excited to host the Ontario Universities' Fairs (OUFs) this fall and will consist of 2 virtual events:
- Saturday, September 25, 12-2 pm (ET)
- Tuesday, October 26, 5-7 pm (ET)
All Ontario universities will participate in these free events and anyone may attend; pre-registration is not required. Each event will be divided up into four 30-minute sessions, where students can learn about the universities of their choice and ask questions. These events are a great opportunity to get answers about programs, admission requirements, student life and much more.
Link to Ontario Universities Fair 2021 to learn more.
Message from School Council Chair, Tracy Kowal (tracy.kowal@yahoo.ca)
Our first School Council meeting will take place using Zoom on Tuesday, September 28th at 7:30 p.m. All parents and guardians are welcome.
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.
Trustee Laskin’s Weekly Updates
Learn more about upcoming events and keep informed by linking to Trustee Laskins Weekly Newsletter.
Worth Mentioning Again this Week
Week 1 - Entering & Exiting Forest Hill Collegiate
Given that students will be attending Week 1 classes, it is important that students review their timetables to determine their classroom number and which entrance they will access this week.
- 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
Students are requested to exit using the closest exit to their classroom. For more specific information, please link to Entering & Exiting Forest Hill Collegiate.
Start of Year Forms 2021/2022 – Permission Click
An automatic email was sent to the parent or guardian email address on file requesting that a host of digital forms be completed on September 11, 2021. Completing this package of forms will ensure that the school has the most current and up-to-date information.
Please look for an email from noreply@tdsb.on.ca. This email will direct you to Permission Click, a secure site, to complete and submit the required school forms. 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.
Forest Hill Student Handbook 2021/2022
Please link to the Forest Hill Student Handbook 2021/2022 to learn more about the school, our practices, and our expectations for students. The handbook also shares our Code of Conduct, important dates, links to valuable information, and school contact information. It will also be shared with students through the Resource section on the TDSB Connects App. Students, parents and guardians are expected to have read and be familiar with the Student Handbook.