This week was a busy week at Forest Hill – with Parent-Guardian-Teacher Interviews, Coffee House and Halloween!
Thank you to everyone for your patience during our remote Parent-Teacher-Guardian Interviews as this was a first for everyone. Thank you as well to all the parents and guardians who reached out after Parent-Guardian-Teacher interviews via email and telephone with lovely feedback about our staff’s commitment and willingness to support our students!
Coffee House on Thursday was a huge success with many students showcasing their musical talents. It was fantastic to see the number of students who gathered on and around the outdoor basketball courts to listen and encourage from the sidelines! The turnout suggests that more Coffee Houses are in the future. Thank you as to Ms. Simas and the Music Directorate for making Coffee House happen!
Friday was also a busy day with many students and staff going the extra mile to dress up for Halloween to instill school spirit! It was great to see the creative energy and enthusiasm that went into the costumes of all! Thank you to Ms. Palowski who supported Student Council to decorate our school and make Halloween a success!
There is lots happening this coming week as well with a late start on Wednesday and Credit Rescue for Week 1 students occurring on Friday. More information about this can be found below.
Wishing students and their families who celebrate Diwali – a Diwali that brings happiness, prosperity and joy.
Sincerely,
Yvette Duffy, Principal Joseph Ghassibe, Vice Principal Anita Love, Vice Principal
In this issue:
- Next Two Weeks at a Glance
- November is Indigenous Education Month
- November is Hindu Heritage Month
- Academic Awards & Honour Roll Recipients of 2020/2021
- Late Start – Wednesday, November 3
- Masking Concerns Among Students
- Messages from Guidance
- Message from School Council – Meeting – Monday, November 1 @ 7:30 p.m. via Zoom
- Trustee Laskin’s Weekly Updates
- Worth Mentioning Again – Credit Rescue, OSSLT, Vaccination, and Photo Retake
Next Two Weeks at a Glance
Keep apprised of what is happening by linking to our school year calendar which is live on our school website landing page.
November is Indigenous Education Month
November is Indigenous Education Month at the Toronto District School Board and an opportunity to centre First Nations, Métis and Inuit histories, contemporary realities, and voices.
Truth and Reconciliation is a guiding principle at the TDSB. Throughout November, students, staff, and community members will engage in meaningful opportunities to learn together about shared histories and building stronger relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples. The Urban Indigenous Education Centre (UIEC) is hosting a number of events to support students and staff to learn directly from Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Cultural Advisors, and Current Authors. Follow @UIEC_TDSB on Twitter for updates on Indigenous Education Month at the TDSB.
November is Hindu Heritage Month
The TDSB recognizes Hindu Heritage Month during the month of November and the theme chosen this year is Sri Rama: Epitome of Love, Compassion, Duty, and Service. November is an opportunity to celebrate the Hindu way of life, examine its impact and contributions to the world culture, and recognize values which promote compassion, mutual respect, and inclusion. For more information on what is happening at the TDSB, please link to November is Hindu Heritage Month at the TDSB.
Academic Awards & Honour Roll Recipients of 2020/2021
Academic Awards certificates, along with Honour Roll letters from 2020/2021, will be distributed on Monday through our homeform classes.
Late Start – Wednesday, November 3
Our October Staff Meeting has been rescheduled to Wednesday, November 3. Classes will begin on at 10:00 a.m. on this day.
Masking Concerns Among Students
Masking fatigue is a concern; however, for everyone’s health it is imperative for all students to wear their masks properly with their mouth, nose and chin completely covered. An announcement will be made Monday morning reminding students of this requirement. The school will be reaching out to parents and guardians of students who are struggling to wear their mask properly. Please take a moment to reinforce this at home. Information about proper masking can be found on the Toronto Public Health website: Wearing a mask: dos and don’ts.
Messages from Guidance
Ontario Universities Application Centre - OUAC Pins
Many students and parents have enquired about the PINs for OUAC. Please note that PINs are not accessible at this time. PINs will be shared immediately with students as soon as we have access.
Post-Secondary Q & A with Our Guidance Counsellors – Wednesday, November 3
On Wednesday, November 3rd, our grade 12 classes will be logging into a virtual information session for post-secondary applications. Students studying virtually or on spare may log in on their own using a Zoom link that will be provided on the Post-Secondary page of the FHCI Guidance website on November 3rd.
Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program – Applications due Friday, November 5
Accelerated OYAP is an intensive one-semester program that combines a co-op placement with an 8-week block of Level 1 training at a College or Union training centre. An Accelerated OYAP student becomes a Registered Apprentice with the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development.
Graduating students interested in applying for Accelerated OAYP should speak to their Guidance Counsellor immediately. The application deadline is November 5, 2021. Visit the OYAP TDSB for more information.
Upcoming University/College Virtual Visits for FHCI Students
Our Guidance Department is working hard to keep our potential graduates informed and aware of possible post-secondary options. This week’s upcoming sessions include:
- Tuesday, November 2 at 11:30 a.m. - Queens University
- Friday, November 5 at 11:30 a.m. - Ontario Tech University
Visit the FHCI Guidance Post-Secondary page for links to these and other upcoming events.
Grade 12 – Post-Secondary Check In – Week of November 8
During the week of November 8th, Guidance Counsellors will be visiting Grade 12 period 1 classes to answer questions regarding post-secondary applications. This will also be an opportunity for us to do a mental health check-in with our graduating students.
Grade 12 – College Information Session – November 15
On Monday, November 15, representatives from six Ontario colleges will be available to talk to students about college programs. This panel discussion will take place virtually from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. All students in the Grade 12 College English class will be attending. Grade 12 students who are not registered in Grade 12 College English are also welcome to attend. If a grade 12 student wishes to attend, please e-mail jasmine.ng@tdsb.on.ca.
Thank you to Ms. Ng, Mr. Oosteroff, Ms. Robles Evans and all our grade 12 teachers who are hosting these important sessions to support our students.
Message from School Council - Chair Tracy Kowal
Please join your School Council for our second meeting on Monday, November 1st at 7:30 p.m. All parents and guardians are welcome. At our first meeting in September, we had over 45 people join and we are hoping that this second meeting is just as successful. Please rsvp to Tracy Kowal at tracy.kowal@yahoo.ca to receive the zoom details.
The agenda for the meeting can be found here: School Council Agenda November 2021.
Trustee Laskin’s Weekly Updates
Learn more about upcoming events and keep informed by linking to Trustee Laskins Weekly Newsletter.
Worth Mentioning Again…
Credit Rescue – Friday, November 5 and Wednesday, November 10 – Supporting Students At Risk of Not Meeting Curriculum Expectations
Credit Rescue is an early intervention initiative to support student achievement. Only students who have been contacted by their teacher, Special Education or Student Success departments will attend in-person (or virtually if the student is a simultaneous learner). Teachers will pause regular classroom activities for these two designated days and will focus on Credit Rescue activities.
There will be two Credit Rescue opportunities for students in November as follows:
- Friday, November 5 for Week 1 Classes
- Wednesday, November 10 for Week 2 Classes
Students who are not participating in Credit Rescue will be expected to work on subject-related material while remaining at home on both of these days. Please note that all grade 11 students will be writing the OSSLT on November 10 at school – more information follows below.
Note: This additional November Credit Rescue Day will result in one fewer Credit Rescue Day at the end of the semester in January. See this updated school year calendar.
EQAO – Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test – Grade 11s – November 10
All grade 11 and non-graduating grade 12 students will be required to write the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) on Wednesday, November 10 at school. All students who are required to write the OSSLT in November, along with their parent or guardian, were sent an email communication about this two weeks ago. Please refer to this email for more information.
To access practice tests and more information, link to: EQAO – OSSLT page.
Voluntary Disclosure of Vaccination Status
Toronto Public Health is requesting that the Toronto District School Board collect the voluntary disclosure of vaccination status of students born in 2009 and earlier. This is intended to minimize disruption to schools and support a more efficient process when managing possible Covid-19 cases. For more information on uploading the vaccination status of a student link to Voluntary Disclosure of Vaccination Status.
Photo Retake Day – November 22
Our school’s Photo Retake Day will take place November 22nd. Further details will be emailed soon.
Download a copy of: View From the Hill - Issue 10 - Week of October 31 2021