Forest Hill Collegiate Institute

View From the Hill - Issue 13 - Week of November 21 2021

Sunday, November 21, 2021 01:00 PM

View from the Hill

Week of November 21, 2021 - Issue 13

Report Cards were distributed by email on Friday to all students, parents and guardians.  If you have not received an email with password instructions and a link to the report card, please email the school at foresthill.ci@tdsb.on.ca for support. 

Thank you to Mr. Basheer for supporting our grade 11 and 12 math students to write the Senior Waterloo Math Contest on Wednesday. More contests will be coming. If your student is interested, please speak to Mr. Basheer. 

And thank you to Ms. Beattie, Ms. Brown, Ms. Halas, and Ms. Taghdi who organized a very successful and exciting field trip to Etobicoke Outdoor Education Centre for some of our students! There was a definite buzz in the air when the yellow school bus arrived on Thursday!

Sincerely,

Yvette Duffy, Principal                Joseph Ghassibe, Vice Principal               Anita Love, Vice Principal


In this issue:

  1. Next Two Weeks at a Glance
  2. Return to a Regular 4-Period Day Schedule – Semester 2
  3. Student Activity Fee: $50 Request
  4. Photo Retake Day – Monday, November 22
  5. Late Start – Staff Meeting – Wednesday, November 24 – In-Person in the Library
  6. Lockers - Assignment Begins on Monday, November 29
  7. Graduate Photos – Monday, November 29 to Friday, December 10 – Appointment Necessary
  8. Spirit Wear – Coming Soon!
  9. Share Your Voice: Policy Consultation on the new Specialized Schools and Programs Draft Policy
  10. De-streaming Grade 9 Courses for the 2022-23 School Year
  11. Tech Tip – Student Self-Service Password Reset
  12. Messages from Guidance
  13. Messages from School Council – Chair Tracy Kowal
  14. Trustee Laskin’s Weekly Updates
  15. Worth Mentioning Again…

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.


Return to a Regular 4-Period Day Schedule – Semester 2

The Ministry announced on Thursday last week that all secondary schools will return to a Regular 4-Period Day Schedule for Semester 2. A return to this schedule will hopefully reduce stress for students, while also allowing for better pacing and learning for students. More details about the schedule – i.e. the length and time of classes and lunch – will be forthcoming as we learn more. Thank you in advance to Mr. Ghassibe who will be working hard and spending many hours to reschedule our school.


Student Activity Fee: $50 Request

Each year schools collect a student fee to support costs that are not covered by the Ministry or the Board to provide an even richer school experience for our students. This year our school is requesting a Student Activity Fee of ​​$50. A separate email will be sent to all students and families on Monday, November 22 with a link to School Cash Online.

The fees will cover the following:

  • $30 Forester Yearbook (hard cover, colour printed - delivered in June)
  • $7 Academic programming (FHCI Photo ID card and student printing costs)
  • $3 Athletic programming (teams and Intramural for students)
  • $10 Student programming (Student Council, Clubs & organizations, Hillstock, nutrition for students in need)

Thank you for supporting student engagement at Forest Hill. Note: In the event of financial hardship for a student or family, please speak with an Administrator. Confidentiality will be respected. If you have any further questions regarding the Student Activity Fee, please contact the school.


Photo Retake Day – Monday, November 22

As per Mr. Ghassibe’s email of November 1, it is mandatory for all students to have a photo taken. Photo retakes for students who missed our September photo day or students wishing to do a retake for purchasing of photo packages are encouraged to participate in Photo Retake Day.

When: Monday, November 22 – beginning at 9:10 a.m. just after our opening ceremonies

Where: Music Vocal room (signage is posted)

Announcements will be made requesting students by grade and alpha in groups with surnames A-H, I-P, and Q-Z. When called, students are expected to promptly make their way to the Music Vocal room and return to class quickly.

Students who are learning simultaneously and are not on site each day are invited to attend Forest Hill Collegiate between 1:00 p.m. on 2:00 p.m. All Covid-19 protocols will be followed by students, staff and LifeTouch employees.

Cooperative Education students are also invited to speak to their employers if they require time to attend Forest Hill Collegiate on Monday to have their photo taken.


Late Start – Staff Meeting – Wednesday, November 24 – In-Person in the Library

This Wednesday will be a late start for students to allow our school to host our monthly staff meeting. Classes will begin at 10:00 a.m. on this day.


Lockers - Assignment Begins on Monday, November 29

Locker assignment will begin on Monday, November 29 through homeform classes. Students will receive a personalized card with a locker number assigned. All grade 9s will be allocated lockers on the 200s series floor. Grades 10s through 12s will be assigned lockers on the 100s and G series floors. Our intention behind the grade allocation to certain areas of the building is to allow each grade to connect and interact with the hopes of increasing a sense of belonging.


Graduate Photos – Monday, November 29 to Friday, December 10 – Appointment Necessary

An email was sent to all potential graduates, parents and guardians on November 16 indicating that Grad Photos will begin on Monday November 29 by appointment and run until December 10. Grad Photos will take place in our Music Vocal Room. All Covid-19 protocols will be followed to ensure student and staff safety.

To book an appointment, please visit www.prestigeportraits.ca. Upon accessing the website, under the Schedule tab scroll to the section labelled Don’t have an appointment code, select Ontario and enter Toronto. On the next page, select Forest Hill Collegiate. Enter the student name, and begin the booking process.

Students will not be able to take a Grad Photo without booking an appointment. Simultaneous learners will also need an appointment. Taking a Grad Photo ensures that students make it onto our walls in our graduate composite! More information can be found in this flyer or by contacting Vice Principal Joseph Ghassibe: joseph.ghassibe@tdsb.on.ca.


Spirit Wear – Coming Soon!

Spirit Wear is finally here...well almost! The Athletic Council is getting ready to sell Spirit Wear again. Those students looking to refresh their FHCI gear, or those new to the school who want some FHCI gear, this will be the chance.

Thank you to Ms. Homatidis who will be organizing visits by our Athletic Council to talk about Spirit Wear during period 1 classes. More information coming soon.


Share Your Voice: Policy Consultation on the new Specialized Schools and Programs Draft Policy

  1. new draft policy for Specialized Schools and Programs is currently being developed. The intention of the policy to enable clearer and more consistent admission procedures, practices and timelines. If approved, a new policy will be in place in September 2022 for the application process for admissions in September 2023. The TDSB would like to hear from you to help make this policy meaningful and relevant to students.

Join the online consultations to learn more, ask questions and share your feedback:

Pre-registration is required to join the consultation meeting. If you are unable to register online and wish to participate by phone, or require accommodations, please call 416-395-3626.

A feedback survey which will also be accessible online until December 17, 2021. If you require a paper version of the survey, please call the school and a paper version will be sent home along with an envelope for its confidential return to the school.


De-streaming Grade 9 Courses for the 2022-23 School Year

On November 11, the Ministry of Education shared with school boards that beginning September 2022, all Grade 9 subjects will be offered in one stream, including science, English, Canadian geography and French as a Second Language. This destreaming of courses will ensure more choices for students with regard to post-secondary pathways. This shared memo provided boards with the course codes and descriptions to be used in course registration processes and materials for the 2022-23 school year.

The Ministry also noted it will be releasing an addendum for the Grade 10 math course to support the transition from de-streamed math to current grade 11 and 12 math courses. At this time, Locally Developed compulsory credit course policy remains unchanged.


Tech Tip – Student Self-Service Password Reset

Within the TDSB, a Self-Service Password Reset tool is available to all students and allows for reset of passwords without the assistance of a teacher or school staff. To register for Self-Service Password Reset, visit and log into any TDSB online tool, such as Brightspace. A step-by-step guide and a demo video are available to assist with the registration process.


Messages from Guidance

Peer Tutors & Peer Mentors Available to Support Students

At Forest Hill Collegiate, our students are eager to support other students through our Peer Tutoring and Peer Mentoring programs. If a student would benefit from support from a Peer Tutor or Peer Mentor, please visit the Guidance website to complete an application form.

University of Toronto – Free Peer Tutors for Students – Starting in January

Do you have a student that might benefit from support from a University of Toronto Student Tutor? The online tutor is free and takes place on Saturdays beginning January 15 and runs until April 19. The student will complete an application for support in either a morning session from 9:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. or an afternoon session from 11:15 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. See this flyer for more details: UT Peer Tutor.

Grade 12 – Applying to Post-Secondary - Guidance Drop-In Support Session – December 1 @ Lunch

Guidance will be hosting our second drop-in sessions at lunch for students who want support with applications on Wednesday, December 1 @ 11:45 a.m. via Zoom https://tdsb-ca.zoom.us/j/92829186985 Meeting ID: 928 2918 6985

If students want or require additional support, they are also encouraged to book an appointment with their guidance counsellor.

Grade 12 – Full Disclosure of Marks – Wednesday, December 15

The Full Disclosure of Marks date has been shifted for all secondary schools to Wednesday, December 15. This will allow students an opportunity to complete approximately 75% of a course prior to deciding whether to continue in or drop a course. If students wish to drop a course, please advise them to complete the FHCI Drop Form which can be found on our Guidance website.


Messages from School Council – Chair Tracy Kowal

Voluntary Donation to School Council

What is School Council? The purpose of the School Council is to improve student achievement and to enhance the accountability of the education system through the active participation of parents and guardians. We appreciate that not everyone is able to attend School Council meetings, but that you may still be interested in becoming involved in other ways. One way to do this is through the Voluntary Donation.

The School Council is requesting that once a year, each family make a voluntary donation of $15.00. This is a suggested amount only and any voluntary donation for this year will be gratefully accepted.

Please note that funds raised benefit students in all grades. School Council intends to use the funds raised for:

  • Guest speakers for parent and guardian community event on topics such as mental health in teens, impacts of social media and gaming, cyber safety and crime prevention
  • Staff appreciation breakfast and/or lunch to thank our amazing staff for all of their work during the school year
  • Graduation scholarships and awards
  • Support for student initiatives and clubs
  • Student nutrition and outreach

We ask that you kindly consider making a voluntary donation this year. A separate email with the details will be forthcoming.

Parent Involvement Advisory Committee

Also, please note that the Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) will be hosting its annual conference for parents and caregivers on November 27 & 28. Registration is required and will open soon. Find out more by linking to the TDSB PIAC page.

Our School Council Chair, Tracy Kowal, can be reached at tracy.kowal@yahoo.ca.


Trustee Laskin’s Weekly Updates

Learn more about upcoming events and keep informed by linking to Trustee Laskin's Weekly Newsletter.


Worth Mentioning Again…

Optional Attendance at Forest Hill for Admission September 2022

Forest Hill Collegiate has limited Optional Attendance for new students who live outside our catchment area and wish to register at our school for September 2022. Even though the TDSB is in the process of revising the Optional Attendance Policy, this year the Optional Attendance process will follow the existing policy document. Please refer to the TDSB Optional Attendance page for links to the policy, application, and lottery details.

For consideration for Optional Attendance, all applications must be emailed to foresthill.ci@tdsb.on.ca or delivered directly to the school by Friday, January 28. Please note that our school office closes at 4:00 p.m.

Sick Kids – PCR Saliva Test

Our school is working with Sick Kids to allow for faster access to Covid-19 testing. If there is a positive Covid-19 case at school, students in the affected cohorts will be supplied with the PCR Saliva Test Kit to take home and return to the school. This process will support faster delivery of information to families and our school.