View from the Hill
Week of January 9, 2022 – Issue 19
Thank you to our students and families for their patience this week as we moved to online learning once again. We hope that this period of remote learning is short and that we can welcome our students back to in-person learning on Monday, January 17th.
We realize that remote learning may not be the first choice for many in our community. We will do our best to offer meaningful and engaging learning opportunities and to remain connected to our students. During this period of remote learning, our teachers will encourage our students to have their cameras turned on. We hope that with cameras on students will feel more connected to each other and we can maintain the sense of belonging in our classrooms.
We would also like to take this opportunity to say a very special thank you to all our teachers who quickly set up online classrooms and who continue to work hard to support our students during these challenging times.
Sincerely,
Yvette Duffy, Principal Joseph Ghassibe, Vice Principal Anita Love, Vice Principal
In this issue:
- The First Two Weeks in January at a Glance
- Contacting the School During Remote Learning
- Late Start – Wednesday, January 12 – Classes Begin @ 10:00 a.m.
- Student Vaccine Attestation – Please Complete
- Toronto Public Health – New Covid-19 Self-Assessment Screening Tool
- January is Tamil Heritage Month – Poetry Challenge
- Spirit Wear - Sales Extended Until January 31 - Get Yours Now!
- Messages from Guidance
- Messages from School Council – Chair Tracy Kowal
- Trustee Laskin’s Weekly Updates
- Worth Mentioning Again… EQAO – Paused At This Time
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.
Contacting the School During Remote Learning
All staff, including our office staff, will be working remotely during this period of in-person school closure. If you are calling to report an absence or with an issue that can be left on the school voicemail, please continue to contact the general school phone number at (416) 393-1860, extension 1 or email foresthill.ci@tdsb.on.ca. If you have a concern or immediate issue, please contact your student’s Vice-Principal by email and we will do our best to respond quickly.
Students with Surnames A to K - Vice Principal Anita Love - anita.love@tdsb.on.ca
Students with Surnames L to Z - Vice Principal Joseph Ghassibe - joseph.ghassibe@tdsb.on.ca
Late Start – Wednesday, January 12 – Classes Begin @ 10:00 a.m.
This Wednesday will be a late start for students to support departmental planning and professional learning. Classes will begin at 10:00 a.m.
Student Vaccine Attestation – Please Complete
Students and families are asked to voluntarily attest to the student's Covid-19 vaccination status. These records will be used to determine next steps when potentially dealing with a case of Covid-19 when we return to in-person learning. Thank you in advance for your support to assist the school in maintaining accurate vaccination records.
How to Attest to Being Vaccinated via App on your Smartphone
- Log into the TDSB Now Mobile Health Screening App
- Click on the “My Vaccination Status” menu item, followed by “Update Vaccination Status”
- Carefully read each question and answer appropriately
- Upload proof of vaccination (vaccine dose administration receipts or equivalent documents)
- Click on “Add Attachment” to upload proof of vaccination
How to Attest to Being Vaccinated via Health Screening Web Portal
- Access "Safe Return to School and Work" Portal via https://tdsb.service-now.com/tswp
- Click on the “My Vaccination Status” button, followed by “Update Vaccination Status”
- Carefully read each question and answer appropriately
- Upload proof of vaccination (vaccine dose administration receipts or equivalent documents)
- Click on “Add Attachment” to upload proof of vaccination
Toronto Public Health – New Covid-19 Self-Assessment Screening Tool
Public Health has created a new Covid-19 screening tool to support with self-assessment and decision making with regard to possible Covid-19 exposure. Check out Covid-19 Self-Assessment at: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/.
January is Tamil Heritage Month – Poetry Challenge
Tamil Heritage Month is proudly recognized during the month of January at the Toronto District School Board. Toronto is proud to be the home of the largest Tamil population outside of the South Asian subcontinent with thousands of TDSB students and staff members identified as Tamil. This year our theme for January is Our Histories. Our Legacies. Our Homelands. To celebrate this theme, the TDSB is hosting a Poetry Challenge. Secondary students are invited to submit an original poem or personal spoken word via email to tamilheritagemonth@gmail.com by Friday, January 14, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. Learn more: Tamil Heritage Poetry Challenge.
Spirit Wear - Sales Extended Until January 31 - Get Yours Now!
Forest Hill Spirit Wear sales have been extended until January 31. If you haven't ordered your spirit wear yet, you can still do so through School Cash Online. You must have an account to see items that are available. If you need support with creating an account, link to How to Register for School Cash Online.
Anyone who has already placed an ordered – please note that owing to the sales date being extended to January 31st, our spirit wear order will be sent to our vendor at the beginning of February. We anticipate our spirit wear arriving at Forest Hill near the end of February/beginning of March. Once it is received, we will communicate with all individuals who placed an order with pick up instructions. Go Falcons!
Messages from Guidance
Semester 2 Virtual Students
All students who have indicated that they want to learn remotely during semester 2 have received an email confirmation of virtual status and an updated copy of their timetable. An email confirmation was also sent to a parent or guardian. If you responded to the TDSB survey requesting virtual enrollment, and did not receive an email confirmation, please email Vice Principal Joseph Ghassibe at joseph.ghassibe@tdsb.on.ca.
OUAC and OCAS - Important Deadlines Coming Up
All graduating students need to be aware of important deadlines for OUAC and OCAS:
- OUAC – Ontario Universities Application Centre – Deadline for submission of applications is January 13, 2022. Note: OUAC still processes applications received after this date and distributes them to the universities; however, specific university deadlines will apply. Link to OUAC Important Dates to learn more. OUAC offers support to students and families through the Applicant Services help at (519) 823-1063.
- OCAS – Ontario Colleges Application System – Deadline for equal consideration is February 1, 2022. Note: Apply on or before February 1 in order to receive equal consideration for admission to programs starting the following fall. After this date, colleges consider applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until programs are full. Link to OCAS Important Dates to learn more.
Scholarship Report
This Scholarship Report was recently shared with our school. Check it out for ideas regarding scholarships, bursaries, student planning, essay tips, important dates, reminders, and award deadlines.
Night School – Semester 2 – Registration Closes Friday, January 28
The TDSB offers night school credit courses to all high school students with required pre-requisites. Students may take a new credit or retake a course to upgrade a mark. Students cannot enroll in courses that they are taking in day school. Students need to connect with their Guidance Counsellor if they are considering taking a night school course. Registration for semester 2 closes on Friday, January 28 at 11:00 a.m. More information can be found at: TDSB Night School 2021/2022.
Semester 2 Dual Credit – Registration Open
What is Dual Credit? Dual Credit programs are approved by the Ministry of Education that allow students, while they are still in secondary school, to take a college or apprenticeship course that counts towards both their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and a postsecondary certificate, diploma, degree, or a Certificate of Apprenticeship.
Some examples of Dual Credit Courses running this semester:
Pop Culture @ George Brown | Construction Health and Safety @ George Brown | Introduction to Fashion Marketing @ Humber | Introduction to Business @ Humber | Animation Art @ Humber |ECE @ Humber | Criminology @ Humber | Forensic Crime Scene Investigation @ Seneca | Introduction to Business Administration @ Seneca | Aeronautics @ Seneca | Behaviour of Animals @ Seneca | Flight Attendant @ Seneca | Video Game Industry @ Centennial | Professional Police Standards @ Centennial | Baking @ Centennial | Culinary @ Centennial
For further details, including an explanatory video, click here. Please email our Guidance Counsellors with questions.
Summer Mentorship Opportunities
The UHN Summer Student Clinician Scientist Program (SSCSP) is a part of the TDSB summer co-op program. The SSCSP is looking to provide paid co-op opportunities for ten Black, Indigenous, and underrepresented youth who are interested in cancer and/or medical research. Students will be working with researchers from Princess Margaret Hospital, and they will earn two co-op credits as part of this experience. Eligible students will be entering grade 11 or 12 in September. Interested students should see Jasmine for more information.
The Summer Mentorship Program (SMP) gives high school students of Indigenous or African ancestry a chance to explore health sciences at the University of Toronto over four weeks in July. Students can find out more or apply through the Summer Mentorship Program University of Toronto.
Do you or your family need support? 211 Central Helps
211 connects students and families to the community and social services they need, such as:
- Mental Health Supports such as helplines, counseling and support groups
- Essential Needs like Food, Health and Housing + Winter supports, such as Coats for Kids
- Support for Youth with Disabilities, LGBTQ+, Indigenous, Black and Newcomer Youth
211 is free, confidential and available 24/7 in 150+ languages and can be accessed by:
Phone – Call 2-1-1
Online – 211Central.ca
Text – to 2-1-1
Live Chat – 211Ontario.ca/chat
E-mail – gethelp@211Ontario.ca
Learn about the many resources that are available by linking to this page.
Mental Health Resources – What’s Up Walk In
What’s Up Walk In offers free phone or video counselling sessions for children, youth and young adults up the age of 29 and families with infants. Sessions are available Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call Mental Health T.O. at 1-866-585-MHTO (6486) to be connected to a counsellor.
Thank you to Ms. Ng, Mr. Oosteroff, Ms. Robles Evans for all they are doing to support our students.
Messages from School Council – Chair Tracy Kowal
School Council Meeting – Tuesday, January 11 – 7:30 p.m.
Please join School Council for our fourth meeting on Tuesday, January 11 at 7:30 p.m. All parents and guardians are welcome. Add agenda items and rsvp for the Zoom link by emailing our School Council Chair, Tracy Kowal 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…
EQAO - Grade 9 Mathematics – Paused at this time
Note that all Grade 9 EQAO math assessments that were scheduled for January have been paused at this time and may be rescheduled. We are awaiting direction from the Ministry of Education as to next steps.