Semester 2 begins this week on Thursday! We are happy to announce that all TDSB secondary schools will be returning to four periods a day, with a 45-minute lunch. We are hoping that a return to a regular schedule will help to reduce stress and increase engagement for our students.
The Omicron variant is still very much with us. Students must remain vigilant while at school and follow all protocols of physically distancing, masking and sanitizing. Students who live within walking distance of the school are requested to return home for lunch as our cafeteria can only seat up to 100 students with physical distancing in place.
As the semester begins, we are asking parents and guardians who have yet to pay the Student Activity Fee of $50 to consider doing so. As mentioned previously, the Student Activity Fee covers items that allow for enrichment opportunities are not covered by the school budget. For a breakdown of how the fees are spent see below.
With everyone working together we can have a successful second semester.
Sincerely,
Yvette Duffy, Principal Joseph Ghassibe, Vice Principal Anita Love, Vice Principal
In this issue:
- The Next Two Weeks at a Glance
- End of Semester 1 – Important Upcoming Dates
- Borrowed Textbooks/Equipment From Semester 1
- Semester 2 Timetables – Visible in TDSB Connects App – Tuesday, February 1
- Return to Regular 4-Period Day Schedule – Semester 2
- Short-Term Virtual Learning – As a Response to Omicron
- Student Activity Fee: $50 Request
- Black History Month
- Chinese Heritage Month
- Rapid Antigen Tests For Students – For Distribution Thursday, February 3
- Messages from Guidance
- Messages from School Council – Chair Tracy Kowal
- Trustee Laskin’s Weekly Updates
- Worth Mentioning Again…
The 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.
End of Semester 1 – Important Upcoming Dates
As semester 1 wraps up, please keep these important dates in mind:
Monday, January 31 – Credit Rescue for semester 1 Week 1 classes – by teacher invitation
Tuesday, February 1 – Credit Rescue for semester 1 Weeks 1 and 2 classes – by teacher invitation
Wednesday, February 2 – Professional Development Day – No School For Students
Thursday, February 3 – First day of semester 2 for in-person and virtually. Students can begin accessing their online classrooms.
Borrowed Textbooks/Equipment From Semester 1
As we require previously loaned textbooks and other borrowed school equipment to support learning in Semester 2, please search your homes and send any loaned items back to the school. Bins will be located at each screening station for easy drop off by students upon entry. 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.
Semester 2 Timetables – Visible in TDSB Connects App – Tuesday, February 1
Semester 2 timetables will be released to all TDSB students using the TDSB Connects app on Tuesday, February 1st. To download the app visit Apple App Store or Google Play. All students should check their timetable on Tuesday as there have been many timetable changes over the last few weeks as we work to support an increase in virtual students and the fact that we have received additional teacher staffing to support learning for semester 2.
Return to Regular 4-Period Day Schedule – Semester 2
As mentioned in the email communication from the TDSB, all secondary schools will be returning to a four-period day schedule beginning on February 3. Classes will begin at 9:00 a.m. and run for 75 minutes each, with a 45-minute lunch period.
Link to the Semester 2 Daily Timetable to download a copy.
The updated School Year Calendar published by the TDSB indicates that there will be two Day 1s this coming week and then starting next week the calendar will rotate between Days 1 and 2. There will be two late starts to support professional learning and our staff meeting each month.
Short-Term Virtual Learning – As a Response to Omicron
According to the TDSB communication to families, a Short-Term Virtual Learning Plan can be used to keep students connected and engaged with their class teacher and learning at the beginning of Semester 2. Short Term Virtual Learning is meant as a response to Omicron concerns and not a plan for the remainder of the semester.
Short Term Learning Plans include simultaneous learning when available, and asynchronous learning in other situations. Families and students who are opting for this must connect with their Vice Principal who will outline expectations and ensure that this request is reflective in our attendance taking practices. Vice Principals are assigned to students based on their surnames:
Surnames A to K – Anita Love – anita.love@tdsb.on.ca
Surnames L to Z – Joseph Ghassibe – joseph.ghassibe@tdsb.on.ca
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. You may make this contribution using School Cash Online. If you need support with setting up your account, link to School Cash Online Step By Step Instructions.
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.
Black History Month
During the month of February, the Toronto District School Board proudly celebrates the many achievements and contributions of peoples of African descent to Canada and the world. The TDSB has many planned activities to mark Black History Month. All staff, students and the TDSB community are invited to join the kick-off event that includes speakers, entertainment, and storytelling.
Date: Tuesday, February 1, 2022
Time: 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
Our School Council will also be working with other school leadership groups to coordinate some interesting initiatives and exciting celebratory events this month. Stay tuned! Thank you to Ms. Pawlowski and Ms. Beattie for supporting with this aspect of the month.
Our Black Student Alliance will also be taking a major role in this month’s celebrations and is working to create a video to share with all of us on Tuesday, February 22nd. Thank you to Ms. Haines for all she is doing to support the Black Student Alliance to create this virtual assembly!
Chinese Heritage Month
Toronto District School Board is proud to recognize Chinese Heritage Month (CHM) during the month of February. This year is the Year of the Tiger which symbolizes recovery and growth. Individuals born during the Year of the Tiger are said to have great interpersonal relationships and be very family oriented.
Many Chinese Canadians will celebrate Lunar New Year on Tuesday, February 1. Lunar New Year is also known as the spring festival and begins with the first moon of the lunar calendar and ends on the first full moon of the lunar calendar 15 days later. Though celebrations will be altered this year because of the pandemic, the spirit and joyfulness will remain the same. If you know of students or clubs that are interested in putting together something to celebrate during this month, please let the administration know.
Rapid Antigen Tests For Students – For Distribution Thursday, February 3
Rapid Antigen Tests for students were received at the end of last week. Students will receive two antigen rapid tests on Thursday, February 3 during period 1. Please remember that these kits are to be used for symptomatic testing only. Thank you to all of our office staff who spent days assembling these kits for our students!
Messages from Guidance
Course Request Changes For Semester 2
If a student would like to request a course change, please complete this google form: Semester 2 Course Change Requests. Please note that many of our courses are full at this time and priority will be given to students in need of a course to graduate. Note that in order to accommodate some course change requests, other courses on the timetable may be moved to different sections. We are unable to accommodate requests to change from one section of a course to another.
If you wish to drop a course, please use the FHCI Drop Form to indicate your intent.
As Guidance continues to process course change requests in the next week, students will be notified of the status of their request via e-mail and then the change will be displayed in the TDSB Connects App. Students must attend classes shown on their February 1 timetable until they have received confirmation that a change has been made.
Unsuccessful Credit Attempts in Semester 1
Guidance will reach out to all students who have been unsuccessful in a semester 1 credit to organize a meeting and plan next steps.
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 – Hold the Date – Monday, February 28
Please hold the date of Monday, February 28 at 7:30 p.m. for our fifth virtual School Council meeting. All parents and guardians are welcome. Add agenda items and rsvp for the Zoom link by emailing Tracy Kowal at tracy.kowal@yahoo.ca.
Voluntary Donation to School Council
As you make your School Activity Fee donation, the School Council kindly asks each family consider making a voluntary donation of $15.00 through Cash Online. As mentioned in previous newsletters, your donation will be used to cover items to support parent and guardian engagement, staff appreciation, and much more.
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…
Now Mobile App – Updated Covid-19 Self-Assessment Screening Tool for Students
The TDSB requires all students to complete the Covid-19 screening before entering school each day. Prior to the break, we had many students attempt to enter the school without completing the screening process. It has been clearly communicated to students and families that it is the student’s responsibility to complete the screening process daily.
Every student is expected to present a QR code indicating that they have completed and passed the screening or have a staff member complete the screening process with them upon arrival.
Please note that Toronto Public Health has updated the Covid-19 screening tool to support students and families with self-assessment and decision making with regard to possible Covid-19 exposure: Covid-19 Screening Tool for Children and Students.
If your student is having difficulty with the NOW Mobile app, the student may want to delete and reinstall the app. The app can be downloaded from Apple App Store or Google Play. Upon installation, the app will request the user to “Enter the instance address or scan a QR Code”. The TDSB instance address is tdsb.service-now.com. Enter the student name and save. The next page will request the student’s TDSB credentials – which are their TDSB student email address and password.
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 help determine next steps when dealing with a case of Covid-19 in a student or staff member. Thank you in advance for your support in assisting 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
Mandatory Masking Requirements for Students – Reminder
According to TDSB Operational Guidelines, “students are required to wear non-medical face covers/masks indoors on school property.” It is important for everyone’s safety that students remain masked at all times, with the exception of eating or drinking. The act of eating refers to when food or drink is being consumed and not when sitting around chatting. Parents and guardians of students who cannot adhere to these requirements will be contacted and the student will not be permitted to remain at school. Please remind your student of this school expectation. If your student requires access to 3-ply cloth masks, please direct your student to the Main Office and we will provide such a mask.