As we move into February with continued busy times in our schools,we would like to remind everyone that this Friday is a Professional Development Day which means there is no school for students.
We wish all of you a joyous Family Day and we hope everyone will have time this weekend to disconnect, recharge, and spend some quality time with their loved ones.
Happy Valentine’s Day to all that celebrate!
Sincerely,
Yvette Duffy, Principal Joseph Ghassibe, Vice Principal Anita Love, Vice Principal
In this issue:
- The Next Two Weeks at a Glance
- Covid-19 Positive Case Notification – Please Advise the School
- Vaccination Clinic - Forest Hill Junior & Senior Public School - Tuesday, February 15 - 3:30 p.m.
- Late Start – Wednesday, February 16 – Classes Begin @ 10:00 a.m.
- Waterloo Canadian Computing Competition – Wednesday, February 16 – Morning
- Pursuit of Educational Freedom for Black and Racialized Students – February 17 @ 6:30 p.m.
- Short-Term Virtual Learning – Update
- Know Your Worth Black Youth Empowerment Conference – Saturday, February 26
- EQAO – Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) – Results For Grade 11 Students
- March Break – Forest Hill is NOT planning any student trips
- Message from Library Learning Commons
- Messages from Guidance
- Messages from School Council – Chair Tracy Kowal
- Trustee Laskin’s Weekly Updates
- Worth Mentioning Again… Semester 1 Borrowed Items; Student Activity Fee; Voluntary Donation; Lunch; Cameras On for Virtual Learners
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.
Covid-19 Positive Case Notification – Please Advise the School
If your student tests positive for Covid-19 on a Rapid Antigen Test or a PCR test, please call the school at (416) 393-1860 to advise the school. We will keep the identity of your student confidential; however, we will advise all students and staff of possible exposure. The Toronto Public Health directs isolation periods and defines close contact. Find out more information by clicking here.
Vaccination Clinic - Forest Hill Junior & Senior Public School - Tuesday, February 15 - 3:30 p.m.
A mobile vaccination clinic opportunity will take place at Forest Hill Junior and Senior Public School on Tuesday, February 15th, 2022 beginning at 3:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
Getting students vaccinated will help reduce the spread of Covid-19. Please check out these relevant resources:
Late Start – Wednesday, February 16 – Classes Begin @ 10:00 a.m.
This Wednesday will be a late start for students to allow for our monthly professional learning session. Classes will begin at 10:00 a.m.
Waterloo Canadian Computing Competition – Wednesday, February 16 – Morning
The Canadian Computing Competition is a fun challenge for students with an interest in programming. Designed to be both accessible to students with some programming experience and to challenge the keenest programmers at the secondary-school level, the competition helps students build confidence and grow their ability to design, understand and implement algorithms. Access resources and more: University of Waterloo Canadian Computing Competition.
Thank you to Mr. Sloim for supporting our students to participate in great learning opportunity!
Pursuit of Educational Freedom for Black and Racialized Students – February 17 @ 6:30 p.m.
Join the conversation with Dr. Bettina Love to learn about Black excellence. This presentation is in collaboration with the TDSB African Heritage Month Committee and the Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement.
Date: Thursday, February 17, 2022
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
How? Link here to register for the webinar
Dr. Bettina Love is an award-winning author and the Athletic Association Endowed Professor at the University of Georgia. Her writing, research, teaching, and educational advocacy work meet at the intersection of education reform, anti-racism, carceral studies, abolition, and Black joy. She is the author of We Want to Do More Than Survive: Abolitionist Teaching and the Pursuit of Educational Freedom. Learn more about Dr. Bettina Love and her ideas, by linking to the Keynote Guide.
Short-Term Virtual Learning – Update
As you are aware, Short Term Virtual Learning is meant as a response to Omicron concerns and not a plan for the remainder of the semester. We are encouraging all short-term virtual students to return to in-person learning on Tuesday, February 22.
Families and students must connect with their Vice Principal prior to February 22 to discuss next steps. 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
Know Your Worth Black Youth Empowerment Conference – Saturday, February 26
The Know Your Worth Black Youth Empowerment Conference began 6 years ago as a collaboration
between the TDSB’s African Heritage Month Planning Committee and the York University’s Black Law Students Association. It is a yearly conference held in February, inviting Black students across the TDSB to share and learn from each other in a safe space. This is a Student led conference highlighting the experiences of Black students, activists, artists, and professionals in Toronto and the GTA.
Students can register for the conference here: Know Your Worth Conference Registration. Limited spaces are available so please register early. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in a talent show. Students interested in the talent show, can upload pre-taped performances on the registration form or by emailing Koryn Marshall @ koryn.marshall@tdsb.on.ca.
EQAO – Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) – Results For Grade 11 Students
All current grade 11 students wrote the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) in November 2021. Results were provided to the school last week and these were shared electronically via email with students, parents and guardians.
Our current grade 10 students will write the OSSLT near the end of semester 2. More information will be coming soon. Please note that current grade 12 graduating students are not required to write this literacy test as the graduation requirement has been waived for these grade 12 students.
March Break - Forest Hill is NOT planning any student trips
The office is receiving phone call inquiries about an unsanctioned trip to the Dominican Republic planned for March Break. Apparently, this trip is targeting our grade 12 students and is being promoted as affiliated with our school; however, please know that the school is not involved with any aspect of this trip or any international trips at this time.
Message from Library Learning Commons
To help parents and caregivers who are supporting students learning remotely, Library Learning Resource Digital Content Coaches are offering drop-in sessions to answer questions and explore the Virtual Library resources.
Ask a Teacher Librarian! Virtual Library Help for Parents
Do you have questions about digital resources that are available for learning? Want to know about how to find resources and use the Virtual Library to support learning at home? You are invited to join Digital Content Coaches during our parent/caregiver drop in sessions. Please see this link for more information.
Messages from Guidance
Course Selection for School Year 2022-2023 – Virtual Assemblies & Links
Course selection process for our next school year began last week. Students returning next year had the opportunity to learn about course selection for next year. In addition to covering topics such as graduation requirements and pathways planning, our Guidance Counsellors encouraged students to keep an open mind throughout the course selection process and consider many ideas for the future.
The following materials were shared with each grade:
Current Grade 9s:
Current Grade 10s:
Current Grade 11s:
Course Selection for School Year 2022-2023 – Next Steps for Students & Caregivers
All course selections must be completed using myBlueprint which has opened for all returning students and will close on Friday, March 4. More information about accessing myBlueprint can be found here: myBlueprint Log In Instructions.
Parent Electronic Verification Process
Students and parents must complete these steps to allow the school to schedule the requested courses:
Step 1: Students submit their course selection on MyBlueprint,
Step 2: Students enter the email of their parent/guardian
Step 3: Parents and guardians will receive an e-mail to review the courses submitted
Step 4: Parents and guardians will approve or reject the courses submitted
Further instructions and support can be found at: Parent/Guardian Course Selection Approval Guide.
Additional Guidance Support Available to Students
If students require additional support, they may book an appointment with their Guidance Counsellor via a google form on the FHCI Guidance Site. Students will receive an invitation to a meeting once their Guidance Counsellor confirms the appointment time. Due to the large volume of requests, the wait for an appointment may take longer than usual. Please be patient, all requests will be responded to and all students that require support will receive support prior the March 4 deadline.
Scholarships & More
Are you in need of financial assistance to help with post-secondary? Check out The Scholarship Report to learn about possible scholarships, bursaries and more!
Thank you to Ms. Ng, Mr. Oosteroff, Ms. Robles Evans for all they are doing to support our students through the course selection process.
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.
Trustee Laskin’s Weekly Updates
Learn more about upcoming events and keep informed by linking to Trustee Laskin's Weekly Newsletter.
Worth Mentioning Again…
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.
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.
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.
Lunch – Thank you for Encouraging Students to Head Home for Lunch
Thank you to all families who live within walking distance of the school for encouraging their student to return home for lunch. If students do eat lunch at school, they must socially distance and only remove their masks while in the act of eating. They are required to put masks back on when not eating. Everyone doing their part will help to keep Forest Hill healthy.
Cameras On for Virtual Learners
Students learning virtually in semester 2 are expected to have their cameras turned on during class time. Cameras on will support with ensuring that students feel connected to their peers, teachers and classes. Zoom backgrounds are available for students who require privacy during their classes. Students can speak with their Guidance Counsellor or Vice Principal about any concerns. Students who are learning virtually and require technology to support them – including cameras and microphones – should reach out to their Vice Principal.
Guidance Counsellors and Vice Principals are assigned to students based on their surnames:
Guidance Counsellor Mr. Oosterhoff – Surnames A to F – andrew.oosterhoff@tdsb.on.ca
Guidance Counsellor Ms. Robles Evans – Surnames G to M – nuria.roblesevans@tdsb.on.ca
Guidance Counsellor Ms. Ng – Surnames N to Z – jasmine.ng@tdsb.on.ca
Vice Principal Ms. Love – Surnames A to K – anita.love@tdsb.on.ca
Vice Principal Mr. Ghassibe – Surnames L to Z – joseph.ghassibe@tdsb.on.ca