At Bruce Mills Conservation Park on Friday our grade 9s had a great time while making some new friends and connecting with our Prefects and staff! Thank you to our Prefects, our grade 9 teachers and staff who made this event possible!
All students are encouraged to get involved in at least one co-curricular activity. There are over 30 clubs running and many sport teams have begun tryouts. Students can learn more about all our clubs at our Club Fair this Wednesday in the courtyard and are encouraged to try out for all our fall sport teams: volleyball, basketball, cross country, soccer, tennis and ultimate!
This Thursday all students and staff will participate in our annual Terry Fox Run/Walk. This year’s goal is to raise at least $1000 for cancer research. Students can donate to Toonies for Terry using School Cash Online. See below for details.
We are also very excited to welcome families to our Grade 9 Curriculum Night on Thursday, September 29 at 6:00 p.m. Grade 9 parents and guardians are invited to join us to learn about our curriculum, see our classrooms and meet some of our teachers.
Afterwards, come join with other parents and guardians at our School Council meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the library on Thursday. Hear what our Council has planned for the upcoming year and meet the parents who have volunteered to be on the Council Executive. More information about both events is shared below.
Friday, September 30 is National Truth and Reconciliation Day. Our students and staff are encouraged to wear orange to show support for Canada’s Indigenous peoples and Truth and Reconciliation.
We would like to take this opportunity to say L’Shanah Tovah to all our school community members celebrating Rosh Hashanah.
Sincerely,
Yvette Duffy, Principal Maharukh Kootar, Vice Principal Nancy Martins, Vice Principal
In this issue:
- The Next Two Weeks at a Glance
- Student Council – Grade 9 Representative Applications Due on Tuesday, September 27
- Late Start for Students – Wednesday, September 28 – Classes Begin at 10:00 a.m.
- Club Fair – Wednesday, September 28
- FHCI Vintage Clothing Sales – September 28 to 29 – Main Foyer @ Lunch
- Terry Fox – Run/Walk – Thursday, September 29
- Grade 9 Curriculum Night – Thursday, September 29 @ 6:00 p.m.
- Truth & Reconciliation Day – Friday, September 30, 2022
- 1:1 Device for Grade 9 Students – Distribution will Begin on Monday, October 3
- Message from Special Education
- Messages from Guidance
- Meet & Greet our Graduation Coach for Black Students – Tuesday, October 4 @ Lunch
- Messages from School Council – Chair Tracy Kowal
- Trustee Laskin’s Weekly Updates
- Worth Mentioning Again…Start of Year Forms; Excursion Management Application
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.
Student Council – Grade 9 Representative Applications Due on Tuesday, September 27
Our Student Council is seeking grade 9 representatives. Applications for these positions were made available in the Main Office on Monday, September 19 and are due back to Tuesday, September 27 at 3:30 p.m. Note: students celebrating Rosh Hashanah are welcome to drop off their applications on Wednesday, September 28 before 9:00 a.m. to the Main Office.
Next steps for all grade 9 applicants:
- Attend a meeting on Friday, September 30 at noon in the Conference Room on the 3rd floor. This meeting will review all next steps and expectations for candidates.
- Write a speech and submit this by Friday, October 7 at 3:30 p.m.
- Run a campaign during the week of October 10 through 14
- Attend and present at the Grade 9 Representative Assembly on October 13
All grade 9s are encouraged to get involved and to vote in our Grade 9 Representative Election on Friday, October 14. Good luck to all our candidates! Thank you to our Student Council sponsor, Ms. Pawlowski, who is supporting behind the scenes!
Late Start for Students - Wednesday, September 28 – Classes begin at 10:00 a.m.
Each month our staff will participate in our monthly Staff Meeting. This will result in a late start for students as classes will begin at 10:00 a.m. on these dates. Link to our Daily & Late Start Schedule for more information.
Club Fair – Wednesday, September 28
Club Fair is fast approaching on Wednesday, September 28. Getting involved in our school community helps to build new connections, friendships, and skills! To provide a sneak peek of all our clubs, a quick slideshow will be played during homeform on Monday, September 26 and posted at the end of the day on our website.
NEW THIS YEAR! Club Fair will run all day in the courtyard and classes will be called down to allow students to explore, ask questions, and sign up. We look forward to seeing all our students in the courtyard on Wednesday! Thank you to our thirty staff members who have eagerly agreed to act as staff sponsors for our clubs!
FHCI Vintage Clothing Sales – September 28 to 29 – Main Foyer @ Lunch
Athletic Council will be holding another vintage clothing sale of FHCI jerseys and other athletic clothing ranging in price from $2 - $10 per item. Items will be sold on a first come first serve basis during lunch in the main foyer. Exact change is needed for these purchases. This is everyone's chance - current students, staff, as well as alumni - to purchase an FHCI jersey and support our Athletic Council! Get your vintage wear just in time for Spirit Week, which will be taking place the first week of October.
Come to the foyer at lunch this Wednesday and Thursday to purchase a jersey or a pair of shorts! Show your school spirit!
Terry Fox – Run/Walk – Thursday, September 29
All students and staff will be participating in a Terry Fox Run/Walk on Thursday, September 29 and will complete a few laps on our track. Our school mascot will be on Memorial field cheering us all on!
We invite you to donate in increments of $2 to our campaign: Toonies for Terry which is available for purchase through School Cash Online. Thank you for supporting Toonies for Terry as we try to reach our goal of $1000! If you need support to login or set up cash online account link to: School Cash Online Instructions.
Thank you to our Athletic Council, Ms. Homatidis and Ms. Ibe for leading this campaign.
Grade 9 Curriculum Night – Thursday, September 29 @ 6:00 p.m.
All grade 9 parents and guardians are invited to our Grade 9 Curriculum Night on Thursday, September 29 at 6:00 p.m. The evening is designed to provide parents and guardians with important information about our school and to introduce our curriculum leaders. It will be an opportunity to share what will be learned this year in our grade 9 classes, see our classrooms, and answer any questions about the first year of high school.
Please note that this evening will not be an opportunity to discuss individual students as individual concerns should be addressed directly to the student’s teacher. Parent-Guardian Teacher Interviews will be held on October 27.
Truth & Reconciliation Day - Friday, September 30, 2022
In addition to being the 9th annual Orange Shirt Day, September 30, 2022 will be the second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Together we recognize the legacy of Canada’s residential school system and continue to learn the many truths of these institutions.
At Forest Hill Collegiate, many of us will be wearing Orange Shirts to commemorate this day. Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of Every Child Matters. The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations. We will also be engaging in other activities to deepen our knowledge, raise awareness and honour and celebrate our First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children and communities.
1:1 Device for Grade 9 Students – Distribution will Begin on Monday, October 3
All TDSB grade 9 students are entitled to receive a Chromebook to help support in their learning. Our school has just received shipment of these devices and is currently organizing a system to distribute these to our grade 9 students. We hope to have a process in place and begin distribution on Monday, October 3.
Student Device Program Usage Agreement Forms were sent to all grade 9 families on September 15 through Permission Click by IT Services. If you wish for your student to borrow one of these devices, please complete the form online. Note: a hardcopy of the agreement will be made available to students who require this.
Message from Special Education
All parents and guardians of students who have a current Individual Education Plan (IEP) have been sent an email containing the Consultation Form requesting input. Please return this completed Consultation Form to the Main Office or Period 1 teachers by Tuesday, October 4 to allow the school to make appropriate updates. If your student has an IEP and you have not received this email, please check your spam and junk folders.
Messages from Guidance
Dropping a Course or Requesting a Change to Semester 2 Schedules
Students who wish to drop a semester 1 course or make changes to semester 2 courses must book an appointment with Guidance. To book an appointment link to: FHCI Guidance Appointment Booking.
Post-Secondary Information Session – Tuesday, October 4
There will be a Post-Secondary Information Session for all grade 12s on Tuesday, October 4th. Graduating students will learn how to research post-secondary programs and learn about the application process. This session will prepare students to be ready when post-secondary applications open in November. If graduating students require an appointment with their Guidance Counsellor, they are encouraged to wait until after October 4 as this will allow them to come prepared with specific questions or concerns.
In addition to attending the two guidance information sessions and visiting the Ontario Universities Fair, our students will also have the opportunity to attend information sessions hosted by liaison officers from various universities and colleges. The schedule is posted on the Post-Secondary page of FHCI Guidance Site.
Grade 12 Students Post-Secondary Planning for 2023/2024
Ontario Universities' Fair: This event is fair style with booths from Ontario universities and offers an opportunity to gather information and chat with representatives.
When: Saturday, October 1 and Sunday, October 2
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front St W, Toronto
Ontario College Fair: As the largest college information event in Ontario students and families can visit 26 college booths! Visit to ask questions and get insight from professors, recruitment advisors, current students and alumni at all Ontario Colleges.
When: Wednesday, October 19 from 5 pm to 9 pm
Thursday, October 20 from 9 am 2 pm
Where: Enercare Center, 100 Princes’ Blvd, Unit 1, Toronto
Community Service Hours – 40 Required For Graduation
Visit the Volunteer page of the FHCI Guidance website for information on new community service opportunities. Please note that all students require 40 hours of community hours to graduate. TDSB Approved Activities are events or activities to support a not-for-profit initiative unless pre-approved by school principal or Guidance Counsellor.
Scholarships & Important Deadlines
Please check the updated Scholarship page of the FHCI Guidance website for important information and upcoming deadlines. The purpose of this page is to help graduating students independently research and apply for scholarships. E.g. Loran Scholar Award and the Horatio Alger Scholarship Program are both listed here and are both due in the coming weeks. No school sponsor required.
FHCI Peer Tutoring Program – Request Forms Available This Week
Many capable peer tutors are eager to support other students. Our FHCI Peer Tutoring Program get up and running this coming week. This program will connect students who need support with our senior peer tutors. Peer Tutor Request forms are available through our FHCI Guidance website.
Power Within Program – Free Youth Platform for Youth Struggling with Mental Health
Plan Canada partnered with DOVE to launch a free youth platform for students aged 10-17. This online community offers free support youth struggling with mental health, body issues and self-esteem by providing access to resources, networking events, weekly challenges, awards and gifts. Please share this link with youth: The Power Within Program.
Meet & Greet our Graduation Coach for Black Students – Tuesday, October 4 @ Lunch
Our Graduation Coach for Black Students, Jason Brissett, invites all Black student to a meet and greet at lunch to find out about exciting opportunities, post-secondary programs and more! Lunch will be provided.
Save the Date: Tuesday, October 4, 2022
Time: Lunch
Where: Library
Stay tuned as a registration form will be shared in the next edition of the View From the Hill.
Messages from School Council – Chair Tracy Kowal
Join Us at School Council Meeting – Thursday, September 29 @ 7:30 p.m.
Our first School Council meeting for the 2022/2023 school year will be in-person on Thursday, September 29 at 7:30 p.m. All parents and guardians are welcome. Hope to see you there! RSVP 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…
Start of Year Forms 2022/2023 – Permission Click
An automatic email was sent last week to all parents or guardians requesting that a host of digital forms be completed. Completing this package of forms will ensure that the school has the most current and up-to-date student information. Please check your email (including your junk or spam folders) for an email from noreply@tdsb.on.ca. This email will direct you to Permission Click, a secure site, to complete and submit the required school forms. Thank you.
Excursion Management Application Information for Parents & Guardians
As mentioned at the top of this newsletter, this year all parents and guardians will need to set up an account for the TDSB Excursion Management Application system to provide permission for student participation in excursions and athletics.
Attached is information for parents and guardians to create a profile/login for the Excursion Management Application system. Once a profile/login is created, parents and guardians will access the portal by clicking on Athletics – Athletic Teams – select your student – select the sport – click apply. Once the application form is submitted, your student will be added to the approved list of students who are eligible to try out and possibly participate on a team.
Land Acknowledgement: We, the students and staff of Forest Hill Collegiate Institute, acknowledge that we are hosted on the lands of the Mississaugas of the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, and the Wendat. We also recognize the enduring presence of all First Nations, Métis, and the Inuit peoples.