Forest Hill Collegiate Institute

View From the Hill - Issue 20

Sunday, January 29, 2023 04:00 PM

The Forest Hill Collegiate community expresses it deepest condolences to Wauzhushk Onigum Nation for the 171 unmarked graves discovered at the former St. Mary’s Residential School in Ontario and Qu’Appelle Residential School in Saskatchewan.

As a school community, we recognize the need to continually reflect on what we can do to increase our understanding and appreciation of our history and of contemporary Indigenous cultures. Throughout semester 2, our staff will continue our work to support the Calls to Action of the National Truth & Reconciliation Commission.

As mentioned in Superintendent Roni Felsen’s letter to the community last Wednesday, VP Nancy Martins will be transferring to Kipling Collegiate for semester 2. Although Nancy has only been with us for a short time, we want to thank her for supporting our students and families this semester. We would also like to extend a warm welcome to our new VP Jaime Yamashita who is excited to join the Forest Hill community on February 3.

As semester 2 begins all students are reminded to review the Forest Hill Student Code of Conduct. Please note revised end of semester 2 dates can be found on page 21. We have rescheduled our semester 2 culminating tasks and examinations to accommodate the grade 12 Commencement and Eid. Semester 2 culminating tasks will begin on June 5 and examinations will run from June 19 through June 23. Commencement will be held on Wednesday, June 28 at 1 p.m.

We would also like to congratulate grade 11 student Donte W. who was highlighted in OISE’s Education Commons in January for his dedication and commitment to learning at his co-operative learning placement Semester 1. Way to go Donte!

Wishing all our students an excellent second semester,

Yvette Duffy, Principal           Maharukh Kootar, Vice Principal           Nancy Martins, Vice Principal


In this issue: 

  1. The Next Two Weeks at a Glance
  2. Semester 1 Wrap Up & Important Dates
  3. Examinations Continue This Week
  4. A Day in Aviation with the Black Aviation Professionals Network – Register by January 31
  5. February is Black History Month!
  6. International Holocaust Remembrance Continues Wednesday, February 1
  7. UT Women In Computer Science Mentorship Program – Deadline to Join February 1
  8. Get Your FHCI Spirit Wear – Sales End Wednesday, February 1
  9. Messages from Guidance
  10. Trustee Laskin’s Weekly Updates
  11. Worth Mentioning Again…Multi-Media Contest

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.   


Semester 1 Wrap Up & Important Dates

Please review the calendar below to support with planning and organization this week:  

 

Mon. Jan. 30, 2023

Tue. Jan. 31, 2023

Wed. Feb. 1, 2023

Thur. Feb. 2, 2023

Fri. Feb. 3, 2023

Examinations*

 

* Note: Only students with scheduled exams attend school

 

Exam Make Up Day*

 

* All students must be available for this day in the event that an

exam needs to be rescheduled (i.e. snow day). Rescheduled exams will be written on this day at the same time and location as originally scheduled.

Mark Review Day & Credit Rescue

 

Mark Review Schedule

Per A: 9:00 to 9:40 am

Per B: 9:45 to 10:20 am

Per C: 10:25 to11:00 am

Per D: 11:05 to 11:40 am

All students are expected to attend to review exams, culminating tasks and receive Semester 1 final marks.

-------

Credit Rescue

12:40 to 3:15 pm

Only students invited by teachers are expected to attend. 

PA Day - No School

First Day of Semester Two - Regular Day Schedule

 

Students check TDSB Connects App for Timetables


Examinations Continue This Week

Exams will continue this week. Please link to the Examination Schedule Website to review expectations, important dates and room locations.  Students are required to review these Student Exam Instructions, a paper copy was also provided through homeform classes last week.  The use of cellular phones, Smart Watches, and other electronic devices is not permitted. TDSB computers will be provided to students with IEP/ILPs that indicate the need for a computer.  Students are encouraged to leave cellular phones and electronic devices at home on their scheduled exam days. 

Parents, caregivers and students should also review this Exam and Course Culminating Fact Sheet for other tips, online supports and mental health resources. 

As dictated by the Ministry of Education, exams and culminating tasks represent 30% of the course. All students are expected to write all exams scheduled for their subject classes. If a student misses an examination, a mark of zero will be awarded.  Thus, student attendance is important.  In the case of serious medical illness, please connect with the appropriate Vice Principal.  


A Day in Aviation with the Black Aviation Professionals Network – Register by January 31

The Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement in partnership with BAPN: Black Aviation Professionals Network, invites Black-identifying students in Grades 10 through 12 who are interested in learning or pursuing a career in the aviation and aerospace industry to the A Day in Aviation event.

Students will connect with Black aviation professionals to explore roles within the aviation industry to participate in an all-day event which includes: 

  • An aircraft hangar tour
  • Amazing Race with In-Flight Crew
  • A visit to System Operational Control
  • A tour with Aircraft Maintenance Engineers
  • Panel discussion

The TDSB will provide transportation to the Hangar at Pearson Airport or Air Canada Operations Centre. If you are interested in attending, please be aware of these important dates:

Registration Deadline Using TDSB Email Account:  January 31

Virtual Information Session:  February 8 @ 5 p.m.

In-Person Event:  February 15

Once students register, they will receive further communication through their TDSB email. 


February is Black History Month!

During the month of February, the TDSB proudly recognizes Black History Month. Forest Hill’s Black Student Alliance is planning many events to celebrate this month.  Listen up to the morning announcements!

 

This month is an occasion to celebrate the many achievements and contributions of peoples of African descent to Canada and the world. The TDSB chosen theme for 2022-2023 is Black Joy. Joy is defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary as the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires. This academic school year, "Joy" is one of the TDSB's two overarching priorities. The first priority being the importance of joy, engagement and belonging in our schools as a foundation for academic achievement and student success; and the second priority being the elimination of disproportionate outcomes for students. Black Joy emulates how Black people have been able to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. TDSB students and families are invited to attend this virtual launch: 

Date:  Wednesday, February 1st, 2023

Time:  10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

Zoom Link: https://tdsb-ca.zoom.us/j/97398652590


International Holocaust Remembrance Continues Wednesday, February 1

A virtual presentation will be hosted on Wednesday, February 1:  The Children of Willesden Lane. This performance will tell the story of the power of music and how one teenage refugee, Lisa Jura, held onto her dreams, survived the Holocaust and inspired a generation. Lisa’s daughter, author, performer and virtuoso concert pianist Mona Golabek, offers uplifting messages of resilience and hope. Please link to this page for more information.  All TDSB students and families are invited to view this performance using the link below.  No registration is required. 

            Date:  Wednesday, February 1

Time:  10:00 a.m.

Link:  https://www.tdsb.on.ca/stream/webcast2023-02-01.html


UT Women In Computer Science Mentorship Program – Deadline to Join February 1

 University of Toronto Women in Computer Science (WiCS) is a student-led organization dedicated to supporting women in computer science and building an inclusive and diverse tech community.

As a student mentee, you will be paired with an undergraduate or graduate student at the University of Toronto pursuing a technical degree. Throughout the year, mentees will regularly meet with mentors and participate in social and professional development opportunities. Mentorship sessions can take any direction that the mentee and mentor choose, but can include hearing about the university experience, learning about career paths, advice on professional development or university decisions, support learning about programming language, and more!

You're perfect for this program if you are:

  • female-identifying or non-binary
  • interested in pursuing computer science or technology or want to learn more about it
  • willing to meet virtually with a mentor for 30 to 60 minutes every two weeks

Apply at WiCS High School Mentorship Program by February 1 to be considered for this opportunity.  Please note that this is a University of Toronto program and will not be supervised by TDSB employees. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Natalie at wicsuoft@gmail.com


Get Your FHCI Spirit Wear – Sales End Wednesday, February 1

Calling all Falcons!  Get your Spirit Wear by checking out School Cash Online!  Sales of hoodies, tracks and more started last week and end on Wednesday, February 1. Thank you to the Athletic Council, Ms. Homatidis and Ms. Ibe for organizing these sales! 


Messages from Guidance

Timetable Changes for Semester 2

Updated student timetables are now available on the TDSB Connects App. Students are encouraged to download the free app to access timetables and more. 

Students considering a course change for Semester 2 are encouraged to speak to their Guidance counsellor prior to the start of Semester 2, February 3, 2023. Students must book an appointment with a counsellor by completing this Guidance Appointment Form.  Students may request for a virtual appointment during the exam period.

Please note that we will not be able to support timetable change requests to switch between teachers or to a different section of the same subject. The deadline for course change requests is Thursday, February 16. Guidance will endeavour to fulfill all course change requests that maintain full time status and work toward graduation requirements. Course change requests are subject to availability and not guaranteed as many courses are already full and even have waitlists that are oversubscribed. Reach-ahead requests, especially for grade 12 courses, are based on space-availability and will only be considered once all grade 12 students are fully scheduled.

OCAS Important Deadline

All grade 12 graduating students who intend to apply to Ontario Colleges should be aware of the following deadline for equal consideration:  Wednesday, February 1.  Link to OCAS for more information. 

Thank you to Ms. Ng and Mr. Oosterhoff for their support of our students!


Trustee Laskin’s Weekly Updates

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


Worth Mentioning Again…

TDSB Greek Heritage Month Multi-Media Contest 2023

March is Greek Heritage Month.  It is an occasion to recognize and celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Greek Canadians to Canada and an occasion to mark and enjoy the history of Greek culture. One of the highlights for Greek Heritage Month 2023 this coming March will be the TDSB Greek Heritage Month Multi-Media Contest, featuring original student and staff work in three creative categories:

  1. Be graphic! Design a poster!
  2. Sharpen your pencil! Write something!
  3. Let's get digital!

This year's theme based on TDSB’s priorities: Joy, Engagement, and Belonging. See this flyer for contest details. Deadline for submitting entries via email is Friday, February 10, 2023 to Maria Leo, maria.leo@tdsb.on.ca. Feel free to contact Anna Epitropou, anna.epitropou@tdsb.on.ca, for more information.     


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.