Good afternoon HCI,

Thank you to all our teachers, students and staff who participated in the Semester One Parent/Caregiver-Teacher Interviews (once again our Peer Leaders kept us organized and on time). It is always great to open up the school and develop strong home to school partnerships. If you were not able to see a particular teacher and you have questions or concerns, please reach out to them in order to schedule a phone call or email. We have a busy week coming up with School Council, Fall Fun Fest and Halloween (please see important reminders about costumes below).

As a friendly reminder, HCI asks that you do not drop your children off using the staff parking lot in the mornings or pick up after school. The lot becomes very full and can be challenging for staff to navigate when extra cars are present. Thank you for your understanding!

Please see important updates about the week below.

 

Week at a Glance

 

HCI Whole School Calendar                     TDSB 2026-2027 School Year Calendar

TDSB Parent Concern Protocol                 Special Education and Inclusion site          

Parent Engagement Sessions 2026-2027

 

Monday, October 26th	- University/College Fair Class Visits and Lunch (Cafeteria)
Tuesday, October 27th	- School Council Meeting @ 6:30 (Library)
Wednesday, October 28th	- Late Start (Pd 1 begins at 9:55)
Thursday, October 29th	- The Canadian Open Mathematics Challenge/Contest (Grade 11/12)
Friday, October 30th	- Fall Fun Fest (Extended Lunch Schedule)

 

Save the Date

Wednesday, November 4th --> Grade Nine Take Our Kids to Work Day is Canada’s leading career-exploration program, providing young people with meaningful opportunities to experience the world of work, discover diverse career pathways, and connect their learning to future possibilities. HCI’s Grade 9 students have the opportunity to be excused from school to attend a workplace with a parent, guardian or caregiver. Grade 9 students have been given paper permission forms from their period 1 teachers. The form is also posted on the Grade 9 Guidance Google Classroom and attached here.

Completed forms can be dropped off directly at the VPO up until Monday November 2.

 

Friday, November 6th --> Semester 1, Term 1 Ends (Civics and Careers classes change beginning on November 9th)

 

A Window into the Classroom

Health Sciences Guest Speaker → This past week, in Mr. Sawa’s Health Science classes, students were fortunate to welcome two guest speakers: Nurse Sarah from the Acute Care Transport Team (ACTS) at SickKids, and Michelle, a local Paramedic stationed at High Park and Bloor. Both speakers shared their unique career pathways, offered an honest look into the life of a shift worker, and discussed future growth within their respective fields. Our students asked thoughtful questions and gained valuable insight into pre-hospital and specialized pediatric transport care. To top it off, Michelle gave students an exclusive tour of her ambulance!

School Business

Halloween Reminder → As Halloween approaches, it is important to recognize that TDSB school communities mark this occasion in different ways. While schools continue to mark Halloween, some students and families may not participate. Questions and concerns about Halloween costumes often arise during this time of year. For those who participate, we ask you to remember that costumes that stereotype or appropriate cultural identities,traditions, or sacred symbols can cause harm and perpetuate bias. Educators are encouraged to engage in critical conversations about cultural appropriation, stereotypes, and caricatures to support safe, welcoming, inclusive and respectful learning spaces. School communities are reminded that certain costumes (including dress, makeup/face painting, masks, and props), as well as violent images and scenarios, may be viewed as
offensive, derogatory, demeaning, or discriminatory and can have a harmful impact on students, families and staff with varying lived experiences and backgrounds.

 

IEP Distribution → If your child has an IEP, two copies of the IEP are being sent home this week. They have been reviewed and signed by the principal. Please review, sign one copy and return that copy with your child / ward to the person/place indicated on the envelope. Please keep the other copy for your files.

Please reach out to the GLE teacher, or the Main contact on the IEP on page if you would like to discuss the IEP. It is a working document, so your input is always appreciated.

Academic Information

OSSLT (Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test) → This year, all grade 10 students will write the OSSLT during the Fall session (November 16 and 17), with the opportunity to re-write in the spring if required.

Who is eligible for the OSSLT (Ontario Secondary Schools Literacy Test)?

· All Grade 10 students

When will they be completing the assessment?

· November 16 and 17

Where will they be completing the assessment?

· In their BLOCK A class

How are they completing the evaluation?

· The evaluation is completely online.

· Students need a device in order to do the literacy test

· They can use either a TDSB assigned Chromebook or a personal Chromebook (no Windows device or MAC devices can be used)

What do we need you to do right now?

• Students should let their BLOCK A teachers know if you require any accommodations and/or need a device
• Students can attend OSSLT prep sessions on Tuesdays in room 302 at lunch
• Visit the EQAO website for helpful resources; there is a practice test as well as other helpful materials under the MEDIA tab

 

Guidance Update

Post Secondary Information Fair → The slides from our Post Secondary Information Session for Parents/Caregivers on October 15 are now posted in the Guidance section of the HCI website under "Post-Secondary Applications."

Humberside will be having a post secondary fair for our students on Monday October 26th in the cafeteria during second period and through Lunch. This is an excellent opportunity for students to meet directly with representatives of different colleges and universities.

Volunteer Hours → Guidance posts local volunteer opportunities regularly on our grade google classrooms. Remind your student to check weekly. Additional resources may be found on the HCI website.

Submitting Non-TDSB Courses → Students completing private school courses must arrange for the school to mail hard copies of their report cards to HCI Guidance so that we may add the mark to their transcript.

 

Did You Know?

HCC Ice Bucket Challenge: Teacher Edition → The Humberside Community Contribution Club (HCC) is hosting an ice bucket challenge leading up to fall fun fest, and our nominated teachers are racing to take the plunge! This year, the HCC has partnered up with Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital to fundraise for Children with Disabilities.

Donate. Cheer. Watch them freeze!

SCAN THE QR CODE TO DONATE TODAY (available in SchoolCashOnline)

 

HAC Highlights of the Week

Fall Sports Update --> It’s been another exciting week for Huskies Athletics! Congratulations to all four of our Rugby teams who competed at the City Championships this past Wednesday and represented Humberside so well! A huge shoutout to our Cross Country team for sweeping the West Region Championships, taking home the Overall Girls, Overall Boys, and Overall Combined titles! An incredible accomplishment for our Huskies! Finally, best of luck to Ethan and Zadie as they head to OFSAA next week to compete in Mixed Doubles Tennis! Be sure to check out the Huskies Sports Centre for the latest schedules, results, and updates, and follow @hci_hac on Instagram to stay connected with all things Huskies Athletics!

(NEW!) Upcoming Winter Season Information --> With our fall sports season still in full swing, we're already starting to prepare for the upcoming winter athletics season! Students interested in joining a winter team are encouraged to stay updated through PA announcements, Grade Google Classrooms, and HAC's Instagram for information on upcoming interest meetings and tryouts.

The following interest meetings have been announced:
Junior & Senior Boys Basketball: Friday, October 23 at lunch in the Upper Gym (Google Classroom Code: 3qrz7672)
Varsity Boys Soccer: Monday, October 26: at lunch in Room 11
Junior & Senior Girls Volleyball: Monday, October 26 at lunch in the Upper Gym
For the full list of teams being offered this winter season, click here!

(NEW!) Humberside Spirit Wear --> Huskies Spirit Wear is officially here! From classic crewnecks and hoodies to t-shirts and more! All items are sold separately and are available to purchase through School Cash Online from Friday, October 23 to Friday, November 6. Check out the full collection and access the purchase links on the Huskies Sports Centre website. Don't miss out on your chance to rep Humberside!

(NEW!) Grade 9 HAC Applications --> Attention Grade 9 Huskies! Interested in getting involved in Humberside Athletics? Applications to join the Humberside Athletic Council (HAC) will open on Friday, October 30 and close on Friday, November 6! HAC is a great opportunity to get involved in school athletics, help organize intramurals and events, and build your leadership skills! A Google Form application will be shared on October 30, so stay tuned for more information!

Intramurals --> Our Flag Football Intramural season has officially come to an end! Congratulations to all participating teams on a great season, and thank you to everyone who took part! Stay tuned for more information on our next intramural season. Let's just say we're getting ready to serve up something new!

Happy Friday!