Dear MGCI Parents/Guardians/Caregivers/Students:
Welcome back and happy new year Garneau! This is a critical time of year when courses are finishing up and exam preparations are underway. We encourage all students to give it their best to finish up the semester strong - dig deep and forgo that evening of Instagram scrolling or video game playing to study for exams. Our Student Success Department has a number of exam preparation sessions taking place next week - keep an eye out for the announcements and information posted on the tv screens around the ground floor.
As always, reach out to classroom teachers for support around classwork and Guidance Counsellors for help with pathway planning and semester 2 timetables.
Gillian Evans, Principal
- Semester 2 Timetables
Semester 2 timetables will be available to students through the TDSB Connects App on Friday January 19th, 2024. If a student cannot access their timetable through the App, students can go to the Main Office starting Monday January 22nd to ask for a paper copy.
If a student would like to request a change to their semester 2 timetable, please drop in to see your Guidance Counsellor prior to the start of semester 2, which is Friday February 2nd, 2024. Guidance will also be open during the exam days for drop-ins. Semester 2 timetable change requests will only be considered during this time period as guidance counsellors will not be available when semester 2 begins due to the next year’s course selection activities. The deadline for semester 2 course changes is Thursday February 15th.
Please note- The Guidance department will consider requests that maintain full time status, work toward graduation requirements, or maintain post-secondary eligibility. Course change requests are subject to availability and not guaranteed as many courses are full. Preferential course requests cannot be accommodated, including teacher requests, friend requests, or section changes. Students must follow their existing timetable unless notified otherwise. Reach-ahead requests, especially for grade 12 courses, are based on space-availability once grade 12 students have been fully scheduled. Alternative options include Night School and Summer School.
- Online Tutoring Update
TDSB students now have access to free academic support through online tutoring.
Support is available for secondary students through Paper:
- For all courses and grades, including support with exam and/or culminating activity preparation
- For writing assignments, such as essays, resumes, cover letters
- For all math and science courses
- 24/7, on demand for ongoing help, or when they are stuck
- Families or students (18+) who are interested in online tutoring services can contact Paper
Support is available for elementary students through Brainfuse:
- For homework help in all subject areas and grades
- For enrichment activities
- 24/7, on demand
Families or students (18+) who are interested in online tutoring services can contact Brainfuse.
- TDSB Student Elections 2024-25
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is accepting applications for Student Trustee positions for the 2024-2025 school year. Student Trustees represent the voice of approximately 240,000 students in the Toronto District School Board. They work closely together to empower and promote student voice and engagement across the district.
Key Dates:
January 8, 2024 – Application Opens - - (new Application link)
January 8, 2024 – Email to students
January 17, 2024 – Information Session
§ Microsoft Teams meeting
§ Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
§ Click here to join the meeting
§ Meeting ID: 270 275 351 962
Passcode: jZTi8Y
January 19, 2024 – Application Deadline
February 12 to 19, 2024 – Campaigning Period
February 20, 2024 – Voting Period to determine Runoff candidates
February 22-27 – Campaigning period for Runoff candidates
February 28 – Voting to determine two Student Trustees
For more information about the roles and responsibilities of the different positions, and the application and elections process, visit our website.
- Unlock the World of Coding: Join Our Computer Programming Program!
We're excited to announce the launch of our innovative computer programming program at Go Green Youth Centre, designed to ignite a passion for technology in students. This program offers an exceptional opportunity to delve into the world of coding and computer science.
Program Highlights:
- Learn Block Coding, Python, and Java in age-appropriate groups.
- Engage in interactive sessions to develop programming skills.
- Hands-on projects to apply learning in real-world scenarios.
Suitable for students aged 7 to 18, this program promises a journey into the dynamic technology field, fostering problem-solving skills and creativity.
Don't miss this chance to leap into the future of technology! The first session is this Saturday; register on our website or click the link Computer Program | Go Green Youth Centre (ggyc.ca)
- Toronto Police Service’s Youth in Policing Initiative
The Toronto Police Service’s Youth in Policing Initiative program is currently hiring for the 2024 Summer program.
This program enhances the link between the police and the neighbourhoods we serve. This initiative gives young people an opportunity to develop job skills while fostering positive partnerships with the Toronto Police Service. Youth ages 15 to 18 who reside in the city of Toronto are employed through the summer and throughout the year, working alongside police officers and civilian staff in a wide range of roles. The program is not unique to Toronto, as it was created and funded by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, and is now used throughout the province. Our applications close on January 21st, 2024. Job Posting: Youth In Policing Initiative-Toronto Police Service (tps.ca)
- Opting-Out of the e-Learning Graduation Requirement
Last year, the Ministry of Education introduced a mandatory e-learning credit requirement for graduation. But - students may withdraw from the online e-Learning requirement at any time. A parent/caregiver/guardian or student (18 years of age or older or 16 or 17 years of age and withdrawn from parental control) may withdraw by submitting the TDSB Opt Out/Withdrawal Form to their school. No explanation or reason is needed to opt out/withdraw. Opting out does not prevent you from taking an e-Learning course in the future.
If you are not ready to make a decision with regard to participating in e-Learning, there will be future opportunities to participate in e-Learning courses or withdraw from the graduation requirement. A final decision is not required at this time. If you have decided now to withdraw from the graduation requirement, please complete the TDSB Opt Out/Withdrawal Form and return it to your school.
- 2023-2024 Winter Well-Being Guide from Professional Support Services
The 2023-2024 Winter Well-Being Guide is filled with activities, games, wellness tips, identity affirming resources and community agencies to support wellness for all students, caregivers/guardians, families, and school communities over the winter months!
Created by Professional Support Services Staff who are part of the Mental Health and Well-Being Committee, the TDSB Mental Health Leads and the System Leader for Mental Health and Professional Support Services, this Guide provides accessible resources and has been translated into the top 20 TDSB spoken languages. This Guide can be accessed here: 2023-2024 Winter Well-Being Guide
- Chinese Heritage Month at the TDSB: Chinese Canadian Memory Minute
Chinese Heritage Month is proudly recognized by the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) in February. For this month, we invite all students and staff to submit a 1-minute video that answers one (or more) of the guiding questions posed below. Videos can be created individually or in pairs.
- What does being a Chinese Canadian mean to you?
- What aspect of the lunar new year is most important or meaningful to you?
- What does the dragon symbolize for you?
- How has identifying as Chinese impacted you in your school and/or your community?
Students must complete a Media Release Form. All entries must be received by Friday January 26, 2024, by 4:00 pm. Submit here.
- 9. Repeating - 2023-2024 Semester 1 Exam Schedule
The Semester 1 Exam Schedule can be found here. Students will receive more detailed information about their exams in the New Year.
10. Worth Repeating - Marc Garneau’s Grad Photos
To all prospective graduates of the 2023/2024 year, the time has finally come to prepare for your Graduation Photos!!! Graduation Photo Days will begin on February 20th, 2024. Please use the Graduation Photo Day Link provided to book an appointment. A few reminders can be found below:
Each student is required to pay $35 to the photographer on the Photo Day. This fee includes digital proofs as well as an 11” X 14” composite of the Graduating Class.
Your digital proofs will be sent to the email address used to register for your appointment.
The recommendation is that you wear a white collared shirt for the best results. (You may also wear a tie if you choose.)
Appointment changes or cancellations can be made by emailing studio@brightpics.ca.
Remember to SMILE – graduating is an incredible accomplishment.
- 11. Repeating - Suicide Prevention Helpline 9-8-8
On November 30, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) through the Canadian Radio and Television Corporation (CRTC) announced a national three digit Mental Health and Suicide Prevention hotline number, 988. In the face of increased demand for crisis services, 9-8-8 provides:
- A number that’s easy to remember in a crisis situation.
- Support in English and in French, by phone and text.
- Quick access to support from trained responders, available 24/7/365.
- High quality, evidence-based, equitable suicide prevention and crisis support for everyone in Canada.
For more information about 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline, visit https://988.ca. More information is also available at 9-8-8 | CAMH and 9-8-8 number for mental health and suicide prevention | CRTC.
You are not alone. You deserve help - call or text 9-8-8 any time for free, confidential support without judgement.
- 12. Repeating - Culminating Activity Evaluations and Exams
Moratorium is a period of four days prior to the scheduled final exam days. During this time, students will be working on final culminating projects or reviewing for their exams with their teachers.
Final exams run from Wednesday, January 24th - Tuesday, January 30th. The exam schedule will be shared with students and the community before we break for the winter holiday.
Please be reminded of our policy for absences during Culminating Assignments and Final Exams:
Absence from a Culminating Activity Evaluation: Culminating activities are completed toward the end of a course and are part of the student’s 30% final evaluation. Culminating activities and examinations carry the same importance and the same attendance requirement. Thus, attendance during culminating activities is mandatory. Some courses have culminating activities that take place over several days.
If a student misses a culminating activity, the student will receive a mark of “0”. In the event that a student is too ill to complete a culminating activity, the parent/guardian must provide medical documentation of the illness. The parent/guardian is asked to contact the school before the culminating activity due date. The parent/guardian will be given a ‘Missed Evaluation’ Form to be completed by a medical doctor and submitted within two days of the missed culminating activity. Family vacations or trips are not considered excused absences and as such, students are expected to be in class for all culminating activities.
If satisfactory documentation of the illness is provided on the Missed Evaluation Form, the culminating activity may be rescheduled. Otherwise, the student will receive a mark of “0”. There are no exemptions.
Absence from a Final Examination: Exam dates and times for all courses are set out in the exam schedule which will be distributed to students and parents/guardians. We are not able to accommodate any changes to the Exam Schedule or requests to write an exam at a date/time other than the scheduled date/time shown.
Students are urged to check their exam schedule carefully. If a student misses an exam because of misreading the schedule, the student will receive a mark of “0”.
In the event that a student is too ill to write a final exam, the parent/guardian must provide documentation of the illness. The parent/guardian is asked to contact the school before the Exam is written. The parent/guardian will be given a ‘Missed Evaluation’ form to be completed by a medical doctor and submitted within two days of the missed exam.
Family vacations and trips are not considered excused absences and as such, students are expected to be in attendance for all examinations.
If satisfactory documentation of the illness is provided on the missed evaluation form, an alternative evaluation may be scheduled. Students granted an alternative evaluation will receive a mark of “0” until they complete the alternative examination. There are no exemptions from writing an exam.
Late Arrivals During an Exam: Each student will be given a copy of the Exam Schedule at least two weeks before the examination. Punctuality is expected. Students who arrive late will be admitted to the exam up to one hour after the exam begins, but will not receive extra time.
Plagiarism/Cheating: Any student found copying from someone and/or in possession of notes or materials not permitted in the Exam Room will be deemed cheating. Electronic devices are not permitted in the exam room unless permission has been granted from the Vice-Principal (ie. electronic translation devices).
Students using electronic devices during Exams to download or share information will be deemed to be cheating. Cheating is a serious offence and may lead to a mark of “0”.
13. Worth Repeating - Course Selection
MGCI aims to prepare all students for the next steps in their journey. The courses students select help lay the foundation as they look to university, college, apprenticeships, trades or the workplace. Many post-secondary programs have specific admission requirements, therefore it is extremely important that students take the time to do some planning and research in order to carefully select those courses in high school. Some of the courses in grades 11 and 12 also require a prerequisite course, therefore the need for careful planning needs to happen throughout all the years in high school.
As students are reviewing and choosing courses for the next school year, they should consult with parents/guardians, their guidance counsellor, and their teachers to discuss options and set goals consistent with their future aspirations.
Selecting their courses in My Blueprint by the assigned due date will allow students the opportunity to get the courses they are requesting. If students are not able to complete and submit their course selection by this deadline, courses will be selected for them based on what courses they require to graduate and what courses are still available. Please encourage your child to complete their course selection as soon as course selection open in February in order to get their desired courses and in order to facilitate a successful academic year for 2024-2025.
IMPORTANT DATES FOR COURSE SELECTION 2024-2025:
- 14. Council Update
The next School Council meeting will be held on January 25, 2024. Please join us in the library. A virtual meeting link will be shared prior to the meeting if you are interested in joining us online.
Land Acknowledgement: We, the students and staff of Marc Garneau 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.