Dear MGCI Parents/Guardians/Caregivers/Students:
Welcome back to school Garneau!
February might be the shortest month, but it’s probably the busiest! Clubs Fair, course selection, extra-curriculars, semi formal, assemblies, Black History Month, Chinese Heritage Month, Lunar New Year, and much much more!
Student timetables are almost completely finalized. If your child needs to make a change, please ask them to book a guidance appointment. No timetable changes can be made after February 15.
Gillian Evans, Principal
- Course Selection Supports
We are rapidly approaching course selection time and there are lots of great resources to support your child. Please click here for the Guidance website that includes documents and videos describing Garneau’s course offerings for next year. Guidance counsellors will be hosting assemblies and class visits to further support students with any questions they might have.
- MGCI Ski Trip
Interested in skiing or learning to ski? Ask your child to stop by and see Mr. Hillman in the gym at lunch or the phys-ed office for prices, permission forms and all the details! Don’t delay, spots on the trip are going quickly!
- Parent/Caregiver Participation in Vice-Principal Interviews
The Toronto District School Board is currently recruiting parents/caregivers/guardians who are interested in participating in the Vice-Principal Interview Committees. Procedure 705 - Selection, Promotion, and Placement Process for Vice-principals allows for parent/caregivers /guardian representatives identified through the Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) to participate in Vice-Principal interviews.
If you would like to volunteer to participate in the Spring 2024 Vice-Principal interviews you are required to do the following:
1. Complete the Expression of Interest (link - Interview Survey) no later than January 31, 2024
2. Be available for the virtual VP Process and Interview Training Session scheduled for Monday, February 5, 2024 ( Virtual) 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Please note attendance at a training session is mandatory to participate as a Parent/Caregiver/Guardian Representative on a Vice-Principal Interview Team.
3. Be available for the Spring 2024 cycle. Interviews for the Elementary Vice-Principal and Secondary Vice-Principal will be held on the following interview dates:
§ Tuesday, February 20, 2024
§ Thursday, February 22, 2024
§ You will not be scheduled for more than one of these dates.
§ Depending on the number of interview teams scheduled, not all parent representatives may be scheduled.
§ You will be informed by e-mail no later than the week before the scheduled date if you have been placed on an interview team or identified as an alternate/backup for the day.
§ The interview day begins with a team caucus at 8:00 am with the site coordinators. The last interview of the day will commence no later than 3:30 pm.
For further information please contact cindy.beneteau@tdsb.on.ca
Thank you in advance for your interest and support in this important process.
- Guidance Gazette
Please see the attached file for the monthly Guidance newsletter, the Guidance Gazette!
Guidance Gazette Feb 2024.pdf
- Worth Repeating - Winter Weather and Student Transportation
From time to time, it may be necessary to cancel student transportation, classes and/or programs because of severe weather. On rare occasions, severe weather makes it necessary to close schools, administrative offices, or sites.
With approximately 236,000 students in 583 schools, any decision to cancel buses, classes and/or programs or to close sites can have a significant impact on thousands of families across Toronto. This decision is not taken lightly. When schools remain open on days with inclement weather, parents/guardians/caregivers make the final decision on whether to send their children to school and they can keep children home from school if they so choose.
Should a cancellation or closure be necessary, information will be posted on the TDSB web site and TDSB social media at 6:00 a.m.
Visit the website to learn about Snow/Cold Weather and the Procedure for Severe Weather.
- Worth Repeating - Semester 2 Timetables
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.
- Worth Repeating - 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.
- Worth Repeating - 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.
- 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.
- 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 opens 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:
- School Council Update
a) School Council Meeting
Please click here for the recording of the last School Council Meeting.
b) 17th Annual (PIAC) Conference: February 3
The 17th Annual PIAC Conference is on Saturday, February 3, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Earl Haig High School. The PIAC Conference is a unique opportunity to deepen understanding of the educational landscape, connect with fellow parents / guardians / caregivers and staff, and contribute to the continued success of our community.
Check out the PIAC Conference information page for more information