Dear MGCI Parents/Guardians/Caregivers/Students:
Lots of great events coming up Garneau so keep your eye on Instagram, the announcements and posters hung around the school. Next week is our Galentine’s (Girls only) Dance, Black History Month Assemblies and the following week is our Semi-Formal. Tickets for the dances, roses and candygrams are all being sold at lunch in the cafeteria or by School CashOnline.
Family Day occurs on the third Monday in February each year to celebrate the importance of families taking time to be together. Please remember that Monday, February 19, 2024 is a province-wide statutory holiday and there will be no classes. There will also be no classes on Friday February 16 for a TDSB P.A. Day. Enjoy the long weekend together!
Please note that the April P.A. Day has been rescheduled to April 8 (changed from the April 19 date due to the solar eclipse). Updated School Year Calendars for 2023-2024 are available online. These include PA days, exam days for final evaluations, Board and Statutory holidays, and other notable school year details. Pay close attention to the exam dates on the TDSB calendar - family trips do not excuse students from summatives and final exams and marks of zero may result.
Enjoy your weekend Garneau!
Gillian Evans, Principal
- 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.
- Caring and Safe Schools Committee Meeting: Wednesday, March 6th at 8:15am.
This committee will be responsible for devising strategies to help address any safety concerns of our students, promoting equity, a positive school climate and addressing identified gaps within our school. If you would like to be a part of this committee, please join! Please meet in the main office and VP Ms. Kwon will greet you!
- Galentine’s Dance
Attention all MGCI girls! You are invited to the first annual Galentine’s Dance on February 15th here at Garneau! Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at lunch outside the caf. Come dance and have fun together! All proceeds help support the grade 12 Grad Trip to New York City.
GALENTINES NIGHT Flyer.pdf
- Program: Your Wiser Self: A Skills Group with Thorncliffe Youth Wellness Hub (ETHP, TNO)
This is a free 8-week program for youth aged 16-20 to learn about mindfulness, how to cope during a crisis, and more! See attached flyer or contact Nicole Wilson, MSW, RSW, 437-552-6238, nicole.wilson@tehn.ca
DBT Skills Group Flyer - feb 2024.pdf
- Job: Junior Recreational Programs Assistant at the Ontario Science Centre
The Centre offers large-scale STEM-based camps for youth 4-14 during the summer and other school breaks and requires enthusiastic Junior Recreational Programs Assistants (Jr RPAs) to assist in the supervision of children and the delivery of a safe and successful program experience. [see attached flyer, hiring 35-45 students total] Apply here: Student Position | Deadline to apply: Friday, March 1, 2024
Ontario Science Centre Student Position (EN).pdf
- Message from Eco-Schools : Celebrating African Heritage (Black History) Month
Our Black Is...Amanda Gorman, the first Youth Poet Laureate of the United States is also a compelling climate activist who wrote the poem Earthrise. Gorman explores the theme of climate justice and uses the power of her words to remind us why we should come together to protect one another – and this pale blue dot we call home
- Lets Connect About Mental Health and Well Being Webinar Series
Join the TDSB Professional Support Staff on February 22, 2023 from 7pm-8:30pm for the virtual Lets Connect About Mental Health and Well Being Webinar Series: Parent Voices-Creating fun opportunities to connect and boost positive mental health, joy and happiness.
Audience: students, families, parents, guardians, caregivers and staff; ALL are welcome!
Members from our Mental Health and Well-being Parent Partnership Committee will add their voices on the importance of exploring fun activities for positive mental health and wellness. In addition, please come and enjoy break out rooms, which will be co-lead by Professional Support Staff and community partners, on different ways we can enhance overall mental health and wellness.
If you need more information please contact Imani Hennie-Hamadi Imani.Hennie-Hamadi@tdsb.on.ca and Annette Grossi Annette.grossi@tdsb.on.ca.
Final Let's Connect February 2024 (7).pdf
- TDSB Winter Well-Being Guide
The Winter Well-Being Guide is filled with activities, games, wellness tips, resources and community agencies to support wellness for all students, parents/guardians/caregivers, and school communities. The Guide provides accessible resources and is available in the top 20 TDSB spoken languages.
- Summer CampTO registration starts February 7
Registration for Summer CampTO opens on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 for facilities in all districts. Programs start in early July 2024. At CampTO, children and youth can be active, learn new skills and make fun memories close to home at the City’s seasonal camps.
Visit the City of Toronto web page for more inormation.
Find your nearest CampTO locations.
Learn How to Register for Recreation Programs.
- Worth Repeating - Course Selection Supports
We are now in 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.
- Worth Repeating - 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!
- 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 - 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
Please click here for the recording of the last School Council Meeting.
Our next meeting is Thursday March 28 and will take place both in person in the library and online. Links will be shared closer to the date.