Dear MGCI Parents/Guardians/Caregivers/Students:

Only one more week to March Break - we hope you’ve had a chance to make some plans to spend time together during the break! There are lots of local activities offered, including camps by our community partners. Be sure to check them out!

Next week is our Parent/Guardian - Teacher interviews. Information will be shared directly with you around how to book an interview time. Our teachers are very excited to share student progress with all families - please join us on March 7!

This is a really long newsletter this week, but there are lots of opportunities for students and families included. Please read through to the end. Enjoy the weekend everyone!

Gillian Evans, Principal

 

1. Measles update from Toronto Public Health

During the pandemic, some people may have missed their measles vaccinations and should make sure they are up-to-date with their vaccines. Toronto Public Health (TPH) is investigating one lab confirmed case of measles. The measles vaccine is available at your doctor’s office or at a TPH community clinic for school-aged children.  Due to travel, measles still occurs in Canada. Anyone born before '96 who hasn't had measles should check their immune status—you might think you're immune, but not be. Two doses were introduced then. Let's eradicate measles again!

Last week, TPH announced an investigation of a confirmed case of measles linked to travel. This virus continues to spread in many parts of the world. If you are planning to leave the country over March Break, get the best protection for you and your loved ones by staying up-to-date with your routine vaccines, including the measles vaccine.

 These vaccines are available from your primary health care provider or at a TPH community clinic for school-aged children, by appointment. Visit TPHbookings.ca for more information.

If you are unsure of your child’s vaccination status, check their yellow card (Ontario Immunization Record), TPH’s Immunization Connect Ontario (ICON) or by speaking with their primary health care provider.

 To learn more, visit toronto.ca/immunization or contact TPH at publichealth@toronto.ca, or 416-338-7600 (TTY: 416-392-0658), Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

2. TDSB Excellence Awards!

Every year, the TDSB Excellence Awards help shine a light on the stories of extraordinary staff commitment, and we are delighted to announce that nominations for the Excellence Awards 2024 will open on February 27, 2024. The Excellence Awards align with our shared system priorities and help highlight TDSB staff’s efforts to foster joy, engagement and belonging in our schools, workplaces and communities as a foundation for academic achievement, student success, and service excellence.

We want to know about the TDSB staff you know who are inspiring students, innovating the curriculum, championing digital transformation, creating inclusive schools and workplaces, and working behind the scenes to support operational excellence. 

We welcome nominations from anyone – staff, students, parents/caregivers or community members – please submit through the Excellence Awards website during the nomination period between February 27 and April 5, 2024.

3. OPSBA Awards

Do you know an amazing trustee, teacher, education worker, school administrator, student or community member who deserves to be recognized for making a difference in their local school or community? Nominations are now open for the 2024 OPSBA Awards! More information is available on our website at https://www.opsba.org/what-we-do/awards-programs/. The Nomination Form can be found here: Online Nomination Form.

4. City of Toronto Spring Recreation Programs

The City offers thousands of low-cost & affordable recreation programs. From painting classes to karate to pickleball and cooking classes, there’s something for everyone. Find the spring programs online & get ready to register on March 5 & 6:
http://toronto.ca/SpringRec.

5. Summer Company Grant

Are you an Ontario student with a business idea? The Summer Company program supports eligible young student entrepreneurs, aged 15 to 29, looking to launch and operate a small business during the summer. The Summer Company program provides:

• Business fundamentals training
• Group and one-to-one mentorship sessions with a trained business professional

An opportunity for a grant of up to $3,000 to help launch your small business
For more information, review the program overview and detailed guidelines. Begin the process by April 1.

6. Canadian Community Services Organization's 4th Annual Ramadan Food Drive in Thorncliffe Park

When: Saturday, 2nd March 2024

Where: Jenner Jean-Marie Community Centre

            48 Thorncliffe Park Drive, M4H 1J7

Timings: 11 am - 2 pm

 Limited serving to families in Thorncliffe only. First come-first serve.

 Volunteer opportunity: volunteer hours will be provided.

7. Student Accident Insurance Reminder

The Toronto District School Board does not provide accident insurance coverage for student injuries that occur on school premises or during school sponsored activities.  We recently noticed an increase in student injuries, in particular, dental injuries which are costly and could extend over several years.

Parents/ guardians are responsible for deciding whether or not to purchase student accident insurance.  The insurance program options range from $17 to $33 per year.

Letter: TDSB Student Accident Insurance Letter

Flyer: Student Accident Plan Flyer

Website: Student Accident Plan

The student accident insurance flyer can also be included in School newsletters and posted on school notice boards.

Should further information about the above including the policy or purchasing details, please visit www.studyinsuredstudentaccident.com or call 1-833-560-0527 (toll-free) or 416-916-1588 (local).

8. Learn4Life Adult Community Programs - Spring Registration Now Open!

Spring 2024 registration is now open for Learn4Life's Adult General Interest Program! Open to adults 18 years of age and seniors, the Learn4Life program offers a unique and valuable opportunity for individuals to pursue their interests, expand their knowledge, and engage in lifelong learning with a wide range of courses and activities designed to cater to diverse interests and passions.

Just some of the new courses this term include: 

§  Pickleball Power Hour: Smash and Drive Mastery

§  Birdwatching for Beginners – Explore Feathered Gems Right in Our Backyard!

§  Feng Shui

§  Payroll Level II

§  Introduction to Documentary Filmmaking

§  Introduction to Henna Body Art and the Ancient Art of Mehndi

§  Sweet, Savoury, Flaky and Fun!

§  Latin Rhythms: Salsa and Merengue for All

§  Outdoor Soccer

§  Aerobics to the 80’s! Let’s Get Physical

§  Creating A New Vision for My Life

§  Personal Finance and Investment Basics for Women

§  Arabic Beginner Level II

·         AND MUCH MORE

Visit Learn4Life’s program page for more information.

9.  Parent night March 28 - Parents & Prevention: Human Trafficking

Please join interested parents and guardians for an information session around Parents and Prevention – Human Trafficking. 

Location: Danforth Collegiate and Technical Institute in the Auditorium

Address: 800 Greenwood Ave, Toronto, ON M4J 4B7, Canada

Date: Thursday, March 28

Time: 6:30 to 8 PM

VST Flyer for Parent HT Workshops- Danfourth (1).pdf 

10. Breaking Down Barriers to Mental Health in Black Communities: Looking at more effective ways to address our mental health

 The Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement invites community to join us as we host a Mental Health session with award-winning playwright, actor and wellness expert Trey Anthony ‘Da Kink in My Hair’. Join Trey as she delves into important topics such as the stigma surrounding mental health in Black communities. Drawing from her own personal journey with functional depression, Trey will shed light on what depression and mental health can look like, providing valuable insights and understanding. She will also discuss the importance of seeking help and removing the shame often associated with mental health struggles. 

Date: March 7, 2024

Time: 6 – 7 p.m.

Location: Virtual

Register here or bit.ly/3ORt7om

For more information contact, jeffrey.caton@tdsb.on.ca, Centrally Assigned Principal, or lindsey.marshall@tdsb.on.ca, Program Co-ordinator, Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement

MentalHealthwithTreyAnthony (004).pdf 

11. Black Mental Health Week

TDSB acknowledges Black Mental Health Week, which is from March 4th to March 10th, 2024. This important acknowledgment began with Black Mental Health Day which was initially recognized by the City of Toronto, Taibu Community Health Center, CAFCAN, and Strides Toronto in 2020. In 2021, Black Mental Health Day was expanded to a full week.  At TDSB we recognize the global impact Anti-Black racism continues to have on the mental health and wellbeing of individuals, students, and families of African descent. A day or a week is not sufficient and supporting Black mental health and well-being must be every day. Positive Black mental health, wellness, and well-being, are adversely impacted by Anti-Black racism, which is woven into the fabric of our institutions and systems and we recognize and understand this emotional impact is real, present, and daily.

In this link, you will find numerous resources, information, and videos that support Black mental health and well-being!

If you have any questions, please contact Shameen Sandhu, System Leader, Mental Health & Professional Support Services mentalhealthandwellbeing@tdsb.on.ca

12. Guidance Gazette

Check out the March issue of the Guidance newsletter, the Guidance Gazette, for upcoming information and news!

March Guidance Gazette 2024.pdf 

13. Worth Repeating - School Calendar and Family Trip Planning

The 2023-24 School Calendar is available on the TDSB website. Please click here for Exam and holiday dates. Please note that we will be scheduling final Exams and culminating activities for the 2023-24 school year in both January and June. A reminder that vacations are not considered a legitimate absence from instructional days or Exam days. Every effort should be made to avoid scheduling family vacations during school time. In the event of a missed evaluation due to a family vacation, teachers are not required to provide an 

alternative form of evaluation or Exam and a mark of zero may be assigned. 

14. Worth Repeating - Special Education and Inclusion is pleased to offer our second engagement session for parents/guardians/caregivers this year. 

Morning Session – March 5th Flyer

FLYER Parent Session March 5th AM Session.pptx - Google Slides

 Evening Session – March 6th Flyer

FLYER Parent Session March 6th PM Session.pptx - Google Slides

15. Worth Repeating - Attendance at Marc Garneau C.I.

Google Translations (please click):     čeština (Czech)     Slovenský (Slovak)     Tagalog       پښتو (Pashto)     اردو (Urdu)   فارسی (Farsi)      عربي (Arabic)

 Attendance is very important to us here at MGCI. We know it is essential in helping a student reach their full potential and contributes to their overall success at school. 

To help keep students safe, attendance is taken at the beginning of each period. Students are expected to be on time and in attendance daily. For more information, please refer to the online Student Handbook.

What do I do if I am absent?

·         Parent/Guardian/Caregiver needs to call the school before 9:00 AM to report the absence

o    Please call 416-396-2410 use our SafeArrival system to report the absence

o    Parent/Guardian/Caregiver should include the following in their message:

§  Student Number OR Your first and last name (spell out the last name)

§  Date of absence (or days of absences)

§  Reason (ie. illness, appointment etc.)

§  Expected date of return to school

·         When you return, you should bring a note with you to school to the main office with all the information listed above. These notes are kept on file. 

 I know I am going to be absent ahead of time, what should I do?

·         A phone call should be made, and a note provided to the main office by the Parent/Guardian/Caregiver, as soon as you know about the absence

·         We discourage extended absences while school is in session.  However, if you are travelling for an extended period of time, please come to the main office to pick up a form that must be completed with two weeks' notice.

 I got a phone call home saying I was absent, but I wasn’t...what do I do?

·         Speak to your teacher about the concern

·         The teacher can correct the attendance with the main office

 I am moving to a different school or moving to another country…what do I do?

·     Please see the Guidance Department to inform them with the relevant information: location and name of new school, and the last date you will attend at Marc Garneau C.I.

16. Worth Repeating - 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!

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. School Council Update

 

1. We have received a donation of hygiene products from a company in Etobicoke and are asking if any parent volunteers would be willing to pick them up for us during school hours. The company cannot arrange delivery. Please message Gillian Evans (gillian.evans@tsdb.on.ca) if you are willing to pick them up. Thanks! 
2. 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.