Dear Students, Parents and/or Guardians:

I would like to take this opportunity to provide our West Hill Collegiate Institute welcome back information. We are looking forward to another exciting and successful year “at the Hill” and encourage every student to take advantage of the wide range of curricular and co-curricular opportunities throughout the 2023-2024 school year.

WHCI continues the tradition of devoted to academic excellence with a strong focus on co-curricular involvement. Our drama, arts, music and sports programs continue to thrive and we encourage all students to be involved and create lifelong memories. Our teaching staff is exceptional and believes that all students can be successful. West Hill C.I. is a great place to be and a great place to learn.

All students will be officially welcomed back on Wednesday, September 5th. Students should be in their period 1 (Home Form) class at 9:00 a.m. A timetable will be sent to both students and parent/guardian on September 1st. Students can also view their timetable on the TDSB Connects App. The TDSB has created a common schedule for all secondary schools. School will start at 9:00 a.m. and finish at 3:15 p.m., with one hour for lunch. Next year our cafeteria will be open for a paid lunch option starting in late September. Twice a month we will have 10:00 a.m. late starts for professional development. Grade 9 Head Start day will be Tuesday, August 29th from 9:00-12:30.

As the TDSB and West Hill C.I. move towards a cashless school, all students are asked to sign up for School Cash Online (instructions attached) to make your School Activity Fee payments. Please sign up prior to August 31st. Your activity fee payment of $60.00 covers the cost of the school activity fee ($30) and a yearbook ($30). School Cash Online will be used throughout the year to make payments for field trips, athletic fees and any other events where a student will incur a cost.

Your support of the $30 School Activity Fee is needed in order for us to continue to be able to provide a vast array of opportunities that respond to the diverse interests of our school community.  Students must pay the fee to participate in school activities. 

Student Handbook/Course Outlines

Students should download the TDSB Connects app. It helps them to stay organized with school work, see their daily school calendar and stay in touch with their school community. By logging in with their TDSB school ID, their timetable is automatically populated allowing them to easily add notes, goals and details to each course.

Schools can also share announcements, updates, local calendars and more to help students stay connected and informed. Download the app now at the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.

We are embracing technology by going paperless with our Handbook again this year. It will be available on our website and the TDSB Connects App in August. It outlines school and Toronto District School Board policies and procedures, our Code of Conduct, homework strategies, support services provided by our Student Services Department and significant school dates such as Exam schedules, Report Card distribution and Teacher Interview days. During the first 2 weeks of school, each teacher will provide his/her students with a brief course outline, assessment and evaluation methods and mark breakdowns. Research tells us that parental involvement is one of the most significant factors contributing to a student’s success in school. Teachers regularly inform students of tests, assignment due dates, presentation dates etc. parents/caregivers and students can regularly check the BrightSpace platform and should record important dates in TDSB Connects App. We encourage parents to read the course outlines, check the monthly calendar of events and regularly review the on-line classroom platform.

Student Transportation

West Hill no longer has busing. Students who live 4.8km from the school will be eligible for TTC tickets. Students who were on the bus list last year are automatically enrolled. New students need to apply. The form is linked below.

https://ppf.tdsb.on.ca/uploads/files/live/101/1727.pdf

In closing, I encourage every student to be the best they can be, to set high and achievable goals and to be actively involved in student life “at the Hill”.  I also invite parents and guardians to be actively involved in their children's education and welcome their support at our school council meetings. I also want to welcome our new vice principal Anjali Bajaj to West Hill. Anjali was a former teacher at the school and has a deep connection to our community.

We are all partners in education and together will accomplish more! Should you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or Vice-Principals Anjali Bajaj,Tsahai Daley or Deb Ferrari at 416-396-6864.

We wish you all a successful and memorable year!

Sincerely,

Trevor Bullen P, Ajali Bajaj VP, Tahai Daley VP, Deb Ferrari VP      

Henna Deonarine (grade 9) is West Hill's first student to be published in O.K. K.O. O.K., a magazine published by the TDSB's Urban Indigenous Education Centre. Her artwork entitled, "School Life," was inspired by Inuk artist, Annie Pootoogook which depicts feelings of isolation the pandemic had brought upon her generation. O.K. K.O. O.K., features student artwork and writing from across the board that is authentic and inspires responsible relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. Our school is proud of Henna being the first West Hill student to be a part of an important and impactful publication!

On March 30, TDSB emailed parents/caregivers about the Ontario Ministry of Education's new graduation requirement for secondary students to complete two e-Learning credits as part of the 30 credits required for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). It applies only to students who entered Grade 9 on or after September 1, 2020 (now in Grade 9 or 10). 

The email also indicated that students may withdraw from the new online e-Learning requirement. A parent/caregiver or student (18 years of age or older) may withdraw by completing and submitting the Opt-out/Withdrawal form. No explanation or reason is needed to opt out/withdraw. If you already completed the form, no further action is required. If you haven't filled out the form and wish to opt out, the form is attached here and can be sent back to the school at westhill.ci@tdsb.on.ca or submitted to the Guidance Office. 

Please visit the online learning graduation requirement web page for more information. If you have questions, please contact the Guidance Office.