October 4, 2024
Coming Up
House Track Day Schedule: October 9
Classes will be 40 minutes long on House Track Day on Wednesday, October 9. The schedule has changed slightly at the end of the day as follows: lunch will take place before Block F and is 40 minutes long. Block F teachers should walk with their classes and additional assigned staff to Varsity Stadium at 1:10 p.m. to arrive at 1:30 p.m.
The change has been reflected in teacher and student Google Calendars. Students will be dismissed from Varsity Stadium at 3:30 p.m.
Fire Drill and Lockdown Reminders
There will be a Fire Drill at 11 a.m. on Monday, October 7 and a Lockdown drill at 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 10.
All staff should review the Evacuation Plan and Lockdown procedures carefully.
Teachers, please ensure students in your classes understand the expectations and know the evacuation process and the lockdown procedure.
October 11 PD Day
We are looking forward to learning together on our upcoming PD day Friday, October 11.
For details of location, time, and focus areas please see the agenda that will be available on the staff Google Calendar early next week.
One highlight of the day will be learning from Dr. Paul Gorski, a leading expert in equity and how to root out classism in education.
Flu Shot/COVID Vaccination Clinic at UTS
UTS has partnered with the local Shoppers Drug Mart to offer a flu shot/COVID booster clinic to all staff. The clinic will be held in early November at UTS once the flu shots and the updated COVID vaccines are available.
You can choose to get both vaccinations or just one. The clinic will be run by Andrew who is the pharmacist at Shoppers Drug Mart. Please indicate your interest here. The date will be communicated at a later time.
If you have any questions, reach out to Adi Sood.
Securing Classrooms After Class
This is a friendly reminder to please ensure classroom doors are closed and locked when there is no adult supervision in the room. Students should not be in any classrooms unsupervised.
Music Practice Room Supervision
Students must book the music practice rooms in advance through the Music Director and secure a supervisor.
Unsupervised use of the practice rooms is not permitted, even if a staff member opens the door.
M4 Classes During the Washington Trip
M4 students will be in Washington from Tuesday, October 15 to Saturday, October 19
Teachers who will be on the trip are kindly requested to submit their coverage needs by today. Please do not indicate you need a coverage if you have a class of M4s who will all be going on the trip.
Teachers who have M4 classes and are not on the trip will be on standby coverage. Please be sure to be available during your standby coverage. We will do our best to ensure teachers know their coverage assignments prior to the periods they are needed.
Teachers who teach classes that have a mix of M4 students and a few students from other grades please either:
Let Jenny and the Main Office know you will be working with those students in your classroom while the M4s are away and we will not give you another coverage or
Provide the list of students to Rebecca Courtney and the Main Office and ask your students to sign in at the Main Office and then report to Ms. Courtney the library for a study period.
OISE Teacher Candidates (UTS Cohort)
Year 1 UTS Option teacher candidates will be on site on Thursdays.
They will be wearing lanyards to identify themselves (also see - photo deck).
Please let us know if it’s not a good day for a class visit using our observation sign up form.
Do feel free to get them involved and help with anything you might need extra hands for! Future dates: Oct. 10, 24, 31 | Jan. 9, 16, 21, 30 | Feb. 6.
Respiratory Illness Awareness
With fall comes respiratory illnesses. The following are some of the ways that you can help protect our school community:
Stay home if you are experiencing symptoms of illness. Symptoms may include sore throat, stuffy nose, headache, tiredness and fatigue. See letter from TDSB for more information.
Wash or sanitize your hands often, and cover your cough/sneeze into your elbow or a tissue.
Consider wearing a well-fitted, high-quality mask in crowded areas with poor ventilation, especially for those who are at higher risk of severe illness.
Consider getting your COVID-19 boosters and influenza vaccine once available.
F1 Schools Vaccination Clinic
Toronto Public Health will be coming on Thursday, October 17 to vaccinate the F1 students for their mandatory school vaccinations.
Please do not schedule any assessments/trips for F1 students that day. Adi will be coming to the F1 classes to take the students for their vaccinations throughout the day.
A handful of F2 students are also impacted - Adi will reach out to their particular F2 teachers to arrange a time.
Vic Reach Program - Teachers Needed for Placements
UTS has been a partner with the University of Toronto Vic Reach Program, a volunteer academic outreach program offering University of Toronto students the opportunity to work with students at Toronto schools, for several years and we hope to continue the partnership.
Your generosity in providing the opportunity for Vic students to volunteer in your classroom is greatly appreciated.
We are looking for teachers who are willing to have volunteers in their classes (Time TBD but similar to previous years).
Please contact jpittlainsbury@utschools.ca if you think you could have a student volunteer with your class.
Vic Reach students could be the extra chaperone you were looking for!
New Grant Opportunity for Students: the Tony Lundy ’79 & Janet Looker Climate & Environment Solution Fund
This new fund established by UTS Board Director, Tony Lundy ’79, will provide funding for expenditures as approved by UTS for work undertaken by our students to develop climate change and environmental solutions. The Fund will be used to defray costs for students developing climate and environmental solutions. The amount of $5,000 is available for this school year.
These grant opportunities, for students, will be available in the fall, winter and spring and can support curricular or co-curricular projects and initiatives. Fall applications are due on October 21. Please share this opportunity with your students and student clubs you supervise. The application form can be found here. The next application opportunity will be in January.
Lunch Menu
UTS staff are welcome to order a hot lunch from the Mindful Munch. Please see the October menu and order form below.
The Question of Class: Keeping Schools Inclusive and Accessible
A presentation by Dr. Gorski
October 10, 2024
Are you passionate about creating truly equitable schools?
Join us for an inspiring event on October 10, 2024, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., featuring Dr. Paul Gorski, a renowned expert on equity in education.
Topic: The Question of Class: Keeping Schools Inclusive and Accessible
This is a unique opportunity to gain insights on how to eliminate classism and create more inclusive learning environments. Don’t miss out!
Reserve your spot for this FREE event at utschools.ca/paul_gorski
