October 20, 2023
Wise Words and Big Ideas
Emma Jenkin shared this insightful podcast for this week’s Wise Words and Big Ideas:
Is considering diversity in hiring actually reverse racism? What if advocating for my colleagues of color means I lose my job? What do I do if I think my colleague doesn’t like me because I’m a white guy? Hear thoughtful responses to issues of allyship and social justice at work in Work Appropriate’s episode “Whiteness at Work.”
Facilities - Need-to-Know Items
How to lock / unlock your classroom door:
Open the door.
Hold down the inner handle.
Put your fob up to the reader on the outer handle.
The fob reader will flash red if it is locked.
The fob reader will flash green if it is unlocked.
Please note: it is expected that staff supervisors are onsite to let students into booked rooms.
Halloween Decorations
As the spooky season approaches, Facilities would ask that you please keep these decorating and safety guidelines in mind:
Use masking tape for anything you put on the walls.
Do not tape anything to the UTS decals or logos.
Do not climb ladders if you do not have ladder training. Please ask Facilities for assistance.
Do not hang combustible material near vents, doorways or other exits.
Do not hang anything from the ceiling unless it is flush to the wall.
Decorations must not block or cover up any part of the fire alarm or sprinkler system. Extinguisher cabinets, emergency lights, corridor lights and exit lights must not be covered.
Have fun! But we ask that you please remove all Halloween decorations by November 3.
Relationship Mapping Update
We are excited to introduce Relationship Mapping - a process which will be undertaken by all staff at UTS during the 2023-24 school year. For those who missed the last staff meeting introduction: Relationship Mapping is a process by which the school takes stock of the positive relationships students have with trusted adults (not just teachers - all staff!) in the building, and makes concrete steps towards filling any gaps in that map.
Research has shown that having just one positive relationship with a trusted adult impacts students' feelings of belonging, academic performance and mental wellbeing. Being known by a caring adult matters. (Research also shows that positive student-adult relationships improve teachers' experiences)1 2 3 4
Based on this research, we are particularly interested in the connections that adult staff perceive with students. Not only has it been shown to be effective, we know adult-student connection is the level at which we as adults can take action. We are interested in the connections where we can say “I know and care about these students, and I would notice if something were amiss.” Throughout the mapping process we will be engaging individually and collectively in reflective processes about how bias may shape our perceptions and understandings.
As part of our AEDI commitment and Life Promotion and Suicide Prevention work, this project will foster belonging, connection and safety in the school community by mapping and working towards each student being known by one caring adult.
Over the course of the year all staff will participate in the mapping process. At the initial meeting staff identify any students who do not have a current positive connection with a school adult. Over the course of the year a group of volunteer staff will work towards building connections with those students. At the end of the year all staff will participate in reflective work about the relationship mapping process.
Thank you for taking the time to read this update. Please feel free to let us know if you have any questions.
Joelle, Marleen and Rachel
social.work.staff@utschools.ca
Staffing Announcement
Please join us in welcoming Emily Chau who started at UTS today.
Emily will be helping out part time in the Art Department as Art & Media Tech over the next few months.
No Roborium October 24
Over 100 students are writing the PSAT after school on October 24.
Given the many conflicts this may create, and the fact that we have a limited number of proctors (if anyone knows anyone who wants to be a proctor please contact Yogita) the after school Roborium will not run on that day.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Wellness Wednesdays
Beginning November 1 we will be hosting Wellness Wednesdays in the Lang Innovation Lab.
Every Wednesday afternoon (12:45 - 3:45 p.m.) the Innovation Lab will be open to adults only (with some flexibility in mind if a class is scheduled in the Lab - ie: the activity will be adjusted to accommodate for this).
As this is something that we are trying out (and we are hoping will evolve), please come with an open heart and an open mind.
Activities will vary and a schedule will be posted prior, for your consideration.
Be well!
❤️
Nat and Bert
Webinar: Facing Online Hate
MediaSmarts has partnered with the Anti-Racism Directorate of Ontario to offer a free Facing Online Hate workshop for Ontario teachers and administrators to help us learn how the Internet is used to radicalize youth and what we can do to prepare youth to recognize online hate and to respond / push back when they see it.
Teachers and administrators can register for one of these online session:
October 27 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. – Register here
November 1 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. – Register here
November 9 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. – Register here
Unable to attend one of the live sessions? A self-guided tutorial is available.
New Digital Citizenship Resources
MediaSmarts has released four new student-friendly videos and tip sheets on four key digital citizenship topics, that are relevant to any subject area and grade:
These resources teach students how to navigate our digital environments in a way that's safe and responsible, to actively and respectfully engage in our online spaces, as well as build empathy and deal with conflict online.
Parlay Webinar: New AI Features
As you know, UTS has a school-wide subscription to Parlay, an online threaded discussion tool that can also support in-person oral Harkness conversations in the classroom.
Here’s a chance to learn how Parlay’s new AI features can help teachers save time in planning for and recapping discussions on Parlay.
Register here to attend one of the three webinars they’re offering, or receive a webinar recording.
November 9 at 11 a.m. or 3 p.m.
November 10 at 11 a.m.
Silver Lining
Our very own Isabella Liu has been selected to be the recipient for the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence in STEM. This prestigious recognition is given to two teachers in Canada. Isabella will be attending the National Ceremony in Ottawa and receiving her certificate from Prime Minister Trudeau.
Congratulations Isabella!
