March 25, 2022

Staff Information on Returning to Bloor St.

Map of 371 Bloor Street W.

Click here for a simplified map of 371 Bloor Street W.

Updated COVID-19 Protocols

Click here to review the infographic.

Google Class Calendars

Google class calendars have been updated to April 1, 2022. Please note, there are two 5-day cycles remaining for the current spiral (Spiral 1).

Breaks

When students return in person we will continue with our two class per day model. However, as we will be back at Bloor and with progress related to COVID-19, we are planning to move to a common break for the morning (10:15-10:30 a.m.) and afternoon (1:45-2:00 p.m.). We will no longer have monitors – students will be able to leave the class to use the restroom, and step outside etc (similar to a typical lunch).

Lunch

Students will no longer be required to eat lunch in designated grade-based locations. They may use the Fleck Atrium, multi-purpose room, other public spaces or go outside. Outdoor lunches will be strongly encouraged especially with the nicer weather in the forecast. Lunchtime co-curricular activities will be permitted with staff supervision (rooms will need to be booked – Facilities will provide guidance for booking space at lunch). There is a Staff Lunch Room on the third floor for staff looking for a space away from their desk.

Washrooms and Change Rooms

There are student and staff washrooms located on each level of the building. There is a gender-neutral student bathroom on level 1 and gender-neutral student change spaces on lower Level 3. There is also staff change space on lower Level 3.

Entrance Doors

While construction continues on the parkette, auditorium and other spaces, the Washington (Wright Living Lane) entrance will not be available. On the first day we ask staff and students to enter through the Huron St. entrance. We will look at other options depending on congestion and provide an update once we return to school.

COVID-19 Self-Assessment

UTS will continue to require staff and students to demonstrate the completion of the self-assessment app each day.

Rapid Antigen Screens

UTS will provide all staff with another box of Rapid Screens upon return. To get your test kit, please follow up with facilities. The test kit will contain 25 screens and should last each staff member till the end of the school year. The rapid screening days will continue to be every Monday and Thursday. All staff are encouraged to participate in this initiative. This program will wind down at the end of this school year.

Co-curricular Activities

As before the break, there may be some, limited early morning co-curricular activities. After-school co-curricular activities will resume in a similar manner as before the break.

Captains’ Election

Please be reminded that the Captains’ election will begin with the assembly on Thursday, March 31 at 2:30 p.m.

Visitors from Denmark

A class of graduating students from our partner school in Denmark, Rysensteen Gymnasium, will be visiting Toronto from March 29-April 7 and staying with UTS host families from April 2-6. Gabrielle, Cat, Richard and Marc will be helping to support this visit. They likely will not be at the new school, however, if you do run into them, please feel free to introduce yourself.

Parking at Bloor

For those looking to park at or near 371 Bloor, U of T will not issue additional parking passes at this time.

The most inexpensive option appears to be under the Shoppers Drug Mart though there are also multiple outdoor lots as well.

Teaching On-Site During the Move

There are a number of teachers who typically prefer to teach on site during online teaching periods. Unfortunately, we cannot facilitate teaching on-site at either Bloor or Humbert the week of March 28 - April 1. If the situation changes there will be an update.

Staff Welcomes, Farewells & Congratulations

We are thrilled to extend a warm hello and welcome Dr. Kimberley (Kim) Tavares to UTS as Vice Principal, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access and Admissions.

Kim comes to UTS with a wealth of experience and extensive expertise in the area of Anti-Racism, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. She is currently appointed to the Ontario Ministry of Education’s Education Equity Secretariat as Education Officer; her bio is captured in Rosemary's announcement which went out to the community earlier today. Kim will be starting in her new role at UTS on July 1, however, she is eager to connect with the community and will be participating in our discussions and planning around the Avis Glaze Report and recommendations prior to her start date.

Kim's UTS email kimberley.tavares@utschools.ca is now active, please join us in welcoming Kim to the UTS community.

For more on Kim’s academic background and previous experience, please see this all staff email from the Office of the Principal.

It is with mixed emotions that we extend farewell and congratulations to Sagalina Coco Doré.

Sagalina has accepted the position of Senior Advisor of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Indigenization in the Office of Advancement at Queen's University. Her last day at UTS is Friday, March 25. Sagalina has been instrumental in growing and improving our Speech & Debate Program and has been a passionate voice for equity, diversity and inclusion at UTS. While her presence and energy will be missed, we are thrilled to see her embrace this new and exciting career opportunity at Queen's University and wish her much success as she begins this next chapter in her life.

Congratulations to Charline Wan who will take on the position of Head of Admissions starting July 1, 2022.

Charline comes to the position with experience as a UTS alumna and Student Success Teacher - she understands and is familiar with the UTS Admissions process and student experience through the admissions process and transition into the School community, including the support required to ensure the success of all students admitted to UTS. We are thrilled to have her embrace this new role!

Congratulations to Justin Williams who has been promoted to the position of Controller in the UTS Finance Department.

Justin's diligence and hard work have been critical in supporting the work of the Finance Department and UTS Foundation. We are grateful to have him on the team and wish him success in this new expanded role.

COVID-19 Vaccination Reminder

A reminder to staff that as per the UTS Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, all members of staff must receive their third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by no later than March 31, 2022.

Staff who have received their third dose should email their proof of vaccination to hr.staff@utschools.ca for confirmation.

So far we have received certificates from approximately 70% of staff members,

We would like to thank those who have received their third dose, and already provided their proof of vaccination, and encourage those who haven’t to send their certificate in as soon as possible.

Social Media Spotlight:

Check out these beautiful photos of our new home on Bloor recently shared on the UTS Instagram page by our Communications team.

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Share an Article or Podcast

Have you read a great new article that inspired you, or found a podcast you can’t get enough of? Share your inspiration here and we may feature it on the next Staff Update.

This week’s submission comes from Vince Dannetta:

Annie Murphy Paul | The Next Big Idea
WorkLife with Adam Grant

”In this episode, Annie Murphy Paul, author of “The Extended Mind” sits down with Adam for a spirited conversation in which she defends the fine art of fidgeting, suggests ways to improve group brainstorms, and gives him advice on how to talk to his childhood sensei. For more episodes, you can find and follow the Next Big Idea wherever you're listening to this.

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