May 6, 2022
COVID-19 Update
UTS reported 5 confirmed COVID-19 cases among in-person staff and students during the week of May 2-6.
These numbers are updated every Thursday and can be found in the document below.
Staff Building Update
Each week as part of Staff Updates we will endeavour to provide you with the latest building information. We are still in a partial occupancy status which means that a number of building functions are still under the control of Eastern Construction. We continue to meet with the Vice President of Eastern each week and address with Eastern any issues relevant to our current status and our progress toward full occupancy. It’s important to remember that partial occupancy was only made possible by Eastern Construction, who generously agreed to support the return of staff and students prior to the completion of the project. This progression will also involve a transition from construction oversight on building functions to operational control by UTS and the University of Toronto.
Our building is owned, operated and also partially maintained by the University of Toronto. The building design required that UTS meet University Design Standards at the point of design approval. Any adjustments to our systems will need to be made after the handover of the building to UTS and the University, which will not be until the fall.
The various construction trades are currently renegotiating their contracts. At this time, the Operating Engineers have voted to strike. The Carpenters will be voting on their contract proposal this weekend. The carpenters are vital to the completion of the auditorium.
We are grateful to everyone for your patience and flexibility as we adjust to our new school building.
A special thank you to our Facilities and IT staff. Our Facilities staff have not only supported us with our move into the new building but at the same time have emptied the Humbert site and restored it as directed by the Toronto Catholic District School Board.
Our IT staff have managed the substantial work associated with keeping us all online!
HVAC/Ventilation
The school’s expansion project was designed according to University Standards in 2018, which—as mentioned previously—set a target of 4 Air Changes per Hour (ACH). U of T has since revised their standards to target 6 ACH, and a question has been raised about increasing this at UTS. Currently, the architects have deemed the space safe and healthy for occupation. Until the contractor completes their work, the system will be operated as designed. Following handover, the operations team will review options to revise system performance.
Lighting
Currently, the building is functioning in a hard-wired manner to ensure lights stay on for occupancy. Lighting controls are slowly being installed throughout the building and dimming functionality /motion sensors are expected to be complete over the summer with final building commissioning. We will have dimmer capacity in all offices as well as classrooms.
Security/Doors
The exterior door/lock system is progressing steadily. The system is currently being connected to the University System. The master intercom stations connected to the doors will be located in both the Main Office and the Facilities Office.
Waste Management
Facilities has ordered new containers for garbage and recycling as well as green bins from the University. These will be installed as soon as they are available and delivered. Instruction will be given to ensure correct usage.
Cleaning
UTS has contracted with U of T to clean our new building. If you notice any areas not being addressed, please contact Facilities.
McIntyre Gymnasium
The bleachers have been delivered and installation should be completed this week. The curtain dividing the gym into two parts will now be installed in the summer. We did not want to interrupt use of the gym any further.
Library
Susie Choi and Monica Jucha have been hard at work organizing our many resources in the new Library Resource Centre. Final work is being completed as quickly as possible. We are awaiting the installation of our security system before the library can open for student and staff access.
Staff Room Appliances
Refrigerators and microwave ovens for the staff room have been ordered and should be delivered next week.
Withrow Auditorium/Jackman Theatre
The audio-visual system for the Withrow Auditorium and Jackman Theatre will not be installed until the summer. The final lighting installation requires a dust-free environment and thus will also be delayed until the summer.
Landscaping
Sod will be laid on the Huron-Washington Parkette and along Huron Street shortly after the middle of May.
External Brickwork
The masons are working on the exterior brickwork.
Summer Work
We are currently developing a schedule for summer work. Other than our summer programs, please do not plan to use the school space during July and August so that all deficiencies can be addressed and a few alterations implemented.
Message from UTS Social Work
We recognize that as a community we continue to grieve the loss of one of our students, Keva Garg. This includes holding space for challenging conversations and providing ongoing support to students. Responding to death and coping with grief is an individualized experience and will impact people in different ways. We acknowledge and appreciate the continued support staff are providing to students through their connections and caring relationships on a day-to-day basis.
In recognition of the continued efforts in supporting the UTS community, staff may find the following resource on how to support students helpful: Tips for supporting teens who are grieving. You may wish to share the following 2 resources to any students you may be supporting: Tips for young adults grieving a death and/or Your friend is grieving - tips for supporting them.
Our social workers and guidance counselors are continuing to engage and provide individualized support to students. The student community has been provided this Pathways of Support document which clarifies roles in the school and outlines existing supports and resources. Students have been encouraged to access support that feels needed.
As part of our ongoing community grief response, there is a small group of staff and students working on Keva's memorial. This is a paced process that respectfully strives to balance the needs of the community and Keva’s family.
In doing this work, it is important to care for ourselves and each other. Resources for staff include the Employee and Family Assistance Program which includes coverage for individual and family therapy, including grief-specific support. This information from CAMH on Coping with Loss and Grief is another useful resource.
Steph and Joelle invite any interested staff to join us for a check-in on May 16 at 3:30 p.m in Room 135. Our goal is to share information, be available to consult, and act as a resource for you in your day-to-day work. Please come join us. Thank you for continuing to support our community. Please feel free to reach out to us at any time by dropping by Room 340 or emailing social.work.staff@utschools.ca
Staffing Update
Today is Forough Shafiei's last day at UTS. We are truly thankful for her contribution to our community as Campaign Coordinator and Development and Community Relations Officer. We wish Forough much success as she pursues the next chapter in life as Fundraising Manager at WCS Canada.
Ridley Fitness Centre Orientation
The Ridley orientation workshop is to provide UTS students and staff an opportunity to learn about the safety and technique of using equipment that is offered in the Ridley Fitness Centre.
We have had a small group of students and staff volunteers who have been participating in a 2-day pilot orientation workshop.
Once participants complete the orientation, they can sign-up online for open gym times (provided there is a staff supervisor available) and/or fitness clubs.
Our HPE department is currently in the process of divvying up days and times of the week with their availability to run orientation and supervision for both students and staff. In the meantime, UTS staff are more than welcome to contact HPE staff to organize their orientation sessions.
We look forward to welcoming everyone to the Ridley Fitness Centre1
Continued Masking at UTS
A gentle reminder to all staff that UTS is continuing with its mandatory medical masking policy for all staff and students.
Staff (and students) are required to wear their masks in the classrooms and hallways at all times. If you notice students are not masking, please ask them to do so.
Staff are allowed to have their masks off under the following conditions:
if they are eating at their desks
in a space (staff room/office) by themselves - however as soon as someone walks in, they have to put their masks on if not actively eating.
We encourage all staff and students to take advantage of the warmer weather during their break and lunch time. This would also allow for increased opportunities for mask breaks.
Parent Update
New in this update: A reminder to parents about online and asynchronous learning days May 11-13, a notice to parents about an upcoming survey for students on online sexual harassment, an advisory about traffic safety and student drop-off on Huron, information on ticket sales for our upcoming music night performances, dates for outdoor education programming in June, and more.
Silver Lining
Every week, we will close the Staff Update with a little silver lining that highlights the lighter side of life. So far the theme has been pet photos, but any cheerful content is welcome!
Submit Silver Linings here or in the Staff Updates Google Doc.
This week’s share is from the Toronto Blue Jays Game | MLB
