September 9, 2022
Words of Wisdom
“The most important day of a person’s education is the first day of school, not Graduation Day.”
Have a quote you would like to submit for next week’s Staff Update? Click here to share the words of wisdom that inspired you most recently.
New Staff Portal
To coincide with the start of the new school year, we are thrilled to announce the launch of a new digital resource for all UTS staff members, the UTS Staff Portal.
The Portal is now live, and can be found in your UTS Bookmark tab in the Google Chrome browser.
All of the tools and content previously found on the Staff Conference have migrated to the Staff Portal including:
all UTS policies and procedures
COVID-19 related information
internal job postings
JHSC agendas and minutes
forms for class coverage, PD requests, and more
You can also find some new features on the Portal, such as a Facilities Room Bookings button, and an enhanced Communications Toolkit.
Upcoming Website Launch
A fully refreshed and redesigned UTS website will launch in the coming weeks.
This new site will incorporate elements of our updated strategic planning, highlight themes of equity, diversity and inclusion, and feature integrated social media storytelling components.
More information will follow in future Staff Updates when a launch date is finalized.
Brand Guidelines
Please see the newly updated UTS Brand Guidelines document.
These branding guidelines are designed to provide staff with information and resources to tell the UTS story in a coherent and consistent manner, including rules and best practices for: logo use, typeface, colours, photos, social media use, style & grammar, inclusive language & visual elements, email signatures, and more.
If you have any questions about UTS Brand Guidelines, please email Communications.
Return to Bloor Celebrations
On September 16 and 17, UTS will be opening its doors. On Friday night, there is an invitation-only event for the top donors and volunteers for the Building the Future campaign.
Our Homecoming Community Open House is happening Saturday, September 17, 2022. You are all invited to join us for this community-wide special celebration, especially the Ribbon Cutting Assembly at noon in the new Withrow Auditorium. We anticipate that there will be 700 visitors that day.
As part of the celebration, guests will be touring classrooms on both dates. We ask you to have classrooms ready by 4:00 PM on Friday. Please secure or store any items that you don't want seen by guests. Guided tours of donors will happen on Friday, and self-guided tours for all UTS community members will happen on Saturday.
Student volunteers will be in some classrooms on Saturday. If you are interested in hosting a space, please contact Rebecca Broderick. We are grateful for your support!
Avis Glaze Report Discussions
In June a number of staff asked for an opportunity to discuss the findings and recommendations coming from the Glaze Report.
To honor the request and create spaces for dialogue and discussion in support of understanding for implementation, please use this Google Form select a date that works best for you, if interested in meeting to discuss the report.
COVID-19 Rapid Tests
Staff will be able to pick up 1 box of Abbott Panbio rapid tests from the main office starting Monday September 12.
UTS is recommending that staff continue to do the test every Monday and Thursday if they choose to do so.
The COVID assessment app is no longer asking for the test results to be uploaded.
Flu/COVID Booster Vaccination Clinic at UTS
UTS is exploring offering a flu/COVID booster vaccination clinic to UTS staff in collaboration with Dr. Alvi/Ms. Sarah Moosavi.
They have been kindly donating their time and efforts for this initiative over the past few years.
Here is the survey to express your interest. The date of the clinic is to be determined.
COVID-19 Return to School Infographic
A Return to School Infographic has been created that provides step by step instructions in case of an individual experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and/or close contact of COVID-19.
For any questions, contact ipac.team@utschools.ca.
Guidance
S6 Counsellors are meeting with their students and confirming postsecondary plans.
The first set of applications (early U.K.) will be submitted by mid-October, swiftly followed by early U.S. applications.
In the coming weeks, students will connect with their teacher referees regarding academic letters of support.
More information to follow with respect to formatting, content and deadlines.
If you have any questions, please reach out to a member of the Student Services team.
Parent Update
New in this update you will find information on our upcoming Curriculum Night, the Homecoming Community Open House for our renewed home at 371 Bloor Street West on September 17, upcoming try-outs for both Foundation and high school athletics teams, and a reminder to parents about new students are required to sign up for School Cash Online.
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! This week’s share comes from Sherly Geronimo.
