December 9, 2022
“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome”
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.
Winter Party
This year’s staff End-of-Term Winter Party will be at The Fortunate Fox, a
cross the street on Bloor on Wednesday, December 21 starting at 4:30 p.m.
We hope to see all staff there to raise some cheer and celebrate the
end of the term!
Guest Sign-In
If you are having guests come to the school, please direct them to enter through the Washington Street Entrance.
They must sign in with security (at the security desk) or, if there is no guard, they should come to the Main Office. All visitors are expected to display a visitor badge or pass (which will be provided when they sign in).
Staff Meeting
There will be a staff meeting on Thursday, December 15 at 4 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose room. Please do not plan to run any student activities after school that day (with the exception of competitions that are set by your league or association).
If you have an agenda item, please email gchalmers@utschools.ca.
On Call Assignments
Here is the list of accumulated on-calls, by teacher. We are keeping an eye on the balance of which blocks (and therefore teachers) are being assigned greater numbers of on-calls than others as a result of which block their on-calls land in.
In January we will review all oncall assignments and may make adjustments to ensure fair distribution of oncall assignments.
If you find any errors in on-call assignments, please let Main Office know.
PRISM Lab Research Opportunity
Do you know any students interested in brain research?
Dr. Tom Chau and Nicolas Ivanov of PRISM Lab at the Bloorview Research Institute are developing technology that can allow people to control a computer using their thoughts and altering their brain activity (measured using electroencephalography, EEG).
Research participants (age 13-18) will be asked to perform different mental imagery tasks like imagining an arm movement or picturing a face. Participants will wear a cap with sensors that will measure their brain activity.
For more information, please see this poster, and feel free to share with students.
Class Coverage Submission Reminder
Here is a one-pager to remind teachers how to submit for class coverage when away from class.
If you have suggestions or feedback for making it clearer and more efficient, please send them to main.office@utschools.ca.
Lang Innovation Lab: Laser Cutter Workshop
Join Naomi Boyd ‘17 on Tuesday, December 13 from 4 - 5:30 p.m. for an introductory workshop on the new laser cutter in the Lang Innovation Lab. Discover different uses and materials for a laser cutter as well as basic design processes.
Space is limited. Email Sean Hayto to register and learn more.
Class Reunions
Staff are invited to attend three upcoming class reunions. The Classes of 2020, 2021, 2022 are coming back on December 21 and 22 for separate Homecoming reunions.
Alumni always enjoy seeing staff at these events, and we encourage you to drop in.
Please fill out this Google Form to indicate which events you plan on attending.
Please note, the Class of 2021 and 2022 will be having luncheons at UTS. The Class of 2020 will have an afternoon tour UTS and a social at The Fortunate Fox.
Athletics Calendars
Parent Updates
In this update you will find information on when report cards will be sent out, UTS March Break programming, a PRISM Lab brain research opportunity for students, the Summer Experience Program hosted by UTSPA, and more.
COVID-19 Case Counter
COVID numbers are updated every Thursday and can be found here in this document.
Silver Linings
Have a silver lining you would like to submit for next week’s Staff Update? Click here to share something that brought you joy recently.
STUDENT DESKS & CHAIRS FIND NEW HOMES
We found new homes for all the old student furniture! Thanks to Martha and Kim Tavares contacts as well as the Facilities team. The furniture will be going to several TDSB schools and a couple of non-profit organizations.
