April 28, 2023

Do a good deed and throw it in the river; one day it will come back to you in the desert.
— Rumi

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.


Staffing Announcement

We are pleased to announce the following appointments for Department Coordinators and Program Coordinators effective September 2023, each for a 3-year term:

  • Matthew Declerico is appointed Department Coordinator for Mathematics/Computer Science

  • Munira Lila is appointed Department Coordinator for Student Services

  • Isabella Liu is re-appointed Department Coordinator for Science

  • Adam Gregson is re-appointed as Math Co-Curriculars Coordinator

Please join us in congratulating Matthew, Isabella, Munira, and Adam on their leadership appointments, and extending sincere thanks to outgoing Department Coordinator, Mark Sunderland (Mathematics).  

We want to take this opportunity to extend another round of congratulations to Virginia Ki, who will be stepping into the role of Athletics Director as of September, 2023, and extend heartfelt gratitude to Michael Knox for his dedication in leading our Athletics Program over the past two years.  

Welcome to new staff:

On Monday, May 1, we will be welcoming Madeline Di Giacomo to our Student Life Office.  Madeline will be supporting Garry Kollins as Interim Student Life Officer.  On the same day we will welcome Kailas Chari. Kailas will be taking on the position of Lab Tech Assistant, supporting the Science Department and Science-based summer programs until the end of July.  

We are also pleased to announce that the Math position vacated by Cassy Postma, who is leaving UTS at the end of June will be filled by Kishon Thaveswaran. Kishon is currently teaching at RH King Academy. He shares UTS’s vision of helping students grow into socially responsible global citizens by emphasizing the principle of mathematics in a social context in the classroom.


Toronto Public Health Vaccine Clinic

Toronto Public Health will be returning to UTS on May 17 to complete the second doses of school vaccinations for the Foundation students.

Teachers, please do not schedule any assessments for Foundation students on May 17. 


Drilling Work

Please be aware there will be drilling work taking place on or near 371 Bloor Street West/720 Spadina Avenue/12 & 14 Washington Avenue from May 3-5.

You may hear drilling noise or feel drilling vibrations on these dates. Please see link here for the full notice and exact locations of the drilling.


UTS Together

UTS Together is a giving challenge for our community to come together and offer our support to UTS students.

The goal is participation and to establish the Rosemary Evans Bursary.

Thanks to the generosity of Sandy McIntyre ‘71, Director of the UTS Board and UTS alumnus, all donations received during UTS Together will be matched up to $250,000.

You can join in here.


Gifts for Speakers and Volunteers

This is a reminder that if you would like a gift for a speaker or volunteer, please contact David Haisell 

Before you email David, please view the options in the UTS Shop

And don't forget to include your account number in your request.

Your gift will be confirmed once it's ready, wrapped and waiting for you.


Micro:bit Maker-in-Residence Series @ Lang Innovation Lab

Please join the Innovation Team after school on Tuesday, May 2, for the last session of the laser cutting workshop,  Maker-in-Residence series in the Lang Innovation Lab. 

Naomi Daryn Boyd (they/them) is a designer, maker, collaborator and facilitator. Naomi has just completed a Master's of Design at OCADU's Interdisciplinary Master's in Art, Media & Design program. They graduated from Emily Carr University of Art + Design in in 2021, completing a BDes with a major in Industrial Design and a minor in Social Practice and Community Engagement (SPACE). Naomi's work has led to an interest in design practices that are engaged in social justice, equity, community building, and non-traditional modes of learning. 

Please sign up here if you are interested in joining us.


UTS Charity Week

The Online Auction for UTS Charity Week will continue today. Bidding closes at 9 p.m. 


F1 & F2 Teachers: Please Minimize Homework for May 3-7

All F1 and F2 students will be participating in virtual field trips and synchronous online learning activities for YLLT on PTI days. 

In the interest of student wellness and to free up their time and energy so that they can be fully present at these sessions, kindly minimize homework for May 3-7 PTI weekend.


F1 YLLT

F1 YLLT

May 3 (Day 1), 12:30-1:00 p.m. online learning:  All F1 students will be required to join a brief online learning session, in preparation for the next day’s virtual field trip.  

  • If you teach F1s in period 4 (block D), please remind them to login to the F1 YLLT Zoom link which will be posted in the F1 YLLT Google Classroom.

  • May 4, 9:00-11:30 a.m. online learning:  All F1 students will be participating in a 90-minute virtual field trip to the Former Mohawk Institute Residential School.  UTS Social Workers will be on hand to provide student support as needed.  After the virtual field trip and a break, the students will engage online, to delve into ongoing Truth and Reconciliation learning.  

    • Might this experience provide a window of opportunity to connect with what you’re doing in your F1 course, by any chance?  Maybe a classroom conversation?  Feel free to reach out to Cresencia for support or idea-jamming on this.

F2 YLLT

May 5 in-person learning at UTS:  

  • 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.:  All F2 students will be engaging in collaborative learning related to their sustainability campaigns.  

  • 12:30-1:30 p.m.:  UTS will provide lunch for all F2 students

  • 1:30-3:00 p.m.:  All F2 students will participate in a workshop about equity, diversity and inclusion.


Athletics Calendar


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.

This week’s share comes from Negar Shayan.


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April 21, 2023