September 7, 2023

Written By UTS

Fostering Brilliance

“The opposite of belonging, is fitting in.” That is the important message I shared with students this week during our Welcome Assembly. It’s a message that comes out of the research by Dr. Brené Brown whose work on building human connection is one that has always resonated deeply with me.  

As Brown points out, “fitting in” is about surveying the landscape, determining how we need to change, and forcing ourselves into a way of being or acting or thinking that denies the uniqueness of who we are. Belonging, on the other hand, is showing up as our true authentic selves and feeling safe enough within our community to be present, known and seen.  

Belonging fosters creativity, physical health and emotional wellness. It allows each of us to apply ourselves more fully to the important work of learning. Freed from the emotional and cognitive baggage of trying to “fit in”, we are better able to delve deeper into intellectual exploration, think more creatively about new ideas, and innovate, ideate and motivate ourselves to achieve at a higher level. Belonging is not just a “feel good” add-on. Belonging is essential to allowing excellence to thrive. 

This year we will be talking a lot about what it means to be a community that actively promotes and supports belonging for all its members. It will demand we show kindness, compassion, empathy and take brave action to support those being left out or forced to fit in. Caring deeply about the well-being of those around us is not a mark of weakness but a sign of intelligence and strength. It is an indicator that a school is truly special – one filled with remarkable people doing remarkable things in order to create a remarkable future for its students.

I will be sure to let you know how our work this year progresses. In the meantime, talk with your child about what belonging means to them and whether they feel pressures to fit in. Explore what it means as a family to celebrate your own unique story, and how acts of kindness and consideration benefit us just as much as they benefit others. 

Thank you for working in partnership with me. I look forward to embarking on this journey of fostering community with each and every one of you. 

Dr. Leanne Foster

Principal, UTS

UTS Calendar

All members of the UTS community can see the UTS Events Calendar. This calendar includes major UTS events such as Parent-Teacher Interviews (PTI), House events, late starts, special schedules, school breaks, etc. Often the calendar events will include more information when you click on the event itself. Bookmarking this calendar or importing it to your own calendar system is recommended to keep track of the busy school year.

Please see the calendar for upcoming events in September. If you would like to import this to your own, click on the bottom right ‘plus’ Google Calendar.

Curriculum Night

Curriculum Night takes place this Tuesday, September 12. The evening will start at 5 p.m. with a parent/guardian reception in the Fleck Atrium and an important parent/guardian meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the Withrow Auditorium. At 5:50 p.m., parents and guardians will head to their child’s Block A class. Parents will receive their schedules on Monday, September 11 with their list of classes and locations for Curriculum Night.

Curriculum Night is for parents and guardians. If possible, UTS Students should go home. However, if F1 and F2 parents cannot secure child supervision or the logistics of going home is prohibitive, F1 and F2 students  may remain at school in the library for quiet study during Curriculum Night. Younger siblings should stay with a caregiver or their parents at all times. No students should be lingering in the halls or other spaces.

During Curriculum Night, the UTS Advancement team will host a UTS Pop-up Shop from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Fleck Atrium where you can purchase UTS items for your children to show their UTS spirit.

If you make your purchase online, we’ll have your merchandise ready for pick up! 

Extended Absences

From time to time, students will miss three or more days of school due to international competitions, external commitments or family obligations. If you anticipate that your child will be absent for three or more consecutive days (for reasons other than illness), please follow the procedure outlined here.

For student support due to illness-related absences or family emergencies, please connect with your child’s guidance counsellor.

School Photo Day

Lifetouch will be on site Tuesday, September 12 to take school photos.

Please contact mainoffice@utschools.ca if you have any questions.

Student Services

The Student Services team includes our Guidance, Social Work, and Student Success teams, school nurse, and head of student support.

As your child’s guidance counsellor may have changed since last year, please consult the Student Services Quick Guide for updated rosters and contact information for the whole team.

September Lunch Menu

For hot lunches this September, please see the menu and list of ingredients.

Lunches can be picked up in the Multi-purpose Room. We will also offer a zero-waste option on Thursdays. The menu will be shared prior to the start of school for this option.

External French Language Opportunities

Would your child like to improve their French while creating a new friendship with another francophone or francophile from another Canadian province or territory? In the United Bilingual Correspondents program, offered by the organization French for the Future, students in grades 7 to 12 will be paired to communicate together in French by phone, email, texts or on social media. This program gives them the opportunity to practice French outside the classroom.

Registration is due on September 29, 2023. Click here to learn more.

If you have further questions, contact: french.teachers@utschools.ca.  

Foundation Ultimate Frisbee Team

Calling all F1 and F2 Students interested in playing Ultimate Frisbee!

Practices will start next week. Interested F1 and F2 students should sign up with their UTS email using this form.

All practice dates and details are in the form. Please complete the form by noon on Friday (tomorrow) so that we can send you the permission form.

All students will need a completed permission form before the first practice on Monday, September 11.

UTSPA Call for Volunteers - Parent Volunteer Group Member

Throughout the year, there are opportunities at the school to volunteer that include special lunches for students, reception support at events, and so many other offerings. Are you interested in getting to know more people at UTS? Do you have a few hours you could volunteer to support various initiatives? If so, you would be a welcome member of the Parent Volunteer Group.

As a member, you will have priority access to volunteer opportunities at the school. You can select the opportunities that suit your schedule, and you will receive messages on the positions available throughout the year.

Sign up with this form to be a member of the Parent Volunteer Group, today!

Artful Design & Artificial Intelligence: "What Do We (Really) Want from AI?"

Professor Ge Wang from Stanford University, author of Artful Design and co-founder of Smule, will be at UTS to give a STEAM keynote performance on - Artful Design & Artificial Intelligence: "What Do We (Really) Want from AI?" 

Here’s a teaser. We invite you to join us in the Withrow Auditorium at 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday September 21.

This special event is open to the UTS community, including students, parents, staff, alumni, and prospective students/families! 

Get your FREE ticket(s) by September 18.

Child Appropriate Game Design Call for Participants

The Children and Age-Appropriate Game Design project, led by Dr. Sara Grimes at U of T’s Faculty of Information, is seeking children age 6-12 interested in participating in a focus group. The aim is to find out more about children’s perspectives and experiences of issues related to “age appropriate" digital game design.  Parents/guardians can relay their child’s interest by sending an email to Dr. Grimes at sara.grimes@utoronto.ca. 

Please see the call for participation for more information.

Back to School at the UTS Shop

Start your school year with a visit to the UTS Shop! Whether it’s a UTS pencil case, backpack or hoodie, we have what you need to show your school pride. 

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