December 21, 2023

Written By UTS

Fostering Brilliance

Growing up in our house, tradition dictated that my younger sister and I would awaken our parents on Christmas morning and go downstairs together to see the wondrous delights Santa Claus had left under the tree. It was a moment of childhood magic and one my mother loved to watch. For her, the weeks of shopping, the late-night wrapping with meticulous care culminated in one precious moment when her children’s faces would light up with joy.

Read more.

December 22 - Special Schedule

This is a reminder that Friday, December 22 is a half day with a special schedule.

The day will start with Holiday Breakfast, followed by the Holiday Assembly.

Students will be dismissed at 11:30 a.m. and should plan to vacate the school by 12:15 p.m.

Attendance and safe arrivals will occur between 9:40 and 9:55 a.m.

UTS Course Calendar 2024-25

The UTS Course Calendar for 2024-25 is now available here and also available on the Parent Portal. The Course Calendar provides an overview of course selection offerings and requirements for UTS students.

UTS Guidance Counsellors are holding course selection information sessions for students. Parents are invited to attend sessions January 15 (F1 and F2), January 16 (M3 and M4), and January 17 (S5) as outlined below.

Course Selection Nights: January 15 to January 17, 2024

Course Selection Nights

  • F1 into F2 Course Selection Night: Monday, January 15 from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

  • F2 into M3 Course Selection Night: Monday, January 15 from 6:45 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.

  • M3 into M4 Course Selection Night: Tuesday, January 16 from 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.

  • M4 into S5 Course Selection Night: Tuesday, January 16, from 7 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.

  • S5 into S6 Course Selection Night: Wednesday, January 17 from 6 p.m. tp 6:45 p.m.

These are virtual events. Zoom links will be shared in January.

Available on the Parent Portal now:

  • Your child’s Guidance Counsellor’s presentation

  • A Quick Guide to Course Selection

  • An FAQ on Course Selection

  • Forms to submit your questions ahead of time.

Student Work During the Break and in early January

Students may be expected to do some work (approximately 45 minutes to one hour  per course) during the January 8 and 9 PD days.

January 8 and 9 are not holidays for students and students should be reviewing work and preparing for upcoming classes. No summative work should be due in classes on January 10, but a reasonable amount of work, including summatives could be due January 11 and 12.

Financial Assistance/Bursary Decisions 2024-25 Returning Students

Bursary decisions for returning families who applied through Apple Financial for the 2024-25 school year will be emailed on Friday, January 12, 2024. 

If you have any questions please email finance@utschools.ca.

January Lunch Menu

Here are the January menus from Flame Fresh including the list of ingredients.

For January in addition to the regular menu they are offering a vegetarian menu in hopes of ensuring there are options for everyone.

Please check out their tasty new vegetarian options. 

UTS is also offering a hot lunch menu through Mindful Munch.

Please see the menu with a QR code to scan and place orders as well as the list of list of ingredients.

Supporting Mental Health Over the Holidays

For some, the holidays are relaxing reset times. However, we recognize the holidays can also be a time when people face extra stress and challenges.

If you are looking for supports to reach out to over the break, you can check out this list of Mental Health Resources for some ideas.

Post-Secondary Update

The holidays are a time for relaxation and reconnecting with family and friends. It’s also a time when our S6 students will be finishing their postsecondary applications, and doing other types of “teenage stuff” that takes time and energy and generates emotion.

To keep everyone in the holiday spirit, here are some words of wisdom from the University of Pennsylvania’s Dean of Admissions about what not to discuss at the holiday table.

Parent Volunteers Needed!

Fulford Debate Judges
UTS is hosting the Fulford Debate on January 13, 2024. As part of this experience, UTS is looking for 50 volunteers to help judge the debates and provide feedback to the participants. By signing up for this role, you will be asked to have Vulnerable Sector Screening as this volunteer position works directly with students. Sign up with this form.

Summer Experience Program Hosts
UTSPA is hosting our annual Summer Experience Program (SEP) this summer 2024. Please sign up to become a host, which involves giving our students a brief experience of your work environment and sharing your knowledge, thoughts and enthusiasm about your profession with them! The length can range from half-day to a week-long experience.   

SEP is a work placement experience aiming to give UTS students experience in different industry sectors through real-world working environments. Learn more about UTSPA SEP Program. You can also contact SEP co-leads at christine.wong@utschools.ca and randy.pang@utschools.ca.

UTS Events & Co-Curricular Calendars

Pop-Up UTS Shop

The UTS Shop will be holding a pop-up shop in the Fleck Atrium immediately following the Holiday Assembly on Friday, December 22.

Debit and credit cards will be accepted.

Visit the UTS Shop to view our catalogue or preorder for pickup.

By student request, new ¼ zip sweatshirts and ½ zip sweatshirts are now available! UTS socks are new too and make a great stocking stuffer!

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