January 18, 2024

Written By UTS

Fostering Brilliance

This week, I am reflecting on the words attributed to Leo Buscaglia, "Change is the end result of all true learning." University of Toronto Schools is at a pivotal moment in time, and we continue to chart a vibrant future in our new home while being open to growth and responsive to the changing needs of the school.

With mixed emotions, we share the news that Garth Chalmers, our Vice Principal of Senior School, will embark on a new adventure to become the Head of School at Brentwood College in Mill Bay, B.C., starting on July 1, 2024. Garth started his career at UTS 25 years ago, when he accepted a teaching position in the Canadian and World Studies department, where he also served as Department Coordinator for a number of years. In 2010, Garth transitioned to the Senior Leadership Team taking on the role of Director of Admissions and Student Support, and Vice Principal in 2016. Garth has been an enduring presence over his 25-year career at UTS and established warm relationships with staff, students, parents, UTSPA and our Board and alum. I personally will miss Garth’s presence at UTS but am pleased that he and I will remain connected through the Canadian Accredited Independent School network of which both Brentwood College and UTS are members.

Garth's departure provided the impetus for some deep thinking about the alignment of our school administration and evolving school needs. Together with our leadership team and the guidance of our Board of Directors, we have rebalanced our administrative structure and integrated additional resources to address the changing needs of our school community. Effective July 1, 2024, Dr. Kim Tavares, currently Coordinating Vice Principal, Anti-Racism, Equity, Inclusion, Access & Program Innovation, will assume the new role of Deputy Principal, overseeing the Equity Office and leading our academic team. Garry Kollins will continue as Vice Principal of Student Life, and Jenny Pitt-Lainsbury will assume the new role of Vice Principal of School Operations. Nancy Dawe will continue her work in Student Services with the title of Dean of Students. 

Our academic leadership will be expanded to include greater capacity to address the needs of our students with the introduction of a Head of Middle School and Head of Senior School. The role of Dean of Academics will replace the current Vice Principal Academics position and will oversee broader curricular responsibilities. These changes will allow me to remain connected to our students while focusing on strategic initiatives as well as fostering strong partnerships and research opportunities as an affiliated school of the University of Toronto.

Applications for these new positions are open until the end of January, and we look forward to announcing the appointees before summer. I am confident that UTS is poised for exciting times ahead as we evolve through ongoing reflection, collaborative learning and our willingness to embrace change.

Student Course Selection Forms 

Student course selection forms for the 2024-25 school year, are available starting today. Students must sign in to their course selection form using the login credentials sent to them via email. 

IT and Guidance support is available until forms are due on January 26 at 5 p.m.  While there will no support available from Guidance Counsellors or IT on weekends, the form will remain open until January 29 at 9 a.m. for families who require a little more time.

Comprehensive information on the process is available on the parent portal. Students can ask questions during guidance drop-in sessions (schedule here).

If your child encounters any difficulty signing in, please email it@utschools.ca for help.

Re-Enrollment Contracts 2024-25

Parents whose children will be returning to UTS for the 2024-25 school year had instructions on how to access and complete the re-enrollment contract emailed to them on January 17. Families are asked to please complete the contracts by January 26.

For more detailed instructions on how to access your child’s re-enrollment contract, please click here.

If you have any questions regarding the contract, please contact Justin Williams at finance@utschools.ca.

Parent-Teacher Interviews in February

Bookings will open on February 1 at 9 a.m. through pickAtime for Parent-Teacher Interviews on February 13 and February 23.

Your child’s schedule will not be visible until booking opens.

PTI bookings close on February 8 at 11 p.m.

Click here for instructions to book your PTIs.

If you would like to request translation service for Parent Teacher interviews, please fill out the Translation Service Request Form by January 23.

If you have other questions, please email pickatime@utschools.ca.

Upcoming Outdoor Education

A reminder about the following upcoming outdoor education programs: The F2s will be away at Camp Wanakita from February 26 to 28; with the F1s following February 28 to March 1. 

Both of these camps will be accompanied by some S5 counsellors. 

The S6s will be attending Camp Kintail from February 28 to March 1. 

More detailed information and permission forms will come out in the next few weeks. 

Please note that the outdoor education programs are considered an integral part of the UTS Diploma - students are expected to attend.

Email studentlife@utschools.ca with any questions.

Flame Fresh 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. 

Mindful Munch Lunch Menu

UTS is also offering a hot lunch menu through Mindful Munch, which is brought to you by Basil Box!

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

School Photos and Grad Photos

Photo orders are ready for pick up in the Main Office.

Grad photos will take place at the school February 12 to 16 and February 20 to 23.

Grad sitting fee is $35. Students can pay when booking the online session or on the day of photography.

Graduating students will be emailed the link to sign up for their sessions next week. 

Questions can be directed to mainoffice@utschools.ca

Post-Secondary Update

S6 students will have the opportunity to hear from counsellors and UTS alumni regarding the next steps in the post-secondary application process and budgeting tips while at university.

This mandatory workshop will be held in person at UTS on January 25 at 8:50 a.m.

Families are reminded that supplementary application deadlines (if applicable) are in January and February; S6 students should refer to their university portals for specific information.

Light Up Squad

Students are invited to join the Light Up Squad, a pilot program where students participate in two one-hour sessions focusing on the research behind seniors living with dementia (delivered by two UTS alum who are doctors/researchers in this field), as well as how to thoughtfully and safely volunteer with them. 

These sessions will happen after school from 4-5 p.m. in February, culminating in the opportunity to volunteer over March break on Marth 11 and March 12 for two one-and-a-half hour sessions. 

Students will be accompanied by Ms. Wachter for the entirety of their volunteer experience. 

If your child is interested, please have them contact Ms. Wachter as soon as possible.

Summer Experience Program Information Session

UTSPA is hosting our annual Summer Experience Program this summer 2024, which involves giving UTS students a brief experience of your work environment and sharing your knowledge, thoughts and enthusiasm about your profession with them!

Interested in learning more about the responsibilities of the hosts? Do you have questions for the program organizers?

RSVP for our online information session on Wednesday, January 31 from 6 to 7 p.m. to learn more.

External Opportunity Posted by the French Programme

The YMCA Summer Work Student Exchange is a six-week program that offers youth ages 16 to 17 the opportunity to travel, gain paid work experience, practice their second official language (French) skills, and discover another community within Canada.

Applications are now open. Learn More About the Program here.

March Break Camps

Registration for UTS March Break Camps has opened, and is available here. 

Programs include Hands on Math, Debate, Maximum City and Act Two Drama. 

Please email camps@utschools.ca for more information.

Sock and Toiletry Drive

From January 11 to 25, the Student Outreach Coordinators (SOCs) will be collecting toiletries and grocery gift cards for the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), distributing to 10 shelters and housing services across Toronto.

Please bring in the following donation items to the atrium, labelled with your student’s name and grade.

  • Socks

  • New bedsheets and/or blankets (size double)

  • Regular size shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant

  • Winter jackets and winter boots (gently used and in good condition accepted)

  • Hats/gloves/scarves/mitts (only new accepted)

  • Household items: dish soap, paper towels, detergent

  • Adult incontinence pads

  • Toothbrushes/toothpaste

UTS Shop - New Items

The UTS Shop is the place to go for UTSers to show their school pride! 

By student request, new ¼ zip sweatshirts and ½ zip sweatshirts are now available in adult and youth sizes!

UTS socks are also available in a new style!

Calendars

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