September 28, 2023

Written By UTS

Fostering Brilliance

Tomorrow UTS will mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which takes place on Saturday, September 30. For the second year, UTS is dedicating the entire day to Truth and Reconciliation because it is so important for the whole school community to pause, reflect and think deeply about these issues. As a school, it is our responsibility to actively work to address the calls to action laid out by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as we move forward together. 

Throughout the day, your children will have the opportunity to learn firsthand from Indigenous speakers. They will have a chance to learn some words in Indigenous languages, take part in cultural workshops, and hear videotaped survivor testimony from Louise Longclaws, who at just six years of age was sent to Brandon Indian Residential School for five long years. She lives to tell her story, but as we all know, many did not.  

A school is supposed to be a place of safety, a place of learning and growth, but residential schools were anything but. The lessons learned there by children like Louise are quite simply heartbreaking.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is an opportunity to build understanding that stays with our students not just on this one day, but every day throughout the school year. 

This year, UTS will continue in our efforts towards anti-racism, equity, diversity and inclusion by continuing to incorporate Indigenous perspectives, achievements and ways of learning into the classroom. Andrew McConnell, who is of mixed heritage, English and Anishinaabe, and a member of Nipissing First Nation, is serving as a resource to our staff on Indigenous issues. A course director at York University’s Faculty of Education, he is on secondment from his role as coordinator of First Nations, Métis and Inuit education at the York Region District School Board. 

We will also welcome our Indigenous artist-in-residence, Cris Derksen, who comes from a line of chiefs from North Tallcree Reserve on her father’s side and a line of strong Mennonite homesteaders on her mother’s. A cellist and composer, Cris will use the time to work on a new composition for our school that we will in turn share with other schools. 

Truth and Reconciliation matters. Understanding is just the beginning. As a society, we have to move beyond only listening to the Survivors. We cannot keep hearing their stories, without giving back. Action can be our gift to them. That is our hope for tomorrow, and the future beyond. 

Dr. Leanne Foster

Principal, UTS

UTS Calendar

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

On Friday, September 29, all UTS students and staff will spend the day learning, reflecting and committing to action in preparation for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The schedule for the day is here.

Students should arrive at the normal time (8:50 a.m.). The day will wrap up after the closing keynote at 3:30 p.m.

M3 students will be at Camp Kandalore and will have special programming to honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at camp. 

AP Exam Registration Portal

M4 to S6 students can now use this portal to register for AP exams.

As a reminder - for students enrolled in courses that end in -P (ie. SBI4UP), AP exam registration is mandatory.

Registration for AP exams closes on October 27; invoices for exams will be sent in November directly to guardians.

See these two resources for more details: How many APs is right for me?, General AP FAQs.

Reach out to apexams@utschools.ca with any questions - we are happy to help!

Financial Assistance/Bursary Applications 2024-25 Returning Students

This is a friendly reminder that applications for returning student bursaries for the 2024-25 school year will open as of October 2, 2023.

Please visit here and complete your application by October 31, 2023 if you are interested.

If you have any questions, please contact UTS Finance at finance@utschools.ca.

UTS Music Lesson Subsidy

The UTS Music Lesson Subsidy applications are now open.

The application form and information has been sent to all F2 to S5 music students to apply.

If your student would like to register for private music lessons partially subsidised by the school and partially paid for by your family, please have students fill out the form before October 16.

Please email Mark.laidman@utschools.ca with any questions. 

October Lunch Menus

We offer two daily lunch ordering options. Please find the daily options for October lunches here.

Please find the Zero-Waste options here.

Toronto Public Health School Vaccination Clinic for Foundation Students

Toronto Public Health will be on site on Monday, December 4 to provide mandatory school vaccinations to F1 students. F2 students who haven’t received their school vaccinations will also have the opportunity to participate.

Please read this letter to learn about the vaccines provided.

Consent forms will be sent home in November. More details to follow closer to the date.

Foundation Community Service

We are still looking for parent volunteers to help with our Foundation ‘Service Saturday’ on October 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you are keen, please get in touch with catherine.wachter@utschools.ca.

Through our Together We Give, Together We Grow program, students in F1 and F2 participate in two Service Saturdays - one coming up October 28 and the other in April that run 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 

In groups of 20, students are partnered with an organization and build empathy and community as they do collective community service all in house at UTS. Four hours awarded!

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 spirit. 

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