Fantastic News
Submitted by Aneta Costin on Fri, 05/11/2012 - 07:30
It is easy to find all the things wrong around us. Most of the news reports give us ‘the wrongs’ in great detail and sometimes it feels like there is nothing ‘right’ around us. Today all those wrongs were replaced by rights.
First, I can share wonderful news with you that I have been required to keep confidential until now. You may remember that a previous email from several weeks ago brought news of TDSB Excellence Awards and a call for nominations. In all, that request for nominations brought over 160 submissions from across our school board. A committee was struck to review the nominations and verify the accuracy of the information submitted. In the end, 19 groups or individuals were chosen to receive a TDSB Excellence Award. The ceremony was held earlier this evening at Earl Haig S.S and FHCI received two of those 19 awards. The first was presented to Ms. Rodopoulos, English teacher and Curriculum Leader of English and Literacy at FHCI. The second was presented to our team of caretakers: Mr. Chen-See, Mr. Lewis (Chief Caretaker), Ms. Lima, Mr. Marshall (Shift Leader), Mr. Pollard, Mr. Scarfo, and Mr. Sturino. I was so proud to be at the ceremony and hear the MC describe in detail the wonderful work Ms. Rodopoulos and our caretakers do.
Second, I finished my evening back at the school listening to the second half of “Sounds of Spring”, our annual spring musical night. The performances were superb—full of energy, enthusiasm and passion. The teachers who work with the music students, Ms. Dalamba and Ms. Simas, got rave reviews from their students who spoke of how their teachers had transformed their lives through the gift of music.
So I finish the day with a song in my heart. We who are part of the FHCI family—the families, the students, the teachers, the staff—are a very lucky bunch to be a part of what is so right about schools today.
Peggy Aitchison
Principal
Forest Hill Collegiate
416 393-1860 x 20010
News
Submitted by Aneta Costin on Mon, 05/07/2012 - 14:56
Student Performances/Productions
1. Congratulations to the staff and students involved in the recent production of ‘Urinetown’ and last week’s ‘Coeur for the Cure’ fashion show. Partial proceeds from the fashion show went to Heart and Stroke Foundation.
The students in both events treated their audiences to high-energy productions that clearly showed the months of effort and rehearsal that went into making the events look easy.
2. Culminating Activities Schedule
I am sending you the culminating activities schedule for the end of May and first weeks of June. Culminating Activities run from May 28 to June 18. Please note that culminating activities carry the same mandatory attendance and participation requirements as end-of-course exams. Those requirements are included with the schedule I am sending you. Students each received a copy of the schedule and requirements last week. Extras are available in the office.
The final exam schedule will likely be available for distribution at the end of May.
3. Sounds of Spring, Thursday, May 10
A message from Ms. Simas and Ms. Dalamba…
It is with great excitement that we invite you to our upcoming Sounds of Spring music concert!
This is the most exciting time of year for our music students, as they finally get to show off the repertoire they've been working on all semester. Your children have been rehearsing both in their music classes and in out-of-class groups and are now ready to perform a knock-out concert you cannot miss! Please come out and support them as well as our music department!
The concert is held on Thursday, May 10th, at 7:00 pm in the FHCI Auditorium. Tickets are $7 for students and $10 for adults. Ms. Dalamba and I have already began distributing tickets to students, but you can also buy them at the door.
It's been a semester filled with hard work...we've been actively learning, refining and polishing our pieces. It is now time to hear the applause. :)
Thank you and we hope to see you there!
Peggy Aitchison
Principal
Forest Hill Collegiate
416 393-1860 x 20010
Next at FHCI
Submitted by Aneta Costin on Mon, 04/16/2012 - 16:23
1. Markbook printouts
Students received a record of their marks to date from their teachers this week. Please ensure you see a Markbook printout for each of your child’s classes. In one of two cases, printouts will be issued on Monday, but the vast majority of printouts reached students this week. Please review the marks for your child, and then your child relative to the rest of the class. If you have questions or concerns, please contact the subject teacher or the vice principal for your child.
Please note that April 26 is the final day for a student to drop a Grade 11 or 12 course without the mark showing on the student’s transcript. In addition, April 25 is the last day to request a change of level (academic to applied) as April 26 is the last day such a change can be made. No level changes can be processed after April 26.
2. Parent/Guardian-Teacher Get-Together, Tuesday, April 17
You received two previous emails from me about the get-together for parents/guardians of current and new students. If you are able to join us for the evening, we would love to have you. If you haven’t sent a reply, please email fhschoolcouncil@gmail.com. If you can bring a dish with you, that is a bonus, but not required.
3. Assembly with Hon Carolyn Bennett, MP St. Paul’s, Critic for Aboriginal Affairs
As part of a month-long focus on issues facing the Aboriginal population of Canada, the Hon Carolyn Bennett will be speaking to Grade 10 History, Grade 11 Society and Native Studies, and Grade 12 Law classes during Period 1 on Monday. She will help our students gain a better understanding of the educational challenges faced by Canada’s Aboriginal students and the efforts being made to ensure their full participation in Canadian society.
4. Assembly for Grade 12 students
On Monday afternoon, I will be meeting in the auditorium with Grade 12 students. The major focus of the meeting is preparation for the upcoming formal for graduating students. I want students to be clear on the process of purchasing tickets including the submission of required forms. I will underscore with the students the critical importance of students arriving and remaining drug and alcohol free on the night of the prom. This will be outlined in a letter that each prom-attendee will receive at the assembly to take home to parent/guardian.
5. Mark these dates…
April 17: Student Council Elections applications available
April 18: Dress rehearsal all day for school play, Urinetown
April 19: Mid-term report cards issued to students to take home to parents/guardians. Students receive their report cards at the end of the day from their Period 1 teacher, or if no Period 1 class, from the main office. Please ensure you see the report card on Thursday.
April 24: Late opening for Staff Meeting
April 25: School Council Meeting
Peggy Aitchison
Principal
Forest Hill Collegiate
416 393-1860 x 20010
Next at FHCI
Submitted by Aneta Costin on Tue, 03/20/2012 - 15:27
We have several major events in the next week, some of which that will affect the school day schedule. Please make a note of the following:
Wednesday, March 21: Family of Schools meeting in the library.
· The library will not be available to students in the morning from 8:00 to 11:45 am.
· Information meeting during Period 3 with students who are writing the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test.
Thursday, March 22: Parent/Guardian-Teacher interviews.
· Classes for all students from 9:00 a.m.-11:45. No afternoon classes
· Interviews: 1:00-3:00, 6:30-9:00
Friday, March 23: Late Opening
· Classes begin at 9:50 and follow the schedule on Page 44 of the Student Agenda Book.
Monday, March 26: Literacy Test Practice
· Students in Grade 10 classes and ESL classes, Periods 1, 2 and 4, work on Literacy Test practice questions, distributed by the Period 1 teachers.
Tuesday, March 27: Regular Schedule
· Literacy Test Assembly, Period 3 for all students writing the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test.
Wednesday, March 28: Regular Schedule
· School Council meeting. Agenda will follow. All parents/guardians are invited to attend this meeting in the Staff Room at FHCI.
· Prefect applications available in the main office. Submission date is Thursday, April 12 by 3:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 29: Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT)
· Students who are scheduled to write the OSSLT arrive at school at 8:40 and are dismissed at 12:00 noon. Students who receive extra time should bring lunch as there is no cafeteria service.
· No regularly scheduled classes for other students.
· Staff meeting for teachers in the afternoon.
Peggy Aitchison
Principal
Forest Hill Collegiate
416 393-1860 x 20010
News
Submitted by Aneta Costin on Mon, 03/05/2012 - 11:35
1. We all await news…
The FHCI community is collectively holding its breath, waiting for word from tests to know if the human remains found this week connect with our former student, Mariam, missing for the last 2.5 years. I have not been told when to expect a final determination but I think we will all hear at the same time. I am sure the wait is very difficult for the family.
2. March Break
As you know, there are no classes from March 12-16. However, teachers will be delivering lessons, covering curriculum and assessing students through to the end of classes on Friday, March 9. Please make sure your child attends classes as scheduled next week. In keeping with the TDSB policy on homework, no homework will be assigned over the break; however, some students may be working on previously assigned projects for which there is a due date well after the break.
3. Course Selection
I hope the online course selection process worked well for you and your child. Our counsellors will look over every set of course choices to ensure accuracy. We have a few course selection sheets yet to process but once that is done, we will begin in earnest the steps to building the 2012-2013 timetable. Students will have many opportunities prior to September 2012 to make alterations to their course choices if their program plans change.
4. Online booking for Parent/Teacher Interviews on March 22, 2012
Next week, along with the Progress Report Card, you will receive instructions for booking March 22 teacher/parent/guardian interviews online. This online process is a big step for us to take and we have our fingers crossed that the software works as intended. The information will be tied to the email address(es) we have on file for you so if you need to make changes to that information, please let me know this weekend.
5. Safety First, Music Second
I am sending this message to you about the issue of student safety and the ‘distracted walker.’ This was a topic of discussion at Thursday night’s School Council meeting following the tragic accident involving a young person this week.
“This is a reminder to all parents and students that the use of iPods and MP3 players can result in injury or even death as a result of distraction, including getting hit as a pedestrian. Hearing is an important sense, and when taken away, tragic events can result. Two Canadian boys, 16 and 19, died last month in separate incidents as a result of wearing earphones while walking and a 21-year-old remains in hospital—same cause. Please remind your child to take off headphones or at least lower the volume when walking outside the school and when getting on and off of public transportation. Anyone who wants to know more on the subject can read more at http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/20120217/more-young-males-die-in-headphone-collisions-120217/#ixzz1nyZmUy5X.”
Peggy Aitchison
Principal
Forest Hill Collegiate
416 393-1860 x 20010
School Council Meeting
Submitted by Aneta Costin on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 06:28
1. School Council Meeting
School council meeting is scheduled for Thursday March 1st at 7:00-900 p.m. in the Staff Room at FHCI. Please join us if you are able.
2. Markbook Printouts
This week students received the first of six reports we issue each semester. Each student receives a printed report from each of the course teachers. This report comes very early in the semester and is an indication to date of your child’s progress in each course. The Markbook printout shows any marks earned in your child’s courses; the majority of marks in each course will be earned in the next four months. Please be sure your child brings you a report for each subject on this semester’s timetable for you to review.
If you have concerns about the results on this early report, please contact me so we can get your child on the right track for the rest of the semester.
Peggy Aitchison
Principal
Forest Hill Collegiate
416 393-1860 x 20010
Course Selection
Submitted by Aneta Costin on Mon, 02/13/2012 - 11:08
Ms. Stevenson, one of our guidance counsellors, has put together two tables that explain the courses required for the post-secondary ‘pathways’ to college and university. She also prepared a chart that shows the various patterns in Mathematics from Grade 9 to Grade 12. She shared the tables and chart with students in some classes and suggests that parents might find the information helpful when discussing course choices with their children. In addition, for the benefit of parents of students in Grade 9, I have attached the Ministry of Education poster that shows graduation diploma requirements.
Please keep in mind that the provincial standard for achievement is Level 3 and Level 4. That represents final marks from 70-100%. If you child’s marks are significantly below that level in academic/university/mixed level courses, then continuing at that level will require much greater effort and assistance. If you are in doubt about the correct level of study for your child in one or more subjects, please consult your child’s guidance counsellor.
With the information in these documents, and with advice from a counsellor as needed, I am confident you and your child will make wise course choices for the coming school year.
Peggy Aitchison
Principal
Forest Hill Collegiate
416 393-1860 x 20010
On Line Course Selection
Submitted by Aneta Costin on Wed, 02/08/2012 - 12:12
I am happy to send you information that describes the on-line process we will be using this year for course selection for the coming school year. Ms Sivarajah is working with our guidance counsellors to ensure our process is reliable and straight-forward to use. Our course selection assemblies will be held for the next three days and the process will be explained to the students as it is outlined here. We will be available to assist any student or parent/guardian who has difficulty with the process.
This system will allow for a speedier and more accurate process of collecting and tabulating course selection information which ultimately results in the school timetable for the 2012-2013 school year.
Peggy Aitchison
Principal
Forest Hill Collegiate Institute
416 393-1860 x 20010
Semester one Final Achievement Reports
Submitted by Aneta Costin on Wed, 02/08/2012 - 12:04
Semester 1 final achievement reports were issued to students today. If your child was not present to get the report, please ensure your child picks up the report from the office on Wednesday.
Along with the reports, 579 full-time students received at least one letter of commendation with their report card. Letters are issued to full-time students who have: 1) achieved an average of at least 80%; 2) achieved an average that exceeds their November average; or 3) demonstrated an exemplary attendance record.
Yesterday we met with students in Grade 9/10 and Grade 11/12 assemblies and I shared the following school results with the students.
When taken as a whole, the overall average mark this semester was 76%. A large majority of the marks were in the 70-100% range. The average number of absences/student/class was 6 and the average number of lates/student/class was 3.
When you review the Semester 1 report card with your child, there are several indicators to discuss. Look at your child’s result compared with the result for the class. The teachers have provided summary comments on your child’s work over the five months. They have also graded your child on six ‘Learning Skills.’ Although Learning Skills are not factored into the final mark, greater achievement on the Learning Skills generally leads to improved learning. The report card also shows classes absent and classes late. Please review those relative to the school averages of 6 and 3.
As you know we have a serious focus at Forest Hill Collegiate on ‘time-on-task,” the amount of time students are in-class and engaged in learning with their teachers and fellow students. I explained in the assemblies yesterday the major reason for this focus is the close connection between ‘time-on-task’ and achievement. These are the figures for Semester 1 relating absence and achievement:
Absence Range Average Mark
00-03 79%
04-08 77%
09-12 73%
More than 12 65%
The pattern of a drop in the average mark connected to an increase in the number of classes missed is repeated through every grade in the school.
In the assemblies, I told the students my goals for Semester 2: 1) 100% of the students to improve their average mark on the April report card; 2) the average mark in April to reach 80% for the first time; and 3) reduce the average number of absences from 6 to 5. All this is achievable if together we strive for excellence from the beginning of the semester. In the last few years, we have managed to increase the average mark and decrease the average absence. I think as a school we can move further in both areas.
If you have questions about the report card, please contact me and I will happily go over the report with you.
Peggy Aitchison
Principal
Forest Hill Collegiate
416 393-1860 x 20010
Final Examinations
Submitted by Aneta Costin on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 14:49
Final Examinations
Students who wish tutorial help from their teachers are encouraged to come to school Wednesday morning. The list of rooms where teachers will be located for extra help is posted outside the main office.
The following information has been provided to students. Please review this with you child as you check the exam schedule one last time to ensure you and your child know when specific exams are being written.
=============
On Wednesday, January 25, subject tutorials will be held from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. Please make arrangements with your teacher to get the extra help and clarifications you require before the exam period begins.
Exam start times are 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Consult your exam schedule to verify the date and time of your exam. Please check your schedule carefully--if you miss an exam, you will receive a mark of “0”.
Instructions for examinations are listed on the back of your exam schedule. Some of our exam procedures have changed. Please READ these instructions. If you need assistance understanding the instructions, please come to the office prior to the start of exams.
Some key points are:
· Plan to arrive at the school at least 30 minutes before your exam. Plan to be in your exam room at least 15 minutes before your exam begins in order to return your textbook. No extra time will be provided to students who arrive late. Students who are more than 30 minutes late must sign in at the Vice-Principal’s office before going to the exam room.
· All textbooks and school-owned materials must be returned on exam day. Students without textbooks should go to the main office at least 30 minutes BEFORE their exam begins to receive an admit slip. Students arriving to their exam without a textbook, or an admit slip will not be allowed in.
· Bring all required supplies, as allowed by your teacher, to the examination room. There will be no sharing of materials.
· Food is not allowed in the exam room. Clear water bottles without labels are permitted. No bags, hats, coats, pencil cases or electronic devices (excluding approved calculators) will be permitted in the exam room.
· If a student is found with an electronic device during the exam, it will invalidate the student’s exam. Do not bring phones, iPods, or other electronics into the exam room. If you don’t have safe storage for your electronics, please consult the office for assistance.
· No student may hand in the examination or leave the room before the end of the examination time.
· No bathroom breaks will be permitted during the exam.
· Students should not talk once they have entered the exam room. Students should not touch the materials on the desks until instructed to do so by the presiding teacher.
· All students involved in cheating, no matter what their role, will receive a mark of “0” for the full evaluation. This policy will apply regardless of when the cheating is discovered – that is before, during or after the evaluation opportunity occurs.
· The Library will be open for quiet study on the mornings of Wednesday, January 25 through Wednesday, February 1, between 9:30am-12:30pm.
· The main office is always open to help.
For parents/guardians: If your child is too sick to write an examination:
1. Phone the school before the examination is written.
2. Request a Missed Evaluation Procedures Form to be emailed to your parent/guardian from the Main Office.
3. Complete all necessary documentation.
4. Submit the above form(s) to Mr. Vanek or Ms. Sivarajah within two school days of the missed evaluation.
5. Once we receive the required documentation, Mr. Vanek or Ms. Sivarajah will arrange for your child to write an evaluation comparable to the missed examination.
Peggy Aitchison
Principal, Forest Hill Collegiate Institute
730 Eglinton Ave W
Toronto, ON M5N 1B9
Home of the Falcons, award winning scholars, athletes and performers
416 393-1860 x 20010
peggy.aitchison@tdsb.on.ca
