May 23, 2025
Final Fire Drill for the 2024-25 School Year
Thank you to all UTS staff for your support during the administration of the May 1 fire drill. The Fire Marshal shared positive feedback, noting the quick and efficient evacuation of the building. We also thank those who noted that some attendance folders need to be updated with preferred names and we believe everything is now updated.
We recognize that emergencies can happen at less-than-ideal times such as before attendance is taken, between classes, or even during assemblies. Conducting drills during such moments is an important part of our commitment to preparing as a school community. The Fire Marshal has advised that on our final (6th) fire drill of the year, we should create some barriers to exit as might be the case in a real fire. The final fire drill is planned for the week of June 2 at a time when there are currently no assessments in the assignment calendar.
As we continue to refine our safety practices, we’ve been asked to be more mindful in keeping students organized by class and gathered on the grass, away from the pavers. Thank you for using the red “students unaccounted for” and green “all here” attendance signs in your red fire attendance folders. Thank you also for sending a student from your class with the attendance list to the Main Office Staff on the hill quickly. Your cooperation and attention to these details are greatly appreciated. Here are the evacuation procedures for review as needed.
UTS Finance
The Finance Department wants to make it easy for staff to get things paid.
Please refer to the instructions in the Staff Portal for guidance.
As the fiscal year draws to a close, the Finance Department will be sharing key dates next week for final reimbursement submissions for the 2024–25 year. We encourage all staff to submit their reimbursement forms as soon as possible.
In the UTS Archives
Although not new to UTS, these two faces may be new to many of you, and we would like to provide a proper introduction.
Angela Piere Segovia joined UTS in 2022 as our part-time archivist. She usually arrives around 4:30 p.m. and can be found toiling away in Room L218, organizing over 100-years’ worth of UTS archival materials. We now have a database and so if any of you are interested in finding out about the materials, please contact David Haisell in Advancement and he can help you.
Dr. Paul Moore taught Latin and Classics at UTS starting in 1987, and upon his retirement, continued to be involved in the UTS community as a supply teacher and, since 2007, he has dedicated himself to researching the War records of all UTS former students – and one Master – who served in WWI and WWII. Check out the WWI Commemorative Project on the UTS website.
If you see Angela or Paul in the school, usually in the late afternoon, be sure to say hello!
Outdoor Education September 2025
While the end of the year is fast approaching, the Student Life Office is already looking ahead to the fall. If you are interested in attending one or more of the annual Fall Outdoor Education programs in September 2025, please click here and complete the Google form. Operational staff are welcome to attend based on department needs.
M3 Kandalore - Sept 8-10
S5 Cedar Ridge - Sept 10-12
S6 Couchiching - Sept 10-12
F1 Couchiching - Sept 11-12
PD for Operational Staff during Late Start
May 28
9 to 9:45 a.m.
Multipurpose Room
Ready to make your days a bit easier and focus on the work that really matters as operational staff at UTS?
Join Jai, Andrew and Kara for a practical and eye-opening session on the AI tools available to you and how to use them in ways you might not expect.
Whether you’re curious, skeptical or just overwhelmed, by the end of this session you’ll know:
The free practical AI tool UTS staff already have access to
How the IT team is building a system to streamline AI use by staff
Practical tips you can start using right away to lighten your load and boost your focus on the work that counts
Do you have suggestions for topics or other ways to improve PD for operational staff? Email ops.pd.committee@utschools.ca!
Prom and Senior Skip Day
Recognizing that prom and senior skip day are days when students may collectively decide to miss classes without permission, students have been informed in writing that they are expected to attend classes and they are accountable for evaluations on those days. Teachers, especially those with senior classes, may wish to remind students of their expectations. We know that students going to prom on May 29 often miss classes to prepare, and we have heard reports that some students may be planning Senior Skip Day on May 30.
UTS Library
We'd love to create a 'UTS Staff Recommend...' list and/or video to share with students before the end of the year.
How can you help?
Select a book (or books) that you'd love to recommend to UTS students. Ideally, we would own a copy in the Evans Library. If we don't, we can try to order it before the end of the year
Come up with a 'book hook' (e.g. what the book meant to you, why you loved it, why everyone should read it, what makes it great) - anything to entice others to check it out! It can be as simple as 'It made me laugh out loud" or it can be more detailed, if you wish
Option 1: email us your book title/author/book hook and we'll add it to a book list with your name eg. Ms. Courtney recommends...
Option 2: create a short video introducing your book and book hook. I'm happy to film, if it's helpful, or you're welcome to send us your videos. We'll either piece the videos together or incorporate them into the book list, depending on how many of each we receive
Thanks for considering some lighthearted library fun for our students! Let Rebecca or Monica know if you have questions, or want help with anything!
Shifting the Success Paradigm in an AI World:
Navigating new paths to academic success
June 2
6:30 to 7:45 p.m.
Withrow Auditorium
Explore the evolving landscapes of schools and universities, and learn how families and schools can empower students to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Join us for a powerful evening of insight and forward-thinking discussion featuring two national leaders in education: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education Associate Professor Steven Katz and University of Toronto Associate Vice-President and Vice-Provost, Digital Strategies Susan McCahan.
Graduation Luncheon
June 19
RSVP by June 6 at 4 p.m.
Join the Class of 2025 and celebrate their graduation on Thursday, June 19 with a luncheon provided by the University of Toronto Schools Alumni Association. The luncheon will be held at Hart House beginning at 11:45 a.m.
