October 25, 2024
Coming Up
Staffing Annoucements
We are pleased to welcome two new members of our staff to UTS.
Dwight Hines starts on Monday as Facilities & Event Services Officer. Dwight will be supporting all facilities day-to-day functions as well as all internal and external events and catering needs. Dwight comes to UTS with a background working in both facilities and events services at a number of organizations including the CNE.
We are also excited to welcome Lilian Adom who recently started as Theatre Technician. She will be helping various departments elevate their production capabilities as well as student led events.
Please welcome Dwight and Lilian and introduce yourself if you see them!
As mentioned in Leanne’s All Staff email sent earlier today, Duncan Buttenshaw we will also be joining UTS as Chief Financial Officer starting Monday.
March Break and Summer Camps
A reminder to touch base with Charline Wan and/or Sean Hayto if you are interested in running a new or returning March Break or Summer (July only) Camp. Deadline for beginning the conversation is October 31, in order to plan for a late December/early January launch.
Staff Social October 25
The Staff Social Committee invites all staff to the Fortunate Fox after work on October 25. Come by and share some laughs with your awesome colleagues. Snacks will be provided. We hope to see you there!
Decorating for Halloween
Halloween Decorations - As the most fun holiday of the year approaches, please keep these decorating and safety guidelines in mind:
Use masking tape for anything you put on the walls.
Do not tape anything to the UTS decals or logos.
Do not climb ladders if you do not have ladder training. Please ask Facilities for assistance.
Do not hang combustible material near doorways, other exits or vents.
Do not hang anything from the ceiling unless it is flush to the wall.
Decorations must not block or cover up any part of the fire alarm or sprinkler system. Extinguisher cabinets, emergency lights, corridor lights and exit lights must not be covered.
Have fun! But we ask that you please remove all Halloween decorations by Monday, November 4.
Office & Classroom Air Purifiers
If your office or classroom is missing an air purifier or if you need a filter change, please email facilities.staff@utschools.ca.
UTSPA Accepting Applications for Funding Proposals
The UTS Parents' Association (UTSPA) provides funds for student initiatives/activities/events that benefit the UTS community. To apply for this funding opportunity, submitted request must be: fully and accurately completed (one submission per club per year); have the approval of both the teacher advisor and UTS Liaison; and, meet at least one or more of the criteria (listed in the application form.)
Funding requests submitted by Wednesday, November 6 will be considered. There are more opportunities to apply later in the year. Good luck to all the applicants!
Middle School End of Year Celebrations
As we move to a middle school model that incorporates F1, F2 and M3, we want to recognize and celebrate the transition for students into M4 and Senior School. We recognize the importance of creating opportunities for students to connect and celebrate different moments in every grade, which can be particularly important for middle school students. We are planning the events as follows:
F1 Celebration – Our F1 students developed the idea of a year end Community Birthday Party which will be a June celebration for all F1 students to celebrate the end of their first year at UTS with activities, games and perhaps a karaoke machine. More planning will come from the students.
F2 Dance – Starting in Spring 2025, we plan to host a special dance for F2 students, allowing them a time to don their finest and enjoy music and time together. We will set up a dance committee to allow the F2s to put bring their own special touches to the event.
M3 Middle School Celebration – Starting in Spring 2025, we will mark the end of Middle School and formally welcome the M3s into the Senior School with a celebratory lunch. Similar to the above events, we will help students join in the planning.
Foundation Diploma and Volunteer Hours
The Foundation Diploma will continue to recognize our current F2 student’s, including their community volunteer hours. A committee has been formed to review the F2 Diploma and explore how it may evolve next year to align with our new Middle School model and incorporate key elements of our strategic plan. We will keep you updated as plans develop.
Remembrance Day Assembly - November 6
We will be commemorating Remembrance Day on November 6 this year because November 11 is the mid-term break and November 7 and 8 are PTIs.
November 6 Staff Meeting Cancelled
The staff meeting scheduled for Wednesday, November 6 has been cancelled. There are two more staff meetings before the December break:
Thursday, November 21: we will cover relationship mapping, preparation for the CAIS visit and report cards
Wednesday, December 18, we will prepare for discussions during January PD.
Please note that the December staff meeting is on a Wednesday (December 18) instead of the usual Thursday due to a conflicting alumni event on Thursday evening.
November 6 M3 Take Our Kids to Work Day
November 6 is Take Our Kids to work day for grade 9 students across Canada. M3 teachers should be aware that many M3 parents will be taking their children to work and students may be absent if there are assessments planned.
If UTS staff have a grade 9 student in their family that they would like to take to work, please let jpittlainsbury@utschools.ca know so that we are ready to welcome them and have a Visitor Badge ready!
OISE Teacher Candidates (UTS Cohort)
Year 1 UTS Option teacher candidates will be on site on Thursdays.
They will be wearing lanyards to identify themselves (also see - photo deck).
Please let us know if it’s not a good day for a class visit using our observation sign up form.
Do feel free to get them involved and help with anything you might need extra hands for! Future dates: October 31 | January 9, 16, 21, 30 | February 6.
Lunch Menu
UTS staff are welcome to order a hot lunch from the Mindful Munch. Please see the November menu and order form below.
