Maureen Weaver, Principal Website www.yrdsb.ca/schools/unionville.hs February 2015

Please visit the website for information shared through-out the school year:

www.yrdsb.ca/schools/unionville.hs

School Council Meeting Dates: Wednesday, February 18th Wednesday, April 22nd June...TBA Thank you and Happy Retirement…. Carl Richard Howard Leznoff Lauri Mark Welcome… Nancy Brown, teacher of geography and ESL Tudor Cacenco, teacher of science Rupali Bhatt, teacher of business Rina Prasad, teacher of Special Education/PEAK

Throughout our newsletter you will find acknowledgements of the support that is provided from the community. Community members provide valuable support to our students by being speak-ers, guest artists, employers, tour

guides, and/or experts who introduce new concepts and ideas that extend students’ learning beyond the classroom. Community members are integral in the development of awareness and understanding for our students. We appreciate their participation in students’ learning and growth. Within school, support staff, secretarial staff and caretaking staff demonstrate their commitment to our students by creating a safe and welcoming learning environment each and every day. These staff mem-bers contribute positively to our school community. Our School Council Executive welcomes all parents and guardians to join into school community conversations at our evening meetings. Issues about school life and learning for the students are issues that impact parents and guardians too. Recognizing the need to learn about these issues, and the need to dis-cuss them focuses the School Council meetings. The School Council, executive and members, share impor-tant perspectives for our school community. Building a viable school community within a larger community requires the support of these various groups. These groups help in fostering the value of community and strengthen students’ sense of what community means. I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the UHS school community itself, as it is the expression of who we are and how we work together. Our UHS school community has at its heart, a feeling of being connected, achieved by building respectful and suppor-tive relationships amongst staff and students. A high-light of this feeling was one of many events that happens at UHS - the Winter Assembly, a truly wonderful event that demonstrated mutual respect, inclusiveness, a cooperative spirit, and a strong sense of engagement. A committee involving Student Council and teachers began the planning for this annual event in December. Together they arranged for performances that included students and teachers who sang, danced, and per-formed skits. Establishing the list of performers was a difficult task considering the talents and willingness of so many of our students. We would like to thank Mr. Lynch, Mr. McCaffrey and Mrs. Bettio who managed

these difficult decisions when auditioning performers and setting the hour long program. Once the program was established it required production and stage man-agement Mr. Lynch and Ms. Bettio again worked with students and teachers to make it happen. Mr. Wrig-glesworth acted as the liaison with the Flato Markham Theatre, another of our community partners. Mr. Lansing sang a solo receiving enthusiastic student applause. Mr. Beckwith played the piano and sang to accompany our students in the Life Skills program as they danced and sang along with UHS student buddies. Drums were tapped to a festive beat by students, Mr. Papa, Mr. Leonard and Mr. Leznoff. Ms. Colarusso bravely organized group of teachers who presented a skit to every audience member’s laughter. Students and teachers performed demonstrating their musical and dance abilities while the multiple audiences of students and staff throughout the day enjoyed this expression of the UHS school commu-nity—one in which staff and students connected and understood that the event happened for all. It was a time when members of the UHS school community felt a sense of belonging and expressed appreciation for each other.

It was an inspiring UHS school community event!

It was a busy first semester for all students and staff in our Visual Arts Department! September provided

a wonderful launch to the new school year with our annual grade 9 and 12 Arts Unionville overnight trip

to the Ottawa international Film Festival. Students viewed a number of award winning films and had the

opportunity to speak with the Artists involved in their creation. The Arts Unionville classes from grade 10-

12 jumped right back into a variety of projects from classical painting and drawing to postmodern works

that made use of new media in the form of projections, interactive installations and sculptures.

Visual Arts students performed and presented their work

throughout the city of Markham at various events this semes-

ter. Senior students presented our annual Art Attack during

the Grade 8 Parents' Information Night. Inspired by perform-

ance artist, Kseniya Simonova’s sand drawings, students

created their own imagery with sand on a large light table.

The performance was projected on the theatre’s screen for

the audience to see. Musical accompaniment was provided by

the string orchestra. In October, sixty visual arts students

volunteered their time over two days to create an installation at

the Markham Fair. Inspired by the math and engineering principles of Robert Lang’s paper folding

designs, students working in teams of five folded giant sheets of paper into impressive 6’ and 3’ large

origami Koi. Markham Fair attendees were impressed by the talent and ingenuity of our students.

Twenty-five Arts and Culture SHSM students partici-

pated in a two day fused glass mask making workshop.

Glass artist, Melanie Kidd co-designed the custom work-

shop with the Visual Arts Department to provide

students with an amazing learning opportunity. Each

student designed and created a glass mask all of which

are beautifully crafted and make a unique addition to a

visual arts portfolio.

Giant origami Kio installation at the Markham Fair

Fused glass masks created by SHSM students

The Dance Department has had a very fulfilling first semester and we are happy to share some highlights with you. We are pleased to announce that our very first department retreat took place this past October and was an incredible success! It was an absolute pleasure to watch our students bond and team build while taking part in a variety of activities

and workshops. Highlights included our talent show along with our guest artist workshop by Sarain Carson-Fox, First Nations dance artist and storyteller. We are looking forward to continuing with this very meaningful department tradition in years to come.

November featured a guest artist workshop by TOES for Dance artists and a field trip to watch their performance. This eclectic mixed program of contemporary work was very well received by our dancers. December quickly approached as we prepared for our Change of Season per-formance on December 10th at Flato Markham Theatre. The show was a hit and we were very humbled by the outpouring of support from the school community. The dancers performed beautifully! With the wrap up of the first semester and the dawn of the next, we look forward to preparing for the upcoming arts integrated performance on March 11th as well as rehearsals beginning for our Dance Highlights performance in May.

Once again, the UHS Dance and Visual Arts Departments have organized a New York City field trip taking place this spring. This trip is guaranteed to be an incredible experience for all students attending featuring dance classes, workshops, performances, and tours.

Working with our community partners….

Students from the grade 12 Families in Canada course along with grade 11 Working with Infants and Young Children course welcomed Ms Nella Macchia from Macchia law firm to speak about issues surrounding family law. A representative from York Region Children's Aid Society spoke to the same group about the grim realities surrounding child abuse and the support networks available within our community. Jacquie Dawe, Public Education Coordinator for Yellow Brick House gave presentations to both grade 9 and grade 12 students about healthy relation-ships. Students collected six boxes full of personal hygiene and other items that are needed for YBH's clients. Thank you to our school community for help with this initiative. The newest resource "Healthy Relationships & Dating Violence--Everything You Need to Know is available on www.yellowbrickhouse.org

A guest speaker from the Heart & Stroke Foundation visited the gr. 12 Nutrition and Health classes to share vital information pertaining to teens living healthy lifestyles that promote good heart health. It's important for our students to know that what they practice now, will have long-term benefits.

The same students went to the Daily Bread Food Bank where we sorted and packed over 4000 pounds of food!

Family Studies is excited to be offering Gender Studies HSG3M (University/College), an important new course for 2015/2016. It's one of the new Equity Stud-

ies courses. These Social Science courses examine various aspects of diversity, including those related to gender, race, ethnicity, religion, socio-economic background, and ability.

See a Family Studies teacher, Guidance Counsellor, or check out the

bulletin board outside room 310 for more information.

New

Course!!

Mask, contact improvisation, mime, clown, stu-dent writing and a school musical…and that was only first semester for the Drama department! The grade 9’s started it all off, with a show com-bining Mask, Contact Improvisation and Mime, exploring the themes of collaboration and empa-thy. The grade 10’s followed with this year’s Clown show “How to Fit in With Human’s”, a strange look at life on earth from the alien’s point of view. Student writing, directing and acting were all front and center for the grade 12’s shows, insightful explorations from our graduating students. The last show of semester one was the musical “ Thoroughly Modern Millie “; the production was a hit under the direction of Aaron Bieman. Second semester is starting up with grade 11’s kicking things off this month with modern scenes. They will be performing February 17, 7:30 p.m., as well as during Period 4 of February 18, 19, all in Room 106!

More shows will be coming later in the spring!

As second semester begins, Unionville teams are prepping for the play-offs! Our junior girls’

volleyball team is currently undefeated in league play with one match remaining in the regular season. Union-ville’s junior girls curling team is also headed to the post

season after finishing first in their division. Both boys’ basketball teams begin the play-offs during the second week of February. The juniors are currently in third place while the seniors sit in fourth spot. Good luck Wolves! Thank you to coaches Crowther, Wollenzien, Hunt, Sanchez, and Carmichael for volunteering their time to mentor these athletes. A special thank you is extended to Coach Carl Richard who retired at the end of first semester. Mr. Richard coached tennis, curling, swimming, and mountain-biking over his eighteen year tenure at UHS. Our athletes extend their appreciation to him and wish him a long and happy retire-ment! Looking ahead to spring sports, try-outs for badminton, slo-pitch, track & field, ultimate, and girls’ soccer will begin once the winter playing season has concluded. Students should check the athletics board outside the gymna-sium for further information. Athletic Council ran a very successful school clothing campaign in December. They will be running a number of intramural activities in the coming months. Stay tuned for details!

LIBRARY LAYOUT You have probably noticed a few changes in the library! The computers are now all in one place; the reading area has opened up—and the carpet is gone! We are very pleased with the new look and function of the space.  

  

LOTS OF GREAT FICTION, NON-FICTION AND DVDS:

Lots of resources have been purchased over the exam period—come by the library to see what’s new. Remember-- all you need to check out a book is your U.H.S. student card. Resources may be signed out for 3 weeks and renewed as often as you like (Check the date due on the back of the book) New books are displayed across from the circulation desk; new shelving has been purchased to accommodate out ever-increasing fiction collection--come have a look. DVDs are dis-played by the glass in the teaching area. Don’t forget our suggestion box—let us know what you’d like us to purchase. 

UHS WEBSITE  Don’t forget that student help sheets (Citing M.L.A. 

and A.P.A.);  access  to  the Gale database  and our 

library  resources;  subject  support‐‐all  can  all  be 

found  on  the  library  website.  Go  to  the  U.H.S. 

home page and click on the library tab.  

See you in the library! Mrs. Cassano, Ms. Lawton   and Ms.  O’Brien  

Did you know that Dani Reiss, the CEO of the Canada Goose jacket company, has an English degree from the University of Toronto? Accord-ing to Reiss, he realized that “building a com-pany’s brand could be a creative process.” (U of T Magazine, Winter 2015) As it turns out, Unionville High School English students had many opportunities in semester one to engage in the creative process. In the fall the grade 9 classes saw a production of Romeo and Juliet by the Classical Theatre Project. Stu-dents travelled to The Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre in downtown Toronto for this performance. Seeing the live production sup-ported the students’ in-class study of the play. The grade 11 classes finished their media stud-ies by presenting their film adaptations of classic dramas. The grade 9, 10 and 12 classes also did creative performances as a culmination to their Shakespearean drama studies. As students begin their semester two studies, we encourage them to visit the English depart-ment page of the Unionville High School website for some helpful tips, links, resources and op-portunities. While on our webpage, be sure to read the complete article on Dani Reiss, or fol-low this link: http://goo.gl/0wgns9

The FSL & International Languages Department at UHS is in the midst of a very busy & exciting year! During the first semester, our classes en-gaged in several linguistically and culturally en-riching activities. Our grade 11 French students went to the ROM to visit exhibits on life in me-dieval Europe corresponding to the time period of the play studied in class: Molière’s Le Bour-geois Gentilhomme. Some grade 9 students joined them for a tour and activity of their own. Here at UHS, Ms. Suzanne Lefebvre or Chef à l’École came to do a baking workshop with Grade 9 students. As a culminating project, one Mandarin class researched and presented on a profession of interest to them while the other class did an analysis of an important news story. Our grade 12 French students presented an im-portant historical Francophone figure as a culmi-nating assignment. Coming up this semester, French students will have the opportunity to see a French film at the Bloor Street Cinema and a French play by Molière at Le Théâtre Français de Toronto. Ms. Lefebvre will be back for another full day of workshops with the Grade 9 students and the Grade 10 students will head down to Café Crêpe. Mr. Lansing will accompany 13 of our students to St-Donat, QC for a 5-day trip during the first week of February to participate in a French im-mersion program packed with activities including

skiing, snowboarding, snow-shoeing, skating, outdoor games, language and music workshops. We are also starting to plan

with the Visual Art department for an international European tour to Italy and France over the March Break in 2016.

Students in Business had a great fall semester, developing their skills both inside and outside the classroom.

The business department is always looking for ways to help students apply their learning in real world settings, so we were excited when our grade 11 Entrepreneurship class proved their abilities as entrepreneurs - the class successfully developed

and sold their own unique products in the atrium before the Winter break. These young en-trepreneurs also learned about social responsibility as they donated $500 from their profits to the charity Free the Children. The BBI Introduction to Business class also learned business by doing business - earning

over $300 in profit for donation to various charities by operating their own food businesses in the atrium! In January the grade 10’s had a delicious opportunity to visit a multinational food business in operation when they visited the Cadbury Chocolate factory in Toronto. Students in the department also benefited from guest speakers, as a number of classes heard about exciting trends and opportunities from for-mer students and the accounting classes gained some valuable insights into the accounting profes-sion when they hosted a speaker from the Char-tered Professional Accountants of Canada. Unionville business students also excelled outside the school - at the recent DECA Ontario champi-onship, our DECA team’s dedication paid off as they brought home over 50 medals, and ten team members will be headed to the International Championships in Orlando this April to represent Ontario! Congratulations DECA! At Unionville, we mean business!

Chocolate strawberries were a popular item during the BBI2O Food Sale Charity Challenge

 

 

Science Contests

Many science contests are fast approaching. The contests and the respective registration deadlines are: Michael Smith Challenge (Grade 9/10 Science): February 13, 2015 U of T Biology Competition (Grade 11/12): February 20, 2015 Sir Isaac Newton Contest (Grade 12 Physics): March 27, 2015 Chem 13 Contest (Grade 12): Late March to Early April Avogadro Exam (Grade 11 Chemistry): Late March to Early April Interested students please contact their science teacher or Mr. Fung.

New Technology Each year, the science department is adding new technology into classrooms. This year is no exception. We just purchased video capturing and analyzing software that allow students to use their computer to extract data from videos using frame-by-frame analysis. This will no doubt creating another exciting learning oppor-tunity for students studying in the science field.

Other News The science department is pleased to welcome Mr. Cacenco to our department. In addition, we are looking forward to another successful semester with our students.

Top UHS math contest students:

Canadian Math Open Math Contest – ZiJian Wei,

Joseph Diao, and Cody Xu.

Canadian Senior Math Contest – Cody Xu, ZiJian

Wei, Yang Qin, Ang Li, Yun Xu, Nicole Sheng,

and Wenbo Liu.

Canadian Intermediate Math Contest – Bill Shu,

Linda Deng and Gold Medalist Yue Weng

Upcoming contests:

Pascal, Cayley, Fermat (Feb. 24th)

American Math Contest (Feb. 25th)

Euclid (April 15th)

Fryer, Galois, and Hypatia (April 16th)

Have a great second semester!

IMPORTANT DATES February 10 - Grade Nine Concert Band at OBA Festival 8:15am - Le Parc Banquet Hall, Thornhill February 11 - Symphonic Band at OBA Festival 8:05am - Le Parc Banquet Hall, Thornhill February 12 - Wind Ensemble at OBA Festival 8:15am - Le Parc Banquet Hall, Thornhill

UHS Chamber Winds at OBA Festival 12:05pm, Le Parc Banquet Hall, Thornhill February 15 - Vocal ensemble to participate in Flag Day celebrations at Markham Civic Centre – 2:00pm February 23 - Arts Unionville String Orchestra (9:30am) and String Quartet (12:30pm) at Toronto Kiwanis Music Festival - Cardinal Carter School for the Arts, Toronto February 24 - UHS Concert Choir (10:00am)/Chamber Choir (11:20am)/Triple Trio (1:20pm) at Ontario Vocal Festival - Bowmanville High School, Bowmanville February 27 - UHS Chamber Choir (1:30pm) and Triple Trio (12:30pm) at Toronto Kiwanis Music

Festival - Lawrence Park High School, Toronto March 4 - AU Music Recital at UHS, room 219 – 7:00pm March 11 - Arts Unionville Showcase at Flato Markham Theatre – 7:30pm March-May - Bands perform at Music Alive. Dates and locations TBA April 1 - AU Music Recital, location TBA – 7:00pm April 8 - UHS Jazz Choir at Ontario Vocal Jazz Festival - Central Peel Secondary, Brampton April 10 - Arts Unionville Strings at Ontario Strings Association Festival - York University, T.O. April 11&12 - UHS Show Choir at Show Choir Canada - Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Toronto April 28 - Spring Celebration #1 at Flato Markham Theatre – 7:30pm May 5 - Spring Celebration #2 at Apple Creek Church May 7 - AU Piano Music Alive Festival at UHS, room 223 May 13 - AU Recital - UHS room 219 – 7:00pm May 28 - Annual Music Awards Banquet June 11 - Arts Unionville Celebration at UHS – 7:00pm Information for ticketed performances will be available through any music student. Admission to most of the above festivals and competitions is free. Please come out and support our ensembles. Further information is available by contacting our ensemble conductors directly or Jeff Wrigglesworth (Head of Music) at jeff.wrigglesworth@yrdsb.ca. Course Selection: As we look ahead to completing the course selection process for September, we encourage all students to take advantage of what UHS Music has to offer. An article from the Toronto Star on February 7, 2015 outlines the results of a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience that pro-motes the benefits of taking music in school. The study’s lead author, Gavin Bidelman, says “musical activities are an engaging form of cognitive brain training.” The team concluded that “engaging in for-mal music training before the age of 14 and continuing for at least a decade produced the most posi-tive changes in the brain.” This study is only one example of a growing list of results that scientifically explains how music helps develop the brain’s ability to promote everything from cognitive develop-ment and motor skill to sensory perception, management of anxiety and emotional balance. We look forward to seeing our students next September in our band, choir, strings, guitar and musical theatre classes. Please do not hesitate to contact a music teacher for further information.

There were many events in the History Department this semester. We welcomed three new teachers into the department – Mr. Struk, Mrs. Parnell and Mrs. DiLorenzo all brought new experience and new ideas to the department. Students took part in a number of field trips including: Grade 10 Canadian History students shared in a presentation of the life experiences of four Holocaust survivors at the Flato Markham Theater this past October. Students listened to the authentic voices of moments in history that have forever changed their lives and the lives of so many. The survivors gave students a copy of their biographies and the students were able to have conversations with the survivors during the book signings. The Civics classes had the pleasure of hosting a guest speaker this semester to help with the under-standing of the role of a politician in Canada. John McCallum (MP for this riding) spoke about numerous aspects of the role of a member of parliament in Ottawa. In addition, the students gained knowledge of the inner working of cabinet as Mr. McCallum was a cabinet minister under former Prime Ministers Jean Chretien and Paul Martin. Overall it was a great learning experience and our students were very engaged in the question period and discussion after his talk. Mr. McCallum mentioned that he was quite impressed with our UHS students’ knowledge and questioning. The Anthropology classes had the chance to explore various aspects of the curriculum this semester when they took part in a field trip to the Metro Zoo. Zoo guides were able to provide students with invaluable insight into the characteristics and lives of many different species of primate. Students were able to connect this to our studies into various anthropologists’ studies including evolution. Exciting news – in April 2017 students from UHS will have the opportunity to participate in a YRDSB trip to the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. This trip will feature visits to the sites of many WWI and WWII battles as well as the cities of London and Paris. Long seen as the birthplace of our nation, the Vimy Ridge commemoration will also be the starting place for the government’s celebrations for Canada’s 150th anniversary. Details will be available soon.

We have had an exciting start in the geography department this year with many new beginnings including

new Grade 9 Curriculum and welcoming two new teachers to Unionville High School, Mrs. Rass and Mrs.

Brown.

In October, the grade 9 geography classes went on a field trip to the Niagara Escarpment where we ex-plored the natural features of a preserved space. Students hiked 8 km which included parts of the Bruce Trail. We learned about our natural landscapes and how humans interact and can impact these landscapes. This semester students worked on numerous assignments like their Google issue map which involved investi-gating Canadian issues. They completed a scrapbook assignment in which students analyzed a Canadian city. We also evaluated our ecological footprints, and explored ways in which the Canadian population is

changing. The students worked together in groups and had an opportunity to develop a “livable city” by using themes such as transportation, infrastructure, urban design, land use and environment. Students competed and each class decided which group had the most “livable city”. This winning design team presented their innovative ideas to The City of Markham’s Planning and De-velopment Services Department. We would like to thank Ms. L. Wimmer, Ms. M. Haufschild, Ms. S. Campbell from the City of Markham who shared their time and expertise with our grade 9 students.

The grade 12 environment and resource management class spent the semester evaluating how humans are using and maintaining our natural resources in Canada and the world. In November, our class was invited by York Region to attend a special screening of “The Clean Bin Project” at the Cineplex Odeon in Aurora. The documentary showed how two British Columbia residents compete in a waste free life for one year. This inspired discussion within our classroom about what we can do to make a change on a local level. As a class we

developed an inquiry based culminating project around environmental issues that interest us. The students were able to develop engaging presentations about their inquiry ques-tion by either educating the class with inspiring in class activities, or developing an action plan that the students conducted to inspire change. Together we took risks by learning new content, integrating iPads into the classroom learning and student lead seminar conversations.

Co-operative Education provides an opportunity for students to earn high school credits and gain valuable experience by exploring a potential career choice. This semester, Unionville High School students explored careers in a wide variety of career areas in-cluding: physiotherapy, architecture, engineering, automotive service, photography, accounting and finance, teaching, day care, chef, pastry chef, phar-macy, public relations, graphic design, web design, medicine, optometry, human resources, computer programming, IT, marketing, urban planning, by-law enforcement, veterinary medicine, personal fitness, and event planning. We are proud of our students for choosing to give themselves an educational and future advantage by choosing co-op. They are now better prepared for employment, and their co-op experience will enhance their resumes and their post-secondary applications. Huge thanks go out to our community partners for their continuing support of our students, our school, and our program.

Our next semester looks just as re-warding. We look forward to another tremendous semester thanks to the enthusiasm of our students and the support of our community.

As course selection for the 2015-2016 school year is upon us, students and parents are reminded to consider the opportunity co-op provides for great experience, and also earn two credits, which may be used as diploma requirements for Group 1, 2, or 3 credits. Students are advised to log on to Career Cruising, select Co-operative Education, and then select either COP3X0 (for students entering Grade 11 next year) or COP4X0 (for students entering Grade 12 next year). Contact the Co-op Department at 905-479-2787, Ext. 220, or speak with a counsellor in the Guidance department for more information.

U.H.S. CO-OP STUDENTS TAKE ON THEIR FUTURE!!

Last semester was a busy one for the UHS Tech Department with Mr. Dave Wood’s Construction technology classes building the extensive set for the Arts Unionville production of ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’, and Mr. Brian Cho’s Computer Engineering students working long hours after school designing, build-ing and testing robots for the Ontario VEX Robotics competition. In the end it was all worth it as the musical was a smashing success with a sold out, standing ovation production and the robotics team reaching the quarter finals in the 30 team competition.

Next month Mr. Cho will take a team of UHS students to York Re-gion Canada Skills competition where they will compete in Graphic Design, Animation, Pho-

tography, Fashion Design, Video, Robotics and Architecture categories. The completion takes place at Seneca College on March 3. We wish students well, and hope that the experience of developing their skills and competing is rewarding.

Scholarships

Ms. Riolo presented important information about the scholarship process to potential graduates in October. During the presentation students learned about scholarship re-sources, tips for financing their education, types of scholarships, the application process and how to prepare for scholarship applications. All students are encouraged to explore the many types of scholarships available. Students can visit the following websites for more in fo rmat ion about scho la r sh ips : UHS Gu idance Mood le , www.electronicinfo.ca, www.studentawards.com, and www.scholarshipscanada.com

College Panel On Wednesday Nov. 19th our school hosted a college panel for interested students. The GTA college reps outlined program choices and explained new diploma, degree and certificate programs to our students. Representatives reviewed the diploma to degree pathway and answered questions about programs that our students were interested in. Thank you Ms. Riolo and Mr. Robichaud for organizing this very success-ful event!

US Application Process Students who wished to apply to schools in the United States were asked to do so through the on-line common application process. All counselors assisted students with this process. Students can now check the progress of their application at anytime.

Exam Tips and Strategies for Grade 9 Students In December Ms. Farwell presented exam preparation workshops to our grade 9 and 10 students. The workshops were well attended and a Study Strategies and Exam Tips booklet was given to each student. The booklets are available in the guidance office for students and parents. Morning announcements focussing on exam tips were delivered to students daily for 2 weeks prior to our exams as reminders to our students. Thank you to Ms. Farwell for organizing and presenting this event!

Grade 10 Career Course Guest Speakers As part of the Grade 10 Career Course, our department organizes guest speakers to present valuable in-formation to assist students with post-secondary planning. This past semester the following guests deliv-ered workshops to our students: Constable Gill from the York Region Police Department presented “Choices and Consequences”; Johanna Barrett, Skills Ontario, presented a workshop on “Trades”; Stephen Liu, Canadian Mental Health Association, presented workshops on “Coping with Stress” and “Depression/ Suicide Prevention”; and our own UHS teachers, Ms. Hall and Mr. Cook talked about “Co-operative Education” and “Specialist High School Major” programs respectively.

Students should stay current by checking the

Guidance Moodle regularly! www.moodle2.yrdsb.ca

Username: UHS student number Password: student UHS login Search UHS Guidance

Check often for new information!!

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES: February 9 Course selection instructions and credit counselling summaries distributed through

home rooms. Students with period one lunch/study hall may pick up materials in the guidance office.

February 10 Course selection presentations by counsellors during grade assemblies. February 11 CSI Unionville – Course selection information fair will be held during periods 1, 2 and 5

for all students to ask questions about specific courses. February 12 Course Selection Information Evening will be held for Parents/Guardians of students in

grades 9, 10 and 11. February 23 Deadline for course requests to be submitted using career cruising. February 23 Deadline for paper copy of course requests to be submitted to homeroom teacher.

COURSE SELECTION IS HAPPENING Although the next school year is months away, we begin our planning for next September

this month. Careful course selection now is the most important ingredient in your child’s recipe for a successful school year. Work together with your child to track his or her education and career/life plan-ning using the Individual Pathways Plan (IPP) accessed through Career Cruising. Course availability will be based on the number of students who request courses. Consequently, it is very important that students make careful and wise choices during the course selection process. Once classes begin in September, course changes will be considered only in extraordinary circumstances and where space permits. Therefore, it is important to take both time and care in the preparation of student education plans.

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The English as a Second Language students participated in a wide variety of activities and field trips this semester. The students began the school year with a trip to the Climbing Hub, Canada’s largest bouldering gym, for team building activities. We also visited the library and Varley Art Gallery where we created our own artwork out of recycled materials.

Later in the semester, the Head of the UHS Art Department, Shane Clodd, taught the students about the Group of Seven and did a painting workshop with them. We collaborated with the UHS Drama Department to bring dance com-pany Motus O to the school to do two performances. On another field trip, our stu-dents went to the Science Centre and watched an IMAX film on the Human Body. In December we visited the St. Lawrence Market and the Christmas Market in the his-

toric Distillery District of Toronto. The students attended a performance of Charles Dickens’ A Christ-mas Carol. Our students went to see UHS productions such as Showtime’s musical Thoroughly Modern Millie, the Winter Assembly, Remembrance Day Assembly, and the Dance Department’s showcases. All of these activities enhanced the learning of Canadian culture, and English language, and developed social skills. We encourage our students to be physically active. Department members organized athletic activities with the students in the Alternative Education Department’s Leader-ship course. The students also met to play table tennis, badminton and basketball games after school on Thursdays. We started an English Conversation Club on Wednesdays and the ESL Writing Centre on Thursdays. Many of our students participated in the After School Literacy Program. A number of our students vol-unteered as peer tutors in our classrooms as well.

At Halloween, the level C students did choral readings for the Life Skills class. In December we sang Christmas carols with the students and baked sugar and gin-gerbread cookies. Our Newcomer Orientation Week peer leaders organized social events to celebrate the holidays. We organized a workshop on the Ontario Educa-tion System and a second workshop on the College and University application process for our students and their parents.

This coming semester we continue to welcome more VISA students. As well, teachers Erica Yu and Nancy Brown have joined the ESL Department. We look forward to a new semester and more experien-tial learning opportunities for our students.

This first semester in Special Education was exceptionally busy. The staff made huge strides in reaching

all of our students throughout the semester to support their needs, follow their progress and ensure they understand and are receiving their accommodations. The students in the grade 9 Learning strategies course, the students learned a great deal about them-selves, their learning needs and the accommodations and strategies they need to be successful throughout their years in high school including post secondary education and in life. In addition they worked on organizational skills, time management, and test taking and most importantly on becoming self advocates. In the grade 12 Learning Strategies class, the students were engaged in learning about career pathways and options, and applying to post-secondary institutions.

The Lifeskills class participated in a variety of activities that allowed them to practice their money and transit skills. They went to Markville Mall, the Promenade and the St. Lawrence market. At the market they completed their unit on food groups, took photos and created a board on Pinterest. They also participated in SNAP at Markville Secondary School. The Winter Assembly gave them the opportunity to demonstrate their dance abilities. Thank you once again to Ms. Bettio. The students had a very success-ful January with the strong support of Mr. Hunt and Ms. Park and are delighted to be starting semester two with Ms. Parnell. The students are so excited to have her back in their class. They are also looking forward to the Best Buddies prom in the spring. More news to follow!

In the P.E.A.K Program (Pathways to Employment and Applied Knowledge) and Community Living York South the students continued to work on social skills particularly how it applies to the work environ-ment. They also met every morning to practice literacy and math skills that will assist them in their future endeavours. They are continuing to learn new skills in their work experience jobs and through transition meetings and will continue to examine a variety of opportunities geared to their interest and abilities.