Homework Help & School Support has arrived!
The Ministry of Education and the Toronto DSB have partnered to expand an exciting free online initiative to support all students registered in grades 7-10 at TDSB schools.
Do you have a child registered in grades 7-10 who struggles to understand how to find slope? Maybe your teenager is struggling with ratios? Extra help is now available.
Free Online Math Tutoring Available
In the evening, your child can get math support at Homework Help. Your child can now log in to Homework Help Sunday-Thursday, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., for one-on-one math tutoring. There are interactive discussion rooms for each grade where students can view a current lesson, watch tutors draw on the whiteboard — and then type their own question.
Other math resources on the Homework Help website include videos of teachers leading students through the 20 most commonly asked math problems, interactive math tutorials and highlights of best sessions. All students have a virtual locker, where their work is saved in video format for viewing anytime.
Free Online Curriculum Resources Available To Support Students
The Ontario Educational Resource Bank is also available to support your child. This databank houses thousands of math resources, including computer activities, lessons, along with tests and quizzes. You may search for resources by grade, subject/course, strand, overall expectations, resource type and/or keywords.
**To enter this database**
Username: tdsbstudent
Password: tdsb
Stay Informed…
Check out TDSB Math Matters. This resource is dedicated to keeping teachers and parents informed about what is happening to support students involved in the Homework Help.
CHECKOUT:
1. Login: https://homeworkhelp.ilc.org/
2. Register: as a STUDENT using your OEN (found on your Record Card)
3. Checkout: Video tutorials 24/7 and online live tutoring Sunday – Thursday 5:30 – 9:30 p.m.
https://homework.help.ilc.org/
University/College Application Update:
PINS ARE AVAILABLE IN STUDENT SERVICES OFFICE
- There are several students who belong to a GHOST home form that have yet to pick up their university application package from the Guidance Office. Please remind your son/daughter to come to Guidance to pick one up. The package includes important information regarding the application procedures and deadline dates. Thank you.
- Any students intending to apply to university must pick up a PIN # in order to login to OUAC and select university program options. PIN numbers are available in the Guidance office this week starting today and will be distributed before school (starting at 8:00am), after school (until 4:00pm) or during a student’s lunch or spare. These numbers should be kept confidential as they provide access to the Ontario University Application Centre website. A green instruction sheet is attached to each PIN# to help you along.
- Any students intending to apply to college, should make an appointment with their counsellor in order to begin the process as soon as possible. The process is different for college applications. Students are expected to create an account and then select their programs of choice and must enter their OEN number which is found on their timetable.
- If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s alpha counsellor. The main number to York Mills is 416-395-3340 and the extensions for the counsellors are listed below.
Mrs. Blond A-G 20046
Mrs. Katsura H-L 20045
Mr. Lee M-R 20042
Ms. Zappone S-Z 20044
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Nomination Information regarding $100M Schulich Leader Scholarships
Graduating Students – Opportunity
This could be an exciting opportunity for ONE of our graduating students who is enrolling in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) areas of study at participating Canadian university in the fall, 2012.
I would like to spread the word about the Schulich Leader Scholarships in the Ontario Mathematics Gazette and other relevant publications/newsletters. This four-year scholarship valued at $60,000 is for students enrolling in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) areas of study at a participating Canadian university in fall, 2012. The Schulich Leader Scholarships program asks every high school, secondary school and CEGEP (in Quebec) across Canada to select one student to represent their school as aSchulich Leader Nominee. From this pool of nominees, 20 pre-selected universities across Canada will each choose one outstanding student to be their Schulich Leader, each of whom will receive a four-year scholarship valued at $60,000 to support their studies at that university in a STEM faculty. For the inaugural year of the program, you must submit the name of your Schulich Leader Nominee no later than Friday, January 13, 2012.
We would appreciate it if you could please share this information with staff and school administrators through newsletters, magazines, emails, etc. We are also happy to draft an article for publication if you prefer. Please let us know your thoughts. We look forward to your support.
Students are to see the information posted in Student Services or click Schulich Leader Scholarships
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School Show: Thoroughly Modern Millie – December 7 – 10
Opening Gala & Dinner Theatre
Once again our Grade 12 Management class has been working vigorously to put together a blockbuster event in December. Every year, Ms. Persaud’s business management class puts on a fundraiser and this year will be their most ambitious one yet. The York Mills School Show is an event that only happens once every other year and thus the expectations are always high. This year, the management class has teamed up with the School Show “Thoroughly Modern Millie” (a musical production) to help raise awareness and funds for the Toronto Foundation for Student Success- a charity that helps kids all over the TDSB to be successful in school by providing them with basic necessities such as school supplies, nutritious breakfasts, and after school programs.
All net proceeds generated from the event, which is scheduled to kick off on December 7th and finish on December 10th, will go directly to the Foundation. From promotional videos to detailed floor plans, the kids are doing everything they can to ensure a successful production. With spectacular events planned such as the “Opening Night Gala” held on the 7th as well as a gourmet “Dinner Theatre” evening on Friday the 9th, all of us here at York Mills are forced to live with anticipation.
Parents, students, and teachers are all welcome to join us for this grand event. We hope to see everyone there.
Since space is limited for the Dinner Theatre event on December 9th, I urge students to purchase tickets $30.00 (includes dinner and show) for parents as early as possible. Tickets are available during lunch.
Civics News:
Civics classes continue to participate in YPI, Youth and Philanthropy Initiative, in which groups choose a local, social service sector charity. They research it, visit the charity itself and then advocate for it in an oral presentation. At the end of the year the winners from each term will compete to win $5000 for their charity courtesy of the Toskan Casale Foundation.
ESL News
Mr. Heffernan and Ms. Tam took their ESL students on a field trip to Kensington Market, Occupy Toronto, and The World Press Photo on October 25, 2011. They had an opportunity to explore Kensington Market, interview activists at St. James Park, as well as looking at photographs collected around the globe.
Civics News:
Civics classes continue to participate in YPI, Youth and Philanthropy Initiative, in which groups choose a local, social service sector charity. They research it, visit the charity itself and then advocate for it in an oral presentation. At the end of the year the winners from each term will compete to win $5000 for their charity courtesy of the Toskan Casale Foundation.
ESL News
Mr. Heffernan and Ms. Tam took their ESL students on a field trip to Kensington Market, Occupy Toronto, and The World Press Photo on October 25, 2011. They had an opportunity to explore Kensington Market, interview activists at St. James Park, as well as looking at photographs collected around the globe.
Teachers plan to invite a freelance writer who used to be an immigrant and now writes restaurant reviews to speak to my ESL students. He will share his Post-Secondary experience including challenges he had faced. He will also teach students the required skills for being a journalist and demonstrate how to write a news report. The difference between an informal and formal writing will be covered.
Our ELS 208 class (English Literacy Skills adapted for ESL students) was recently a demo classroom for TDSB teachers. The teachers were interested in seeing a multi-level class in action. We were simultaneously studying five novels (at various levels of difficulty) using the Literature Circle format. The teachers who visited were impressed with the teaching and learning skills demonstrated by our staff and students.
Grade 12 Accounting
All grade 12 accounting classes participated in the Carleton University Sprott Business Competition. Two teams are participating in the semi-finals on Friday November 25th. We also have approximately 100 York Mills students participating in the Junior Achievement Company Program. In the spring, a group of grade 12 accounting students from each of the four classes will be participating in the OBEA accounting contest.
Best Buddies Club & Our DD Class
Best Buddies celebrated Emily and Corey’s birthday last week.
Some Buddies attended the “Evening of Friendship: Celebration” organized by Best Buddies Canada. It was an evening of dining, dancing and friendship.
Athletic Eligibility
As you know the athletic/academic policy at York Mills states that an athlete MUST be:
- Attending regularly and passing a minimum of 3 day-school (YM) credits
- If an athlete quits a team (or is asked to leave by the coach/teacher) he/she will be excluded from participating in their following season
We are currently going through all team lists and checking eligibility/attendance.
If there is a concern the coach will be contacted.
Coaches are asked to discuss the academic/attendance concern with the player. If the athletic/academic policy has been violated, the athlete may request to appeal the violation. The athlete, his/her parent and coach must request a meeting with the appropriate Vice-Principal to appeal. A meeting date and time will be set up by the VP.
The the final decision on whether on not he/she is able to participate will be made by the administration.
Next year the student agenda will read:
- If an athlete quits a team (or is asked to leave by the coach/teacher) he/she will be excluded from participating in their following season until they have met with both the Assistant Curriculum Leader of Health and Physical Education and Athletic Director.
2011 YORK MILLS C.I. ATHLETICS FALL SEASON
Cross Country: York Mills claimed the Sr. Boy’s, Sr. Girl’s and the Overall School Team North Region titles. Every runner qualified and advanced to the city championships. Special congratulations go out to Connie Yang, Hei Chan, Matthew Fynney, Nathaniel Hu, Kwesi Kwarko-Fosu and Tian-shi Ning for making the Provincial Championships-Ofsaa.
Varsity Girl’s Field Hockey: Returning to the top since 2009, the girl’s field hockey team captured the North Region title this year finishing with a league record of four wins and defeating arch rival Earl Haig in the North region finals. They qualified for City Championships where they were eliminated in the semi-finals against North Toronto finishing 4th in the TDSB.
Junior Boy’s Soccer: The boy’s started off the season in great fashion winning their first 4 games of the season. Unfortunately they ran out of gas and just missed the playoffs in a very competitive North region division.
Senior Boy’s Soccer: After making an appearance at the Provincial championships last year the team had to rebuild as many members graduated. Composed of mainly grade 11’s, the team fought hard and competed against many more experienced teams losing close battles throughout the regular season.
Senior Boy’s Volleyball: After losing 5 starters from last year’s North Region championship team, the seniors composed of mainly grade 11’s finished the regular season with a very impressive 6 wins and 1 loss. The team finished as Silver medalist in the North region losing a competitive match to a more experienced Westview team. The senior boy’s team also captured a Silver medal at the York Mills Invitational tournament.
Junior Boy’s Volleyball:
Since York Mills started a junior volleyball program, the school has won back to back North Region titles. Finishing the regular season with an undefeated record of 8 wins, the team defeated Don Mills in the championship game to claim another gold medal. Eventually losing to Agincourt in the City Championship playoffs, the team finished with an impressive year ranking 4th in the TDSB.
Junior Girl’s Basketball: The Jr. girl’s basketball team fought hard every game and eventually lost to the North region champions Downsview in the quarter-finals.
Senior Girls Basketball: Finishing the regular season with 5 wins and 3 losses, the team took a surprising loss in the quarter-finals to Newtonbrook. Having numerous players returning next season, the team looks to bounce back and be hungry for another title.
Tennis: Both the girl’s and boy’s tennis team had another stellar winning season. The boy’s team captured the North Region title and have now won it three years in a row, while the girl’s claimed the Silver medal.
Golf: The boy’s team this year had another outstanding performance finishing as the North region gold medalists in back to back years as they were lead by grade 10 Gavin McQueenie and grade 11 Matthew Fynney who won individual Gold and Bronze respectively. A very impressive showing for a young team that will be dominate in the years to come.
Rugby:
Once again the York Mills Rugby 7’s team competed and contended for another championship.
Having a jr. boy’s team that was young and eager, Mr Chang turned this group of athletes into experienced veterans that just missed the championship game. The Sr. Girl’s and Sr. Boy’s also played with poise, participating in numerous tournaments, and finishing on the upper tier of the City Championship tournament.
All York Mills Athletic team schedules, standings and scores can be found at www.tdsb.on.ca under Features: TDSB Sports
Spanish Classes News
Last week Ms. Davis & Ms. Delanghe took our Grade 11 and 12 Spanish classes to see the Argentinian film “Un cuento chino”, followed by a Mexican lunch at “Milagro” restaurant.
Early December all Grade 10 Spanish students will visit the Lula Lounge for a day of Cuban percussion, Latin lunch and a salsa dance lesson.
Also in December Ms. Snyder and Ms. Delanghe are taking Grade 10 and 11 French students to Lula Lounge for a French Cafe day which includes French folk dancing lessons and learning French-African songs.
Arrrriba!!!!
March Break Trip to Greece
With just over 100 days to March Break, we wanted to update the community on the group size and make-up of our tour to Greece and Turkey. We have 4 boys, 4 girls and two chaperones enrolled. There is room for 4 more students but prices go up December 1st.
There has been a change in the itinerary with Istanbul and Ephesus in Turkey added to our ports of call. We fly overnight to Athens. We will spend 3 days in Athens visiting the Temple of Zeus, the Olympic Stadium and the Acropolis among other sites. We then transfer by bus to Delphi on our way to Patras. We visit Olympia on the way to Argolida. We visit the Greek theatre in Epidaurus. On our way back to Athens we stop at the Corinth Canal. The next morning, we will board the cruise ship for a 3 day adventure to Istanbul and Izmir (Ephesus) in Turkey.
With 6 sightseeing tours led by local guides and a walking tour of Athens, it will be a very full 12 days! However, there will be free time to taste the local cuisine and do some shopping. As on our past European tours, unforgettable moments will be shared and friendships forged along the way. There is still time to join our adventure! Call Ms. Wilton at 416-395-3340, extension 4 for further details.
Janet R. Wilton
Co-op Education & Student Success
York Mills Collegiate
490 York Mills Road
Toronto, Ontario
M3B 1W6
416-395-3340, ext. 4
Student Census
Students completed the census in home form on Monday. Those who were absent will have a final opportunity on Thursday to complete it.
After-School Gr. 10 Math Support Classes
We have begun to run two full Grade 10 after-school math classes. I want to thank all parents for getting the registration information back to us in a timely manner.
Examination Schedule
This is a reminder that it is a Ministry requirement that all students write a final evaluation. Please note the examination schedule as printed in the student agenda and as per below dates.
Students will NOT be given opportunities to write ANY examination outside of the examination time. Each year we receive requests from parents for permission allowing students to write outside of the posted schedule due to a family vacation. The examination schedule has been posted since September and cannot be altered.
Grade 10 HFN20 Food and Nutrition Class
The class has produced their first Newsletter. Students in this class have had an opportunity to contribute to the Newsletter and have all received a copy. Following is a small portion of the Newsletter.
WELCOME OUR CLASSROOM
It has been a great start to the semester in HFN20! It was a pleasure to meet so many of you at YMCI’s Curriculum Night, and at Parents’ Night, as well as speaking with some of you by phone.
As we start term 2 of Semester 1, I want to take the opportunity to let you know more about our grade 10 Food and Nutrition class.
Wonderful news is that we have a daily volunteer named “Big John” Hudspith, a retired engineer, who has been part of the York Mills family for 12 years. This year he has chosen to assist in Family Studies. He’s a great cook. His perspective on issues we cover in class has been enlightening. His assistance during labs has been invaluable. He has organized the display case of exemplary work in the front foyer of the school. Thank you, Big John, for all you do to make it a safe and caring classroom for all of us.
Check out HFN2O’s amazing Cookbook Projects
in the front foyer of York Mills!
Alexis Dee, a graduate of George Brown College’s patisserie programme, joined us on November 10 to talk about careers in the food industry and vegetarian lifestyles.
Students have also made a new friend, Cory, our “best buddy” who joins us on Fridays from room 143. He recently turned 18, so congratulations Cory!
WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
Your student has investigated food choices, such as psychological, social and cultural reasons, the effects of technology, childhood eating patterns, and food marketing. Students practised primary social science research skills by conducting interviews for an intergenerational study of food choices. In our first food lab, students made oatmeal cookies, a common “comfort food”.
We investigated careers in food and nutrition. Students chose a career and prepared an information brochure by researching qualifications, working conditions and quotes from people working in that field.
To complement our careers lessons, we watched the movie Ratatouille, about the operation of a restaurant. Then, with the guidance of Amélie, our exchange student from France, we learned how to prepare real French ratatouille.
We are now completing our unit on the food needs of individuals and families. To me, no literacy or numeracy is complete without the knowledge of how to read a recipe. Students have created fabulous cookbooks, and in the process learned concepts like conversions, substitutions and yield changes.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Upcoming units include “Nutrition, Health and Well-being” including Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide; “Body Image” (anorexia, bulimia and steroid use); and “Food from Canadian and Global Perspectives”–our native food heritage, world hunger and food diversity.
In addition, every Friday is “Food Network Friday”. Students learn from experts, reflect on their viewing, and some have tried new recipes at home.
The culminating activity at the end of the semester is “YMTV”. In groups, student will present a food preparation demonstration on a theme of their choice. In past years, the presentations have been informative, entertaining and fun.
In much of our work, students are developing teamwork, which the Conference Board of Canada lists as one of the three fundamentals skills for employability. For more information,see http://www.conferenceboard.ca/Libraries/EDUC_PUBLIC/esp2000.sflb
Family studies is about making meaning of everyday life. Your student is learning valuable life skills. It is my hope that your child is developing learning skills, like organization and focus, as well as being successful academically.
IMPORTANT DATES
Nov. 30 Staff Meeting – 8:30 a.m./Late Start – 10:30 a.m.
Dec. 7 – 10 School Show – “Thoroughly Modern Millie”
Dec. 9 Dinner Theatre
Dec. 9 P.A. DAY
Dec. 13 CNML Math Contest – Room 214
Dec. 19 Winter Music Night – 7:00 p.m.
Dec. 22 Alumni Hockey Game – 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Dec. 23 Special Schedule
Dec. 26 to
Jan. 8 WINTER BREAK
Jan. 9 Classes resume
Jan. 10 GRAD Photos begin (Staff Cafeteria)
CNML Math Contest in Room 214
Jan. 18 School Council Meeting – 7:00 p.m. – Titan Hall
Jan. 19 GRAD Photos end
Jan. 20 Fire Drill
Jan. 25 Special Schedule: Tutorials in a.m. Exams in p.m.
Jan. 26 Special Schedule: Tutorials in a.m. Exams in p.m.
