Youth will have the opportunity to connect with 50-75 potential non-profits in attendance. Non-profit organizations at the virtual Ignite Fair are looking to engage young people. Come and learn about: where youth fit into the non-profit sector and the impact youth can have on an organization, the important volunteer work conducted by those currently giving back, and the opportunities available for young people.

Get your tickets for the Saturday, October 9, 2021 fair date.

The virtual fair will take place from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.For more information or to register: Connect With Non-Profits and Youth Groups at the Ignite Fair Powered by Volunteer Toronto

Today, SOLE students and staff marked the first annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and the 8th annual Orange Shirt Day.

On this day we reflect on the past, honour the survivors and remember the thousands of children who did not survive. We recognize and acknowledge the legacy of residential schools and its significance for Indigenous communities, and nation-to-nation relationship building.

It is also an opportunity for us to learn and educate ourselves about the ongoing impact of the legacy of residential schools on First Nations, Métis and Inuit families and communities. Each of us must take the necessary steps to educate ourselves on Indigenous history and perspectives and the systemic discrimination that’s still ongoing.

This week, we have discussed the history and continuing trauma of residential schools in class. Students wrote messages on orange paper that are now on display at the entrance to the school, and many in our school community wore orange to honour the survivors and victims.

This is just a beginning. We encourage everyone to educate themselves, listen to survivors, and continue to work towards transforming their communities. Reconciliation is a verb.

WASHROOM CHANGES
Starting Monday, SOLE student washrooms will be available for one student per washroom at a time. Students are asked to lock the main washroom door behind them when they enter to use the washroom.

TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
Next week is Truth and Reconciliation Week. Thurs. Sept 30 is Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. SOLE teachers will be engaging you in activities to help us all reflect on the legacy of residential schools and ongoing colonialism, and to think about how we can build justice for Indigenous people.

Here is a short video by the founder of Orange Shirt Day about how it all started.

See below for more information of Truth and Reconciliation.

STUDENT COUNCIL
If you are interested in participating in SOLE’s student council body (a.k.a. “Student Voice Group”), please contact Caitlin at caitlin.hewitt-white@tdsb.on.ca by Friday Oct. 1 at noon. Participation is on a volunteer basis – we won’t be having elections for positions. So, if you’re interested, get in touch! You will be expected to participate in weekly meetings to help plan fun activities for students and to take action on important youth issues.

This upcoming Sept 30th is Orange Shirt Day where together we recognize the legacy of Canada’s residential school system and continue to learn the many truths of these institutions. We honour First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children and communities impacted by this system.

“Ka-kí-kiskéyihtétan óma, namoya kinwés maka aciyowés pohko óma óta ka-hayayak wasétam askihk, ékwa ka-kakwéy miskétan kiskéyihtamowin, iyinísiwin, kistéyitowin, mina nánisitotatowin kakiya ayisiniwak, ékosi óma kakiya ka-wahkotowak.”
Cree Proverb

“Realize that we as human beings have been put on this earth for only a short time and that we must use this time to gain wisdom, knowledge, respect and the understanding for all human beings since we are all relatives.”

We encourage all students and staff to wear orange and to use this day to reflect and further their own understanding of the residential school system and the path to reconciliation.

As of 10:00pm ET last night, 740,515 votes were reported from 5,478 schools, with results from all 338 federal ridings.

Students elected a Liberal minority government and the NDP formed official opposition. 

• Liberals: 117 seats, 24% of the vote
• NDP: 107 seats, 29% of the vote
• Conservatives: 91 seats, 25% of the vote
• Bloc Québecois: 20 seats, 2% of the vote
• Green Party: 3 seats, 10% of the vote

Using our online results platform, you can view the national results, results by province/territory, results by riding, and results by school: www.studentvote.ca/results/canada2021

There are several tight races across the country that may be impacted by school results yet to be submitted.  

Follow the student vote on Twitter @CIVIX_Canada for more results coverage.

At SOLE, the NDP’s Clare Haskel was elected with 64% of the vote.

You can follow real-time election results on the CBC’s election page here!

A message from Dr. McCready from Michael Garron Hospital.

Please click here for vaccine clinics this week.  They offer first and second doses by walk-in to everyone born in 2009 or earlier (i.e. turning age 12 or older this year). See upcoming pop-up vaccine clinics in East Toronto.

This week we have a number of school based vaccine clinics and any families, students and staff are welcome to attend any school for vaccination.

The school-based clinics this week include:
a. Friday September 17, 3:45-8 pm: Valley Park MS

b. Saturday September 18, 3:30–8 pm: East York CI

c. Sunday September 19, 2-8 pm: Don Mills CI and Monarch Park CI

d. Monday September 20, 3-9 pm: Grenoble PS

e. Tuesday September 21 1-8 pm: Eastdale CI and 4-8 pm: Earl Grey Senior Public School

f. Wednesday September 22 4-8 pm: DA Morrison MS

g. Thursday September 23 3:30- 8pm:  St. Brigid CS and 3-8 pm: Gateway Public School

h. Friday September 24 3-8 pm: Regent Heights PS and 3:15-8 pm: Marc Garneau CI

i. Saturday September 25 4-8 pm: Taylor Creek PS

j. Sunday September 26 3-8 pm: Samuel Hearne MS

Please see the calendar below for upcoming University and College information sessions. This calendar will be updated as more sessions are added. This week we have:

• Ryerson Info Session this Thursday September 23rd at 3:30pm. Rob will send out more details later on how to access this session.
• Ontario University Fair on Saturday September 25th at 12pm. This is open to anyone interested at https://www.ontariouniversitiesfair.ca. No registration required. 

College Info sessions will begin on Monday Oct 4th and occur every Monday following Thanksgiving. You can register for these sessions at http://ontariocolleges.ca.

You can cast your ballot in the Student Vote parallel elections on Monday, Sept. 20th in your first period class, or at lunch in room 328.

For the student vote, please research the federal candidates in the Toronto-Danforth riding.

If you’re 18 or over, you can vote for real! Click here to find your riding.

We’re looking forward to seeing you!

School starts on Thursday, Sept. 9th at 9 am. Please check your student email for your timetable if you haven’t already received it.

We’ll be running on a modified timetable this year that’s different than the rest of the TDSB. Our schedule will look like this:

If you’re confused, don’t worry! We’ll walk you through it.

Registration for new students

It’s not too late to register! Please fill out the online registration and we will be in touch promptly:

SOLE Registration

Course selection

We’ve updated the course selection form. You can check out the most up-to-date course offerings here:

SOLE Courses

You can also reach Debbie, our Office Administrator, at Debbie.Andrew-Murphy@tdsb.on.ca or Rachel for technical support at Rachel.Rosen@tdsb.on.ca.

Want to watch or download the commencement video? Click here! The password has been sent to your student email address, but if you don’t see it, you can email rachel.rosen@tdsb.on.ca for it.

The video will be available for download for a few weeks, so get it while you can!