Category Archives: Uncategorized

TDSB African Heritage Month

During the month of February, the TDSB proudly recognizes African Heritage Month. It is an occasion to celebrate the many achievements and contributions of peoples of African descent to Canada and the world. The chosen theme for 2021-2022 is NIA: Walking in Our Purpose.
The first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament, the Honourable Jean Augustine, introduced a motion to recognize February as Black History Month. The motion was carried unanimously by the House of Commons. In December 1995, the House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month in Canada. At the Toronto District School Board, a motion to recognize African Heritage (Black History) Month was carried in January 2002 and reaffirmed again in January 2004.

The poster for this year’s celebration was created by students under the leadership of their teacher, Matthew Chapman, from Downsview Secondary Schools in 2020.  It has been updated to showcase this year’s theme NIA: Walking in Our Purpose. Five principles of Kwanzaa are presented in this painting: Umoja (unity) the tattoo; Nia (purpose) the logo on the shoe; Kuumba (creativity) the logo on the shirt; Imani (faith) the brand tag on the hijab; Kujichagulia (self determination) found in the fabric of one of the shirts.

End-of-semester timeline and semester 2

As this semester draws to a close, we would like to congratulate our students for getting through yet another challenging, tumultuous semester!

We are still awaiting some more details on what semester 2 will look like. The TDSB has indicated that we will be returning to a regular semester, with four class periods a day. As we get more information on what that looks like, we’ll keep you updated!

January 27th is the last class day for the semester. Please hand in all late term 2 work and culminating assignments this week!

Friday, January 28th is a virtual credit rescue day. If you’re passing, please check your student email for an attendance form. If you are failing, please arrange an appointment with your teacher to catch up.

Monday, January 31st and Tuesday, Feb. 1st are in-person credit rescue days. If you’re passing, please check your student email for an attendance form. If you are failing, please arrange an appointment with your teacher to catch up.

If you are not sure if you’re passing, check your student email and your voicemail!

Wednesday, Feb. 2nd is a PD day.

Semester 2 starts Thursday, Feb. 3rd, and will follow a normal schedule for current values of normal.

Welcome back!

We hope everyone had a safe, restful, and happy break.

We are currently waiting to hear what the rest of the semester will look like, and we will be communicating this information as we get it. There will be no classes today (Monday, Jan. 3) or tomorrow, and classes will resume this Wednesday, January 5. As per the provincial government’s announcement today, school will be online until at least January 17. We are still awaiting more details, and will let you know when we know. In the meantime, please check your student email regularly and remember that you can reach your teachers via email if you have any questions.

Winter break

Student Council organized a week of fun activities, including a lunchtime showing of The Nightmare Before Christmas, an ugly sweater day, a gingerbread decorating contest, and pyjama day.

We all wish you a safe and restful holiday break! Don’t forget to pick up a rapid test kit and test every three days. We look forward to seeing you back on January 3!

Weekly update

It’s almost the Winter Break! Just a few days left to go.

Rapid tests have arrived. We have a kit for each student. If you missed your first period class on Monday, talk to your teacher about getting one.

We are finally getting locker assignments again in the New Year. If you currently have a lock on a locker, please remove it or it will be cut off.

A reminder that Student Council has some great activities planned!
Monday: Movie night in the Student Lounge at lunch
Tuesday: Ugly Sweater Day
Wednesday: Gingerbread houses
Thursday: Pyjama Day!