SENIOR SCHOOL - AUGUST 31, 2023

A MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL DAVID HAMILTON

Dear Parents,

We look forward to greeting your children next week as they start a new school year in the Senior School. Once again, we begin the year at Camp Timberlane, where we focus on forming strong and positive relationships that are so important to students having a successful year.

Below, I have highlighted the most important information that you need to know to support your child in the weeks ahead. I know that everyone has busy lives, so I have endeavored to make it succinct and to the point. I welcome any feedback on this new approach.

Enjoy the last long weekend of the summer!

David Hamilton
Senior School Principal

P.S. Please be sure to visit The Family handbook

New Student Orientation

New grade 10 and 11 students are to come to the school at 10:00am on Tuesday, September 5. They will be introduced to the use of their laptop in the school.

Essentials for Week 1

Timetables - Look for an email tomorrow announcing the release of timetables on YorkNet. Students do not need their timetable for camp. Notify the academic counselor of any missing courses.

Camp - A final email was sent out on Tuesday from Andrea Lossing with the information you need regarding the start of school at Camp Timberlane. Essential times/places:

Essentials for Week 2

Grade 9 Laptop Orientation - All grade 9 students should arrive at school at 8:00am on Monday, September 11th to complete their laptop orientation.

Classes - Classes begin Monday, September 11th, at 8:55am.

Attendance - All students must attend homeroom from 8:55am - 9:05am every day. Students who have a spare to begin the day may miss homeroom, except on Wednesday. All students must attend assemblies on Wednesday from 9:05am - 9:45am. Students who have a spare at the end of the day may leave after their last class.

Late Policy - Students who receive three or more late slips in the term will face an 8:30am detention for each late. Skipped classes will result in a one hour after-school detention and 8:30am detention the following day.

Lunch - The cafeteria will be serving. Students need to know their account numbers in order to purchase food. Students may leave the building to buy lunch in the immediate area (St. Clair and Yonge).

Cell Phone Policy Update - Students may not access their cell phones during or between classes, except during lunch. They may keep their phone in either a bag or their locker. Please do not make a practice of messaging your child during classes.

Uniform - Students may wear either the summer or winter uniform. Students who are missing their uniform will be required to rent the missing piece (if available) or will be sent home to retrieve it. Rented uniform pieces must be returned laundered within one week, or the student’s account will be charged for the full price.

University Application Event - Grade 12 University Application Seminar: Thursday, September 14th, at 7:00pm, the University Counselling Office will host an information night for Grade 12 Parents. Please RSVP to the invitation sent via email.

Parent Volunteers needed

We are looking for parent volunteers across all three divisions (Junior, Middle and Senior School) who would like to help out at our new shop. If you are interested in volunteering please fill out this form. We will open up the shop during lunch on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and the hours are 11:30am to 1:00pm.

Please click here to sign up

For questions please reach out to Astrid Fischer (Afischer@yorkschool.com)

STUDENT LIFE & BELONGING

YORK’S 30th ANNUAL TERRY FOX WALK/RUN 2023

Junior School

When: Friday, September 15th
When: 8:45am - 11:00am
Who: Students and Staff will participate in their classes
Where: Mt Pleasant Cemetery and Kay Gardiner Beltline
Middle and Senior School

When: Friday, September 15th
When: 2:00pm - 3:25pm
Who: Students and Staff in homeroom groups
Where: David A. Balfour Park/Reservoir
Over 29 years, The York School has raised over $325 000 for The Terry Fox Foundation. This year, our goal is $10 000 between our T-Shirt sales and online donation page. 75% of the proceeds from T-Shirt sales, goes directly to cancer research.
To donate to our school’s team page: York School Terry Fox Fundraising Page.
To order a Terry Fox t-shirt: Junior School Terry Fox T-shirt Order Form 2023, Middle & Senior School Terry Fox T-shirt Order Form 2023
*The ordering deadline is 10:00am on Friday, September 8th to ensure we receive the shirts in time for the event. The cost of these items will be charged to your account. No cash will be accepted.

ORANGE SHIRT day to honour truth & reconciliation

The York School will be honouring National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on Friday, September 29th. We encourage families to order their own shirts independently through The Orange Shirt Society, a non-profit organization where Orange Shirt Day began in 2013.

Click here for Official Orange Shirt Society Merchandise Page (Scroll down to bottom of the webpage for list of approved t-shirt providers.)

In the spirit of reconciliation and to stand in solidarity with survivors and all those impacted by residential schools, we will wear orange to honour this day of significance and also engage in divisional assemblies, classroom activities, lessons, and discussions that amplify Indigenous perspectives while educating and promoting awareness about the intergenerational harm that residential schools have caused to Indigenous families and communities.

2024 Bhutan Global Learning Excursion Grade 11 & 12 Interest Form (Due Thursday, September 8th)

The York School is thrilled to introduce a new and exciting trip to the Kingdom of Bhutan with ALIVE Outdoors for March Break 2024. This trip will involve a group of Grade 11 and 12 students who will travel to Bhutan for 10 days.

Bhutan Global Learning Excursion Information
For more information about this trip option please review this video and the ALIVE Brochure about the Bhutan Trip experience from Jal Bosley, Executive Director of ALIVE Outdoors.

Student Blogs and Photos from 2023 Trips:
https://www.aliveoutdoors.com/bhutan2023-crescent-havergal/
https://www.aliveoutdoors.com/bhutan2023-rsgc-smls/

Projected Cost*: Approximately $12,500 - $13,500. We will confirm the cost range in Fall 2023.* (This amount includes all trip costs including flights, all meals, local guides and transportation, ALIVE instructors, visas, permits, all activities, cancellation insurance)

Bhutan Global Learning Excursion Interest Form Due Friday September 8th

Parents, please fill out this Interest form if, having spoken with your child, you support their decision to take part in the trip. (NOTE: ONLY COMPLETE THIS INTEREST FORM IF YOUR FAMILY DID NOT ALREADY SUBMIT THE FORM IN THE SPRING).
By filling out this form, you are not fully committing to the trip at this time but you and your child have agreed that should the trip be offered, you would be very interested in learning more. More information about Bhutan Trip 2024 will be shared with interested students and their families in September 2023 including an application form and Venturing Out form.

The York Shop

The York School is excited to share with our community that we are opening up a York Shop at our 1320 Yonge Street campus where students across all three divisions (Junior, Middle and Senior School) will be able to purchase black gym t-shirts for our Junior School students, gym uniforms for all Middle and Senior School Students as well as spirit wear items.
*All purchases will be charged to Student Accounts
Where: 1320 Campus in the Learning Commons
Hours: 11:30am - 12:45pm
Start date: September 11, 2023
*The York Shop is not selling the official school uniform which you must purchase through our uniform provider Top Marks (topmarks.ca)
Please note: Students in Grades 6-12 are able to purchase items independently on their student account. Students in our Junior School Grades JK-Grade 5 require parents to purchase on their behalf.
If you have any questions please reach out to Astrid Fischer (afischer@yorkschool.com)