Weekly Special Announcements: 

Horizon Parents and Students,

Land Acknowledgement

On behalf of our school community, we recognize that we are situated on the lands that rightfully belong to the Anishinabewaki, Wendake, Haudenosaunee, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. We acknowledge that Turtle Island is the original land of all Indigenous peoples and want to rectify the harmful actions of the past.  We will continue learning about how we can share this land together.

(Written by Grade 8 Class of 2023)

Texte Reconnaissant de Traités

Nous reconnaissons que nous sommes accueillis sur les terres des Mississaugas des Anishinabes, de la Confédération Haudenosaunee et du Wendat. Nous voulons également reconnaître la pérennité de la présence des Premières Nations, du Métis et du Inuit.

Please find attached a copy of the grade 7 and 8 Time Management (TM) sheets for this week. Below you will find the special announcements for this week as well.

Just a reminder that you can email the school at horizon_alt@hotmail.com or Vanessa directly at vanessa.shrimpton@tdsb.on.ca.  When students are sharing assignments, they should do so with their classroom teacher or post in the appropriate Google classroom.

Special Announcements

Week of December 15th  Monday is Day 1

*please note that items you need to take care - forms, etc., are highlighted

• General

• Student entry is Door 3 (off Roxton parking lot) BEFORE 9:30am; after 9:30am students must go to DOOR 2 (off field).

• For attendance, if you are aware that your child will be late or absent, please send an email to Vanessa at horizon_alt@hotmail.com or vanessa.shrimpton@tdsb.on.ca and copy Lucy, our OA, at lucy.torres@tdsb.on.ca.

• Winter Feast is this Wednesday from 6-9pm!!! Please be sure that you have signed up for our Pot Luck and come out to see student work and performances! 2025_Sign up Sheet for Winter Feast Potluck! 

• Our volleyball tournament and Bake Sale were great successes!  So much fun was had and we raised over $600 for our Equity Committee to donate!

• We will be attending a Holiday Celebration assembly on Friday after lunch in the CTA auditorium. Following that, we will have a small party to usher in the holidays!

• Students will be cleaning out lockers this week so please send them with some extra bags if you think this might be necessary!

• Classroom Leaders this week: Grade 7 Olivia and Triya Grade 8 Mia and Amelia FG

• Programming

• This week begins week 3 of our December Special Schedule (see attached). These schedules include adaptations to our regular programming to allow us to include Town preparations, and special event work.  

• Extracurriculars and Excursions

• Boys Basketball and Girls Volleyball will get underway in the New Year!

• Speech Competition: I will be connecting with students to join and look to compete in this activity. Draft speeches must be completed by December 19th.

• Clubs and Committees

• No Book Club this week!

• Computers & Technology

  • We have a significant number of missing charge cables. If you could check your home for any cables, please send them to school! 

• Student Verification & Forms 

  • Please ensure that you have completed the EMA for athletics if your child is participating.

• Guidance 

• We have a final push for our Grade 8s (and 7s) to practice skills and knowledge to support those taking part in exams for specialized programs. These are transferable skills and all students will benefit from these activities.

Supporting the Grade 8 to 9 Transition for Students with Special Education Needs

Session description: Moving from Grade 8 to high school is an exciting milestone — and it can also bring new questions and challenges. This virtual session is designed to help parents and caregivers feel confident and informed as they support their child’s transition to Grade 9.

Together, we’ll explore key topics such as understanding Grade 9 academic pathways, how the Individual Education Plan (IEP) supports your child’s learning, and what special education services and resources are available in secondary school. You’ll also gain practical tips and strategies to help make the transition a positive and successful experience. 

FLYER 

Jan 15 session link (evening)

Harbord Collegiate news:

We are a CLOSED school

• Students must live in catchment to attend. This applies to both our regular and immersion programs. 

SSWAB - Secondary Schools Without A Boundary

• Any student wishing to attend Central Tech, or Central Toronto Academy must apply through Out-of-Area admissions (Jan 5th-23rd). The deadline is January 23rd  and students who don’t apply will not be admitted even if they live in the neighbourhood!

• Any student in the board can apply and it seems that those who live in the area would be given priority.

• Horizon SAC executive 

News from the Parent/Caregiver and Community Engagement of Toronto District School Board:

• Andrea Holbeche, Grade 8 Co-chair; Patrick Feng Grade 7 Co-chair

• Stephenie Hui, Grade 8 Co-Treasurer; Nadine Giguere, Grade 7 Co-Treasurer

• Kristin McGregor, Grade 8 Co-Secretary; Kendall Duthie, Grade 7 Co-Secretary