Heads Up - Upper — Aug 29, 2024

As shared with the community in the spring Head’s Up, for the 2024–25 academic year, along with our Norval Outdoor School programming, the Upper School has partnered with ALIVE Outdoors to provide an outdoor experiential program for all students in Years 9 to 11.

ALIVE Outdoors works with several Independent Schools in Ontario and contracts with well-established camps that many of our families may be familiar with. The program will highlight curricular and co-curricular themes that aim to foster student connections through shared experiences and learning. As this is an important component of our programming, full attendance is expected. This programming will take place from Monday, Oct. 7 to Thursday, Oct. 10.

Year 9 students will engage in a four-day, three-night experiential program at Olympia Sports Camp led by Olympia, our Norval Team, and UCC Faculty.

Note: This is updated information from the Spring where the Year 9 trip has been relocated from Norval to Olympia Sports Camp. This location update will allow for students to enjoy expanded experiences and amenities, including cabins.

Year 10 and 11 students will participate in a four-day, three-night program run by ALIVE Outdoors. They will participate in various outdoor activities that build personal skills and community connections. UCC Faculty members will accompany students at all camps.

Y9 Program: Olympia Sports Camp, Huntsville, Ontario (4 days / 3 nights)

Y10 Program: Camp Pine Crest, Bala, Ontario (4 days / 3 nights)

Y11 Program: Camp Wanakita, Haliburton, Ontario (4 days / 3 nights)

Coach buses will depart from UCC on the morning of Oct. 7 and will return on the afternoon of Oct. 10.

Note: Year 8 students will continue to enjoy Norval programming, as planned, for Sept. 9–12.

During the week of October 7, Year 8 students will be on campus for a special IB Middle Years Programme interdisciplinary learning experience week. Year 12 students will also remain on campus, and use this time to focus on Diploma Programme-specific tasks, work closely with the University Counselling Office on their applications, and participate in other programming designed to meet their needs during a busy term.

Please note that the cost of each trip (Y9–11) will be approximately $1,100, which will be billed to student accounts in the fall.

Stay tuned to Heads Up for further detailed information, including itineraries, packing lists, and permission forms. Any questions should be directed to Gillian Levene (Y8), Joe Smith (Y9/10), or Andrew MacDougall (Y11/12).

Please note that there will be no alternative programming on campus during the trips as the majority of faculty will be trip supervisors or will be facilitating the Y8 and Y12 programs.

Student schedules

Student schedules will be available in Bluenet as of August 30, in the afternoon.

Year 8 | Upcoming important dates

Please click here to view the important dates.

Year 8 | FAQ Resource and details for the Norval trip

Please click here to view frequently asked questions, itinerary details, packing list, and more.

Save the date | Upper School Curriculum Night on Sept. 5

UCC’s Upper School Curriculum Night will take place on Thursday, Sept. 5. This information evening is intended to provide parents and guardians with an opportunity to meet faculty and staff as well as gain an overview of your child’s classes. Classes will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will conclude at 9 p.m. Personalized schedules will be available in Bluenet.

Upper School attendance app

The Upper School will continue to use the SchoolPass Attendance app. This app is used to communicate student absences, late arrivals and early dismissals to the College.

For all New Upper School parents, a welcome message from SchoolPass with instructions for installing and logging into the app has been sent to your email that is registered in our system. Once you have completed the installation, please refer to the instructions for using the app found here.

If you have not received the welcome email by September 3, 2024, please check your spam/junk folder, or please follow the instructions here to set up your account.

For any login issues please feel free to contact usattendance@ucc.on.ca.

Importance notice from SchoolPass:

If you have not received a welcome letter yet, please be aware that SchoolPass is currently in the process of configuring new family profiles which will be completed by the first week of school.

For the SchoolPass app to function properly, please ensure both the SchoolPass app and the operating system on your device are up to date.

Auditions for Bea Wolf

Brendon Allen will hold auditions for the play Bea Wolf on Sept. 4, 5, and 6 from 4 to 5 p.m. in the David Chu Theatre. All students in Year 8 and Year 9 are welcome. Please confirm your audition day by emailing Mr. Allen.

Years 6–12 | 2024–25 Textbook ordering information

New and used textbook purchases can be made directly through the University of Toronto (U of T) Bookstore rather than at the College. Textbooks (new or used, if available) are ordered using U of T Bookstore’s online ordering system, available here.

Textbooks and course materials can be purchased online to be shipped to your address, or shop in person at the Bookstore's downtown location. You can also request to have your order delivered to other University of Toronto campuses for pick up. Click here to check the hours and addresses.

Boarding students may request that their orders be shipped directly to the College. Please use the school address (200 Lonsdale Road, Toronto, ON M4V 1W6) for shipping. This option is for Boarding students only.

All books are required unless indicated as optional. If your course is not listed, there is no required text to be ordered. Any course materials needed will be communicated by your student’s teacher during the first week of school.

It’s important for you to place your order as early as possible to help ensure your student has the textbooks needed to start the school year. Ordering early gives you the best selection of used books.

Orders will be shipped by UPS, so please include a delivery address where someone will be available during business hours to sign for your shipment. Please consider using a business address rather than your home address for delivery, where appropriate.

For assistance, please contact U of T Bookstore directly at uppercanadacollege@uoftbookstore.com.

Upper School (Years 8–12) English textbooks

Upper School English classes use literary texts and not textbooks, therefore teachers may have different selections of texts even in classes of the same grade. True to the spirit of the MYP and DP, text selection is based on the success of previous units, current issues, student interest, and cultural awareness.

For simplicity, each grade will begin with a common text available for order immediately. A teacher-prepared package of readings will be distributed during the first week of school.

Course change requests: key dates

Please note the following key dates and information about the course change process for the 2024–25 academic year.

Students should reach out to a university counsellor to begin a conversation. See the contact information below.

There is also a Late Course Change process that begins after the end dates below. At that point, students will have spent more time in their courses and therefore the request to move from one course to another can be more complex. A discussion centred on potential impacts will be led by the university counsellor and will involve the student and parent, course teachers, adviser and the Wernham West Centre for Learning (WWCfL) as required.

Course Change Dates:

Students in Years 9 and 10

Begins: Day 3 (Sept. 6)

Ends: Day 2 (Sept. 18)

Students in Year 11

Begins: Day 3 (Sept. 6)

Ends: Day 2 (Oct. 15)

Course changes must be approved by a parent/guardian and a student’s university counsellor.

University Counselling Office:

David Hanna — Jackson's

Alison Champ — Howards and Bremners

Nili Isaacs — Orr's, Scadding's Martland's (A-K)

Stephanie Rose — McHugh's, Mowbray's, Martland's (L-Z)

Andrew Turner — Seaton's, Wedd's

Volunteer Opportunity in early October | HYROX TORONTO 2024

UCC students have been invited by HYROX Toronto to volunteer at their event taking place on Saturday and Sunday, October 5 and 6, at Enercare Centre.

HYROX is an indoor global fitness event that is starting to spread across the U.S., Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East. We expect over 6,000 participants to race with us that weekend, and depend heavily on volunteers for our event to flow smoothly and safely.

We have four and six-hour shifts in the morning, mid-day, afternoon and all day, with assignments ranging from registration, gear check to the competition floor. The minimum age to volunteer is 14 years old.

Volunteer perks:

special edition volunteer shirts by Puma
meals and snacks
complimentary on-site parking
exclusive merchandise discount
community service hours
fun and fabulous perks for groups of 10 or more

Here is the sign-up link: 2024 HYROX Toronto Volunteer Crew.

"Upper Canada College" has been added to the group dropdown menu on the online app form.

Sign-up instructions for ALL volunteers:

1. The link will take you to an application form. Fill it out completely.

2. For the group dropdown menu, choose Upper Canada College.

3. Read the waiver and check box.

4. Click on "Register."

5. You should receive a confirmation email.

6. The deadline to sign up is Thursday, September 12.

7. Final reminder emails with parking info 7–10 days before event day, to all volunteers who are signed up.

Save the date | Dr. David Suzuki, Dr. Tara Cullis and our Artists in Residence from Why Not Theatre on stage at UCC

It is with great elation that the UCC Arts Department will be hosting Dr. David Suzuki, Dr. Tara Cullis, and Why Not Theatre at UCC on the week of Sept. 23.

During this week, there will be 4 opportunities to see their exciting theatrical collaboration called What You Won't Do For Love on stage in the David Chu Theatre, directed by founder and co-artistic director of Why Not Theatre, Ravi Jain '99.

Specific information about booking tickets to the show will be shared soon. Other details about Why Not Theatre's week-long residency will also be shared soon.

Parent Coffee Mornings in September

The Parents’ Organization is once again hosting Parent Year Level Coffee Mornings!

Please join us from 8:30 – 10 a.m. in the second floor lounge of Wilder Arena for some coffee/tea/snacks and catch up with or meet new parents in your son’s year. Please RSVP in the links below.

The Used Blues Shop (TUBS) Sale

The Used Blues Shop (TUBS) is hosting its annual back-to-school sale!

Dates:

Tuesday, Sept. 3, from 2–4 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 4, from 7:30–9:30 a.m.

Where:

Upper School lower-level hallway (near the Lower Dining Hall)

The sale will feature gently used uniforms and spirit wear. All purchases will be charged to a student’s account. Students may shop on their own. Parents are welcome but are asked to first sign in at reception. Please bring a shopping bag.

Donations are welcome. If you are interested in volunteering or have questions, please email TUBS.

Sign up | PO Volunteers welcome!

There are so many volunteer opportunities for parents at UCC!

You can start small, with an afternoon shift at A-Day, or commit to being a Team Parent, all the way to pursuing an ongoing role in the Parent’s Organization.

Please fill out this form to let the PO know you’d like to be involved. It’s a great way to meet new parents and get to know the school community better.

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