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Year 7 | Graduation photos

Hello Year 7 Families,

CanGrad Studios will be on campus to photograph Year 7 students on Tuesday, April 1.

Process

All photos will take place in Weston Hall. Faculty will accompany students to Weston Hall and remain with them to support with the organization.

Attire for photo

Students are expected to wear their #1 Dress uniform (with a white dress shirt) for these photos. Please click here for #1 Dress details.

Students should arrive at school in their #1 Dress uniform. As always, please be reminded that Year 7 students should also bring their PE uniform to school for their Games period. 

Volunteers from the Prep Parents Organization (PPO) will assist with the photo process this year (e.g. making sure everyone looks sharp, etc.)

Details for ordering Grad Photos

The following details are especially important if your student is absent on April 1:

1. CanGrad Studios contact information (feel free to reach out to CanGrad with questions).

CanGrad Studios

436 Horner Ave.  

Etobicoke, ON 

M8W 2B3

(416) 253-6466

cyelle@cangrad.com

www.cangrad.com

2. Photo process 

• On Tuesday, April 1, it will take approximately 2 minute/student to capture 5–6 images 

• CanGrad will email sample photo proofs and order forms directly to parents by end of the day on April 4

• The due date for families selecting a composite photo is April 22

• Students who are absent will need to have their photos taken at CanGrad studios. There may also be opportunities to have a photo taken at U of T

• April 17 is the last day for a student to be photographed at CanGrad studios

Total inclusive cost: $42+tax per student

Sincerely,

Gareth Evans

Assistant Head of the Preparatory School: Middle Division

Student Learning Surveys

It's our belief — supported by educational research — that quantitative and qualitative feedback given by students to faculty on a regular basis will support and improve learning and teaching. 

In the interest of high quality learning and teaching at the College, we have traditionally and intermittently conducted student learning surveys where students have a chance to provide feedback on their experience in individual classrooms. Leadership teams and survey committees at the College have been working since 2021 to investigate current research and thinking on effective student learning surveys and how they can inform professional growth for teachers. Over the past three years we have been piloting student learning surveys with Panorama Education. 

The student learning survey consists of research-informed and validated questions in the areas of classroom climate, engagement, pedagogical effectiveness, rigorous expectations, and the teacher-student relationship. No demographic information is included in the survey. Last year, a group of approximately 40 Prep and Upper School teachers and their students engaged in the trial of the survey. Feedback from that process and trial has informed this year’s process, in which teachers and students across the whole school will participate.

Once surveys are complete, the data is anonymously presented to the individual faculty member through a secure portal. The reports will allow faculty members to reflect on the results with school leaders and colleagues to support their professional growth and may inform departmental goals.

Students will receive general information about the surveys from form advisers and be given an opportunity to complete them in their class at some point over the month of April. 

Please encourage students to share their experience and the information discussed with you. 

Warm regards,

Sarah Fleming

Head of the Prep School

Spring Athletics 

Dear Prep Parents and Guardians,

The spring sports season has arrived despite the weather. Intramural and tryout signups have closed for all Year, 5, 6, and 7 students, and Years 5 and 7 began on Tuesday while the Year 6 began the tryout process on Wednesday.

The following is a list of sports available by Year:

Year 4: Track and field

Year 5: Track and field, softball, intramurals

Year 6: Track and field, softball, intramurals, ultimate frisbee

Year 7: Track and field, softball, ultimate frisbee, lacrosse, rugby, tennis, badminton

Please watch your email for commitment letters, which will arrive this week.

All the best for a fantastic final term,

Max Perren

Athletic Director

Head lice

Dear Parents,

As we return back to school after the break, it's essential to check for head lice. Occurrences of head lice can be common among school-age children. Although itching of the scalp is the most frequent symptom, it's important to note that some children may not experience any itching at all. If you suspect your son may have head lice, a thorough check of his hair is necessary to identify any signs of lice or eggs (nits).

To check for eggs, part the hair into sections and look for tiny, oval-shaped particles attached close to the scalp along the hair shaft. These eggs are typically found in a halo pattern around the temples, behind the ears, or at the nape of the neck. Lice eggs are tear-shaped, brown in color, and firmly attached to only one side of the hair shaft. If you find any eggs, you should use a special lice treatment shampoo, which a pharmacist can recommend.

Head lice are not a reflection of poor hygiene. Lice can spread through the sharing of personal items such as combs, brushes, towels, earphones, hats, stuffed toys, pillows, and clothing. Please remind your child not to share these items. If your child has head lice, it's crucial to check all family members and thoroughly clean your household. Lice will die within 24–48 hours without a human host. To clean your environment, you can dry items in a dryer for 20–30 minutes on high heat, vacuum non-washable items, and set aside items that cannot be dried or vacuumed for 24–48 hours.

For more information on head lice and treatment options, please refer to the LiceSquad and Toronto Public Health websites.

Please feel free to contact the health centre if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you for your cooperation,

The Health Care Team

Important information | Student laptop upgrade 

Dear UCC families,

The following is important information regarding student laptops for the upcoming 2025-26 school year. All returning students in Years 6 and 7 will receive a new, upgraded laptop before the summer holiday. This upgrade ensures that our students have the best possible technology to support their learning throughout the coming years.

The laptop exchange will happen in the last few days of school. All laptops must be exchanged before students leave on summer holidays otherwise the student’s account will be charged with the replacement value.

As the team prepares to exchange the student laptops, we want to remind you that AppleCare+ ends in the middle of June. We're asking that parents/guardians take a look at the student's laptop and if there is any visible damage, please have the device brought to the Prep School Help Desk during school hours. This is to facilitate repairs under the AppleCare+ pricing model before it expires. Please note that any damage beyond normal wear and tear and not covered under AppleCare will be billed to your child's UCC account.

More information about when the laptop exchange will happen will follow in the coming months. We understand that changing devices can sometimes be disruptive, and we appreciate your cooperation in making this process as smooth as possible. This upgrade will be a significant benefit to our students, and we’re excited for them to use their new laptops in the coming year.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me at kpeak@ucc.on.ca.

Thank you in advance,

Kathleen Peak
Executive Director, Information and Innovation

Join in | Spring ASP programs

Level Up will be returning in the spring.

"Level Up" (powered by Mentorio) supercharges kids' mindset and confidence through: movement, mentorship and PLAY challenges! Each week, participants embark on exciting quests that foster social-emotional growth while equipping them with essential life skills and strategies.

Our team of expert mentors—mental health professionals and educators—are dedicated to bringing out the best in every child by helping kids identify personal strengths. Through interactive games and team challenges, "Level Up" participants build and refine skills in areas of: resilience, teamwork, grit, and critical thinking.

Join us to level up your strengths and boost your confidence, character, and overall well being—because every child deserves to be their best self!"

Level Up will be offered on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. (Years 1 to 3) and Thursday at 4 p.m. (Years 4 to 6). Please use this form to register.

The ExtraEd offerings are listed here.  For detailed dates/costs please see the ExtraEd website. Note the new Friday offerings for the spring term!

Exciting news! Drone Club is back this Spring. Click here for the details and registration.

PPO coffee mornings

The PPO is hosting two upcoming coffee mornings for Prep parents next week and we hope to see you there! Join us to connect casually after a long winter and hear about some of the exciting events we have coming up this spring. 

• Monday, April 7: SK to Year 5 parents

• Tuesday, April 8: Years 6 and 7 parents

Coffee mornings take place in the Foster Hewitt Foundation Lounge (inside the William P. Wilder ’40 Arena & Sports Complex) from 8:30–10 a.m. We hope to see you there!

Recycle your snack wrappers

The PPO is getting set to mark Earth Month with our TerraCycle Candy Wrappers and Snack Wrappers Zero Waste Box. This Canadian company, founded by Tom Szaky ’01, has a global footprint and is leading change in the way we think about waste. 

Throughout April, please encourage your sons to place their plastic, foil-lined and flexible snack wrappers in our Terracycle Box located by the Prep Dining Hall!

Register | Blue Ties Breakfast

The Prep Parents’ Organization is thrilled to invite you to the Blue Ties Breakfast on Thursday, April 24. 

Enjoy a pancake breakfast, participate in a fun tie-swap, be part of UCC history by signing the giant tie on our wall and have a commemorative picture taken at the photo booth!

Students are invited to bring one special guest to accompany them to this event. To accommodate everyone there will be two seatings: 7–7:45 a.m. and  7:45–8:30 a.m. Please click here to register.