It was a pleasure mingling with many families during our information evening last Monday. Please find a copy of the slide deck used during our session together here. Click here for the recording of the Weston Hall session.

Sincerely,

Gareth Evans

Assistant Head of the Preparatory School: Middle Division

Sarah Fleming
Head of the Preparatory School

We're excited to invite you to our Hopes and Dreams Conferences on Thursday, Oct. 3, either virtually or in person. This is an opportunity for families to meet with their child’s form adviser to discuss how the year has started and begin to build the family-teacher partnership. Please note, there is no school on October 3, and students do not attend the conferences.  

SchoolCloud, the application parents will use to book their appointments, will open on Monday Sept. 15 at 9 a.m. for families to choose a time to meet with the form adviser. It closes at 4 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 29. If you don't sign up for a conference during this window, you will need to reach out to your child’s form adviser personally to choose a remaining time slot. 

Click here for instructions on how to use SchoolCloud. 

Student and class photos will take place for all Prep students throughout the day on Friday Sept. 26 in Weston Hall. 1M will have their photo taken before they leave for Norval.

Students in SK to Year 4 are expected to be in Primary regular dress, while students in Year 5 to 7 should be in First Dress, including black dress shoes. Please refer to page 21 of our Family Handbook for details regarding the uniform.

The SK to Year 5 parent welcome-back information evening will take place on Thursday, Sept. 18 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Members from the school leadership team will be presenting in Weston Hall. Afterwards, families will move to their child’s classroom to hear from their form adviser, then  we invite you to join our subject specialist faculty in our dining hall to ask about programming while enjoying some refreshments. Information evenings provide families with an overview of the Prep’s academic program, general expectations and student supports.

In addition, an optional mix and mingle event from 6:15 to 6:55 p.m. will be available for families who are interested in connecting with other UCC families. This session is entirely optional and will be held in the Bitove Lounge.

Please see the table below for a snapshot of how the Primary information evening will unfold.

Clubs are back! Don’t miss out - registration for the first fall session closes tomorrow (Friday, Sept. 12) at noon. Sessions begin Monday, Sept. 15. Be sure to check out our exciting new Wednesday options: the Mentorio Leadership & Wellness Club, Basketball with a coach from Basketball Canada’s junior program, and Rugbytots led by a former professional player! Please find information about our clubs here.

Brent Crawford

After School Program Coordinator

Dear Parents and Guardians of Year 4, 5 and 6 students,

We are delighted to invite your Year 4-6 child to participate in the fall play this year! Due to the increasing demand for theatre in the past years, we have divided up our Year 4-6 play into two productions: a Year 4 play and a Year 5-6 play. 

Both productions will practice during after-school rehearsals on Mondays and Wednesdays. Year 4 students will meet after school until 4:30 p.m.. Year 5 and 6 students will meet from 3:45-4:45 p.m., acknowledging their later dismissal and independence gathering their belongings. Their efforts will culminate in a live performance in Weston Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 5.

This may be your child’s first introduction to theatre, so all students will participate in all play elements, including acting or speaking roles, set, prop, costume design, graphic design, tech and stage management. 

Students who wish to participate must complete this commitment and permission form with their parent(s) or guardian (s) by Sunday, Sept. 14. There are 25 spots available for each production. If more than 25 students submit the form by the deadline, then a lottery will take place. You will receive a confirmation email on Monday, Sept. 15. 

Philosophy

Upper Canada College Preparatory School believes in encouraging a love of theatre through the development of character and skills. The theatre program values and develops respect, compassion, integrity and discipline, as well as developing teamwork and team commitment.  Students will learn a strong work ethic by committing to team ideals and goals. The school facilitates its students' growth by encouraging their involvement in theatre, leading to an increased sense of self-confidence. Directors and players will work together to live up to the values and commitments in our philosophy.

Everyone who commits to rehearsals will be assigned a role to support the production. 

Team commitments

Participation in any school co-curricular activity requires a strong commitment. We understand that many students have outside obligations. Students representing school co-curricular teams must commit to the final performances and all rehearsals. Injury, illness, or other difficult family circumstances will be given special consideration. 

Rehearsal schedule

Rehearsal times: Mondays and Wednesdays

Year 4 — after school until 4:30

Year 5 and 6 — 3:45-4:45

Monday, Sept. 22 Wednesday, Sept. 24

Monday, Sept. 29 Wednesday, Oct. 1

Monday, Oct. 6 Wednesday, Oct. 8

Monday, Oct. 20         Wednesday, Oct. 15

Monday, Oct. 27                         Wednesday, Oct. 22

Wednesday, Sept. 17 Wednesday, Oct. 29

Location:

Year 4 meet in 3O

Year 5 and 6 meet in 2C

Dress rehearsal:

Monday, Nov. 3 and Tuesday, Nov. 4 during the school day

Live performance:  

Wednesday, Nov. 5 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Please contact Prep Theatre Co-ordinator Jennifer Harper with any questions.

Sincerely,

Kathryn O’Brien, Carly Crippin, Anna Crawford, Anna Marshall and Annie McLaughlin

The Directors

Orders for puffer jackets must be in by tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 12. 

Puffer jackets are available in youth and adult sizes, featuring a removable snap hood and elastic cuffs for a snug fit. The cost is $110. Perfect for layering on chilly days.

Click here for more details and to order.

As we prepare for another exciting year at the Prep, we invite all parents to be a part of our vibrant school community by joining the team of dedicated volunteers in the Prep Parent Organization (PPO).

This is a wonderful way to build new connections, directly impact your child's UCC experience and contribute to the overall growth of our school. There are several fun and diverse volunteer opportunities available at the Prep to suit your schedule. To explore current opportunities and sign up, please click here. 

Please mark your calendars for a Prep Parent Social on Thursday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. in Weston Hall. This is a casual evening for Prep parents to connect and build community early in the school year. More information will be shared in the coming weeks.

A-Day is our biggest community celebration of the year, bringing together students, families, alumni and friends for a day of fun and UCC spirit. To make this day unforgettable, we need your help!

Every single volunteer role, no matter how big or small, plays a vital part in creating a welcoming and vibrant experience for everyone. Your support ensures that our various stations, from the KidsZone to the BBQ, run smoothly, allowing our entire community to enjoy the festivities.

Please lend a hand and join our team of dedicated A-Day volunteers! Sign up here to support a station and choose a time that works for you.

Thank you for your commitment to our community and for making A-Day a success. We can't do it without you!

Dear Parents,

As we return back to school, it is 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 is 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 the pharmacist can recommend.

It is essential to understand that 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 is 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 Centre Team