February 14th, 2022

This Week in the Forest

 

We hope that everyone is settling in well to their second semester classes and we would like to thank you all for your flexibility and patience as we adapt to a four-period day.

 

There are a number of exciting things happening at FHCI this week.  Our guidance department has launched the Course Selection Process for the 2022-2023 school year and guidance counsellors continue to meet with homeroom classes to review the process and answer questions.  As announced by the Ontario Minister of Education last week, we are now able to resume in-person extra-curricular activities and athletics.  Our staff are working to put plans in place and more information will be shared with students in the coming days.  We will also be distributing Semester One Report Cards (Tuesday, February 15th) and planning for our first Blended Learning Day of the semester (more information below).   

 

Instructional Support Days

Now that we have returned to a four-period day, we have had a number of questions regarding exams and we can confirm that Secondary schools will not revert to exam days with the Semester two schedule.  We will continue to offer Instructional Support Days in Semester Two.  The dates for Semester Two Instructional Support Days are April 19 and 20, and June 22, 23 and 24 and can be found on our School Year Calendar 2021-2022.  There are no synchronous (live) class meetings on these days.

 

Blended Learning Day: Wednesday, February 16th

In November 2021, the Ministry of Education announced that all schools in the province will implement a fully de-streamed and single-streamed Grade 9 Program. This new approach will ensure high academic expectations and fewer program restrictions for all our learners. 

 

In order to prepare and implement the new Grade 9 program and support students’ achievement and well-being, all WRDSB secondary schools will offer 4 blended learning days this semester: February 16, March 23, April 27, and May 18.  These dates have been added to our School Year Calendar 2021-2022. 

 

For students, these days will be similar to our Instructional Support Days, where students are not required to attend in-person, but will have learning provided through the virtual classroom and live meetings with their teachers. We have found that these days can be tremendously beneficial to our students’ well-being and provide an opportunity for catching up and deeper understanding on the topics covered in class. Attendance will be taken, but in-person attendance will be optional on these days. If you do decide to attend on that day, please proceed to the cafeteria in the morning. 

 

During the afternoon of these days, synchronous (live) opportunities to meet with each teacher will be provided.  The teacher will provide instruction for connecting in each class according to the FHCI Blended Learning Day Schedule.

 

ACE students will attend school in-person according to their regular schedule.

 

Looking Ahead – Progress Reports

During the week of March 7th, just before March Break (March 14th to 18th), teachers will be checking in with parents and caregivers regarding their students’ second semester progress.