Welcome Back Message

Dear Danforth Families,  

Welcome to our new students, and welcome back to those returning for the 2024-25 school year! We’re so very excited to greet you all on Tuesday September 3, 2024 - yes, the new school year starts next week! 

 

What to Expect on the First Day 

If you arrive by school bus, your bus will be running on its typical schedule. Staff will be waiting for you at the bus drop off, and support staff will welcome you while teachers and other staff are getting keys and preparing for the start of classes at 9:55 a.m. 

For all students we will follow a late start schedule: 

 

09:55 - 10:55 a.m.	Class A
11:00 - 11:59 p.m.	Class B
12:00 - 1:05 p.m.	LUNCH
1:05 - 2:10 p.m.	Class C*
2:15 - 3:15 p.m.	Class D

 

My Timetable 

Timetables are being sent via email on August 30 for most students (Grade 9’s received them at Head Start to High School on Wednesday). Timetables are also available via the TDSB Connect App (App Store | Play). If you require a physical copy of your timetable, you can receive one from the Attendance Office.  

 

Timetable Changes 

Requests to change timetables will be done in priority order via this form: DCTI Course Change Requests 2024-2025 (google.com) To avoid overwhelming the guidance office, we are asking students who have classes in their schedule to attend their current classes until you’re called down. If you aren’t in class when the guidance counsellor calls you, they’ll move on to the next student, so be where they expect you to be! 

What if my timetable is blank or missing courses? You’re a priority. Go to guidance and we will make sure you are scheduled appropriately. 

We are also encouraging all students and families to review timetables to ensure that you have the appropriate prerequisites and aren’t repeating courses (ex. “I did this class in summer school, but I’m scheduled to take it again in Semester 2,” or “I’m scheduled for grade 10 math, when I still need to complete grade 9 math”). Bring these issues to the attention of your guidance counsellor ASAP so those errors can be corrected. 

 

School Forms 

You will receive this year’s school forms directly from the TDSB. We encourage families to fill these forms in as soon as possible so that we have accurate information and required permissions to support your child effectively from day 1.  

Included in the package for Grade 9 students is the device agreement which must be completed for your child to receive their 1:1 device through the TDSB.  

 

Student Fees  

Public education is free, and no child or family needs to pay anything to access their education. Texts and required materials will be provided or loaned to students for all their courses, but we know there’s more to having a positive school experience than just attending classes. 

Sports, clubs and other activities and ceremonies are not fully funded and require additional investments from the community. School fees go directly to our Student Council, Arts Council and Athletic Council to support related clubs, teams, and activities that help build our community and enhance student life at Danforth. 

Student fees for the 2024-25 school year are set at $30, but subsidies are available for families who need them. We encourage you to contact your Vice Principal if you’re unable to pay the fee but want to participate in clubs, teams and activities funded by the fee.  

Fees will be posted in School Cash in the 1st week. 

 

Donations 

What if I want to provide more than $30 to support activities at the school, or to help offset costs for others who might need a subsidy? After paying your own student fee, you could choose to make a donation. 

If you would like to donate to the school, you can do so through this link: https://tdsb.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/457/153/false/true?school=601&initiative=1 

Donations made via this link will generate a receipt for tax purposes. 

 

Guidance Update 

Please check out this Guidance September Newsletter for updates from Guidance / Student Services, including links for how to book appointments with your counsellor! 

 

Student Handbook and Code of Conduct 

The Student Handbook and Code of Conduct has been updated for the 2024-25 school year, and we are asking parents and students to review it carefully. It has valuable information including key contacts, school bell schedules, maps, and routines.  

 

Electronic Devices 

As you may have heard, the Ministry of Education’s Policy and Program Memorandum (PPM) 128 is now in effect. This new Ministry directive requires that student cell phones are neither seen nor heard during instructional time, except as directed by the teacher for instructional or medical purposes. It also makes electronic cigarettes (vapes) prohibited items in schools, which must be confiscated if seen. 

We know that this will be an adjustment for students and will focus on education and support in the beginning weeks. We ask that parents and guardians please have conversations with your child to help them understand these new rules and ensure that phones remain silent and away in class and vapes remain out of sight while on school property. 

 

Website 

Our website was sadly destroyed by a database error at the end of the year last year. Our new site is a work in progress but is slowly taking shape. We encourage you to bookmark www.danforthcti.com to keep up to date throughout this year.