Martingrove Collegiate Institute School Council

REMINDER! Please join us in person this evening for our School Council meeting! Thursday, January 22, 7pm in the library. Updates, discussions, questions and more! Hope to see you there.

Hi all! In case you missed it, here is an update from the TDSB on the Family Support Offices.
Steve.

Dear Parents, Guardians and Caregivers,

Further to the letter that was shared by the Minister of Education in November about the creation of Student and Family Support Offices at school boards across the province, we wanted to share additional information specific to the TDSB.

We are pleased to launch the Toronto District School Board’s Student and Parent Support Office to provide students, parents, guardians, and caregivers with a direct way to raise concerns, get help, and find solutions faster.

In many cases, questions can be addressed at the school level first by following the TDSB’s Parent Concern Protocol, however we recognize that is not always possible. If you have already moved through the protocol or don’t believe that it is the appropriate route, please contact the Student and Family Support Office.

How to Reach the Student and Family Support Office:
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When emailing and phoning, please provide as much information (student name, school name, detailed description) as possible so that we can best address your question or concern.

The Office is available Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and can be reached by phone at 416-397-3100 or by email: [email protected].

What to Expect After You Reach Out:

School board staff will do their best to confirm receipt of your email within 48 hours and address your request within 5 business days. For more complex matters, staff will follow up with an expected timeline.

We look forward to supporting you and your families in addressing your questions and concerns in a timely and thoughtful manner.

Sincerely,

Stacey Zucker
Interim Director of Education

❗️REMINDER: School Council Meeting Tonight, Thursday October 23, 7:30pm in the library.

Please join us at our School Council Meeting tonight! .Sheri Talosi, ACL of Guidance, will be presenting on the post-secondary application process for College and University. The presentation will include information on post-secondary programs, how to
find program prerequisites and requirements, how to apply to College and University
programs, important dates and timelines, and graduation requirements. There will also be
time for your questions.

Below is our agenda for tonight's School Council meeting. We hope to see you there!
Steve

Martingrove Collegiate Institute
School Council Meeting
September 25, 2025, 7:15pm.

1. Welcome & Introductions

2. Tim Horton Card Draw

3. SAC Report

4. Chair Report

5. Establishing The 25/26 School Council

6. Principal’s Report

7. Setting Dates For Future Meetings

8. Closing Remarks & Adjournment

❗️REMINDER
Please join us for our 1st School Council Meeting! This Thursday, September 25, 2025, 7:15pm in the library. Agenda to be posted shortly. This meeting takes place immediately after our Curriculum Night. Hope to see you there!
Steve

Hello MCI Community! Below is some info on this always exciting and informative event, the Parents and Caregivers as Partners (PCasP) Open House!

Steve Payne
MCI School Council Chair

Save the Date!

We’re excited to welcome you to the 2025 – 2026 Parents and Caregivers as Partners (PCasP) Open House — an evening to explore, to connect, and to celebrate the home–school partnership.

When & Where:

Wednesday, October 22, 2025, | 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | David & Mary Thomson CI
Tuesday, October 28, 2025, | 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | West Humber CI
This year’s theme: “Connect. Learn. Engage.”

Parents and Caregivers will have the opportunity to connect directly with Staff from programs and services from across the district, to discover resources, and to engage in meaningful conversations that strengthen family–school partnerships.

FYI, Message From The Minister Of Education.

Steve Payne.

Dear Parents, Students, Teachers and Staff,

As the new school year gets started, I want to take this opportunity to wish students, families and educators across the province every success. The first days of school are always filled with new opportunities, new friendships and new goals.

To all our students, I know you will meet the year ahead with hard work, determination and creativity. Your success is at the centre of everything we do, and I encourage you to take on new challenges with confidence.

To teachers and staff, thank you for the incredible work you do every day. Your dedication, expertise and care are what make our schools strong and supportive learning environments. As you welcome students back, know that your hard work is deeply valued and that our government will continue to support you in helping every child succeed.

To parents, thank you for your ongoing commitment to your children’s education. Your encouragement and involvement are essential, and you deserve to have confidence that decisions being made are always with your child’s best interests in mind.

That’s why we placed the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) under supervision following an investigation by a ministry-appointed third party that revealed the board is projecting an accumulated deficit of $11.3 million for the 2024-25 school year and a projected $58-million in-year deficit for 2025-26.

Our appointed supervisor— Rohit Gupta —is tasked with overseeing the financial and operational management of TDSB. He will take the time needed to not only bring the board’s budget into balance, but also ensure long-term stability for years to come, so that funding goes where it belongs: directly into classrooms to support students and teachers.

I want to assure you that placing TDSB under supervision is not a decision that was made lightly. I have made it clear that if a school board veers from its mandate, I will act quickly to restore focus, rebuild trust and put students first.

The actions we have taken will help the province restore sound financial and operational management at TDSB and ensure that every dollar invested goes toward preparing students with practical skills for good-paying, stable careers.

To keep the community informed, the supervisor will be posting his decisions regularly online. You can also reach out to Mr. Gupta directly at [email protected].

As we begin the new school year, I want to thank you for your commitment and wish all teachers, staff and students the best of luck.

Wishing you a positive year ahead!

The Honourable Paul Calandra

Minister of Education

Dear MCI Community,

Well, that summer went fast! I hope you all had an amazingly fun, relaxing and safe summer break! As we approach the first days of school, I wanted to personally welcome our new students and families, along with our returning ones!

Stay tuned for information on our Curriculum Night, first Scool Council meeting and more! Our vibrant School Council is looking so forward to another amazing year in partnership with you at MCI! Thank you to all who get involved in this endeavor!

Grade 9 Orientation is Tuesday September 2, 2025 @8:45am-12:30pm, for Grade 9 Students ONLY. A pizza lunch will be provided!

Looking forward to seeing new and familiar faces over the next few weeks! Please reach out anytime with any questions or concerns.

Here's to an incredible 2025/2026 year at Martingrove Collegiate Institute!

Yours, very truly,

Steve Payne
MCI School Council Chair

🎊 Staff Appreciation Breakfast 2025! Thank you, sincerely, to all who contributed a dish, came out to serve, organize & clean up! The MCI staff were so appreciative! Some of them said it was the best one ever! We certainly had an abundance of offerings! Quite a magical morning!
Steve

Reminder of tonight's School Council Meeting, 7pm in the library. We'll be spending a portion of time preparing for our annual Staff Appreciation Breakfast. Hope to see you there.

Steve

❗️REMINDER❗️
UPCOMING EVENT TOMORROW!

TEDxYouth@MartingroveCI – May 1st at 6:00 PM

Martingrove Collegiate Institute is proud to host TEDxYouth@MartingroveCI on Thursday, May 1st, 2025 at 6:00 PM in the school auditorium. It is FREE for everyone. This independently organized TEDx event is centred around the theme: “Breaking Barriers: Making the Impossible Possible.”

The evening will feature a variety of inspiring talks from both guest and student speakers who will share their journeys, insights, and ideas worth spreading.

Our speaker lineup includes:

Guest Speakers:
Aleena Domingo – TDSB teacher and content creator known for her advocacy in education and social media presence.
Costa Iliadis – Professional soccer player for Toronto FC II, speaking on discipline, determination, and sportsmanship.
Puisand Lai – Paralympic basketball player for Team Canada and MCI alumni, sharing her experiences overcoming challenges and excelling in elite sport.
Student Speakers:
Kavan Abeyratne – SAC President
Meredith Hubbs – BAC President
Mahmoud Ahmed – Grade 11 Representative
Laaiba Basit – Grade 9 Representative
This event will also include complimentary food, refreshments, and a photo booth for attendees to enjoy before and after the talks.

All students, staff, families, and community members are invited to attend. We hope to see you there for an evening filled with insight, motivation, and celebration of the power of youth voices and ideas.

Brigitte Ferracane (she/her)
ACL Library/Learning Resources/School-Wide Literacy/School Website/Wellness

Martingrove Collegiate Institute
Toronto District School Board
(Ph) 416-394-7110 ex. 20020

Hello everyone!

Just a reminder of our school council meeting this Thursday. As per the most recent MCI newsletter, it's being held at 6pm, not 7pm. The meeting will take place in room 173, not the library.

Also, please stick around after the meeting, if possible, and take part in MCI's Arts Night, beginning at 7pm!

Looking forward to seeing everyone!

Steve