Issue link: https://publications.tfs.ca/i/1030232
Parents' Handbook 2019 – 2020 27 SOCIETIES Societies, focusing on the 19 key global issues identified by the United Nations, are facilitated by teachers, with direct input from students. TFS focuses on themes such as gender equality, food, climate change, human rights, international law, water, migration and refugees, amongst others. Partnerships with organizations include Big Brothers and Sisters of Canada, Toronto Youth Equity Strategy, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International Canada, DECA Ontario, War Child Canada, and many more. For Levels IV and V, societies provide a great opportunity to gain significant CAS hours. For all students, societies are an incredible opportunity to be a part of either a project or an organization that focuses on an issue or area they really care about and to meet like-minded people from all grades at the Senior School. Year after year, graduating students rely on these experiences when composing reflective essays required by many universities during the application process. OUTREACH AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Something for everyone to learn, share, and discover! TFS students are action-oriented. TFS raises students' level of awareness and engagement while teaching them leadership skills. Students show respect and empathy, act responsibly, and demonstrate integrity and discernment while engaging with purpose and a high level of commitment with various non-governmental organizations in the GTA and internationally. TFS students are involved actively in outreach programs at school and in the wider community. There are a number of different initiatives including Pencils for Kids, Pennies for Children, Feed the Children's 30- hour Fast, and Pantene Beautiful Locks Cut for Cancer. Also, students work with a number of different non- governmental organizations (NGO) including Save the Children, The Cure breast cancer research, WWF Save the Panda, Right to Play, Terry Fox Foundation, Sick Kids, and Nellie's. Members of the Senior School's Outreach Council work collaboratively to provide opportunities for engagement in school and community events including WE schools' Vow of Silence, WE Scare Hunger, and WE Walk for Water as well as TFS' Kermesse. At TFS, leadership is considered to be an attitude and not a position. EXCURSIONS (FIELD TRIPS) Excursions are an important part of the TFS curriculum. Students explore and discover in settings beyond the classroom. Excursions are planned by faculty. Some examples include: Royal Ontario Museum, Queen's Park, Toronto Zoo, Aga Khan Museum, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Evergreen Brick Works, Ontario Science Centre, Billy Bishop Airport, Zion Schoolhouse, Harbourfront Centre, and Scarborough Bluffs. To streamline the process for the billing of excursions, a one-time fee encompassing costs for many of the excursions to take place for your child's grade (up to Grade 7) will be billed to your account in fall 2019. No refunds are made if your child is unable to attend. Students participate in TFS-sponsored trips only (day field and excursions). In order for a student to participate in excursions, the school must receive online consent from a student's parent. OVERNIGHT AND INTERNATIONAL TRIPS Traditionally, we offer an off-site overnight excursion for students in Grade 3 to 7. These activities are both popular and highly engaging; they allow students to interact positively with their peers and the faculty in non-academic environments, and further develop their social and leadership skills, critical thinking and creativity. Most of these activities provide an opportunity for French-language immersion.