Welcome to City School

 

 

 

 

Fall 2009

 

City School entered its 30th year in September and by all appearances this year should be one our best yet. We've got a wonderful collection of young people from all across the city and some great new courses to engage them and prepare them for university, college and life in general. 

The Staff tends to change a little every year and like every year we're able to find enthusiastic and effective teachers to fill in the blanks.  Last June Lauren Hortie, our Arts and Social Studies teacher, left for Oasis Alternative School, just a few blocks away.  And this year we welcome two new staff.  Barb Sniderman, who in a past life was active in the film business both in Toronto and New York, is teaching Drama, Philosophy and a brand new course called Movement (i.e. alternative phys ed).  Next semester she'll be teaching another new course, Drama and Film Production.  Joining Barb is Shelly Burns, our Geography teacher for the first semester. Shelly's already organized an intramural sports league and for once we'll be using all the great athletic resources in and around our school.

The rest of the staff is intact. Di and Dan anchor the science and math program at City.  Marc continues to provide Guidance and in his spare time teaches environmental studies, photography and guitar. Tom has taken on three art courses this year, as well as law and English, and Peter enters his third year as Curriculum Leader in between teaching various English courses.

We began the year with a fun-filled afternoon on the Island where we all got to know each other better while sharing food at a bbq and playing some a silly game with a rubber chicken! There have been various field trips to explore Toronto neighbourhoods, organic food production, tree planting and multicultural foods.  We'll also be going to see a few plays, take a bus to Crawford Lake and at the beginning of November, travel to New York City for three nights.  Seats are still available!

Inside the building we just finished Spirit Week.  Each day of the week provided a new adventure and throughout the week we raised some money to help promote cancer research.  As well, we're working on producing a play, Good Night, Desdemona, putting together various student initiatives with our Student Council and planning for a school 'zine.   A healthy school feast, T.A.S.T.E. (Teachers and Students Teaching Each Other) and a holiday banquet are in the works.

City School is offering a multi-sport intramural program to all interested students.  This weekly program will encourage physical activity through playing various sports during the lunch hour.  Will your team come out on top?  Bring your gym gear and a positive, sportsmanship attitude.  Good luck!

We welcome parents and other supportive elders to visit City.  Although we don’t have a Parent Council right now, if you’re interested in becoming active or have some ideas for how we can improve the experience we provide your kids, give us a call.  Finally, if you like what you see and hear about City, pass the word on. We have room for 11s and 12s in the second semester, beginning February, 2009.  Check out our website (www.cityschooltoronto.com) for up-to-date info about the school, information sessions and lots of pics of student activities.

If parents have any cameras or darkroom equipment to donate to City School, please call Marc.

 

All the best from City!

 

 

 

 

 

Semester One Courses

 

11 English (ENG3U) – Tom

This course introduces senior level, university bound students, to significant literary works that address some major themes in literature, such as nature of human, nature of reality, alienation, the nature of good, ambition, and the natural versus supernatural. Students examine both the structure and techniques used in a variety of different pieces, and use these techniques in the short story unit.  The major works studied are Siddhartha, Frankenstein, and Macbeth; these are supplement by about a dozen short stories, several essays, essay development techniques and a media component.

 

11/12 Dramatic Arts (ADA3M/4M) – Barb
This course emphasizes theatre as a tool for social commentary. Through analysis, creation and performance of dramatic works, students will become aware of universal aspects of the human experience from various cultures, and research acting styles and conventions, discovering first hand the functions of playwright, director, actor, producer, designer, technician and audience. 

 

11 Geography of the Americas (CGD3M) – Shelly

This course focuses on the physical, social, economic and cultural characteristics of countries located in the Americas.  Students will explore the historical background of selected countries and identify current changes and challenges that these countries face in the future.

 

11/12 Photography (AWQ3M/4M) Big Shots – Marc

We are back to the future resurrecting the fine art of black and white film photography. Students have had the chance to get outside to shoot landscape and architectural images and are now producing their first works of art in the darkroom.  We plan to hike out to view the winners of the World Press Photo Exhibit and will double up on the AGO/ROM portraiture shows.  Be ready for your close-up… the art of portraiture is next.

 

11/12 Visual Arts (AVI3M/4M) – Tom

This course  emphasizes understanding and applying the elements and principles of art and design in both its studio and theoretical and historical components.  Critical thinking, problem solving and independent research are also emphasized.  There is a strong emphasis on reflection on the creative process and developing the ability to analyze and articulate one's own artistic thinking.

12 Advanced Functions (MHF4U) – Dan
This course extends students’ experience with functions.  Students will investigate the properties of polynomial, rational, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions; develop techniques for combining functions; broaden their understanding of rates of change; and develop facility in applying these concepts and skills.  They will also refine their use of the mathematical processes necessary for success in senior mathematics.

12 Biology (SBI4U) – Di
Senior Biology students will look at population dynamics, evolution, and sustainability as well as metabolism, molecular genetics, and the “balance” within and between organisms.  The course is enriched with many up-to-date articles to help students gain useful understanding of where humans fit in the scheme of living things...and to gain insights into how they can influence the coming impacts of biotechnology.

12 Body Fuel (HFA4M) – Dan

This course examines various nutritional, psychological, social, cultural, and global factors that influence people’s food choices and customs.  Students will learn about current Canadian and worldwide issues related to food and water, and frameworks for making appropriate dietary healthy-eating choices.  This course also refines students’ skills used in researching and investigating issues related to food and nutrition.

12 Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U) – Dan
This course builds on students’ previous experience with functions and their developing understanding of rates of change.  Students will solve problems involving geometric and algebraic representations of vectors and representations of lines and planes in 3-dimensional space; broaden their understanding of rates of change to include the derivatives of polynomial, sinusoidal, exponential, rational and radical functions; and apply these concepts and skills to the modeling of real-world relationships.

12 Canadian Law (CLN4U) – Tom

This course explores the elements of Canadian and International law and the role of law in social, political and global contexts.  Students will learn about the connections between the historical and philosophical sources of law and the issues in contemporary society.  They will also learn to analyse legal issues, conduct independent research, and communicate the results in a variety of ways.

12 Chemistry (SCH4U) – Di
An advanced chemistry course and a prerequisite for university science. Units include chemical bonding, chemical reactions, reaction kinetics, chemical equilibrium, solubility, and nuclear and electrochemistry.  Projects deal with the application of chemistry to “reality”.  The depth of the “lab” component will be dictated by TDSB budgetary constraints.

12 English/Literary Studies  - (ENG4U/ETS4U–01- Teenage Wildlife) – Peter

This course looks at the many ways teenagers make their way through life.  An examination of various teen movies, the novels White Oleander and Londonstani, the play Buried Child, and lots of other literature and media will lead to a greater understanding of how important the teen years are in making the adult that follows. 

 

12 English/Literary Studies – (ENG4U/ETS4U-02- Politics in Literature) – Peter

This course looks at the many ways we deal with politics in our lives, whether at a personal level or as nation states rub up against each other.  Students will explore political issues in Toronto, the novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, a Shakespearean play and lost of shorter pieces with a political theme.  Writing, researching, speaking and listening to the language of politics will empower students to take more control of their lives.

12 Environmental Studies (CGR4M – 01) – Marc
This course emphasizes experiential learning and students taking informed action.  Several field studies are set up, including trips to: Toronto Islands, High Park and Crawford Lake.  We’ll be tree planting and visiting the Wind Turbine and Green Roof.  Guest speakers will help us explore the topics of alternative energy, climate change and the role of environmental organizations in our fair city.  If you have an area of related expertise you would like to share with the class, please give us a call.

12 Human Patterns (CGU4U) – Shelly
This course examines how humans interact with their natural environments and with each other. Students will study the influence of spatial, political, economic, and social factors on settlement patterns, human migration, cultural change, globalization, and environmental trends. Specifically, our units will cover the environmental factors that influenced the development of different civilizations, theories of urbanization, immigration patterns in Toronto and international development programmes across the globe. As a class we’ll share our new knowledge by organizing City School’s first ever Human Geography conference!

12 Life Strategies (IDC4U-01) - Di

Life Strategies, designed by Di and approved by the TDSB, helps young adults “master their own destiny”.  We look at priorities and decision making, time and money management, career paths and business design, self-care (nutrition, fitness, etc.) and risk management, communication and relationships in various contexts.  A highly practical course and hopefully fun.

 

12 Movement (IDC4U-02) – Barb

This particular Interdisciplinary Studies course is designed to focus on movement and its impact on our health, well-being, and ability to communicate with others.  Exploring how we move, why we move in certain ways, and how we can control and isolate our movements will enable students to examine this as a metaphor for making choices for living a well-rounded, healthy life that involves mental, physical, emotional, cultural, social and /or spiritual well-being, and to initiate healthy change within our lives, thought processes, and bodies as well as those around us. 

 

12 Philosophy (HZT4U) – Barb
This course aims to introduce students to the main branches of philosophy, to the great philosophies and philosophers, both ancient and modern, of the Western and Eastern traditions, and to foster a philosophical disposition within the students, along with an attendant knowledge base, open-mindedness and critical-thinking ability that will enable their own future philosophical development.

12 World Issues (CGW4U) – Shelly
This course examines the global challenges of creating a sustainable and equitable future, focusing on current issues that illustrate these challenges. Students will investigate a range of topics, including cultural, economic and geopolitical relationships, regional disparities in the ability to meet basic human needs, and protection of the natural environment. Our units will include current events and media, the history and legacy of colonialism and the tension between globalization and sustainability movements.