John F. Ross Collegiate Vocational Institute

Welcome back Royal Families!

We hope you are having a restful and enjoyable summer! We hope you are as excited as we are to start a new school year. This document contains important details to help in preparing for the first day of school on Wednesday, September 3rd. For those new to John F. Ross CVI, our school will communicate any important information for the near future through our John F. Ross CVI website:  https://www.ugdsb.ca/jfr/.

Student Timetables:

Please access the Student Portal to check your timetable as close to Wednesday September 3 as possible in the event of room changes.

Go to: https://connect.edsembli.com/on/ugdsb/jfrcvi/portal/viewer/login/login.aspx?logintype=S

Login: The student login is up to the first 3 letters of the student’s first name followed by the last name. The first letter of both the last and first names must be capitalized. Do not include spaces, hyphens or special characters.

For example, Julie Smithson would be JulSmith. John Doe would be JohDoe.

The password is the student’s 9-digit OEN number which may be found on the student’s report card near the top, or on their student card.

Be sure to select the Timetable tab to see your student’s timetable.

Please note:  Guidance appointments will be starting on the first day of school for students with a timetable conflict or looking to make a timetable change.  Students will have to go to the guidance office to arrange an appointment.

Bus Transportation:

If your child opted out of riding the school bus to school last year, then it is assumed that you are opting out this school year. 

Please ensure you access the parent portal to update your child’s request for transportation if they are choosing to ride the bus this year. Please direct all transportation inquiries to the Transportation Consortium.  The Transportation Consortium can be reached at 519-824-4119.

Website: https://stwdsts.ca/

Transportation Eligibility: https://www.findmyschool.ca/TransportationEligibility  

Parent Portal: Parent Portal 2025-2026 - Wellington-Dufferin

Late Bus - For those who are participating in after-school activities and/or sports, there is a late bus that picks up students residing in Rockwood at the front entrance of the school at 5:15 p.m. Monday to Thursday. On Fridays, the late bus is not always available, especially prior to a long weekend or holiday. This information will be shared with students during school announcements.

Other Important Information for the 2025-26 School Year:

Communication with the School: Please watch for Verification forms to come home with your student during the second week of school.  If your address, phone number, or emergency contact information has changed over the summer, please indicate on the Verification form. All Verification forms should be signed and returned to the school, even if no changes were made to your information.  Also, be sure the school has your correct email, as we often send communication through the Board’s email tool.

Photo Day: Will be held on Friday, September 12th.  Please have your photo taken for your free Student Photo ID Card. You may purchase additional pictures at a cost. A Photo “retake” day is scheduled for October 28th, 2025

Attendance: We expect each student at JF Ross to take responsibility for their learning and behaviour.  Regular attendance and punctuality are required for academic success. Please inform the school in advance of an absence, if possible. You can contact our attendance line by calling the school at 519-822-7090 and dialing 1 to access attendance voicemail.  

Personal Technology (Cell Phones):  As outlined by the Ministry of Education,  students are expected to refrain from using their cellphones in the classroom unless for health and medical purposes, directed by the teacher to use for learning purposes, or to support special education needs.  For grades 7 to 12 students’ personal mobile devices are stored out of view and powered off or set to silent mode during instructional time, except when their use is explicitly permitted by the educator under the circumstances outlined above. We appreciate your support in helping your student to understand the importance of minimizing distractions from learning in the classroom.  

Vaping: The Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 prohibits smoking (tobacco and cannabis) and the use of electronic cigarettes (vaping) at schools, on school grounds, and all public areas within 20 metres of these grounds. Anyone smoking or vaping on school property is guilty of an offence and if convicted may result in a fine under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017. The Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 also prohibits the sale and supply of tobacco or e-cigarettes to anyone under 19 years of age. Anyone who sells or supplies tobacco or an e-cigarette to a student under 19 years of age is guilty of an offence and if convicted may result in a fine under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017. At minimum, in the case of these substances being found in the possession of students, parents must be notified, and the student must surrender the item(s) to the educator or administrator.

Daily Timetable

We hope you continue to enjoy the summer and we look forward to welcoming our students to a terrific year! 

Mr. Warren, Principal

Mr. Watson, Vice Principal (Surname A to G)

Ms. Willoughby, Vice Principal (Surname H to N)

Mrs. Griffin, Vice Principal (Surname O-Z)