Apr 17th, 2014 – The Academy takin’ it to City Hall

YMCA Academy English and Humanities, Experiential Learning

Civics class celebrated our last day with a trip to City Hall! We took a self-guided tour around this Toronto landmark and got a sense of what happens at the City’s epicenter. We were hospitably welcomed with a surprise meeting with Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly in his office. The Deputy Mayor welcomed informed questions from the group and noted on their “strong handshakes”. He spoke of the diversity of our amazing city and was very candid about the rollercoaster ride he has been on since taking office. He generously gave us City of Toronto pins to take home as a souvenir.

We took in a great view of downtown from the observation deck and remarked how amazing it is that we can just take a walk down to City Hall in one period of school. Another reminder of one of the many ways in which our school is so unique. To wrap things up on this first fine day of Spring weather we felt a celebratory Popsicle break was in order.

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Dec 6th, 2013 – The life of Nelson Mandela

YMCA Academy Beyond the Classroom, English and Humanities

Celebrating the life of Nelson Mandela.

Students from the Ontario Literacy Course led a school-wide an assembly to celebrate peace and human rights. We gathered in the afternoon to hear about the life of Nelson Mandela, his work as a global activist for equality and peace and as well to honour the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada. We were reminded of the importance of peace in our lives and the work of those who have come before us. We ended with the reading of “Our Deepest Fear” by Marianne Williamson. This is a poem made famous around the world by Nelson Mandela and became symbiotic with his message of peace.

Our Deepest Fear
By Marianne Williamson

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness
That most frightens us.

We ask ourselves
Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.

Your playing small
Does not serve the world.
There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking
So that other people won’t feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine,
As children do.
We were born to make manifest
The glory of God that is within us.

It’s not just in some of us;
It’s in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine,
We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we’re liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.

Sep. 20th, 2013 – English Adjective Attack!!!

YMCA Academy English and Humanities, Student Spotlight

It’s not just a table, it’s a clean, shiny, sturdy table.  It’s not just a printer, it’s a fast, dependable, slick printer.  Students in the Grade 9 English program at The YMCA Academy plastered a variety of nouns around the school with adjectives that made them come alive.  Objects, rooms and even people donned strips of white paper with words describing appearance, functionality, density and emotion.  If you need more colour in your world, try an adjective attack at home or your workplace!!!

 

Check out the rest of the pictures on our Facebook Page!

Sep. 16th, 2013 – Storyteller Jim Adams

YMCA Academy Community, English and Humanities, Experiential Learning, Native Studies

The YMCA Academy kicked off another great school year with an incredible guest, storyteller Jim Adams. Jim shared interesting and moving stories from various First Nations, answered questions about political and historical issues and invited participants to choose rocks from a pile as a way to connect with a story. Jim’s warmth, humour and talent was appreciated by all present. Thanks, Jim, and please come back again soon!

Mar 8th, 2013 – OSSLT Information and Resources

YMCA Academy English and Humanities, Updates

Dear Academy Parents, Guardians and Students:

I am writing to update you about our progress in preparing our students for the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT).  As you know, your child/ward is on the list to write the mandated and standardized Provincial Literacy Test on Thursday April 11th, 2013.

 

Student Preparation

The English department at The Academy has created an Edmodo site (an on-line resource) with lessons and activities in preparation for the test. Students have access to this site through their Edmodo platform.

Parent Preparation

To ease parental use of OSSLT preparation materials,  we have made resources available on the school’s website. Please visit the site over the mid-winter break to access these preparation materials: https://www.ymcaacademy.org/?page_id=4189. We encourage you to work on some practice problems at home over the break.

Teacher Supported  Workshops  

As promised, we will begin holding our twice-weekly workshops for students writing this test. Although attendance and participation in the workshops are not mandatory, I hope that you will encourage your child/ward to partake in the workshops that will be held after school. Our plan is to host instructional workshops from 4-5pm until the day of the test. Please refer to the following schedule for detailed information about each weekly session.

osslt_2013_workshops

Please keep in mind students who are not successful in writing the OSSLT will have an opportunity to re- write the following year, or to enroll in the Ontario Literacy Course (OLC). If a student is unsuccessful a second time writing the test, he or she must enroll in the OLC course offered in the senior panel at The YMCA Academy.

Secondary school diplomas will only be awarded to students who successfully complete this test or pass the Ontario Literacy Course as this is a mandatory requirement.

osslt_2013_calendar

 

Please see the following resources to help prepare for the OSSLT