Jan 29th, 2013 – The Cycle of Giving Continues …

In September 2012, the Grade 12 Environment and Resource class helped to co-ordinate the Academy’s school-wide participation in the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup. As a result of our participation in that event, the Academy received $50 that could be donated to any registered Canadian charity.

The decision as to where that money would be donated was turned into a class research project of Canadian environmental non-governmental organizations (NGO’s). Research included not only an organization’s goals, activities, and success stories, but also required students to look at an NGO’s budget – including revenue, expenses and administrative costs.

After the presentations, the winner was chosen by class vote…Earth Rangers, an organization that focuses on educating children about the environment, was chosen as the donation recipient. But the giving still continued…thanks to others in our class who were inspired by a presentation on the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS), that organization also received over $100 from independent donations from our class!

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Jan 21st, 2013 – Idle No More Global Day of Action

The Aboriginal Issues, World Religions, Learning Strategies and grade 9 English classes traveled to Yonge and Dundas Square on January 11 to observe the Idle No More Global Day of Action. There were drumming circles, round dances and people of all ages and backgrounds standing up for the rights of Indigenous people. Luckily the rain held off for everyone involved!

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

Sep 24th, 2012 – Native Canadian Centre Visit

The World Religion and Current Aboriginal Issues in Canada classes opened the new school year by attending an event at the Native Canadian Center of Toronto.  We listened to resident teacher and member of the Ojibway tribe Don Jabokwoam share his extensive knowledge of history as well as his personal life experiences.  We are very grateful to Don and the Native Canadian Center for supporting our learning of Aboriginal history, spirituality and culture and we look forward to collaborating again in the future!

May. 11th, 2012 – HPW3C, Preschoolers & Arctic

The YMCA Academy HPW3C (Living and Working with children) students had another wonderful visit from the preschool group.

This week the theme was THE ARCTIC. The group worked on readings about Arctic animals, Drawings and a collage of an Arctic food chain and games like: “Simon says” and “What time is it Mr.Wolf”.

Thanks to all for another wonderful morning.

Apr. 3rd, 2012 – The pre-schoolers are coming

The Academy’s Living and Working with Children (HPW3C) course will be hosting the FDC’s pre-school group at the Academy every Thursday starting this week. Be ready for the sound of little feet and laughter. Students in the course have been learning about children’s role in society and their growth and development which will serve them well when they are developing activities for our hosting sessions.

Some activities on the horizon:

  • Seed planting for greening of  the play space
  • Animal Bags
  • Smart-board shapes
  • Marching Band
  • Making Silly Putty
  • Dinosaur Stomp

We have also committed to assisting the school-age group on a field trip to see REAL dinosaur bones at the ROM. If you’d like to volunteer – please send an email to our volunteer coordinator Kaili Glennon.