Oct. 9th, 2010 – Reference Library Field Trip

Dear Parents / Guardians,

Just a reminder that the Toronto Reference Library – On-line periodical and journal research workshop field trip is tomorrow (October 12th).

Purpose of the excursion:  Students will participate in a workshop presented by the manager of periodicals regarding the on-line collection of journals and periodicals.  Students will learn how to formulate research questions, how to navigate on-line systems in searching for articles in journals and how to work with library staff when using the system for research.  This is a mandatory excursion for all senior courses.

Requirements for Participants

Requirements for library card:

o       One piece of photo identification (health card, drivers license); and

o       One piece of identification with student’s name and address (bank statement, report card or other school document, mobile phone bill)

Activity Cost: No fee

Clothing and equipment: Comfortable and weather-appropriate clothes and shoes

Permission forms were handed out last week, which require your signature prior to their participation.  You may also email your permission directly to the school to bonita.ip@ymcagta.org

Should you have any questions about the field trip, please don’t hesitate to contact us at the Academy.

Have a great long weekend!  Happy Thanksgiving!

Oct. 8th, 2010 – Grade 11 English Goes Hollywood

Lights, camera, action!

This week in grade 11 English, students have been working on PSA’s for Peace- short peace-related public service announcements that will be shown at the YMCA of Greater Toronto’s Peace Week ceremony on November 23rd, 2010. Students experimented with green screen technology while shooting Academy students scripts promoting peace with the environment.

YMCA Academy students using green screen technology
YMCA Academy students reading PSA scripts
Filming peace promotional videos for peace week!
Testing begins for deploying the YMCA Academy Martian Habitat Module

Click Here for more information on Peace Week 2010

Sept. 21st, 2010 – Meeting the Governor General

Yesterday, 2 YMCA Academy students had the opportunity to attend the “Toronto Youth Dialogue” and meet Governor General Michaëlle Jean, check out some of the pictures below!

Toronto Youth Dialogue
To conclude the national “Can We Talk” Youth Dialogues series,  Their Excellencies will host a Youth Dialogue in downtown Toronto. Launching Toronto’s week-long Manifesto Festival of Community and Culture, the event will convey hundreds of youth, as well as decision makers, civic leaders and philanthropists for a high-energy conversation on supporting youth social engagement through arts and culture and new information technologies. The Governor General will deliver opening remarks to launch the discussion. The Toronto Youth Dialogue’s main collaborators are Manifesto Festival of Community and Culture, the Toronto City Summit Alliance, the Remix Project, ArtReach Toronto and the United Nations Association in Canada (UNA-Canada).

http://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=13857

http://www.citizenvoices.gg.ca/en/themes/youth_dialogues/youth

Getting ready to attend Toronto Youth Dialogue 2010
Toronto Youth Dialogue 2010
Michaëlle Jean Speaking at Toronto Youth Dialogue 2010

Sept. 20th, 2010 – Trip to Native Canadian Centre

The grade 10 history class and the grade 11 Native studies class are heading to Toronto’s Native Canadian Centre to see a presentation about the history of Aboriginal peoples in Canada.  Some things we are going to learn about include information about the three distinct groups of Aboriginal people in Canada (First Nations, Métis and Inuit), the history of residential schools and the impacts on today’s generation as well as impacts of the Indian Act and reserves.  There will be a special section on the history of Toronto which includes information on the Toronto Purchase Specific Claim, the Mississaugas of New Credit, the Toronto Islands and the Nations that reside in this area and Southern Ontario.  There is an art gallery that we will view as well as other artefacts and information.  It’s going to be hot and sunny tomorrow, so it will be a great day for a walk over to the centre.

www.ncct.on.ca