Mar 3rd, 2014 – Black History Month Assembly

YMCA Academy Beyond the Classroom, Community

The YMCA Academy proudly presented a series of assemblies to celebrate Black History Month this February.  Students in drama, history, English and science classes engaged our school community in a variety of presentations about topics ranging from the history of Africville in Nova Scotia to short scripts depicting the life of boxer Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, and information about the achievements of African-American and African-Canadian scientists to readings of poetry from the Harlam Renaissance.

 


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Jan 16th, 2014 – Holiday Talent Show

YMCA Academy Beyond the Classroom

Staff and students were treated once again to an annual Holiday Talent Show just before the break. We had performers doing a wide range of acts including lip syncing to a familiar Bon Jovi tune, playing compositions on the keyboards, strumming along on guitars and reciting the beloved “Who’s on First” comedy sketch. After the show our community celebrated the season with board games, movies, a craft station and a delicious array of treats brought in by staff and students. It was great way to “rock” into the holidays.

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The YMCA Academy Documentary

YMCA Academy Beyond the Classroom, Experiential Learning, Student Spotlight, Technology

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Get the inside track on what happens at the YMCA Academy in this student-created documentary about the school, created by the 2012-2013 Grade 12 Communications Technology class.

The documentary features a tour of the school, a depiction of a “day in the life” of an Academy student, profiles of our green initiatives, details about extracurricular activities, and more. Conceived, planned, written, hosted, directed, shot, edited, and produced by YMCA Academy students, this project served as the culminating assignment in the Grade 12 Comm. Tech. course.

Authentic learning and experiential education is central to the Academy’s educational philosophy, says Andras Nagy, a teacher and the school’s technical analyst. “We like producing tangible work,” he says. “Getting the credit is important, but it’s even better when students see their work used for a real purpose.”

 

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.

Oct. 17th, 2013 – Feast of Thanks Celebration

YMCA Academy Beyond the Classroom, Community, Native Studies

Gratitude is one of the most important and affirming aspects of life.  On the day after the Thanksgiving holiday, staff, students and volunteers gathered in the cafe at lunch to celebrate the Feast of Thanks, our second annual potluck honouring Canada’s Indigenous people for Thanksgiving.  Jim Adams, local storyteller and educator, offered a blessing and a song and students from Todd’s World Religions class and Alexi’s Aboriginal Voices English class created displays on topics related to Thanksgiving, Indigenous harvest traditions and Indigenous cultures across Canada.

Families donated turkey, ham, home made cranberry sauce, potato dishes, soup and desserts for a beautiful buffet.  We are grateful for the harvest, our school community and the opportunity to learn about, connect with and celebrate Indigenous peoples of Canada.

 

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