Mar. 25th, 2011 – Student speaks at SKC launch

Families gathered at YMCAs across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) February 21st, 2011 to celebrate Family Day and kick off the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign, which raises money so more kids can participate in life-enhancing YMCA programs.

“The YMCA is like a second home to me,” said Alex, a YMCA Academy student who has benefited from the Strong Kids Campaign. ”I’ve been able to discover my skills and passions, meet new friends and accomplish more than I ever thought I could.“

Academy student speaking during the SKC kick-off.
Metrocentral YMCA SKC kick-off

Speakers at the SKC kick-off event at Metrocentral YMCA.

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

Mar. 7th, 2011 – Our Health Our Future Launch

The official launch of the Our Health Our Future: A National Dialogue on Healthy Weights Website took place at Metro Central YMCA today. Academy students were present during the live demonstration and had the opportunity to meet Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq and YMCA Canada CEO Scott Haldane.

“This site is an interactive forum that lets Federal, Provincial and Territorial governments get input from citizens, communities, industry and other stakeholders across the country to start thinking about ways to reduce childhood overweight and obesity. It also allows Canadians across the country to connect with each other to share their ideas about how to promote healthy weights for children and youth.”

Academy students during the launch of the Our Health Our Future Website.
Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq speaking about the new Website.
Academy students with YMCA Canada CEO Scott Haldane and Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq.

Visit the Our Health Our Future Website

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

Mar. 4th, 2011 – Student Job Crawler Launched!

To provide students with multiple, easy to use resources for finding part-time employment, the Academy has developed a “Student Jobs” Portal. Students can find a wealth of information in this portal including including:

  • an employment handbook
  • a list of employment websites
  • information on internships
  • volunteer opportunities
  • a “real-time” GTA job crawler

Students can check this page daily to see the most recent job postings broken down by category.

Check out the Student Jobs page!

Feb. 28th, 2011 – Pictures from Skating Field Trip

On Friday February 25th the YMCA Academy embarked on their second annual skating trip.  The inaugural trip was the brain child of an alumni of the Academy and took place at Nathan Phillips Square.  This year, in light of a new addition of an outdoor rink, the trip took place at Evergreen Brickworks.  With the up and down nature of the weather leading up to the trip, there was a potential that the trip would be hindered by warm weather.  In the end, thankfully, mother nature presented us the best of both worlds.  On the day of the trip the weather was cold enough to keep the outdoor skating rink open while at the same time sunny and warm enough to allow several of the students to skate without a jacket.

The rink, like nature, was organic in its shape, design and flow which allowed for a different skating experience, unique from the more common skating in a circle we are use to at a traditional rink.  Students and teachers alike skated their hearts out.  Those with greater skill helped along those with less skill which led to a great and positive atmosphere.  Some students wowed everyone with their speed and skills on the ice while other super trooper students where on the ice the entire trip.  Overall the experience was everything we could have hoped for and was a true reflection of what the Healthy Choices Program the Academy at Evergreen Brickworks is all about.

For the entire gallery, visit our Facebook Page!

Jan. 7th, 2011 – Academy thinking about RIGHTS!

Canadian Civil Liberties Association get’s the Academy thinking about RIGHTS!

Every month the entire school meets for “ a VOICES exchange”. This is an hour where we can share our ideas about school life at The Academy. Discussions are often stimulated by a staff presentation, a guest speaker, a performance or some other activity. The hope is to create a venue for The Academy community to share their thoughts in an open forum. This month The Academy invited a guest speaker from the Canadian Civil Liberties Association to speak.  She introduced their “Not’s Not Fair to Me” program, which introduces students to the concept of  “rights”.  She used the Charter of Rights and Freedoms as a launching point for discussion, using current legal case studies to make the abstract concepts relevant for students. The presentation was very engaging with one student sharing: “this was our best VOICES assembly so far”. CCLT will be visiting again next week to follow up on issues raised and lead our TAPS session where students break off into small groups and discuss/share ideas in small healing circles.

Canadian Civil Liberties Association Website