Relationship building with the OPP

Susan Couprie Beyond the Classroom, Community, Experiential Learning No Comments

On November 1, 2017, three senior YMCA Academy students visited the OPP- Queen’s Park Division to learn about all the employment opportunities within the department. We heard the personal stories of several officers about how their interests and training led them to their current jobs.  Some started as volunteers, others in the public sector, but all had one thing in common, they all agreed that having the skill and the love of communicating with the public was the most important skill to have.

We learned about the history and the current responsibilities of the OPP.  Did you know that the first motorized vehicles that the OPP used was the motorcycle?  Did you know that the first female officer joined the forces in 1974?  Neither did we, but we also did not know what different roles the OPP played in rural versus urban regions in Ontario, but we do now.  We also now know that sign language is a skill that is being encouraged in the OPP.  There are more people now with hearing related difficulties and as I said earlier, communication is a key skill in this job.

Fortunately we were able to witness several demonstrations.  We had a canine demonstration by Constable Hick and his partner “Cash” who is an Italian Sheppard named after Johnny Cash.  Other demonstrations included a Conducted Electrical Weapons (taser) and an O.C. Spray (Pepper Spray).  Safety was the primary focus with stress placed on understanding that there are clear guidelines about what situations warrant considering their use.

Since then, the OPP officers have reached out to our YMCA community several times.  They have hung out with us during lunchtimes, become members of our Dungeon & Dragon club and have been seen shooting hoops with our students in the basketball club.  This Thursday, they will be joining us in several discussion including internet safety, situation safety and nutrition & physical fitness.  In the coming months they will be our guests in:

  • Careers class to discuss career options
  • Physical Education classes to show the students what the physical training is like for their job
  • History class to discuss tactics of different societies and time periods (an expectation of the course)

I am very happy with the ongoing relationship we are developing with the OPP.  And I look forward to expanding their presence in our school as they are truly interested in the youth of this community.

Megathon: Academy Rowing Crew’s 24-hour row!

Colleen Whelan Community, Healthy Living, YMCA of Greater Toronto No Comments

The school is abuzz with this year’s MEGA Megathon challenge…

It’s just 2 days until the Academy Rowing Crew’s 24-hour row!

We’ll be rowing from 5pm on Friday, March 2nd through to 5pm on Saturday, March 3rd. We currently have 32 students, staff, alumni, families, volunteers and friends signed up to participate with our team!

The Megathon is the kickoff event for our school’s annual initiative to promote the connection between mental wellness and physical activity. The focus is to raise our students’ awareness about the role physical activity plays in mental health. Being active reduces the effects of stress, anxiety, and depression — issues that impact many young people.

Last year, we raised over $1300 and our goal is to surpass that number this year.

All fundraising from this event goes towards making YMCA programs financially accessible to everyone. Students at the Academy benefit directly from these funds.

Check out our Megathon page – Donations can be made here!

If you wish to row and haven’t signed up already, there’s still time to join our crew – email Colleen at cwhelan@ymcaacademy.org

Professional Development – Applied Behavior Analysis

YMCA Academy Community No Comments

On Friday, February 16th, Chloe Scott, Behaviour Consultant for the Geneva Centre for Autism spent the morning with the staff facilitating a PD session on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). ABA is a scientific approach to understanding behavior. Through research, the field of ABA has developed many techniques for increasing useful behaviors and reducing those that may cause harm or interfere with learning.

The workshop focused on:

  • Why behaviors happen
  • How to make a plan to reduce unwanted behaviors
  • How to teach replacement behaviours
  • How to change the consequences
  • How to evaluate the behaviour change

The staff at The Academy would like to thank Chloe for sharing her expertise with us.

Some Professional Development resources from the Geneva Centre for Autism:

  1. Free Online Series – Introduction to Autism
  2. Group and Transition Services – Registration

Skating Trip at Nathan Phillips Square

Zareh Demirdji Community No Comments

On Friday February the 9th the YMCA Academy embarked on its yearly walk to Nathan Phillips Square in order to partake in our annual skating trip. With skates and helmets secure, the students hit the ice. Skaters of all experience levels enjoyed gliding on the ice. We were lucky enough to have light snowfall, making for a true winter outdoors event! As always, after a fair amount of skating was done, both staff and students enjoyed their traditional consumption of hot chocolate and Timbits from Tim Hortons.

This yearly experience, now in its seventh year, affords staff and students to enjoy an afternoon of fun for both skaters and non-skaters. We can’t wait to see what next year’s trip will be like.

Check out more photos from this event on our Facebook page!

YMCA Academy Talent Show 2017

Katie Freeland Community No Comments

The last week before the winter break brings a medley of activity, with some students scrambling to finish work, others painfully distracted by the very thought of the upcoming holiday. And while some students are more than eager for the extra rest and relaxation that comes with a two-week vacation from school, others might be apprehensive about not seeing their classmates or being at school for more than two weeks. Nonetheless, an Academy tradition brings everyone together on the last day of school in December: the annual talent show.

This year, about 10 “acts” had signed up to perform for their peers and teachers, with a few more joining in once we had opened up the floor to anyone interested. This last aspect of our talent show is in keeping with the spirit of inclusiveness that is so important to the school; there are always students who may not feel comfortable signing up in advance, or may not want the weight of the commitment leading up to the event. And there are always those who feel inspired at the last minute, emboldened by seeing their peers take to the makeshift stage.

One more aspect of the show is that students are asked to sign up in small groups or pairs, in the hopes of eliciting broader participation and encouraging collaboration. Some of the highlights of that afternoon included original songs, a Christmas tune or two, a steel pan performance, a Harry Potter recitation from memory, dance performances, and more than one comedy act. We were also lucky to have some incredible student MC’s, who even dressed up for the occasion!

We hope that next year, even more students will participate, and show the school community their unique talents and interests.

Check out more photos from this event on our Facebook page!