Mar 27th, 2014 – Shovel & Spoon Program P1.

YMCA Academy Community, Environmental Stewardship, Experiential Learning

As part of The YMCA Academy’s continued commitment to experiential learning, the Grade 12 Communications Technology class (TGJ4O) is participating in the “Shovel & Spoon” program available to us through one of our community partners, The Stop Community Food Centre. The program consists of a series of field trips to the beautiful Whychwood Barn. During the duration of the program at Whychwood Barns the students are fulfilling course curriculum expectations for their classes.

We are very fortunate to be participating in this unique program again. It offers opportunities beyond those that we can offer on our premises and includes valuable lessons about healthy living and healthy choices, which we feel are important for all students to learn.

The “Shovel & Spoon” program includes, but is not limited to, some of the following activities:

  • Cooking in the community kitchen (i.e. canning and preserving, cooking on a budget, knife skills, low-sugar baking, cooking for one, and cooking for various health conditions)
  • Planting in the greenhouse (i.e. food growing, sprouting, plant propagation, container gardening, seed starting)
  • Hands-on learning about nutrition and wellness
  • Shared reflection and journal writing

The Communications Technology class be responsible for creating a ‘mini-documentary’ for each Shovel & Spoon Session, which will eventually be turned into a full DVD video production, assembling all student works, and outlining the entire Shovel & Spoon Program as part of the culminating assignment.

Our first session on March 26th, gave an introduction to the Shovel and Spoon program, a tour of the green house and community kitchen, and an introduction to proper knife skills. To wrap-up the session students got the chance to assemble their own delicious Tostadas as a pre-lunch treat!

 


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

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.

 


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

Feb 14th, 2014 – NeuroTech Ontario Event

YMCA Academy Community, Events

obi_logo

 

 

 

 

 

On Monday, February 10, 2014 at the Central YMCA in Toronto, Ontario, the Ontario Brain Institute celebrated the growth and achievements of NeuroTech Ontario — an initiative running in partnership with the Government of Canada’s Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).

ThriverTM Inc. a FedDev Ontario and OBI supported project developed between the University of Windsor and OTEP Inc., made an official announcement in partnership with The YMCA Academy. Read the full press release.

YMCA Academy students participated in the event showcasing Thriver’s new online learning platform. Check out some of the great photos!

 

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

Thriver and The YMCA Academy

Don Adams Community, Head of School

ThriverTM Inc. (www.thriver.com) is a technology-based company with offices in Toronto and Windsor, Ontario. Thriver™ is a new online learning platform designed to help parents become effectively involved in the cognitive development of their children. While the platform can help any child, it is particularly helpful for children who are experiencing difficulty in school.  The YMCA Academy is excited to be taking part in an innovative research project with Thriver™. The technology that is developing will help our teachers understand how the students learn and may provide them with new information that could be used to inform instructional changes in the classroom. We are always looking for ways to provide instruction for our students, and this technology may provide options for delivering differentiated support to a broader YMCA community in a highly engaging format.

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.

 

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