Jan. 18th, 2011 – Elder visits Native Studies class

YMCA Academy Community, English and Humanities, Experiential Learning, Native Studies

The Grade 11 Current Aboriginal Issues in Canada class was fortunate to be able to host elder Jacquie Lavelley from the Native Canadian Centre in Toronto.  Devin Davis, programmer with the Aboriginal Education Outreach Network, accompanied Jacquie in her visit to the Academy and students greeted them with warmth and premiere snacks.  Sitting in circle, Jacquie shared stories and ceremonies from local Anishnabe culture and spoke about her childhood, family life and education.  Students had the opportunity to ask questions towards the end of the ceremony.  We are grateful for the assistance that the Native Canadian Centre has given to our class this semester and look forward to continuing our relationship in the future.  Jacquie, thank you so much for visiting us and sharing your knowledge with us.

Native Canadian Centre Website

YMCA Academy students with elder Jacquie Lavelley and Devin Davis

Nov. 5th, 2010 – Wilderness First Aid Pictures

YMCA Academy Beyond the Classroom, Community

Dave Mott facilitated a Wilderness First Aid Workshop for the Academy’s Health Care students. Students became part of a Central Tibetan Recue mission and discovered and treated bruises and breaks on our lost hiker (thanks Alexi!).

Dave Mott speaking with YMCA Academy students about Wilderness First Aid
Practice Scenario of a rescue mission for an injured hiker
Academy students learning how to identify bruises and bone fractures

Oct. 7th, 2010 – Pics of tree planting at Evergreen

YMCA Academy Community, Environmental Stewardship, Experiential Learning

Here are the pictures from our Environment Stewardship day at Evergreen’s Downsview Park, we planted dozens of baby trees and moved mountains of mulch!

YMCA Academy students tree planting at Downsview Park
Moving the mountain of Mulch!
Moving more mulch
Academy staff and students working hard!
Students at Evergreen's Downsview Park
Group photo for Environment Stewardship 🙂

For more information on Downsview park: http://www.downsviewpark.ca/

Sept. 30th, 2010 – Environmental Stewardship Trip

YMCA Academy Community, Environmental Stewardship, Experiential Learning

Tomorrow the Academy will be fulfilling its commitment to the environment by participating in environmental stewardship at Downsview Park. The YMCA Academy is one of evergreens environmental stewardship schools and we will be participating in this twice yearly environmental service project. We will engage in environmental rehabilitation projects such as tree planting and mulching we will also take a guided tour of Downsview Park. Downsview Park used to be a military base and has been rehabilitated by Evergreen. Some of the things we will learn about include the local ecosystem, native plant species, the importance of wetlands, and the necessity of humans taking an active role in protecting our environment. Check back for pictures tomorrow evening!

http://www.evergreen.ca/

http://www.downsviewpark.ca

Sept. 15th, 2010 – Brickworks Field Trip

YMCA Academy Community, Environmental Stewardship, Experiential Learning

Reminder that there is an all school field trip to Evergreen’s Brickworks tomorrow. Some things to remember:

– Please bring in your permission form or have your parent / guardian email the school if you don’t have your forms in.

– There is a good chance of rain at some point during the day, so please dress accordingly. Dress in layers, bring rain gear and wear comfortable shoes.

– Remember to bring your own lunch. Although they will have some snacks for us, there is nowhere to buy lunch on site.

See you tomorrow!

Visit the Evergreen Brickworks website: http://ebw.evergreen.ca/