May 7th, 2012 – People for Education report…

Don Adams Head of School, In the News

I would usually reserve comment on a major report that’s about to be published until the full report comes out and I’ve had a chance to digest it. But a piece from today’s Toronto Star is so disturbing that I can’t wait.

First, here’s the piece itself: http://bit.ly/KeCFCW

The title itself is depressing: ‘Caps’ mean special education students not getting help, People for Education report says. How, in 2012, are children with special needs in Ontario not only failing to be served by the public school system, but also not even receiving their PROVINCIALLY-MANDATED RIGHT TO BE TESTED?

As the Head of Toronto’s leading high school for students with learning disabilities and learning style differences, I’m very much in the middle of the fray here. When I read something in this piece like: One Ontario board told its principals there could be “no assessments for this school year since they are trying to catch up on last year’s referrals” it infuriates me and, from the comments I’ve received from people even early this morning, I’m not alone.

You need to read this article. The news only gets worse:

People for Education also found the ratio of special education teachers to students has gone up, from 22:1 in 2000 to 36:1 this year in elementary schools. In high schools, the ratio has jumped from 48:1 to the current 69:1.

69 to ONE?

I hope you’ll forgive a bit of school promotion here on behalf of The YMCA Academy.  Every one of our teachers is special-education trained, our student-to-teacher ratio is under 5:1, and we’ll keep it that way.  Each student at The Academy receives the individualized attention he or she needs and deserves.  And no mission-appropriate child is ever turned away from our school for financial reasons.  We always find a way to help and make it work for the family.

Imagine that you’re the parent of a special-needs child and you read this report.  What would your level of frustration look like?

It’s time for the province to step to the plate and do what’s right here.

May 9th, 2011 – “Yes I Can” award from CEC 56

YMCA Academy In the News

The Academy’s own Michau van Speyk received the prestigious “Yes I Can” award from the Council for Exceptional Children Chapter 56 last week.  The CEC is a diverse, professional community of educators working with a vision to improve the quality of life for individuals with exceptionalities and their families through professional excellence and advocacy.  The “Yes I Can” award was given to Michau in recognition of his personal accomplishments as well as those in the community and in his public school settings.  On behalf of everyone at the Academy, congratulations Michau!

Apr. 11th, 2011 – Going Green at the Academy Pt1

YMCA Academy Environmental Stewardship, In the News

Academy teacher Melissa O’Leary has written a short article on “Green” initiatives being taken at the Academy. You can find the article below, or read it on the YMCA of Greater Toronto’s website here.

By Melissa O’Leary, Teacher

At the YMCA Academy, we strive to create an authentic learning environment where our students are challenged to think for themselves and problem solve. We leave the classroom as much as possible — to get students to think outside the box, it helps to literally take them out of it!

Environmental stewardship

The YMCA Academy has developed significant volunteer partnerships within the community, many with an environmental focus. In our closest partnership, we are one of Evergreen’s core stewardship schools. We visit Downsview Park twice a year to plant trees and engage in other essential environmental activities, such as building a native species nursery.

Last year, Academy students visited the Brick Works daily for three weeks to construct a barefoot path for the Children’s Garden. This year students visit Brick Works every other Monday as part of the Healthy Choices Program. They learn more about the environment, doing their part, and eating local and healthy food.

Earth Day cleanup

Students will lead a cleanup of the local park system on April 21 at 1 p.m. We’ll be working our way down through the parks from Charles Street to the Metro-Central YMCA to help reinforce the idea of taking responsibility for our neighborhood. Think globally and act locally!

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

YMCA Academy Beyond the Classroom, In the News

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