Dear Academy Families & Friends,

This is our last week before we close for the holidays.  So far it has been our best semester yet!  Here are a few highlights from the last few months:

• We have opened our amazing new location with truly outstanding technology, science lab, arts classroom, computer lab & conference centre!  This home just feels right for everyone in our community.
• Even as we have celebrated our new facility, we have metaphorically broken down the walls of the traditional classroom to provide, on a weekly basis, exciting experiential opportunities for all of our students.
• We have partnered with Evergreen Brick Works and received a $40,000 grant for our environmental education initiatives!
• Through our continued association with Free the Children, members of The Academy attended We Day at the Air Canada Centre.
• The eyes of the educational world were on us as we live-streamed our first TEDxYMCAAcademy conference “The Art and Science of Learning Disabilities”.  Look for our announcement in early January about the next TEDxYMCAAcademy, a truly unique event to be held in April.
• We had our official debut of our new home at our Open House on November 30th.  Approximately 75 guests toured the school and got to see classes in action!

As you read this, we are at the peak season for gift-giving.  This year, give the greatest gift you can – an education that fits!  We’re making a special request that, during the holiday season, you help spread the word about The YMCA Academy.  Help more families learn about our amazing school and community!

We would also like to take this opportunity to wish all of our Students, Parents, Guardians and Friends of The Academy a wonderful and safe holiday!  And we’d like to thank you for your continued support over the past year.  We value the relationships we have with each of you and look forward to working with you all in 2012!

Please note: The school will be closed for the Holiday Break from December 24th, 2011 to January 8th, 2012.

Wishing you a joyous and peaceful holiday season!

Best Wishes,
The YMCA Academy Staff

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Our 1^st semester is coming to a close, and there are several important pieces of information that we want to communicate to you.

Semester 1 Final Examinations:

The last day of regular classes for Semester 1 is Tuesday January 24^th, 2012

The examination schedule is enclosed.  Students will also be provided with a copy of this schedule.

As you will see, there are 3 examination days – Wednesday, January 25; Thursday, January 26; and Friday, January 27.  Examinations are held in the morning and in the afternoon.  Not all students have an examination on each day, so please check the schedule carefully to ensure that your son/daughter comes to school on the right day for the right exam.

Absences: If a student is absent on a final exam day, a phone call from a parent/guardian and a medical note will be required and a make-up examination will have to be written as soon as possible. If no medical documentation is received, a grade of zero will be recorded for the examination.

Study Hall:  We are providing a supervised Study Hall on all examination days.  If students are in the school on an exam day, they are expected to be in one of two places:  either writing an examination or in the study hall.  If students are not writing an examination and do not want to attend study hall, they will be asked to leave the school, as we need to ensure an atmosphere of quiet and respect for the other students who are writing their examination.

Personal Items and Electronic Devices:  Students need to be aware that during examinations, they will not be allowed to keep any of their personal items with them.  This includes cell phones, iPods (and similar devices), electronic devices, classroom notes, textbooks, and/or personal calculators (unless allowed specifically by the classroom teacher and designated beforehand).  Students need to come prepared with writing utensils.

Outstanding Materials:  All outstanding library books and materials, as well as Academy-owned textbooks, are to be returned on (or by) the exam day.

If you have any questions about the upcoming examinations, please call the Academy at (416) 928-0124 ext “0”.

Regards,

Don Adams
Head of School

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Just a reminder that Friday December 23rd is the last day of classes before we break for the holidays – students are expected to be in school on Friday and attendance calls/e-mails will be made if students are not here.

The first day of classes in the New Year is Monday January 9th, 2012.

Have a safe and happy Holiday Season!  🙂

Dear Parents / Guardians,

Just a reminder that Parent / Teacher Interviews are happening next week on Wednesday November 16th (for Grade 9’s & 10’s) and Thursday November 17th (for Grade 11’s & 12’s).  If you are still interested in coming in for an interview but have not yet made an appointment, please do so as soon as possible by calling us at 416-928-0124 ext. “0”.  Call as soon as you can to ensure you get the day and time you desire.

Please note: To accommodate Parent / Teacher Interviews, both days will operate on a shortened schedule so that all classes will finish at 12:10pm.  See schedules below.

Wednesday November 16th
09:30am – 10:45am   Period 1
10:45am – 10:55am   Break
10:55am – 12:10pm   Period 2

Thursday November 17th
09:30am – 10:45am   Period 3
10:45am – 10:55am   Break
10:55am – 12:10pm   Period 4

Also, just a reminder that Full Disclosure is Monday, November 21st.  Attached is another copy of Full Disclosure on the Ontario Student Transcript regulation.  If withdrawal is to take place, the Academy needs to be informed by Monday, November 21st.  After that time, the regulation will come into effect, and the transcript will reflect this, one way or another.  There is nothing that we will be able to do to circumvent this requirement, as informed by our Ministry of Education inspector during our most recent inspection.

On a different note, November 18th is now a Professional Development Days; no school for students.  The November 18th Shovel and Spoon afternoon (for the Food & Nutrition and the Health Care classes) had been rescheduled to Wednesday November 23rd.

Should you have any questions or concerns about any of this information, please don’t hesitate to contact us.