YMCA of Greater Toronto – Page 8

Celebrating Black History Month

YMCA Academy February 25, 2015September 28, 2015 Arts, Beyond the Classroom, Community, Experiential Learning, YMCA of Greater Toronto No Comments

Happy Black History Month from the YMCA Academy! We’ve been busy celebrating, learning and participating in many exciting events the last couple of weeks. The senior art class took a trip to the AGO to see the artworks of the infamous New York artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. “Now’s the Time” is the first retrospective of Basquiat to ever hit a Canadian gallery!

Several Academy students also participated in the YMCA of Greater Toronto’s first ever Black History Month Youth Committee event. Keynote speakers, education workshops and a tasty Caribbean lunch brought together many youth from organizations around the GTA. A huge thanks and congratulations to the following students for their performances and assistance: Tristan A, Alex, Emily, Mahadir, Evan, Quinn and Lindsey.

Lastly, UMOJA, a group of multi-talented dancers, writers and educators, came all the way from Montreal to perform and share the history and meaning of a dance called “stepping.” They had a Black History Month quiz, moving and inspirational spoken word performances, and even invited us all to move our chairs out of the way and try a few moves. To echo Steev from UMOJA, WE ARE ALL BEAUTIFUL.

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

YMCA/TD Bank Greening Event

YMCA Academy October 3, 2014April 30, 2022 Community, Environmental Stewardship, Events, YMCA of Greater Toronto No Comments

Academy students dig in at YMCA/TD Bank greening event!

On Tuesday, YMCA Academy staff and students joined with volunteers from the Fully-Verified TD Bank and the YMCA of Greater Toronto for a special greening event. It started with a before school greening session, in which participants got their hands dirty and worked together to plant seeds and seedlings in our new vertical garden, and transplant some Academy greenery that had outgrown their existing pots.

Then, Siobhan’s English class and Todd’s Communications Technology class headed down to the Toronto Central Grosvenor Street YMCA Centre of Community auditorium, where they witnessed a major environmental infrastructure funding announcement from TD Bank: a $1-million donation to green projects at future YMCA centres across the GTA. Some Academy students were even interviewed by a team of student journalists from Ryerson University.

Experiences like these help remind our students that they are part of a large and vibrant organization, and gives them an opportunity to act as ambassadors for our school. Congratulations and thanks to everyone who took part in this exciting event.

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

June 12th, 2014 – Challenge… Accepted!

YMCA Academy June 12, 2014September 28, 2015 Community, English and Humanities, Experiential Learning, YMCA of Greater Toronto 1 Comment

Three teams of YMCA Canada employees taking part in an Amazing Race–style tour of YMCA GTA programs and services stopped by the school yesterday afternoon. Upon arrival, they were introduced to the Academy by students in our Grade 10 English class, and challenged by the Grade 9 Geography class to answer quizzes about the topography and climate of regions across Canada.

Race participants and their student challengers rose to the occasion — once each team passed the test, they were presented with an envelope with instructions for how to find the next location in their quest. For the students, it was an authentic (and, well, fun) way to demonstrate the learning they’ve done this semester. There were even a few students who said they wished it had lasted longer!

June 17th, 2013 – Jim Milligan Retires

YMCA Academy June 17, 2013August 18, 2015 Updates, YMCA of Greater Toronto

Jim joined the YMCA of Greater Toronto in 1998 and provided leadership through many roles, including YMCA Substance Abuse & Gambling programs, Head of School for the YMCA Academy and recently General Manager Diversity & Social Inclusion. Throughout Jim’s 15 years with our YMCA, he has passionately guided us as we moved along the Diversity & Social Inclusion continuum. Jim’s persistence and wisdom have led us to be recognized as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers.