Then, Markus Pukonen, of the Ocean Adventure Rowing and Education team who recently attempted a crossing of the Atlantic ocean using only human power, will speak with to our school community about his expedition and the important oceanographic data and documentary footage he was collecting before the boat capsized on day 73 of the adventure

Later, Dan Lambert, from Bikes on Wheels, will be demonstrating bike maintenance and showing Academy students how to tune-up their bikes in preparation for the summer.

Finally, this evening, we will be hosting Think2Learn, who are developing both a learning assessment tool, and computer based interventions that address the specific learning needs identified in the assessment.

That’s a busy school day — but it’s rather typical here at The Academy.  An important element of our program is our experiential learning opportunities.  It’s our response to a challenge from a great educational and entrepreneurial thinker — Aron Solomon — who asked, “If you want to teach your students to think outside of the box, why do you keep them cooped up in one?”  Our students are outside of the classroom “box” on a regular basis!

I should probably mention that on Friday the entire school population will be planting trees at Downsview with Evergreen!

Don Adams, Head of School

http://bikesonwheels.com

Markus is a member of the Ocean Adventure Rowing and Education team who recently attempted a crossing of the Atlantic ocean using only human power. The ocean rowboat capsized on day 73 and the crew could not get it upright. Markus will speak with to our school community about his expedition and the important oceanographic data and documentary footage he was collecting.

http://oarnorthwest.com

The Ride and Drive with Care program is administered through Share the Road Cycling Coalition, with support from the CAA and funding from the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. It is a program that targets both drivers and cyclists, and encourages them to use the road responsibly together.

The program aims to foster healthy behaviours, and create a healthy relationship between cyclists and drivers. The program is composed of a few key elements, and is set to be delivered this May and June.

The program has two elements:

1) School wide assembly on bike safety

2) A pledge to commit to a number of actions, including riding predictably and being highly visible and communicative while on a bike, and giving cyclists the room and respect they deserve when behind the wheel.  The pledge can be signed either physically, using pledge cards that we will supply, or online, through our Ride and Drive with Care website. Once the presentation is done and the pledges are signed, that’s when the real fun begins!

http://www.sharetheroad.ca

As a result of our working with them, MaRS has put us in touch with many innovators.  Our teachers and students have been able to provide some of them with valuable feedback about their ideas and products.  We benefit by having the chance to be early adopters of some really amazing ideas!

In that connection, I invite you to come to The Academy at 7:00 on Wednesday, May 15 to meet Think2Learn, an innovative company developing both a learning assessment tool, and computer based interventions that address the specific learning needs identified in the assessment.  Their value proposition: Think2Learn is brain training for kids that struggle in school based on the successful Lumosity business model. It differentiates itself by being a product for the child’s parents and uses a proprietary 360 degree neuroscience-based screening process that results in targeted interventions and brain training games that have been tagged to correlate with cognitive functions.

Please join us on the 15th.  Admission is free, and there will be coffee and goodies too.

Don Adams, Head of School

However, I’ve been thinking a great deal of another of the core values recently — caring.  At a recent social gathering, I was asked the usual question, “What do you do?”  My response to this question is always brief — something along the lines of “I’m the principal of a high school for students with learning disabilities” or “I run a high school for students who learn differently.”  Sometimes my answer stops a conversation, but at other times it starts one.

On this occasion, it started one.  “That must be very difficult.  How do you manage the students?  How do you control their behaviour?”  At first I found it difficult to answer the questions; after a few seconds I realized that my difficulty was based on the assumptions implied in the questions themselves.  One underlying assumption — students are difficult to control — is based on an understanding of the educational dynamic that we all experienced during our schooling, where the relationship was often adversarial.  The teacher possessed the power, and enforced rules that often seemed arbitrary or irrelevant to the students.  This idea of control was fundamental to the classroom — and teachers were given classroom management advice, and judged on their ability to control the behaviours in their classes.

The dynamic is entirely different at The Academy.  Underlying all “classroom management” here is the value of caring.  There is nothing arbitrary in our expectations of behaviour; indeed, they are collaboratively created by teachers and students. Our students know that we care, that expectations of behaviour spring from caring, and that our motivation is to benefit them.  Maybe that’s the most profound difference I can offer to students entering The Academy — the core value of caring.

Don Adams, Head of School

Out in large numbers were The YMCA Academy’s staff and students. The Academy high school benefits from funding generated through the Strong Kids campaign and students demonstrated their gratitude and support when they volunteered to assist in all aspects of the walk.

From pushing strollers, holding hands & setting up obstacle courses to teaching preschoolers how to “whirlwind slam dunk”, Academy students were in the center of the action.

Thanks to all for supporting the Strong Kids Campaign 2013!

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

Today I’d like to suggest that we think about how students are “being” in school. What’s the experience of daily life in school like for this young person? Are they honored in school? Are they made to feel important, like they truly matter? What is their own sense of who they are in school and how does it differ from how they perceive themselves out of school.

When a student and a school are a poor fit, it creates an essential disconnection in their lives. Their being becomes a fragmented thing, the place they spend every school day is a place of frustrations and failures. So when we consider how they’re doing and the result of that question is an unfavorable one, we need to dig deeper and examine how they’re being. If we can begin to shift this question, it will lead to a much better analysis of our schools, our children, and how to most effectively serve who they are and want to become.

Don Adams, Head of School

But I wonder how one could open a great school and serve a population the most in need. Here at The Academy, we worked hard for a decade before becoming what many have described as a great school. I think about what we did throughout the process and offer this as a primer for those looking to do the same.

My advice would begin and end with the notion of community. Building a community is infinitely more challenging than building a school. Community takes infinite ingredients and nonstop attention. Community cares for people. It makes us feel as if we belong. Community, not a sugar-and-taurine-laden energy drink, gives us wings.

How to build community in a school is more art than science. It begins and ends with respect. By creating a safe place where people, their opinions, thoughts, and actions are valued, you’re on the right track. There needs to be balance, focus, constant and consistent improvement.

The construction of a great school is never, ever complete.

Don Adams, Head of School

Unlike many schools, especially independent schools, the Academy does not focus solely on the academic achievement of its students.  While we are unique within the YMCAs in Canada in providing a full range of academic supports for students who learn differently, we have very much in common with all YMCA programming for youth in our emphasis on social and personal support. In fact, we don’t even give out academic awards here.  Rather, we focus on values we think are much more important.  Those values are essentially the six core values of the YMCA of Greater Toronto: Respect, Responsibility, Inclusiveness, Caring, Honesty and Health.

I’m privileged to see these values in action everyday at the Central Y, where The YMCA Academy is located.  I see it in our Child Care, in our Youth Leadership Corps,  in the Newcomers programs, and throughout the Health and Fitness Centre.

Come for a tour of The Academy — see how we are truly an alternative school.

Don Adams, Head of School