Apr. 3rd, 2012 – The pre-schoolers are coming

YMCA Academy English and Humanities, Experiential Learning

The Academy’s Living and Working with Children (HPW3C) course will be hosting the FDC’s pre-school group at the Academy every Thursday starting this week. Be ready for the sound of little feet and laughter. Students in the course have been learning about children’s role in society and their growth and development which will serve them well when they are developing activities for our hosting sessions.

Some activities on the horizon:

  • Seed planting for greening of  the play space
  • Animal Bags
  • Smart-board shapes
  • Marching Band
  • Making Silly Putty
  • Dinosaur Stomp

We have also committed to assisting the school-age group on a field trip to see REAL dinosaur bones at the ROM. If you’d like to volunteer – please send an email to our volunteer coordinator Kaili Glennon.

Apr. 3rd, 2012 – Eco-Ambassador Program Update

YMCA Academy Community, Environmental Stewardship, Experiential Learning

Statefarm’s Eco-Ambassador Program begins Segment Three:  “Urban Ecology”

Our Statefarm funded Eco-Ambassador program is in full-swing. This week we began Segment Three: Urban Ecology. Evergreen staff, Stuart and Liz, visited the Academy and provided an introduction to the concept of Urban Ecology. We spent much of our time setting up a values system for our end of program project: Greening the FDC childcare space.



Last year the Academy began greening the childcare space. We had little idea what would be suitable – but we worked hard. As the snow melted and the ground became visible, at the FDC, we were eager to see last year’s survivors. With Evergreen’s expertise and our hard work – we look forward to an amazing space!

FDC Child Care space before greening transformation

Apr. 2nd, 2012 – 1,200 Hours

Don Adams Head of School

Remember the theme song from Cheers, “Making your way in the world today takes everything you’ve got”?

Well, it strikes me that this thought is truer today than ever — especially so if you are a student with a learning difference and your individual gifts are not recognized by your school.

When you were in school, how often did you get a helping hand just when you needed it? If you did, I’m sure that experience is one that resonates for you still – most of us recall the caring support of an amazing teacher who somehow knew just what we needed exactly when we needed it.

We have worked very hard at The YMCA Academy to design a program and assemble an amazing faculty so that we can constantly give our students such support.

All our students share a common bond: school wasn’t working for them before. Now, it does.  Why? Each academic year, every YMCA Academy student receives approximately 1,200 hours of direct support from a caring and fully qualified staff and faculty!  We individualize our program for each student, to recognize their individual strengths, and to support their areas of need.  We teach our students to learn, to advocate for themselves, and to succeed in the world on their own.

That turnaround is remarkably powerful – it’s like nothing they’ve seen or experienced before!
Come and see for yourself – visits are always welcome!

Don Adams – Head of School

Mar. 26th, 2012 – OSSLT on March 29th, 2012

Don Adams Head of School, Updates

Dear Parents and Guardians,

On Thursday, March 29, 2012, Grade Ten students across the province, including our students at the YMCA Academy, will be writing the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT).  The successful completion of the test is a requirement for any student pursuing an Ontario Secondary School Diploma granted by the Ontario Ministry of Education.

This year we have 11 students writing the OSSLT. This number accounts for nearly 37% of our student body and as such, we require the full support of staff and resources at the Academy on the day of the test. To meet the needs of our students and to provide individual accommodations for those writing the OSSLT, we require additional space and staff support on the day of the test.

For this reason, school will be closed on Thursday, March 29, 2012 for all students who are NOT writing the OSSLT. School will resume with regular classes on Friday, March 30, 2012.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at the Academy.

Regards,

Don Adams
Head of School

Mar. 9th, 2012 – Invite to Online P.D. on LDs

YMCA Academy Events

The YMCA Academy is hosting a series of free Professional Development workshops for Guidance Counselors and Special Education Teachers

A live online session on supporting learning disabilities in the classroom

 

Hosted by
Dr. Don Adams, Head of School.

 

Wednesday, March 28 at 8:00pm
online with Blackboard Collaborate at
http://bit.ly/zQ4pWc