Last week, we kicked off Spirit Week with a burst of energy and creativity! We started on Monday, February 10th with PJ Day, where everyone rolled out of bed and came to school in their favourite pyjamas. Tuesday, February 11th was Sports Day, and students proudly represented their favourite teams. On Wednesday, February 12th, Fancy Fits Day had everyone dressed in their most elegant outfits, while Thursday, February 13th celebrated Hat Day, with fun and creative headgear making an appearance. Finally, on Friday, February 14th, we wrapped up the week with Red, Pink & White Day alongside our All-School Valentine’s Day Event (MS Fun Palooza). Organized by our middle school students and teachers, the event from 2:10 to 3:30 featured a lively dance, engaging games, and delicious snacks. It was a fantastic week full of school spirit, and we’re thrilled to share these moments with you!
Cyber Incident Notice
I want to share an important update about a cyber incident involving PowerSchool, an application used by the YMCA Academy and many independent schools and school boards across North America to store a range of student information. You may have seen or heard news coverage about it this morning as many independent schools and school boards have also been impacted.
On the afternoon of Tuesday, January 7, 2025, PowerSchool notified us and other independent schools and school boards in Ontario and across North America that on December 28, 2024 they became aware of a data breach and immediately implemented cybersecurity response protocols.
Our cybersecurity team is actively working with PowerSchool to understand the nature of the incident and specifically what personal information may have been affected. At this point in time, PowerSchool has confirmed that both staff and student information was involved, we are still determining the exact types information that may have been accessed or exported. PowerSchool has indicated it does not anticipate the data being shared or made public, and the company believes it has been deleted without any further replication or dissemination.
If it is determined that any personal information has been impacted, we will let you know as soon as possible.
We are also advising the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario.
We know this news may be concerning and are doing all we can to learn more from PowerSchool about what occurred and will share that information with you.
Sincerely,
Tim Seabrook
Head of School
Team-building during our first Advisory Groups day!
We had a great time at our first Advisory Groups day on Wednesday afternoon. Students completed challenges and team-building activities such as Face the Cookie, a tower-building challenge and a Rock, Paper, Scissors tournament to help foster their sense of community as we begin a new school year. Students eagerly participated and cheered each other on throughout the activity!
Integrated Arts at #TodayatApple Workshop.
The Integrated Arts class attended a workshop at the Apple Store, learning about the software ProCreate to create digital art. Students enjoyed drawing a self-portrait or another portraiture but thought that drawing digitally was not as challenging as traditional art.
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Back Again at Cedar Glen!
There are many things we have all missed out on over the past two years. As life continues to flow ever closer to normalcy, we are all benefiting from being able to do the things we have not been able to. One of those things here at the Academy is the annual expedition to Cedar Glen. Although we were able to do a day trip there last year, is it really a Cedar Glen trip if it isn’t overnight? This school year, the school was once again able to journey to our 262 Acre home away from home, a pilgrimage we look forward to with excitement.
Our trip this year started on Wednesday October 19. After packing up 3 buses with bags, students and staff, the school made its way to Schomberg Ontario where Cedar Glen is situated. As always, our trip began with the students rotating between volunteering on the farm and playing various field games led by the amazing Cedar Glen staff. After lunch the Navy and Maroon squads faced off in a forty five minute game of capture the flag. Students zipped, dodged and zagged to steal each others’ flags while trying to avoid capture. Having moved into cabins and with food in everyone’s belly, students spent the evening doing various indoor activities as the weather outside although not frightful was bad enough to prevent the campfire and night hike.
Thursday morning’s activities had students choosing to partake in one of several activities. While some tested their balance on the low ropes course or played various field or arctic games, others tried channelling their inner Legolas at the archery range. The main focus of Thursday, however, was the fourth annual instalment of the Academy Games. Although young in its inclusion into the Cedar Glen trip, the Academy Games has very quickly become a source of fierce competition between the school’s to squads. Reigning three time champions Maroon were looking to defend their unbroken streak of victories to steal a fourth win, while the Navy team aspired to dethrone Maroon’s string of successes.
After lunch, both squads gathered to receive this year’s team swag which were Navy and Maroon hoodies. With their newly acquired swag on, and some previous ones as well, both teams faced one another and cheered off, trying to outdo one another. When both teams quieted, the official start of the games was announced and both teams ventured to their first stations. After about two and a half hours, the squads slowly started gathering at the final station that pits Navy and Maroon in a fire building competition that is mired in much controversy. The Navy team was first to show up with two of its four squads. Eventually a Maroon team arrived and in the blink of an eye, all four teams from each squad were present.
After looking over penalties and rewards gathered during the game, it was an even start for both teams. With representatives chosen for each team, it was now up to a few members to build the fastest and tallest fire in order to burn through three heights of rope before the other team. Both teams started slowly, battling the dampness in a lot of the tinder, kindling and wood they had gathered from the multiple bouts of precipitation from the day before, and that very morning. Eventually, the Maroon team’s flames started to rise and reach ever higher. The Navy team battled relentlessly to catch up, but had difficulty getting their fire to hold long enough to ignite the larger pieces of kindling and wood. Eventually, time and circumstances conspired against a first ever Navy win, and with the third and highest rope burnt through, the Maroon squad secured its fourth straight Academy Games championship, and still remains undefeated.
Both sides walked back to the main cabin together for dinner. One student disclosed that they had hidden some wood for next year’s game! After dinner students finally got to enjoy the campfire that was cancelled the night before as well as a night hike for those who wanted one.
On our last day we took part in our usual ritual of doing more archery and playing the now infamous teachers vs. students animal survival game in the woods. Eating one last meal at lunch, students packed up the buses and headed back to the Academy. Despite the weather not being great the first two days, everyone toughed out the elements and had a great time. This year’s experience at Cedar Glen was special. It brought everyone another sense of normalcy from the past, and gave an opportunity for some to experience Cedar Glen in its truest form for the first time. We can’t wait to be back next year.
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