Oct. 7th, 2011 – Evergreen Fall Stewardship

YMCA Academy Environmental Stewardship, Experiential Learning

As a steward school for Evergreen’s urban greening program, the Academy participated in our annual fall tree planting event just before Thanksgiving.  Students worked up a sweat in the hot sun to extend the forest line towards Keele Street at Downsview Park.  We also got a chance to measure the growth of trees that we’d planted over the past two years.  Looking forward to seeing these new ones in the spring!

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

Visit the Evergreen Website

Visit the Downsview Park Website

Oct. 4th, 2011 – Parent Speaker Series Reminder

YMCA Academy Events

Just a reminder that the Education about the ADHD Brain and Strategies for Supporting ADHD Teens Parent Speaker Series presentation by Ann Clarkson, Professional Certified Coach, is taking place October 20th, 2011, at the Academy at 7pm.

If you are planning to join us to learn more about the ADHD brain and key strategies to effectively manage ADHD with your teenager, but have not RSVP yet, please kindly do so as soon as possible via e-mail to bonita.ip@ymcagta.org or call us at 416-928-0124 ext. 0

Ann Clarkson

Ann Clarkson, MA, PCC, ACCG, is a Family and Business Coach with a speciality in helping people living with Attention Deficit Disorder. With 20 years experience in the workplace, she specializes in coaching adults dealing with workplace stress and dissatisfaction who want to be more productive and fulfilled. As a parent of a 17 year old son with ADD and LDs, she also loves to work with parents and families. Ann coaches adults who want to improve their relationship with their spouse, parents who want to learn how to positively support their children, and young adults who are at college or university, or who are trying to figure out what they want to do in life. She is passionate about helping ADD/ADHD clients – and their families — focus on their unique strengths and potential, and provide tools for action and learning that will help them become the best they can be.

Ann completed her coach training with the ADD Coach Academy in 2006. This is the only comprehensive ADD/ADHD coach training program accredited by the International Coach Federation (ICF), the governing body for the coaching profession. Ann is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the ICF, and the ADD Coach Academy (ACCG). She has over 6 years and more than 1,000 hours of experience working with ADD/ADHD clients and their families across Canada and the USA. She sits on the Advisory Council of the Professional Association of ADHD Coaches (PAAC).

www.lifestrengths.com

Oct. 3rd, 2011 – Pine Crest Details (packing list)

YMCA Academy Updates

Dear Parents / Guardians,

Just a reminder that the Pine Crest trip is tomorrow (Tuesday – October 4th)!!  The bus will be leaving the Academy at 9:30am and so we are asking students to be at the school by 9am tomorrow morning.

Attached is another copy of the packing list for your reference.  Depending on traffic, we should be back at the Academy at around 3pm on Thursday (October 6th).

Should you have any questions about trip tomorrow, please don’t hesitate to contact us at the Academy.

YMCA Camp Pine Crest Outdoor Centre Packing List

This list is a general guideline of what a participant would need or use while at our Outdoor Centre. Each group will take part in different activities and weather conditions. Depending on the length of your visit, the programs you will be taking part in and the weather forecast you may choose to bring more or less of these items.

What to bring to camp:
• Bedding (Sleeping bag, Pillow and additional blankets if a colder time of year)
• Footwear (Running shoes or Hiking Boots (with closed toes) and Sandals with back straps are acceptable. We consider flip-flops to be a safety risk due to our natural setting)
• Clothing (Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, Shorts (amount depending on length of your stay)
• Warm Clothing (Jacket, Long pants (sweats instead of jeans), Long sleeve t-shirts, Sweater)
• Sun Protection (Hat, Sunscreen)
• Swim Wear (Swim Suits, Towels)
• Rain Wear (Rain Coat, Rain Pants, extra shoes or boots)
• Night Time (Pajamas, Toothbrush, Toothpaste)
• Extras (Insect Repellent, *Flash Light with extra batteries*, *Water Bottle*, Alarm Clock/Watch, Lip Balm, Brush/Comb, Camera)

Please do not bring the following:
• Pocket knives
• Matches
• Cellular telephones
• Pagers
• Electronic toys or devices
• Walkmans, iPods, Discmans or MP3 players
• Radios, stereos, etc
• *Any product with nuts in it*
• Candy, gum, soft drinks, junk food
• Hair dryers
• Non-prescription drugs or alcohol
• Any valuables

Oct. 3rd, 2011 – The Next Edition: Operation Vote

YMCA Academy English and Humanities, Experiential Learning

On Friday, September 30th, the YMCA Academy grade 10 Civics class attended ‘The Next Edition: Operation Vote’ youth symposium at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts. Students enjoyed musical performances and guest speakers, and attended afternoon workshops. The aim of the symposium was to engage youth in voting and politics.

YMCA Academy students at Operation Vote

Sept. 30th, 2011 – TTC Photo Day Details

YMCA Academy Updates

Dear Parents / Guardians,

Just a reminder that TTC Photo Day at the Academy is next Monday, October 3rd @ 1pm – 1:45pm.  The price of the 2011 / 2012 card will be $5.25 per student.

Overview

Student fare privileges are only available to teenage students who are 19 years of age or under at the commencement of the school year, effective September 6, 2011. Students must attend regular full-time classes at approved schools up to and including the high school level in Toronto.

General Information & Requirements:

To qualify, students must be 19 years of age or under as of September 6th, 2011, and be in full-time attendance at an eligible elementary or secondary school.

Students must provide proof-of-age (e.g. birth certificate or other official document) if required. Student Activity Cards are not acceptable proof of age.

The Student Cards will be processed off-site and will be sent by courier back to the Academy within 10 business days.

The card remains the property of the TTC and is subject to confiscation if the holder violates any TTC By-laws or alters or abuses this ID. The card will not be returned and you may not apply for a new one.

Students who miss the session on Monday can ask Bonita for a TTC application form, which they can take to the Photo Facility at Sherbourne Station (Mezzanine level) at their own time. The Photo Facility is open Monday to Friday from 3:00pm – 7:00pm; Saturdays from 10:00am – 4:00pm.

Should you have any questions about the TTC Photo Day session taking place on Monday, please don’t hesitate to contact us at the Academy.