Jan. 18th, 2011 – Elder visits Native Studies class

YMCA Academy Community, English and Humanities, Experiential Learning, Native Studies

The Grade 11 Current Aboriginal Issues in Canada class was fortunate to be able to host elder Jacquie Lavelley from the Native Canadian Centre in Toronto.  Devin Davis, programmer with the Aboriginal Education Outreach Network, accompanied Jacquie in her visit to the Academy and students greeted them with warmth and premiere snacks.  Sitting in circle, Jacquie shared stories and ceremonies from local Anishnabe culture and spoke about her childhood, family life and education.  Students had the opportunity to ask questions towards the end of the ceremony.  We are grateful for the assistance that the Native Canadian Centre has given to our class this semester and look forward to continuing our relationship in the future.  Jacquie, thank you so much for visiting us and sharing your knowledge with us.

Native Canadian Centre Website

YMCA Academy students with elder Jacquie Lavelley and Devin Davis

Jan. 12th, 2011 – Academy Student Art Show

YMCA Academy Arts, Student Spotlight

The lobby of 42 Charles Street will be transformed into a gallery today as the semi-annual exhibit of student art is installed.  Works range from sketches to paintings to Photoshop art to clay sculptures.  The show will run for three weeks and is open to the public.  Please sign your name and comments in our guest book.  Congratulations to all the artists! Check out all the pictures on our Facebook page using the links at the bottom of this post.

YMCA Academy Art Class
YMCA Academy students at the 42 Charles St. semi-annual art exhibit

Opening Reception Pictures

YMCA Academy Student Art Show Gallery

Jan. 7th, 2011 – Academy thinking about RIGHTS!

YMCA Academy Beyond the Classroom, In the News

Canadian Civil Liberties Association get’s the Academy thinking about RIGHTS!

Every month the entire school meets for “ a VOICES exchange”. This is an hour where we can share our ideas about school life at The Academy. Discussions are often stimulated by a staff presentation, a guest speaker, a performance or some other activity. The hope is to create a venue for The Academy community to share their thoughts in an open forum. This month The Academy invited a guest speaker from the Canadian Civil Liberties Association to speak.  She introduced their “Not’s Not Fair to Me” program, which introduces students to the concept of  “rights”.  She used the Charter of Rights and Freedoms as a launching point for discussion, using current legal case studies to make the abstract concepts relevant for students. The presentation was very engaging with one student sharing: “this was our best VOICES assembly so far”. CCLT will be visiting again next week to follow up on issues raised and lead our TAPS session where students break off into small groups and discuss/share ideas in small healing circles.

Canadian Civil Liberties Association Website

Jan. 7th, 2011 – Geo students all over the map

YMCA Academy English and Humanities, Experiential Learning, Student Spotlight

The Grade 9 Geography students are looking at our relationship with the world this week.  By exploring issues such as child labour, free trade, human rights and environmental degradation, the students have been able to compare Canada to other countries.   Today the students looked at the United Nation’s Human Development Index (HDI) and its indicators by using a large Canadian Geographic world map.  As Brianna said “we’re all over the map today!”

Jan. 4th, 2011 – January 11 Open House Reminder

YMCA Academy Events, Updates

Please join us for our

OPEN HOUSE

Our Assistant Head of School, Tracey Addison, will be on hand for tours of the school and to speak with prospective families about our unique secondary school program.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

7:00 – 9:00 P.M.

The YMCA Academy

42 Charles Street East, 5th Floor

Toronto, Ontario

Tel:  416-928-0124 ext. 0

If you know someone who might benefit from The YMCA Academy experience, please pass on this information.