Cyber Incident Notice

YMCA Academy Community, Head of School

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 Unbreakable Bold and Cold 5K

Jessamyn Polson Community, Events, Student Spotlight

On November 30, the YMCA Academy Run Club, joined by friends and family (and even Tim!), participated in the Team Unbreakable Bold and Cold 5K.

Running 5 kilometers is no small feat, especially outdoors at the end of November! We are incredibly proud of our achievement and thrilled to have raised over $3,000 for Team Unbreakable, an organization dedicated to supporting youth mental health through physical activity.

The YMCA Run Club will be going into hibernation for the next few weeks. We’re grateful for the beautiful weather we enjoyed this session, and, like the trees around us, we look forward to shifting our energy inward and resting during this festive and busy season. Run Club will return in February—stay tuned for updates!

CONGRATULATIONS, RUNNERS!

Annual year end Centre Island trip

Zareh Demirdji Community, Events

On Wednesday May 29th, staff and students boarded the Ferries to attend our annual year end Centre Island trip to celebrate another great year. This was our first time heading to the small and self contained archipelago in May, but the weather could not have been more perfect. The sun was shining across a bright blue sky, and there was enough of a breeze so that it was never too hot and never too cold.

Upon reaching our usual set-up site, students embarked on an hour long scavenger hunt created and run by our very own Jack Club. After satiating our bellies, students had the option to explore the island, visit the animal farm, or hang back at our base of operations where they could choose from several activity options. This year we had the pleasure of hosting several parents on the trip who had fun of their own. We always enjoy our day on the island and can’t wait until we return again next year.

Student Newscast – Politics in Action

Brandon Stewart Community, English and Humanities, Experiential Learning No Comments

Last semester, the students of the Grade 11 Politics in Action class at YMCA Academy took on a new role as journalists and news anchors. They headed a project in which they produce an audio Newscast every two weeks in an effort to inform and entertain their fellow students. Stories ranged from upcoming school events, to the weather, to interviews with members of the community.

From brainstorming the content, conducting research, drafting the scripts, recording the segments, and editing the audio files, the grade 11 Politics in Action class put in the work to bring upcoming events, sports, weather, and news to their peers.

One of the installments of Student Newscast included an interview with the then interim Head of School, Steve Saunders. Student Newsroom connected classes to the school, and the school to the world of political change around them.

The last installment of Student Newsroom included a feature piece on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and the school’s Orange Shirt Day assembly.

Students participate in the Shoebox Project

Zoe Rutherford Community, Events No Comments

Over the month of November the YMCA Academy embraced the spirit of giving and once again participated in the Shoebox Project for Women. Our community went above and beyond and was able to put together 38 gift-filled shoe boxes this year!

The Shoebox Project for Women operates throughout Canada and the United States, delivering shoebox gifts to women in need. In Toronto the shoeboxes are distributed to women accessing a variety of services such as the YMCA Women’s Shelter, CAMH, Native Women’s Resource Centre, Covenant House etc. The aim of the project is to remind women that they have not been forgotten and that they are a valued and respected member of their community. This initiative aligns with the YMCA core values and provides an opportunity to foster empathy, practice civic engagement and collaborate with peers in a meaningful way.

Students attended an assembly to learn about how people, and women in particular, are impacted by homelessness in Toronto and Canada. This helped to put the project into context and to provide students with information about the housing crisis and other issues that Canadians face. In advisory groups, students brainstormed what gifts might help women feel special and devised a plan of who would purchase each item. Then the day came to bring together all the gifts and create the boxes. Each group decorated and filled at least one box and made sure it included everything on the list. Students also wrote thoughtful messages in a card for the recipient. Once all the boxes were ready to go they were taken to a drop off location to be distributed in time for the holidays.

Here is what some of our students had to say about participating in the project:

“I really enjoyed the project. It teaches kids about privilege and gives them a better understanding of the world around them.” – Maiko

“It was a relaxing activity to make the boxes while we listened to music and snow was falling.” – Kelly

“It was a great time. I had a lot of fun hanging out with my friends.” – Jack

“We wanted to make the boxes to deliver to women in need who could use the stuff to comfort them.” – Griffin

“‘I felt the shoebox project was a great way to share joy over the holiday season to people who need the support” – Chloe