Mar. 1st, 2011 – Outdoor Session at Brickworks

YMCA Academy Community, Environmental Stewardship, Experiential Learning

Yesterday, part of the school went to Brickworks as Part of the Healthy Choices program, and participated in our first outdoor session.  We had an invigorating afternoon outside learning about some of the native plant species on site, and learning how to make an outdoor fire – even in slushy, wet and wintery conditions.  Brian and Michelle took us into the woods to collect appropriate firewood, showed us how to prep wood to make it usable for a fire, and how to build both a log-cabin and teepee style fire.  We soon discovered that we had a few survivor men in our midst, as they worked diligently to start a fire despite the brisk breeze.  Our afternoon was capped off with a warm cup of delicious cedar tea.  Thanks to Brickworks for another great day!

Academy students learning about native plant species.
Academy students learning how to make an outdoor fire in wet conditions.
Students warming up delicious cedar tea over an open fire.

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Feb. 10th, 2011 – Brickworks Healthy Choices Pics

YMCA Academy Community, Environmental Stewardship, Experiential Learning

On Monday February 7th, the first group of students and teachers attended the Healthy Choices program at Evergreen’s Brickworks. We had an introduction to the program and to our facilitator, Aimee, and were introduced to the concept of Food Literacy and Healthy Active Living. Aimee taught us about food safety and oriented us to the kitchen. Afterwards, with some students practicing knife skills, and others doing measuring and mixing, we prepared healthy granola bars. The bars cooked as we took a tour of the historic Brickworks site, seeing where the bricks were made and the current Brickworks facility, including the outdoor ice rink. After our tour outside, we went back in to enjoy warm and gooey granola bars – delicious! The second group of students will go for their orientation next week. Everyone had fun, and we all look forward to continuing this amazing cross curricular project this term, and all of the students gave the afternoon a resounding “thumbs up” on the shuttle bus afterwards.

YMCA Academy students preparing healthy granola bars.
YMCA Academy students at Evergreen's Brickworks
YMCA Academy students touring the historic Brickworks site.
YMCA Academy group participating in the Healthy Choices program.

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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

Nov. 5th, 2010 – Wilderness First Aid Pictures

YMCA Academy Beyond the Classroom, Community

Dave Mott facilitated a Wilderness First Aid Workshop for the Academy’s Health Care students. Students became part of a Central Tibetan Recue mission and discovered and treated bruises and breaks on our lost hiker (thanks Alexi!).

Dave Mott speaking with YMCA Academy students about Wilderness First Aid
Practice Scenario of a rescue mission for an injured hiker
Academy students learning how to identify bruises and bone fractures

Oct. 7th, 2010 – Pics of tree planting at Evergreen

YMCA Academy Community, Environmental Stewardship, Experiential Learning

Here are the pictures from our Environment Stewardship day at Evergreen’s Downsview Park, we planted dozens of baby trees and moved mountains of mulch!

YMCA Academy students tree planting at Downsview Park
Moving the mountain of Mulch!
Moving more mulch
Academy staff and students working hard!
Students at Evergreen's Downsview Park
Group photo for Environment Stewardship 🙂

For more information on Downsview park: http://www.downsviewpark.ca/