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. 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. 16th, 2011 – Esther Osche visits Academy

YMCA Academy Community, English and Humanities, Experiential Learning
Esther Osche, master storyteller from the Ojibwe First Nation
YMCA Academy students in a group photo with Esther Osche

Students and staff were treated to a special event to herald in the new season.  Esther Osche, master storyteller from the Ojibwe First Nation, visited the Academy and shared stories that were told to her by her grandparents such as Bear and Crow, How the Seasons Came to Be and the Creator’s Gift.  She also shared her knowledge about the tradition of oral storytelling and the talking stick.  We’d like to acknowledge the Mariposa in the Schools program for making this event possible.

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

Jun. 29th, 2011 – Craig Verner’s stencil workshop

YMCA Academy Arts, Community, Experiential Learning

In addition to flowers, plants and wind chimes, the toddlers down at the Metro Central childcare can now enjoy some art in their outdoor space.  The Academy’s grade 11 media arts class just completed an exciting unit on multi-layered stencils led by artist and creative facilitator Craig Verner.  Students came up with ideas for stencils of sports equipment, toy robots and greenery that would spruce up the space in an artistic way.  The stencils were an interesting addition to a beautiful hand-painted mural by Zack.  Thanks to Kathryn at the daycare centre, Craig for a great workshop and the media arts students for their talent and collaboration!

Visit Craig Verner’s Website

Jun. 7th, 2011 – Healthy Choices celebration pics

YMCA Academy Community, Experiential Learning, Healthy Living

Academy & Evergreen Healthy Choices program celebration

On June 6th , the Academy staff and students gathered with Evergreen’s Healthy Choices team to celebrate the Healthy Choices program end. The grade 10 Physical Education class researched and planned the menu, organized logistics and (with the help of the Managing Personal and Family Resources class) generated a grocery list to feed 45 people.

Jamie, John, Jaiden, Jacob, Joseph, Chad, Grant and Theo facilitated the menu with ALL students and staff contributing to the meal preparation.  The celebration meal was a huge success. The menu was delicious and the preparation flawless.

Thank you to all who made this possible!

Special thanks to Aimee and Brian at Evergreen. You were amazing program leads.

Thanks to the program funders:

This program introduced students to a variety of healthy active choices. A few highlights include:

  • Food prep skills – Everyone at the Academy has knife safety mastered
  • More healthy nutrition options with mastery of “from scratch recipes” – KD no more! We are all able to make Ooey Gooey Mac and Cheese!
  • Food labels – Now we will read them!
  • Local foods – Now we will support them!
  • We are inspired to cook more often
  • We are more familiar with the Toronto trail system – we biked and hiked and walked (sometimes in the rain!)
  • We were outdoors! In rain and shine we built shelters, fires and maps

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