All School News - SEPTEMBER 14, 2023

MESSAGE FROM STRUAN ROBERTSON, HEAD OF SCHOOL

Dear York School Community,

  • Had two great opening assemblies at the JS and MS/SS campuses this week showcasing our great school spirit and community.

  • If you missed our Virtual Guest Speaker - Dr. Marisa G. Franco - check out YorkNet for the zoom recording.

  • Launched our new Spirit Houses and logos to much excitement - see the details below.

  • Looking forward to our first all school event with the Terry Fox Run tomorrow.

  • Wishing everyone who is celebrating Rosh Hashanah tomorrow a “Shana Tova”.

    Struan Robertson
    Head of School

UPDATE FROM FINANCE

3rd Tuition Installment - Due Friday September 29, 2023
JK - Grade 12: $15,000
These payments only apply to those not on the monthly installment plan.

STUDENT LIFE & BELONGING

New SPIRIT HouseS REVEALED

Introducing….drum roll please…The York School’s 4 New Spirit Houses!

The elements of our world - AIR, WATER, FIRE and EARTH, are now the cornerstones of our school’s house system. 

  • Earth represents the strong foundation of our community. It keeps us grounded and encourages our growth.

  •  Air is the connection between our physical and mental states. Air is what brings mindfulness and balance to our community. 

  • Fire is the passion within our community and the spark of curiosity that inspires us to embrace new opportunities and challenge ourselves to take risks. 

  • Water represents what connects all members of our community. Water is the undercurrent that binds us together and sustains our relationships. 

These 4 new house names were the result of consultation with students in JK-Grade 12 and were by far the most popular for our rebrand.
Thank you to our Spirit Directors and House Heads/Captains for revealing our new names and logos at the Junior, Middle and Senior School opening assemblies.

YORK’S 30th ANNUAL TERRY FOX WALK/RUN 2023

  • Junior School

    When: Friday, September 15th

    Run Times:
    JK & SK 8:45am - 9:30am
    Grade 3, 4 & 5 - 9:30am - 10:15am
    Grade 1 & 2 10:15am - 11:00am

    Who: Students and Staff will participate in their classes.

    What to wear: Students are invited to wear athletic clothing, their gym uniforms, or Terry Fox t-shirts past and present. Students will also need to be wearing running shoes and have their water bottles.

    Parents are welcome to join us. Please meet your children inside the gate of the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery as classes exit the school for their scheduled run times.

    To donate to our school’s team page: York School Terry Fox Fundraising Page.

  • Middle and Senior School

    When: Friday, September 15th

    Time: 2:00pm - 3:25pm

    Who: Students and Staff in homeroom groups

    Where: David A. Balfour Park/Reservoir

    • Students and staff are encouraged to wear their House coloured spirit wear and accessories and/or Terry Fox shirts (if you purchased one).

    • Students should bring a full water bottle to the event. Grade 9s will return to The York School for dismissal.

    • Grades 10-12 can be dismissed directly from the Park/Reservoir and should bring their belongings with them to the colour walk/run.

    Families and pets are welcome to join us for the walk/run! If younger siblings attend the walk/run please ensure you travel as a family group.

    To donate to our school’s team page: York School Terry Fox Fundraising Page.

ATHLETICS

What an awesome first week. Our program is fully up and running. From Grade 1 & 2 Multi-Sport to our Varsity Teams we are ready to enjoy and dominate the fields, courts, and trails. This past weekend, 100 athletes worked with NBA Skills Coach David Nurse and we are excited to host the volleyball combine in a couple of weekend.

This year, I am making a point, along with our coaches, to have a pre-season talk about team culture. Daily celebrations are very important in TYS athletic culture and we have a system in place where athletes can be recognized with bracelets from teammates and coaches. There are 3 pillars that can be recognized:

  1. Joy: athletes that participate with infectious enthusiasm

  2. Leadership: athletes who take initiative in fueling those around them to achieve the best version of themselves

  3.  Inspiration: athletes who continuously display a selflessness and show consistent respect for the athletic experience

CISAA (our athletic association) will also recognize athletes from the U10 to U13 level.

Our recreational athletic program will begin on the week of September 18th, 2023. The focus is on athletic development and well-being. This drop in schedule includes Yoga and even our Parent Bootcamp on Fridays (what a way to end the week). Check out the schedule: SandC2023

Lastly, gaining understanding of the benefits of sport/physical activities always raises our appreciation of the athletic experiences we participate in. 

Check out this awesome video: Benefits of Sport

Mr. D
Director of Athletics

The York Shop

  • The York School is excited to share with our community that we are opening up a York Shop at our 1320 Yonge Street campus where students across all three divisions (Junior, Middle and Senior School) will be able to purchase black gym t-shirts for our Junior School students, gym uniforms for all Middle and Senior School Students as well as spirit wear items.

    *All purchases will be charged to Student Accounts

  • Where: 1320 Campus in the Learning Commons

    Hours: 11:30am - 12:40pm

    Start date: September 11, 2023

    *The York Shop is not selling the official school uniform which you must purchase through our uniform provider Top Marks (topmarks.ca)

  • Please note: Students in Grades 6-12 are able to purchase items independently on their student account. Students in our Junior School Grades JK-Grade 5 require parents to purchase on their behalf.

    If you have any questions please reach out to Astrid Fischer (afischer@yorkschool.com)

ORANGE SHIRT day to honour truth & reconciliation

The York School will be honouring National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on Friday, September 29th.  We encourage families to order their own shirts independently through The Orange Shirt Society, a non-profit organization where Orange Shirt Day began in 2013.

Click here for Official Orange Shirt Society Merchandise Page (Scroll down to bottom of the webpage for list of approved t-shirt providers.)

In the spirit of reconciliation and to stand in solidarity with survivors and all those impacted by residential schools, we will wear orange to honour this day of significance and also engage in divisional assemblies, classroom activities, lessons, and discussions that amplify Indigenous perspectives while educating and promoting awareness about the intergenerational harm that residential schools have caused to Indigenous families and communities.