SENIOR SCHOOL - August 29, 2024
Principal’s WELCOME Letter
Please see Kathryn Barnes’ welcome letter, click the link below.
STUDENT LIFE AND BELONGING
Senior School at Camp Timberlane - SeptEMBER 3 TO 6
Each September, our whole Senior School division participates in a Fall Camp Retreat at Camp Timberlane with ALIVE Outdoors. Our time together up north at the start of the school year helps to deepen each student’s connection to The York School community and the natural world while building confidence in their personal strengths.
During our time at camp together, we take part in theme meals chosen by the student leadership team. The themes this year include House Colours lunch to coincide with our York House Games as well as Neon and Wild West dinner themes!
Suggestion of spirit clothing/items to pack:
House Accessories
Example: hats, gloves, face paint, stickers
By now, you should have been assigned to a house (FIRE, WATER, AIR, or EARTH) so get ready to dress your color!
2. NEON Themed Clothing (any of the following)
Bright coloured shirts, shorts
Sunglasses
Hats
Accessories - bright-coloured necklaces, wrist bands, sweat bands, headbands
Glow Bracelets
Mesh Gloves
3. Wild West
Plaid Shirts
Vests
Denim
Hats
Boots
Bandanas
Students and staff are encouraged to have fun with their spirit wear. We look forward to seeing all your creativity displayed at camp! Questions? Please contact Erin Porter, Director, Student Life & Belonging at eporter@yorkschool.com.
INTERNATIONAL EXCURSION OFFERINGS - INTEREST FORM DUE FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 6
In our upcoming 2024 - 2025 school year, The York School is tentatively planning to offer the following International Excursions to eligible students in our Senior School:
A. Grade 9-12 Drama Excursion to New York City in February 2025
Click here to learn more about this offering
For more information please speak to Ms Barber at sbarber@yorkschool.com.
B. Grade 9-12 Music Excursion to Puerto Rico in February 2025
Click here to learn more about this offering
For more information please speak to Mr MacFarlane at cmacfarlane@yorkschool.com.
C. Grade 10-12 Global Learning Excursion to Bhutan in March 2025
Click here to learn more about this offering
For more information please speak to Ms Lossing at alossing@yorkschool.com.
Please review the one page overview of each trip offering (linked above) and discuss these excursions as a family. Then, if you have not already done so, we ask that parents complete this International Excursion Interest form by Friday September 6, 2024 to express your child’s interest.
NOTE: If you already completed the International Excursion Interest form in June and expressed interest in an international trip, it will be noted.
More information will then be shared with interested students and their families in September 2024 along with Venturing Out Forms and non refundable deposits due back in late September to express commitment.
HONOUR NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH & RECONCILIATION ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 BY PURCHASING AN ORANGE SHIRT
As part of our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation at The York School, we will be participating in the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation/Orange Shirt Day on Monday, September 30 by wearing orange to commemorate the residential school experience, witnessing and honouring the healing journey of the Survivors and their families. EVERY CHILD MATTERS.
Wearing orange relates to the experience of Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwepemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation. On her first day of residential school, she arrived dressed in a new orange shirt that was taken from her. It is now a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.
If you would like to support the Orange Shirt Society, which provides resources to Residential School Survivors, please purchase your child’s official orange shirt from the list of approved vendors below:
McCabe Promotional (Premiere Retailer)
Aritzia
Canadian Tire
London Drugs – Available in stores, while supplies last
Mark’s – Unisex adult
Mark’s – Unisex youth
Turtle Lodge Trading Post
South Island Crafts
Beaded Orange Shirt Lapel Pins can be purchased from Tribal Roots Imports.
As a school, we will 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.
YORK’S 31st ANNUAL TERRY FOX WALK/RUN 2024 - SAVE THE DATE & FINAL DEADLINE FOR T-SHIRT ORDERS
On Friday, September 27 students and faculty will participate in our annual Terry Fox Walk/Run as we continue to support Terry's dream and raise money for cancer research.
Junior School Terry Fox Walk/Run, students, and teachers will participate in their classes by walking through the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery and onto the Kay Gardner Beltline (JK & SK 8:45am - 9:30am; Grade 3, 4 & 5 9:30am - 10:15am; Grade 1 & 2 10:15am - 11:00am) Families are welcome to join us for this community building event.
Middle & Senior School Terry Fox Walk/Run, we begin and end in David A. Balfour Park/Reservoir and walk down into the ravine from 2:00pm - 3:25pm. Specific route details and timing will be shared closer to the date.
THE FINAL DEADLINE TO ORDER your t-shirts is 10:00am on Tuesday, September 10. The Early Bird Order for families who purchased their shirts online in June or over the summer has been placed.
Junior School Families (entering JK-Grade 5 in September 2024): Please use this form if you are interested in ordering a Terry Fox T Shirt for your child.
*NOTE: At the Junior School, please fill out only one order form under your eldest child’s name. If you need to order shirts for any younger siblings or for yourselves, your whole purchase will be delivered to your eldest child in their homeroom.
Middle + Senior Families (entering Grades 6-12 in September 2024): Please use this form.
75% of every t-shirt sold goes directly back into supporting cancer research.
Youth sizes are $20.00 and adult sizes are $25.00.
The cost of these items will be charged to your account. No cash will be accepted.
Shirts will be distributed to student homerooms in time for the run.
Together, we can all make a difference! Thank you for your support! Let’s keep Terry’s Legacy alive!
If you have any questions, please contact:
Middle/Senior School: Kevin Villasenor Middle/Senior School Administrative Assistant, Trips at kvillasenor@yorkschool.com.
Junior School: Zachary Vito Junior School Administrative Assistant, Front Desk at zvito@yorkschool.com.
