LET’S REIMAGINE PLAY

Dear York School Community,

The current Junior School playground has enjoyed over 840,000 hours of 4 season rugged play; 480 tiny, and not so tiny feet, tread the space each day. For a few years now we have talked about wanting a new playground for the children, and then needing a new playground for the children. This is the official announcement: We are building a new playground at the Junior School!

Parents and educators will see a state-of-the-art, innovative, versatile, multi-functional outdoor learning arena, that uses space creatively and maximizes our potential for activity in all kinds of weather. Children may miss much of that because they should find a place where they can play, imagine, excel, have fun and be themselves.

There is much work to do. We have been consulting with teachers and parents and kids (the student ideas included a ferris wheel that becomes a water slide - a great idea but not likely to end up in the final plans!). We have sent out an RFP to some amazing design companies. The opportunity is exciting, even when we take into account the realities of space, drop off, and build time.

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Bringing an ambitious concept for our children to reality will require the support of our entire community. Our goal is to raise $ 1.5 million - and make a playground that works better for all, is durable and sustainable, that meets our needs today and well into the future, and is fun.

To open as our students arrive next September we need to have ‘shovels in the ground’ by end of June 2019. We can do this, we’ve done it before! With your support, we will build a unique outdoor learning space that improves every child’s day.

Via The York School Fund, you will have the opportunity to designate your annual gift towards the Junior School Playground. We look forward to building something great together.

In the words of Mr. Rogers, “When children play, the world wins.”

Conor - Head of School

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AN EVENING OF FASHION, DANCE AND VIDEOGRAPHY

SAVE THE DATE - OCTOBER 15

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FUSION, the arts collection of fashion, dance, and videography, happens next Monday, October 15th at 7pm in the Gym! The show features student performers from Grades 9-12. All proceeds from ticket sales are being donated to Dramaway, an organization that uses the arts to reach individuals with special needs. (www.dramaway.com).

The electronic box office is open. Buy tickets here!

Come support the arts at the York School! See your children or your children's friends perform!
We hope you'll join us!!
Caroline Graham & the Cast of Fusion

FOSTERING DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP AND WELLNESS

SAVE THE DATE - OCTOBER 16 at 7:00 PM

As part of our Digital Wellness Week, parents of students K-12 are invited to join Justin Medved, Director of Learning Innovation and Technology and Elissa Kline-Beber, Director of Wellness to an evening session on fostering digital citizenship and wellness. They will discuss how The York School is taking a whole school approach to developing healthy digital habits and skills in our students, as they navigate an increasingly interconnected world. The session will address issues such as limiting digital distraction, managing gaming, promoting healthy sleep habits, and - as parents - setting an example for our children. As well, student leaders will be in attendance to share the adolescent voice on some of these timely issues as well as how they are helping to steward the conversation at school as part of the student-led Digital Citizenship initiative.

RSVP

ORDER HERE

PARENTS BRING YOUR ‘A’ GAME

SAVE THE DATE - OCTOBER 23

Performance Parenting - Shifting perspective through disruption

October 23rd - 6:00 - 7:30PM at York School Cafeteria

For the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, P&G released it’s famous “Thanks Mom” commercial. It was a powerful campaign that closed with the message: “Thank you for teaching us that falling only makes us stronger.” What else it showed, was that behind every determined athlete there is a positive support team spurring them on with grit and love. Is your child that athlete? As a parent, what is your role?

Join us on October 23 for a powerful evening of discussion led by three master coaches and thought leaders as they tackle performance parenting in 2018. This will involve 3X20minute presentations followed by a panel discussion + Q&A.

Talk 1 - Discover your role in defining your child’s experience in school.

‘There is no try, only do’ - Yoda.

There has been a great deal of research, and much more written on how one’s attitude affects how we look at successes and failures through the arc of a students’ academic progress. We realize that it is important to explore the mechanisms through which this attitude is formed. By understanding the mechanism, it’s possible to create an experience characterized by emotional fulfillment. One’s approach to life affects how one looks at their own ‘narrative’.

The talk will be lead by Johnny Cassels, founder of Cassels Tutoring - a UCC old boy and McGill graduate - who focusses both on helping students understand challenging curriculum material and also how they can be accountable to themselves. A parent plays a large role in developing a positive can-do attitude.

Talk 2 - You are not what you do

How to use Mindfulness to detach from identity and find value within yourself and those around

you. The answer to everything is love - when we are constantly seeking love from others, this can leave one feeling empty. When we give the same love to ourselves, this is fulfilment. Learn how to detach from your identity and the reliance of external validation.

Vince Luciani is the founder of The Legacy Coaching: Mindful Mental Training - he is a former CFL and NCAA Football coach who now guides people to discover who they are beyond what they do.

Talk 3 - Do you want your child to be a champion? Does your child want to be a champion?

Well, that process starts with you... Children don’t listen, they watch. They observe everything you do. Discover the possibility that exists when you as a parent put into action and lead with the mindset, behaviour and character you expect from your child.

Martin Reader is a 2012 Olympian, award winning fitness trainer and speaker specializing in human performance. Martin is the creator of OFFBALL Athlete which mentors and educates athletes around the world on body, mind and life.

Interested on how best you can help channel the best in your child? RSVP below and bring a guest who would be interested!

RSVP

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

SAVE THE DATE OCTOBER 24

EXPERT HEALTH SPEAKER - GREG WELLS

SAVE THE DATE - NOVEMBER 27 at 7:00 PM in the Gym

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Sleep better and you’ll eat better. Eat better and you’ll move more. And if you move more, you’ll sleep better and ultimately think and feel better. This is the ripple effect of good health and high performance.

Join us for an evening with author Greg Wells who will explain how with an improvement of just 1% in your sleeping, eating, exercising, or thinking habits, you’ll see dramatic improvements in energy and health.

Greg will explain how:

Sleep controls the hormones that regulate hunger and appetite
An hour of exercise can turn a B grade into an A
Muscular meditation helps reduce stress and decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Join Us November 27 for an evening that could alter your life (plus, you’ll also learn that watermelon decreases muscle soreness after a workout).

THE BATTLE FOR FARNHAM

SAVE THE DATE - OCTOBER 12

For the glory of Farnham!

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THE YORK SCHOOL ON DISPLAY

As many of you have noted, images of The York School and our students have been spotted in magazines and billboards throughout the city of late. You’ll recall from when you applied with your children, that October and November are busy months for the Admissions department. We have been booking tours, attending fairs, and gearing up for Open House season!

So if you see one of our billboards (the one at Billy Bishop is notably impressive!), or spot an article in the local paper, give us a shout out on social media using #yorklearns and help spread the word! Let your friends and colleagues know that our community is “Progressive, Contemporary, International, Urban and Unique….but most of all, friendly!