You + York / Spring 2016

YOU+ YORK

THE EVOLUTION OF MUSIC: FROM ANALOG TO DIGITAL

STUDENTS HELPING STUDENTS: MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS

NEW MUSIC SOFTWARE:

DONOR IMPACT SPRING / 2016

INTRODUCING SMARTMUSIC

ATHLETIC GUEST SPEAKER: ALLISON MCNEILL

COURAGE IS FOUND:

AHI’S LIVE PERFORMANCE

www.yorkschool.com

Charitable Registration # 10822 6242 RR0001

THANK YOU FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL Dear York School Community, Thanks to your leadership and generosity, donations from the Annual Fund continue to enrich the experience for students, faculty, staff and our parent community.

When a student video production was put on hold due to technical difficulties, it was you, through the Annual Fund, who provided the new drone and video camera to save the day.

Whether donations support topical guest speakers and performers, new teaching practices or resources for a classroom activity, the end result is the same: the Annual Fund allows us to be dynamic and meet the changing needs of our students as they happen.

When our Athletic department discovered that a world-renowned basketball coach was at Queen’s University for a speaking engagement, the Annual Fund allowed us to bring her to speak with our York School community. When our music department wanted to trial a tool that allowed students to practice with a digitized accompanying band, the Annual Fund provided the seed funding for that software license. With overwhelming success, this tool is now going on to become part of our music programme for next year.

In essence, Annual Fund donations allow us to be nimble so we can adapt and support the needs of our students.

Thank you for your contributions. Your donations have made an immediate and relevant impact for all our students, perhaps in particular those working to earn their “York School Drone Pilot’s license.”

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Conor Jones Head of School

YOU+

YORK 1 | SPRING / 2016 YOU + YORK

THE EVOLUTION OF MUSIC:

FROM ANALOG TO DIGITAL In one of their Units of Inquiry, Grade 2 students examined various technologies, how they have developed over time and the ways they have impacted our lives.

Students learned that technology has made significant changes to the way we create and interact with music. To demonstrate this process of innovation and technology, The York School hosted a guest DJ who presented the evolution of music from analog to digital. Using a number of instruments and equipment including a drum machine, turntables, a mood synthesizer and voice processor, students were able to explore a changing medium while also using their creativity to compose their very own song.

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This activitiy came to fruition after Grade 2 teachers recognized an opportunity to expand on a current Unit of Inquiry, while also empowering our students to bring their creativity to life through music.

This opportunity was made possible thanks to your donations to the Annual Fund.

2 | SPRING / 2016 YOU + YORK

STUDENTS HELPING STUDENTS: MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS Each year, The York School recognizes Mental Health Awareness Week. Led by the Student Mental Health Awareness team, The York School hosted a series of guest speakers and engaged in various activities throughout the week that focused on the mental health of our entire York School community.

Through donations from the Annual Fund, The York School installed “crisis posters” in each of the 14 washrooms at 1320 Yonge Street – the Middle and Senior School. These posters were a student initiative and project, both designed and printed by the Grade 10 Comm Tech class. The posters were rolled out during Mental Health Awareness Week and continue to provide students with information and support such as who to contact if a student finds themself or a peer in crisis.

These “crisis posters” were an important piece of a larger student wellness initiative that was made possible through the Annual Fund.

Annual Fund requests come directly from teachers – often to support student initiatives – creating an immediate and relevant impact on the experience of current students.

Poster by Gabriella Viel, Grade 10

3 | SPRING / 2016 YOU + YORK

NEW MUSIC SOFTWARE:

INTRODUCING SMARTMUSIC

One of the benefits of the Annual Fund is that it allows us to pilot projects and intiatives before they are incorporated into the next year’s budget.

SmartMusic is an interactive music learning software that was piloted by Grade 8-10 music students during the 2015-2016 school year. This software was found to be a fantastic practice tool for students and aspiring musicians. Senior School music students were able to see their correct and incorrect rhythms and pitches onscreen, and receive immediate feedback while listening to their performance. Using this tool, students are also able to hear their part in context with SmartMusic’s professional background accompaniment, giving them a pitch and rhythmic reference when practicing at home.

The SmartMusic programme also allows our music teachers to provide students with individual instruction and customized feedback so they can improve faster.

Through ongoing support of the Annual Fund, we maintain our commitment to innovation, while responding to the needs of our students.

4 | SPRING / 2016 YOU + YORK

ATHLETICS GUEST SPEAKER:

ALLISON MCNEILL

As part of the Gladiator Athletics mission, The York School is working to promote the role of our parent community in the athletic development of our students. The York School recognized an opportunity to lead this athletic initiative for York School parents, as well as parents from other CISAA schools.

As part of this commitment, The York School welcomed former Team Canada women’s basketball head coach, Allison McNeill, to speak with our parent community and several parents from other schools. Now retired as a basketball coach, Allison is a keynote speaker and presenter and has participated in multiple TEDx conferences where she has been recognized for her ability to rethink education.

Allison led a group of parents in an engaging presentation on collaboration. Thanks to the Annual Fund for allowing us to support Allison’s visit to The York School.

Your donation makes a difference.

5 | SPRING / 2016 YOU + YORK

COURAGE IS FOUND:

AHI’S LIVE PERFORMANCE

Acclaimed Canadian indie soul musician, AHI, performed an exclusive concert at the Junior School for students, faculty, staff and parents.

AHI, whose recent EP made CBC Radio One’s top 10 Toronto records of the year, performed original music including his single “Courage is Found.” His performance and presentation focused on problem solving and learning to find courage within.

“If you want to change the world, first you need to clean your room!” - AHI Thanks to the Annual Fund, all of The York School’s Junior School students from Grades JK - 5 were impacted by AHI’s impressive performance and powerful message.

Thank you for supporting the Annual Fund!

6 | SPRING / 2016 YOU + YORK

YOU+ 05.13.2016 www.yorkschool.com/nightonthetown2016

7 | FALL / 2015 YOU + YORK