A Week in the Junior School…

Terry Fox Run

Despite the downpour the girls were able to get out for the Terry Fox Run on the afternoon of Friday, September 24. The girls raised $1,500 for this worthwhile cause.

Grade 5’s created crests inspired by Terry’s life:

Gr. 5 Terry Fox Crests


Grade 3’s are Rockin’ into the New School Year

Teacher Nicole Sobieski created this wonderful poster to welcome her Grade 3’s:

Grade 3 Potato Harvest
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Grade 3 Potato Harvest
From Lela Ling, Grade 3 Teacher

In the spring of 2010, Grades 2H and 2Y planted potatoes in the Jr. schoolyard garden. It was very exciting for the girls to watch their plants sprout and grow. A few times before the end of the year, the girls ‘hilled’ their potatoes knowing this would help to produce the yield of potatoes. However, the thought of not being able to harvest their crop until they were in Grade 3 seem like a very long wait. However, September arrived and now as new Grade 3 girls they were anxious to see what was waiting under the earth.

As the first potatoes were unearthed and their patience was rewarded, it became not simply a harvest, but a dig for hidden treasure. The girls decided that each would take home only one potato and donate the rest to the school cafeteria. Cecil, our chool chef, was happy to accept the potatoes and to serve them in a dish for the school to enjoy.

The Grade 3 girls learned a little about the joys of gardening and a lot about our school motto, ‘Not for Ourselves Alone’.

International Peace Day: A Path Toward Peace

International Peace Day
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On September 21, International Peace Day is celebrated all over the world – even at York House! When senior students entered the school that morning, they were stamped with peace signs and were able to read messages of peace throughout the school. Students also created ‘peace chalk art’ outside at lunch and watched Peacing it Together – a film that showcases the power of Palestinians, Israelis and Canadians working together in their quest for peace.

In their lessons for that day, some of the junior students discussed their personal commitment to peace and added their footprint to the peace pathway that leads to the “peace wall” in the front foyer of the school.

The students discussed how they could work at peace on a daily basis, such as creating an atmosphere in their classroom and school community were they can get along and work harmoniously:

“I will invite others to play.”
“I will say please and thank you.”
“I will encourage my friends.”
“I will listen when others speak to me.”
“I will ask others if they need my help.”
“I will do my chores.”
“I will share and take turns.”
“I will use a kind, friendly voice when I speak to others.”
“I will think before speaking and acting.”
“I will talk things over when I am in a conflict.”

“It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it.” –  Eleanor Roosevelt

Read more about International Peace Day at www.internationaldayofpeace.org