Great things happening for girls

We just heard aboutt this and wanted to pass it on.

Sister 2 Sister: International Women's Day celebrated with the women of tomorrow

Education, diversity, and celebration were in the air at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) on International Women’s Day. The TDSB, in partnership with OISE and several community-based service providers, organized a one-of-a-kind event for grade 8 girls from Regent Park neighborhoods. Sister 2 Sister 2011 focused on self-empowerment and community building amongst a group of highly diverse young women. The event provided an opportunity for the future women of Toronto to share ideas and to support each other on the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day.
Joelle Therriault, Sister 2 Sister co-chair, highlights the importance of bringing the young women together."Their connection to the world around them, the things they do can automatically affect other young women, other communities, and other parts of the world."
The event included two prominent keynote speakers. Zanana Akande is the first black woman in Canada elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and to serve as a cabinet minister. Jessica Yee is a community activist and YWCA Young Woman of Distinction.  In addition, there were workshops and a lunchtime women-in-the-workforce mentoring session. 

Students shared their aspirations and views on some of the challenges facing young women today. One young woman--a grade 9 student who attended the event last year and was a volunteer this year--shared her views on the impact of Sister 2 Sister with a poem:
 I am…
 I am greatness beyond measure;
 I am exactly who I want to be.
 And if I say I wanna be better…
 It’s because I think I need to improve.
 I will not allow myself to be defined by others.
 Only I am allowed to decide who I essentially am.
 I will not be influenced, forced into or negotiated into being something I am not.
 I am greatness beyond measure.
 Why?
 Because I already know it.

Great things happening for girls!

Year End Celebration - SUCCESS!!!!!

Tuesday's YWM Year End Celebration was a great day, filled with team building and leadership activities.  A few students have already send comments about how they loved the day - - see below.

Thank you to the YWM committee for the events, it was fabulous and our girls long to come back again next year. The activities were amazing, more important educational, because after each activity, girls were reminded on the lesson they can take from the activity. I found that amazing. I look forward to continue helping our young women make their way in life. 

Again thank you for all the hard work and preparation you have put into this. -  Smithfield MS

The YWM group at Nelson A. Boylen would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU! The YWM committee did a FABULOUS JOB! The entire event was well-organized, fun, and active! The girls had an amazing time!!!! Thanks for allowing me to bring extra students...we truly appreciate your kindness! Thank for providing our young ladies with an opportunity to experience new activities which they may not otherwise have access to!

Summit Heights P.S

Great News from Summit Heights PS....

Born this Way

This week is childrens mental health week.  Every day this week as a school community we are focusing on different strategies.  Tomorrow is self esteem! And our Young Women on the Move Group and their Mentor, staff member Christine Kajola, are leading the day. They came up with a great idea.  They are busy painting a "Photo booth" where all students will have their picture taken holding a sign "Born this way"  On the sign each student will write something they like about themselves.  The pictures will be placed all around their photo booth.  They are all so asking for a loose change donation to be donated to Childrens Help Phone.  Needless to say the hallways are buzzing with the tune "Born This Way" by Lady Gaga.  Here at Summit, we are celebrating and accepting our differences because "we are all born SUPERSTARS"!