BY PAUL JUNOR

The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO), which administers the Grade 3, 6 and 9 assessments across Ontario and the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT), recently released the 2024 results. For many schools across the province, EQAO results are a snapshot of how students are doing compared to their peers in other schools at the same grade level.

The York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) has maintained a high level of consistency with respect to the outstanding performance of its students on the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) and the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT). In a media release on Wednesday, October 9^th, 2024, details were revealed about the positive achievements and exemplary accomplishments of its students.

EQAO results were released on September 26^th, 2024. The focus was, “Mathematics Achievement Remains an Area of Focus but Sees Gradual Growth Over Time with Some School Boards Showing Significant Increases; Literacy Achievement Remains High but Shows Some Decline.” The data was based on the 2023-2024 school year during which over 570,000 students wrote the EQAO assessments at the elementary and secondary levels on the English and French-language school systems.

For students who wrote the Grade 3 Assessment of Reading, Writing and Mathematics:

• 71% met the provincial standard in reading compared to 73% in 2022-2023, and 73% in 2021-2022.
• 64% of Grade 3 students met the provincial standard in writing, compared to 65% in 2022-2023 and 65% in 2021-2022.
• 61% of Grade 3 students met the provincial standard in mathematics, compared to 60% in 2022-2023 and 59% in 2021-2022.

For students who wrote the Grade 6 Assessment of Reading, Writing and Mathematics:

• 82% met the provincial standard in reading, compared to 84% in 2022-2023 and 85% in 2021-2022.
• 80% met the provincial standard in writing, compared to 84% in 2022-2023, and 84% in 2021-2022.
• 50% met the provincial standard in mathematics, compared to 50% in 2022-2023 and 47 % in 2021-2022.

For students who wrote the Grade 9 Assessment in Mathematics:

• 54% met the provincial standard, compared to 54% in 2022-2023 and 52% in 2021-2022.

For students who wrote the Grade 10 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT):

• 85% of first-time eligible students were successful, compared to 85% in 2022-23 and 82% in 2021-2022.
• 52% of previously eligible students were successful in 2023-2024, compared to 63% in 2022-2023 and 85% in 2021-2022.

John De Faveri, Interim Director of Education of the YCDSB writes, “We are always looking for ways to provide a better school experience, but today is a time to celebrate our students and staff for their excellent academic achievement. I want to particularly highlight the incredible work that is being done in mathematics, which we see in these results. Mathematical literacy is such an important life skill and we are happy to share a love of numbers with our students.”

Results from the Grade 3, 6 and 9 EQAO Mathematics results show improvement in Mathematics compared to 2023. In addition, with respect to reading and writing results for Grade 6 there has been a consistent steady upward rise in the performance of students as 89% and 90% of students met or exceeded provincial standards when compared to the province’s average of 82% and 89%.

Elizabeth Crowe, Chair of the Board of Trustees for YCDSB states, “EQAO results are just one of the ways we see how York Catholic is leading the province in educational achievement. As a Catholic learning community, we want to see every child succeed and EQAO results help us measure our progress toward that noble goal.”

Overall, the percentage of students who participated from YCDSB in Grade 3 and 6 EQAO were 97% and 98%, respectively. For Grade 9 Math assessment there were 93% of eligible students and 97% in the OSSLT.

Any parents or guardians interested in learning about the 2024 EQAO and OSSLT results and individual school results for their children can check the EQAO’s website: https://www.eqao.com/results/.

BY PAUL JUNOR

There is: planning, preparation, and organization that parents, guardians and caregivers must make in York Region as they prepare their children for high school. For those who chose to send them to a high school at the Catholic board, there are open houses planned to make this process easier to navigate.

In a press release on Thursday, October 10^th, 2024, details were revealed about these open houses. It notes, “The open houses will highlight key aspects of each school, including administration, programs, graduation requirements, uniforms, school structure, student opportunities and more. In addition, information about the registration process, including registration dates, deadlines and documents needed to enroll, will be discussed.

The media release mentioned the seven regional programs, and ten Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM) programs. They include:

Advanced Placement

Programs with an extended and enriched curriculum allow students to earn credits or advanced standing at most universities.

English as a Second Language

(ESL) and English Literacy Development (ELD)

English as a Second Language and English Literacy Development programs assist English language learners from diverse linguistic and education backgrounds in attaining English language proficiency.

French Immersion (FI)

Students who completed the Elementary French Immersion programs, or equivalent can continue with the immersion program to earn a French immersion certificate upon graduation.

High Performer Athlete (HPA)

An academic-based program for student-athletes participating in competitive-level athletics. Students benefit from a flexible timetable to help balance their academic and athletic commitments and earn high school credits for the work they put into their training.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

A rigorous and intellectually challenging pre-university course of study that allows students to earn an IB Diploma upon graduation, recognized in Canada and abroad.

Regional Arts (RAP)/Integrated Regional Arts Program(iRAP)

Students specialize in drama, dance, visual arts, digital media arts, instrumental music, or vocal music- while obtaining their high school diploma. In the iRAP, students experience their learning through an integrated model where the curriculum is explored in relation to the interconnectedness of the individual, the community, and the world.

STREAM Program

Students explore real-world challenges and use the design thinking process to develop critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication skills, guided by the traditional Catholic social teachings. This academic program uses an interdisciplinary approach to inquiry and problem-based learning.

Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)

Students can obtain a diploma with a specialist in either: Arts and Culture; Aviation and Aerospace; Business; Health and Wellness; Hospitality and Tourism; Information and Communication Technology; Justice, Community Safety and Emergency Services, Manufacturing; or Non-Profit. Every YCDSB school offers a SHSM program.

Parents or guardians who live in York Region and are interested in any programs can check: Website: www.ycdsb.ca

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

The stage was set for a night of glitz, glamour, and celebration at Toronto’s most anticipated award ceremony, honoring the very best in Black entertainment. The city’s brightest stars, from media personalities to talented artists and impactful content creators, arrived in style, dressed to the nines, and radiating excellence. With the spotlight on them, they showcased the talent, creativity, and cultural influence that make Toronto not only a hub for entertainment, but one of the greatest cities in the world.

On Sunday, September 29^th, 2024 at  HISTORY (1663 Queen Street East)  The Black Academy honoured the best and brightest in Black Canadian talent at The Legacy Awards, a star-studded live broadcast on CBC and CBC Gem, hosted by Adrian Holmes.  The Legacy Awards aired live on CBC and streams CBC Gem on Sunday, September 29^th, 2024, at 8 p.m. ET (9 p.m. AT/9:30 p.m. NT)

Honourees included Cameron Bailey (Visionary Award), Kardinal Offishall (Icon Award), Weyni Mengesha (Trailblazer Award) and a special Athlete Tribute for recent Olympic Gold medalists – hammer throw champion Camryn Rogers and the men’s 4×100 metre relay team, Aaron Brown, Andre De Grasse, Brendon Rodney, and Jerome Blake.

The night kicked off in style with the infamous Black Carpet, where celebrities arrived to dazzle under the spotlight. Cameras flashed as some of our favorite stars made their grand entrance, including Executive Producers Shamier Anderson and Stephan James, alongside charismatic host Adrian Holmes. Visionary Award recipient Cameron Bailey, Trailblazer Award honoree Weyni Mengesha, and the legendary Kardinal Offishall, who was celebrated with the Icon Award, all graced the carpet. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement as these luminaries and many more lit up the night, setting the stage for an unforgettable evening!

The Fan Choice Nominees included: Access By Tay (Toronto); Citron Rose (Montréal); OT The OG (Toronto); Queeny Kuffour (Toronto); Ryan Holtz (Edmonton); and Toni Olaoye (Toronto).

The Legacy Awards Fan Choice Digital Content Creator Award was presented to OT The OG, a fitness enthusiast, fitness coach, and owner of the Female-Only fitness facility, Club Enhergy. This award allowed fans to choose their favourite Black-identifying Canadian digital content creators.

OT The OG attained her undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto for Sociology & Psychology, and her post-graduate degree in Human Resources at George Brown College. After experiencing both parents suffer from severe illnesses, she was compelled to take control of her own health at a very young age. In 2018, she left the corporate world to pursue this passion and in 2020 she created a fitness brand for women called “Enhergy,” an e-commerce business which sold fitness bands, apparel, and more. She now runs “Club Enhergy,” a one-of-a-kind fitness facility, which opened in August 2021.

PartyNextDoor was awarded 2024 Artist of the Year, for his pivotal role in reshaping the modern R&B and hip-hop sound and bringing Caribbean and dancehall influences to contemporary urban music. His personalized lyrics and chart-topping collaborations with some of the biggest artists on the planet; and for his international influence, PartyNextDoor deserves to be recognized for his achievements.

It was an unforgettable evening that celebrated both the achievements and the vibrant spirit of the Black community in Toronto, and once again the Legacy Awards did not disappoint.

Award shows like the Legacy Awards play a crucial role in promoting representation, especially for young people who need to see reflections of themselves in spaces of achievement and recognition. These events highlight the successes of individuals who have pursued their dreams and worked toward their purpose, demonstrating that with determination, passion, and perseverance, greatness is within reach. By showcasing diverse talent and celebrating the contributions of underrepresented communities, such shows inspire the next generation to believe in their potential and strive for excellence.