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Ajax Caribbean Week Celebrates The Joys Of Being Caribbean

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BY: KRISTINA RAMCHARRAN

The senses were in for a treat as the region was filled with the lively sounds of Soca music, the smell of the fine foods of the Caribbean and the beautiful colors of carnival costumes. The Ajax Caribbean Week in the region of Durham brought together people of the Caribbean from all around the Greater Toronto Area.

The week began with a big bang as the Durham Caribbean Festival proclaimed Ajax Caribbean week for the fourth time in a fun filled launch party held at Mysticle Lounge on Tuesday, June 20th. The event featured ticket sales for the Durham Caribbean Festival on June 24th and also showcased some vendors that would later be present at the festival. The launch was held as a small social event for people to be informed and get involved with Ajax Caribbean Week, while also providing a platform for small business owners and entrepreneurs to network with each other.

The launch party also introduced all of the activities and showcased events that happened throughout the duration of the Durham Caribbean Week. The Durham region saw a great turnout at the event, especially since people of Caribbean descent are considered a large minority in the town of Ajax.

The Ajax Caribbean Week received acknowledgment at the launch, as they were presented with an official certificate of acknowledgment by the Council Chambers. The first half of the week featured exciting Caribbean related events such as an open mic talent contest at the Rum Diaries restaurant where contestants had a chance at winning $1000. It also featured a meet and greet with Jamaica National Money Transfer which featured promotions and giveaways.

On Saturday, the highlight of the Ajax Caribbean Week took place at the Ajax Downs racetrack. Thousands of families from near and far showed up for a day of cultural family fun at the Durham Caribbean Festival. Festival goers were treated to many vendors selling local and Caribbean items, as well those promoting valuable services in the Caribbean community.

Vendors sold their most unique products, as did Dwane Wright, also known as Dr. Fresh. Dr. Fresh was at the festival showcasing and selling his product, an all-natural and eco-friendly alternative to typical air refreshers.

“So my air refreshers are all natural. It’s a greener alternative to the toxic air refreshers on the market. So, if you’re a person that doesn’t like flammable or cancerous items in your air refresher then this is the refresher for you,” said Dr. Fresh on his product.

Dr. Fresh was not the only vendor at the festival selling natural products and keeping in mind the average Caribbean individual’s affinity for natural remedies and products. Also present was Rochelle Bennett of U.P Beauty.

“We sell all natural skincare that’s handcrafted by myself and my sister. We started about seven months ago so this is kind of like the baby stages of our business. But we are all about natural healing and natural products,” said Bennett on their products.

Bennett also added that as a person who lives in Durham she sees the high importance in the festival and how it works to keep the Caribbean community together, despite this being her first time attending the festival.

“I think it’s a really good event, I think it’s really good for us as a community to come together, and just so that everyone knows and networks and can figure out who and where locally,” she added.

Apart from products bringing the community together, vendors also brought out services to help with all sorts of needs. From health and mental health support services to financial services and charitable causes, there was a person for everything.

Dione Mason, a fitness and lifestyle coach wanted to get the festival goers active by signing them up to take part in the Toronto Carnival Run.

“Our goal is to build a center that will be able to preserve African and Caribbean culture, as well as a lifestyle center,” said Mason on the purpose of the proceeds from the run.

In regards to the weather at the Durham Caribbean Festival, Mason said, “the weather is a little windy, but that’s okay, people have been blown closer to us.”

Ryan Shaw of Approved Financial Services and the Approval Store, had a vendor booth to promote their services, and to assure that their services are suitable for almost anyone.

“At The Approved Financial Services we specialize in mortgages, first mortgages, second mortgages, private mortgages, and over at the Approval Store we specialize in auto loans and auto approvals,” said Shaw on their products.

On the reception they received at the festival, he said, “so it’s been a great crowd, very multicultural. A lot of people so no complaints.”

The day did not just include vendors, but it also included a wide selection of Caribbean food vendors, where attendees could purchase jerk chicken to doubles and everything in between, as well as a main stage where the festival goers were treated to live performances by local Caribbean-based artists.

Performances included steel pan musicians, live DJs, dance performances and reggae singers such as popular Canadian reggae artist Steele. The festival also featured a kids zone, where children could take part in fun activities and games.

The Ajax Caribbean Week continued the day after the festival with Durham Caribbean Derby held again at Ajax Downs, where attendees who visited the Durham Caribbean Festival were admitted for free and could take part in watching the live horse racing action.

The final two days of the Ajax Caribbean Week showcased gourmet jerk dishes by Master Chef Kwasi Douglas, and then finally a Caribbean Family Appreciation Day. The festival ran for a full seven days from June 20th to June 27th, 2017.

After this year’s successful Ajax Caribbean Week, vendors, performers, attendees, and sponsors look forward to the hopeful future of a fifth edition next year. The town of Ajax was sure to create an exciting week while bringing together and uplifting members and businesses pertaining to the Caribbean community.

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Record entries for JCDC FiWi Short Film Competition

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Winner of the 2023 staging of the JCDC FiWi Short Film Competition ,Joel Miller, (third from left), shares a moment with representatives of the Jamaica Cultural |Development Commission (JCDC), organizers of the event. From left are Shaun Drysdale – Drama and Theatre Arts Development Specialist, Andrew Brodber – Director, Arts Development and Training and Executive Director, Lenford Salmon.

BY RUSHANE FERRON

The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) has received an unprecedented number of submissions for this year’s FiWi Short Film Competition. Launched earlier this year, the competition drew an impressive 47 entries. Currently, 17 shortlisted films are available for public viewing on the JCDC’s YouTube channel, with winners set to be announced on October 24th.

Executive Director of the JCDC, Mr. Lenford Salmon, expressed pride in the competition’s growing success, stating, “This record number of entries reflects how Jamaicans are embracing the programmes offered by the JCDC. While the Commission is well known for preserving and showcasing our culture, we also recognize the importance of using technology to engage, particularly with our youth. The FiWi Short Film Competition is a perfect example of how we can bring our culture to life in the digital age. The fact that it’s four years old and already experiencing this level of growth is a promising sign for the future.”

Drama and Theatre Arts Development Specialist at the JCDC, Mr. Shaun Drysdale, attributes this year’s spike in entries to the increasing interest in filmmaking, fueled by the proliferation of social media platforms that support storytelling through visuals.

We are living in a digital age. Filmmaking is now in the hands of the average person on the street via his, or her cell phone. Add to that the inherent creativity of Jamaicans and you are left with a potent combination, which when given the correct environment, can reap tangible rewards. That is what we are experiencing at this time,” Mr. Drysdale said.

The JCDC FiWi Short Film Competition seeks to promote Jamaican culture through the production of films ranging from 3-5 minutes in duration. The films must be based on set criteria, and primarily centred around a Jamaican proverb.

This year’s proverbs are: “Sweet mout fly follow coffin go a hole”; “Puss nuh hab han, but him tek him foot wipe him face”; “Keep clear a ole house, les dem fall dung pon you”; “Rockstone a riber bottom nuh feel sun hot”; and “Finger tink, yuh cyan cut eh trow ‘wey”.

In addition to the proverbs, participants were also given two special themes around which to build the treatment of their films, based on concepts provided by two sponsors. These are: “SEAS IN FOCUS: Uniting for marine managed areas”- National Conservation Trust Fund of Jamaica (NCTFJ) and “Need a passport quick, Get it with just a click”- Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA).

Mr. Drysdale further noted that this year’s shortlisted films represent a variety of the possible genres with eleven dramatic works, two animation films, one comedy, one documentary and two science fiction films. Three of the participants are from the youth category, which is for filmmakers between 12-18 years old and the remaining 14 from adult category.

In addition to viewing the short films online, the public will have an opportunity to view at a special screening to be held on National Heroes’ Day, Monday, October 21st, 2024, as a feature of JCDC National Heritage Fest and Family Fun Day being held on the south lawn at Devon House in St Andrew.

The FiWi Short Film Competition was started by the JCDC in 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The competition is the brainchild of the JCDC’s Drama and Theatre Arts Unit and encourages Jamaican amateur filmmakers to examine selected Jamaican proverbs and based on their interpretation create the treatment for a short film.

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York Catholic is leading the province in educational achievement

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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 9th, 2024, details were revealed about the positive achievements and exemplary accomplishments of its students.

EQAO results were released on September 26th, 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/.

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York Catholic District School Board plans open house for future high school students

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Credits: Pch.Vector

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 10th, 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

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