YEAR IN REVIEW 2022-2023
CONTENTS Front Cover: Arshia Mousseau ’33 and Lilah Sherrington ’33 in the Junior School library. 2 YEAR IN REVIEW / 2022-23 Inside cover: Delfina Henson ‘25, Eli Faith ‘25 and Georgia Baldwin ‘25 conduct an experiment.
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FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL & CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS IB IN PRACTICE: TURNING LEARNING INTO ACTION EXPERIENCE TEACHES
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT HIGHLIGHTS AT YORK BEYOND YORK: A SPOTLIGHT ON UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING YORK COMMUNITY GIVES BACK
DONOR SPOTLIGHT
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY HIGHLIGHTS
DONOR RECOGNITION
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- Struan Robertson
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FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL & CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
We are grateful to each of you for your partnership and support. We hope you will turn the pages of this publication often, and that the memories they invoke will fill you with pride and joy knowing that you are an integral part of The York School story.
01 Dear York Community, Reflection is central to the International Baccalaureate (IB) philosophy and a core value we are committed to practicing at York. Having the ability to reflect on our achievements not only encourages us to deepen our learning, but also empowers us to build on our experiences going forward. As we look back on the 2022-23 school year, we are amazed by the energy and creativity that was on display as our students and teachers embraced opportunities to grow and explore together. The highlights featured in our Year in Review provide a powerful snapshot of the many moments that made this past academic year such a memorable one. It was also a time of new beginnings. We worked collaboratively – as teachers, students, alumni, board members and parents – to complete the CAIS and IB accreditation process and wrap up the Interim Strategic Plan that helped guide us through the tumultuous period of a global pandemic. We also developed a new Strategic Plan, informed by feedback from our community and the CAIS and IB accreditors, which outlines an exciting vision for the future that supports continued growth as a school and community. We look forward to sharing it with you in the year to come. Of course, none of this would be possible without the committed and enthusiastic people who make up our community. We are grateful to each of you for your partnership and support. We hope you will turn the pages of this publication often, and that the memories they invoke will fill you with pride and joy knowing that you are an integral part of The York School story. Sincerely,
Head of School
Chair, Board of Directors Sidney Baum ‘36 and her father Daniel are cheered on as they cross the finish line in the Terry Fox Run
4 YEAR IN REVIEW / 2022-23
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IB IN PRACTICE: TURNING LEARNING INTO ACTION
The York School is proud to be the first independent school in Canada to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) program from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12. As an IB World School, we offer the Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma Programs. At every level, our IB programs nurture age and stage appropriate personal development and academic achievement. Every day, our teachers challenge our students to think critically, ask the right questions, demonstrate curiosity, and think across disciplines.
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Below are just a few highlights from the 2022-2023 school year that showcase how learning is brought to life in the classroom and beyond. This past year featured a particularly strong collection of work focused on human rights issues, with students demonstrating compassion, creativity, and a drive to put their research and learning into practice. Scan to read about Claire’s Personal Project, “The Science of Creativity.”
Pierce Driscoll ‘35 cleaned up a park as part of his Grade 3 Activist Action. He invited his brother Scott ‘32 and his younger brother to join him.
PRIMARY YEARS PROGRAM (PYP)
Developing a love of learning starts early at The York School. The Primary Years Program offers our youngest learners an inquiry-based, interdisciplinary curriculum. This approach encourages students to take ownership of their education and apply their studies to real-world issues. One Grade 3 unit from this past year stood out as an exceptional example of the PYP framework in action. The “Who We Are” unit focused on human rights defenders, and quickly became a student favourite. Students collaboratively worked to define what a human right is and learned about major figures like Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Learning their stories helped teach students the principles of many human rights, like free speech, education, and gender equality. To transform their learning into action, students
were challenged to pick a human right to support. With the help of parents and community members, many of the students chose to raise money for charities and foundations such as the Daily Bread Food Bank, SickKids Hospital, and Save the Children. Their efforts collectively raised over $1,000!
MIDDLE YEARS PROGRAM (MYP) To cap off the Middle
Years Program in Grade 10, students have the opportunity to bring together
all the building blocks of inquiry, action, and reflection that they have acquired to date through an in-depth and sustained investigation called the Personal Project. The Personal Project is an integral milestone of the IB curriculum that taps into an area of interest chosen by the student. This provides them with the freedom to explore a topic they are curious about for the majority of the academic year that results in an outcome or product to be shared with our community. Students undertook a diverse array of
the Extended Essay — an independent, self-directed piece of research that culminates in a 4,000-word paper.
Claire Kernaghan ‘25 presenting a Personal Project at the Exhibition that combined her passions for art and the environment.
innovative and challenging projects, from visualizing the impact of deforestation in 3D to creating natural, non-toxic inks from scratch. Scan to read about Charles’ Personal Project, “Rendering The Future.”
Bridget Sullivan ‘32 and her brother John ‘34 sold lemonade to raise money for the Daily Bread Food Bank as part of their Activist Action.
DIPLOMA PROGRAM (DP)
In 2022–2023, Ashley Kimmel seized this opportunity to explore the role that environmental factors play in the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). Ashley conducted a data-based investigation into the effect of latitude (which plays a
role in exposure to sunlight, vitamin D and vitamin D efficiency) and altitude (which influences levels of oxygen in the air) on MS cases across 56 countries. By analyzing data from a number of sources, Ashley concluded that varying ranges of latitude caused an increased prevalence of MS per 100,000 people, but varying ranges of altitude didn’t increase the prevalence of MS. Today Ashley is increasing her knowledge of wellness, illness and population-based health as a student in the Health Sciences Program at McMaster University.
The Diploma Program promises to expand the breadth of students’ knowledge and put them on a path to becoming well-rounded scholars and citizens. In Grade 11, this involves the completion of
Charles Zhou ‘25 used 3D rendering software to create a short film about the impact of deforestation for his Personal Project. This photo shows the mechanics he used to transform shapes into texturized objects like tree trunks.
Ashley Kimmel ‘23 accepts her IB Diploma at the graduation ceremony.
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EXPERIENCE TEACHES
From our earliest days as a small Montessori school located in a church basement, our guiding principle has been that students learn best by doing. While we no longer use the Latin version of our school’s motto Experentia Docet, we see the spirit of those words come to life every day both inside and outside our classrooms. In the sections below, we share just a few illustrations of how our students – from our youngest learners in Kindergarten to our oldest in Grade 12 – learn through direct experience and hands-on encounters beyond the walls of our school.
Grade 3 Our Grade 3 students picked up where their younger peers left off, exploring the complex relationship between people and their environment. Their field trips examined these relationships from a more historical perspective, which helped ground students in their own relationship to the land. At the Kortright Centre, students learned through interactive programming about the daily life of the Huron people, whose ancestral lands include what is now the Kortright Centre property. A visit to Black Creek Pioneer Village gave students a taste of what life was like for European pioneers settling in unfamiliar territory, and the customs and traditions they developed.
performance of “The Hockey Sweater” at Roy Thomson Hall, exposing them to an iconic piece of Canadian culture and generating an appreciation for live music.
Grade 3 students learning about the experiences of Indigenous peoples at Black Creek Pioneer Village.
proved to be an entertaining and educational experience that tied into class teachings on earlier feudal societies and cultures, and opened up a broader discussion on how our society today contrasts with what came before. Students also got to experience the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s
Teddy Libfeld ’34 and Zac Levy ‘34 learning about environmental sustainability and ocean conservation at Ripley’s Aquarium in Toronto.
Junior Kindergarten students learning about plants as a life sustaining resource.
JUNIOR SCHOOL Junior and Senior Kindergarten Our commitment to providing students with opportunities to explore outside the classroom applies to even our youngest learners. We take them on safe and engaging adventures to build a foundation of openness and curiosity about their world. 8 YEAR IN REVIEW / 2022-23
This past year, our Junior Kindergarten students visited the Toronto Botanical Garden to learn more about the fascinating world of plants and their importance to sustaining life on earth. Meanwhile, Senior Kindergarten students took a trip to the Ontario Science Centre, where they investigated “How the World Works” using all their senses.
Grade 1 The York School strives to produce principled and caring citizens. To that end, we make sure to instil a sense of environmental responsibility and respect for all life on earth early on in students’ education. During the 2022–2023 school year, our Grade 1 students got hands-on lessons on the basic needs of all living things at both the Ontario Science Centre and Ripley’s Aquarium. Grade 2 Like our Kindergarten and Grade 1 students, our Grade 2 students took part in experiential learning activities that fostered an appreciation for the natural world. This time, they took things one step further by visiting the High Park Nature Centre and discovering the
role we all play in protecting and preserving our natural spaces and ecosystems. Students learned about how Friends of High Park and other organizations practise environmental stewardship in the heart of the city, inspiring them to think about what they can do to make a difference in their own communities.
Combined-Grade Excursions for Grades 3 to 5 Our combined-grade excursions fostered connections between students of different ages, strengthening our school community and building social skills. Cross-country skiing at Horseshoe Resort additionally promoted physical fitness and health, as well as a connection to the outdoors for our Grade 3 to 5 students. In the spring, our Grade 4 and 5 students embarked on their annual trip to Camp New Moon in Muskoka, where they developed problem-solving and teamwork skills through positive and challenging activities in an outdoor setting.
Grade 4 students participating in the Paddle to the Sea/Orienteering program at the Norval Outdoor School.
Grade 2 students learning about environmental stewardship at the High Park Nature Centre.
Grade 4 From the orchestra to the outdoors, our Grade 4 students were treated to an eclectic mix of experiences outside the classroom. During their trip
to Norval Outdoor School, participating in activities like orienteering helped them learn how the environment impacts people and communities. Taking in a Medieval Times performance
Grade 4 students enjoying their overnight excursion to Camp New Moon.
MIDDLE AND SENIOR SCHOOL Camping Trips Each September, our Middle and Senior School students participate in overnight camping trips. In 2022, Senior School students headed to Camp Timberlane while Middle School students spent time at Camp Wanakita, both being located in the Haliburton area. These retreats helped build community, encourage creative and collaborative problem-solving, and set a positive tone for the rest of the year. Music Program Trip to Havana In February, 52 students in Grades 9 to 12 from York’s Music Program travelled to Havana, Cuba. Much more than a sightseeing tour, our students performed every day with local students and professional musicians. Developing connections with local community members allowed students to gain a deeper understanding of Cuba’s unique music, culture, history, and geography, with a particular
Grade 11 and 12 students fostered connections with people and organizations in Chettipalayam, India during the Global Pathways School Cultural Exchange (GPX) in March.
Grade 8 students Tea Kasumovich, Oliver Chia ‘27 and Jaia Sharma ‘27 having fun at Camp Wanakita.
focus on Afro-Cuban contributions to the nation’s music, dance, and visual art.
Challenge Week Each May, our Grades 6–10 students take part in Challenge Week, a unique York experience featuring trips across North America that are tied to units of inquiry from the IB curriculum. Challenge Week encourages our learners to apply their knowledge and skills outside the classroom and builds their confidence to try new things. This year, students toured our nation’s capital, tested their French language skills in Québec City, tuned into New Orleans jazz, braved British Columbia’s Juan de Fuca Trail, painted the Killarney landscape, and much more.
Global Pathways School Cultural Exchange Since 2005, The York School has fostered connections with people and organizations in Chettipalayam, India, including the Global Pathways School (GPS).
Senior School students developed stronger relationships during a trip to Camp Timberlane in September.
10 YEAR IN REVIEW / 2022-23
In March 2023, a number of Grade 11 and 12 students took part in the GPS Cultural Exchange for the first time since before the pandemic. While there, they expanded their knowledge, broadened their perspectives, and fostered the development of meaningful relationships with GPS students.
Highlights from the trip included watching — and even participating in — traditional dances, learning about the history and manufacturing process of tea, and visiting an ashram to learn about and practise traditional Indian meditation exercises.
Music students in Grades 9 to 12 perform at the Amadeo Roldan Music Conservatory in Havana during a February trip to Cuba.
Integrated Canadian Experience (ICE) For every Grade 9 student, Challenge Week is the culmination of the Integrated Canadian Experience (ICE) program, which combines Canadian history, geography, civics, and literature. Their Challenge Week trips provide
Grade 9 students embraced Challenge Week during the “Prairies to Mountains” trip to Alberta.
the perfect opportunity to undertake experiences that will shape their understanding of Canada. This past year, students travelled to Québec to learn the power of perseverance and camaraderie as they scaled the rock faces and cliffs of a Via Ferrata circuit. In Alberta, students dug deep to find the courage for caving. In New Brunswick, students took part in marine biology research, while elsewhere on the Atlantic, students were treated to Maritime hospitality. A visit to the interior of British Columbia brought students face-to-face with some of the rich traditions and painful histories of Indigenous peoples, while those who stayed close to home explored the roots of social and environmental issues playing out every day in Toronto.
Grade 8 students spent time exploring the Museum of Archaeology and History during Challenge Week in Montreal.
Grade 10 students enjoyed hiking the Juan De Fuca Trail in British Columbia.
workshops that encouraged introspection, honesty, and personal and professional growth.
Staff members Shelley Gopal and Afzal Shaikh attended the National Association of Independent Schools’ (NAIS) People of Color Conference in San Antonio, Texas.
12 YEAR IN REVIEW / 2022-23
Peer-to-peer learning sessions Building on the knowledge gained in the CTTL workshops, two of our in-house leaders led
collaborative learning sessions on other aspects of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Faculty members Shelley Gopal and Sean Rand co-hosted three
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York students aren’t the only people on our campuses who have world-class learning experiences. Our professional development program for faculty and staff keeps them abreast of leading edge, evidencebased developments in teaching, learning and education. This year, in support of our commitment to fostering an environment where every student thrives, we provided opportunities for employees to learn about the latest research in Mind, Brain and Education (MBE) Science, and best practices for creating an inclusive community.
Collaboration with The Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning (CTTL) Through an exciting collaboration with the Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning (CTTL) at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Maryland, we offered three workshops that explored the role the brain plays in memory capacity, student identity, emotion and belonging. These interactive sessions reminded us that social belonging and academic belonging are equally important on a student’s learning journey. During the workshops, we discussed ways to support learner diversity and wellbeing throughout the York community.
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AT YORK
NAIS People of Color Conference (PoCC) Conferences provided exciting learning opportunities for a number of our faculty and staff. In November, Shelley Gopal, DEI, Curriculum and Instructional Leader, and Afzal Shaikh, Director of Technology, attended the National Association of Independent Schools’ People of Color Conference (PoCC) in San Antonio, Texas. They joined more
Teaching Social Brains Conference The theme of the Teaching Social Brains conference was how to use the latest research in brain science to promote connections, collaboration, belonging and wellness. This April conference was attended by our Associate Head, Wellbeing, Elissa KlineBeber and faculty and staff members Mary Hudson, Megan Stephenson, Jennifer Robertson, Sarah Thornton, Khadijah Rhemtulla and Shana Brandes. Leaders in the field of brain science offered evidence-based strategies for bridging divides and building a sense of belonging, creating collaborative classrooms, teaching empathy and gratitude, and fostering social connections. Conference goers returned to York with new knowledge that will inform and support our ongoing commitment to student health, wellbeing and belonging.
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INVESTING IN OUR FACULTY THROUGH PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
In a session on cultural lenses, each person examined the ways their own identity shapes their interactions with students, families and colleagues before discussing strategies for becoming more conscious of others’ identities. During a workshop about how to create a culture of belonging, participants had animated conversations about creating safe and respectful learning environments, and helping students and colleagues stand up to incidents of bias in their everyday lives.
than 7,000 people of colour and allies who gathered to learn how to build and sustain inclusive school communities.
Staff who participated in the Teaching Social Brains Conference (from left to right): Associate Head, Wellbeing Elissa Kline-Beber and faculty members Jennifer Robertson, Shana Brandes, Sarah Thornton, Megan Stephenson, Mary Hudson and Khadijah Rhemtulla.
Providing leading-edge professional development opportunities is just one way that York seeks to attract and retain Toronto’s very best teachers. It likely contributed to some of the positive results that our annual Employee Opinion
Survey (EOS) generated. For instance, we learned that 81% of staff feel there is a culture of innovation at the school and 90% of staff feel that York has a warm, welcoming and happy student culture.
2% above industry benchmark
89%
of staff feel the school is welcoming and respectful of employee diversity.
of staff feel accepted, comfortable and safe at The York School.
86%
The York School ranks amongst the top 3 CIS Ontario schools in faculty compensation within the GTA.
BEYOND YORK: A SPOTLIGHT ON UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING 14 YEAR IN REVIEW / 2022-23
Together the counsellors help students manage the application process by planning well ahead of time to meet requirements and stay on top of deadlines, as well as making themselves available to students for regular check-ins and strategy meetings. Once the applications are underway, the counsellors help students fine-tune their essays and personal statements, and review all of the materials prior to submission.
Sarah Bauld, Director of University Counselling (middle), and University Counsellors Juliana Agostino (left) and Aga Maksimowska (right) help students navigate the university application process.
Every step in a student’s academic journey is a building block that prepares them for the next stage of learning, including the exciting road they travel after graduating from high school. Providing guidance and support as students navigate the application process for post-secondary education is the important work of York’s dedicated University Counselling team. Over the years, our University Counselling team has continued to grow, reflecting the school’s commitment to and investment in the right resources and people to ensure our students benefit from personalized attention and support. In the fall of 2022, York welcomed a third university counsellor to our team to help balance the workload and provide greater individualized attention to each and every student.
Leading this team as the Director of University Counselling is Sarah Bauld, a former high school English Teacher who was hired by the school’s founder, Barbara Goodwin-Zeibots, back in 1998 to teach Grade 4. “Even though I was out of my comfort zone, having never taught students that young before, I was drawn to the cozy vibe of the school and the community,” recalls Sarah, who went on to teach a variety of grades across the Junior, Middle and Senior schools before landing in the role of Extended Essay Coordinator for Grade 11 students and School Librarian. It was in that position that Sarah solidified her passion for helping students unlock their potential to achieve the goals they set for themselves. The work of the University Counselling team is supported by Vicky Diano, School Registrar and Student Support Assistant.
Today, Sarah draws on all that experience when working with her colleagues Juliana Agostino, Aga Maksimowska, and Vicky Diano to prepare students as they embark on the next stage of their journey. The counsellors get to know each student as an individual so they can understand their interests and strengths, and help them identify programs and post-secondary environments where they will thrive. The next step is to decide which schools to apply to, a list that will include schools where the
“You cannot do this job without a heightened sense of empathy, and I know that we all have that here,” Sarah explains.“I tell students to keep their mind curious and to look for touchstones. It can be a stressful time but we have their back. We get to know the students on an individual level and we encourage them to dig deep in order to draw out the stories that best illustrate their authentic self.”
All students in our Senior School are assigned to a university counsellor beginning in Grade 9.
Grade 9
Similar to our Advisory Program, the relationship between a student and their university counsellor deepens over time as they get to know each other over the entire span of high school.
Students complete the Career Studies Course as part of the Grade 10 curriculum. One of the assessments for the course is an interview with their university counsellor to demonstrate their understanding of the application process as it relates to schools in Canada, the US and the UK.
Grade 10
University Counselling hosts a one-on-one session for each student and their parents to map out their Diploma Program (Grade 11 & 12) course selection and to identify whether they need to build a portfolio or complete other requirements so they can plan accordingly. Students and parents receive information through their advisory group and The Flash about summer programs and other summer opportunities to consider.
Grade 11
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Students complete a form to gauge early thoughts and interests and determine whether they are considering schools outside of Canada (which have unique timelines and requirements). University Counselling hosts an information session for parents about the university application process in late January/early February. Students attend a one-on-one session at the end of the school year to discuss essay topics they are considering, which teachers they plan to approach for recommendation letters and how to tailor their summer activities to connect with the interests they wish to pursue. Students applying to US schools typically work on their essays over the summer.
Students begin meeting with their university counsellor on a regular basis.
The support was very personal, oneon-one, and I was able to have lots of meetings with my counsellor.
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student has a high chance of acceptance and others that are more aspirational.
-Ella Mathison ’21, King’s College London
Grade 12
Students work with their university counsellor to develop a “brag sheet” of unique and authentic attributes, accomplishments and experiences to use when approaching their subject teachers for letters of recommendation and to guide their essays and personal statements. University counsellors offer feedback on students’ application materials, including personal statements and essays, and also prepare letters of recommendation for each student that capture elements that may not otherwise be reflected in their application or recommendation letters by subject teachers. University counsellors help students track submissions and offers, and remain available as students and their parents consider options after letters of acceptance are received.
experience for students by supporting the projects below. Portable Artist Easels The Killarney Challenge Week trip brings together two seemingly contrasting activities: camping and painting. An inherent challenge of creating art in the great outdoors is how to bring your studio with you into the wilderness. A new set of easels has proven to be an invaluable tool in overcoming this problem. The new easels are light, portable, durable, and adjustable, allowing students to capture moments of inspiration on the fly.
Jack Feifer ‘25, Kaitlyn Costakos ‘25 and Hallie Waxman ’25 made great use of the portable easels during the Challenge Week trip to Killarney.
ANNUAL FUND IMPACT Donations to York’s Annual Fund support our school’s highest priorities. This past year, families had the choice of directing their donations to the specific division their children were in, needs-based bursaries for talented and deserving students, or the Head’s Initiative Fund. The Head’s Initiative Fund is among the most popular designations for Annual Fund gifts, as it
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Pottery Pugmill As an artform, pottery involves a literal and figurative connection to the earth. Unfortunately, the scraps of clay that it produces as waste usually wind up in a landfill — not
great for the earth, nor for our school budget. Our new pugmill has singlehandedly solved this issue. The machine recycles clay scraps, turning them back into usable material for future projects instead of being tossed in the garbage. Water Distiller Chemistry is a subject that requires the utmost precision. One wrong measurement or contaminated solution could ruin your experiment — or even create something dangerous. Water is commonly used in many chemistry activities, but normal tap water contains many unwanted chemicals and minerals. Pure or distilled water can be purchased by the bottle, but
MYP and DP Biology Teacher Olivia Chan and Lab Technician Cort Wilson are excited that their students will benefit from the new water distiller.
empowers Struan Robertson to provide teachers and faculty with immediate funding for projects that directly enhance the student experience. We would like to express our gratitude for the generosity of all our Annual Fund donors and the impact their gifts make on strengthening our school community and the wellbeing of students. In 2022-2023, generous gifts to the Head’s Initiative Fund enhanced The York School
Thanks to donations to the Annual Fund, York has a distiller that creates pure water for Chemistry activities while saving money and reducing waste.
our new distiller allows us to make our own. This saves on cost, reduces waste, and helps ensure a steady
A landscape painted by Carly Sherman ‘25 who participated in the Challenge Week trip to Killarney.
YORK COMMUNITY GIVES BACK
supply of pure water even when there are shortages or supply chain issues.
Junior School Art Teacher Daniella Chai identified the need for a pugmill, a machine that recycles clay scraps so they can be used for other projects. Annual Fund donations were used to purchase a pugmill for the school.
Table Tennis Equipment When Josh Asano decided to start a school Table Tennis Club, the then–Grade 12 student could not have anticipated the interest it would generate. The club quickly ballooned to over 50 students, but with just one table on campus, it became clear that a major upgrade was in order. The addition of two tables, along with more paddles and balls, ensures that any interested students will be able to take their turn on the table during lunch hour for years to come.
as a team, get to know one another, and begin building a vision for the work to come. After participating in team building activities like a ropes challenge course, the students began planning for how to make the next school year even more fun and memorable than the last. Drama Conference Transportation This past spring, drama students and teachers attended the Conference of Independent Schools’ Drama Festival in Stratford for the first time since before the pandemic. Finding the means to get there and back was worth every penny, as students were Middle School students enjoying the new ping pong table.
Little Shop of Horrors Puppet The York School values the arts and we have high standards for our theatrical performances. We knew our 2022–2023 Grade 6–12 musical Little Shop of Horrors wouldn’t be complete without a major set piece: a giant carnivorous plant puppet! The puppet allowed our student actors to immerse themselves in their performances and provided a dramatic spectacle for audiences, who witnessed the plant change four times over the course of the musical. Student Council Day Retreat The newly elected 2023– 2024 Senior School Student Council was eager to start working together — so much so that a one-day retreat was planned for June to the Outward Bound Urban Campus at Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto. The retreat gave students an early opportunity to collaborate 18 YEAR IN REVIEW / 2022-23
iPads and Digital Pencils We want to ensure that our students have the technology they need to tackle every challenge and opportunity we give them. That’s why we purchased 25 iPads and Apple pencils for the Schad Art and Design Lab. These new tools will allow students in our Middle and Senior School art and design programs to take their creativity to the next level by using applications like Photoshop, Illustrator and Procreate. We look forward to seeing the drawings, paintings, photographs and videos our digital artists create. These tools will also help students to document their projects’ progression and to build their portfolios.
Newly-elected Senior Student Council members participate in a team building activity during a retreat at Evergreen Brick Works.
and Rent, and meet drama students from seven other independent schools. Our students were thrilled to perform their own piece on the Stratford studio stage and excited to applaud the acting talents of students from the other schools.
Grade 1 students enjoying the books at the Junior School library.
James Harding MacDonald ‘25 performing in Therac 25 by Adam Pettle on the Stratford Stage as part of the CISDF.
Jonah Green ‘24 was one of the Senior School Student Council members who participated in a retreat at Evergreen Brick Works.
Grace Plumpton-Hill ‘24 and Joshua Gough ‘23 starring in the Little Shop of Horrors musical.
able to participate in three theatre workshops led by professional Stratford Company actors, attend performances of King Lear
Books for Grade 1 Classroom Libraries Empowering our youngest students to be enthusiastic, motivated and proficient readers is a top priority for teachers in the Junior School. This year, we’ll be supporting these readers by purchasing new books for the understocked and outdated libraries in our Grade 1 classrooms. In keeping with our research-based Science of Reading approach to teaching reading skills, we’ll refresh the bookshelves with instructional sets of decodable books for guided reading. We’ll also purchase anchor texts for new units of math and inquiry, and fiction and non-fiction titles that will appeal to a variety of interests.
These Grade 10 thespians attended the Conference of Independent Schools’ Drama Festival in Stratford.
“We always felt supported no matter what,” says Kathryn. “And the one thing all three kids have in common, which we attribute in large part to their York School education, is a heightened level of empathy for the people and the world around them which guides them to this day.”
DONOR SPOTLIGHT
KATHRYN & MICHAEL BOWEN
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20 YEAR IN REVIEW / 2022-23
Michael and Kathryn Bowen have had three children graduate from York since enrolling their eldest son Henry ‘17 as a first grader in 2005, followed soon after by Audrey ‘20 and Ross ‘23. Over that 17-year arc, the Bowens say they enjoyed watching the school grow and prosper while staying true to its core values. “The quality of the community has remained solid for us and our children,” says Michael. “The culture has remained consistent, and the evolving nature of the school’s international community of highly engaged educators, staff, parents and students has further enriched the experience for all of us.” The Bowens agree that each of their children had a unique experience reflective of their individual personalities and learning styles which
“All three of our kids have graduated now, but that doesn’t change how much the school or the community means to us. We both intend to stay connected by continuing to volunteer and in other capacities,” says Michael. “For us, giving back to the school at this time is an expression of gratitude.”
ALEX MACDONALD & you really cannot have one without the other,” says Alex, DAVID STEVENSON When Milo ‘31 started at York in Junior Kindergarten, his parents Alex MacDonald and David Stevenson loved the community so much that they arranged to have his older sister Adda ‘28 join him the following year when she began Grade 3. In addition to being gender inclusive, the family was really drawn to the school’s hands-on approach to learning and the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. “We love everything about the IB platform because it has the ability to take kids as deep as they want to go into a subject,” explains Alex. “Add to that a community that goes above and beyond to support one another, and we knew we had found the right place for our family.” With Milo now in Grade 5 and Adda in Grade 8, Alex continues to enjoy her time as an active member of the York community, volunteering in a variety of roles including class parent and the York Parent Association’s co-chair for both the Junior and Middle Schools.
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It’s been an honour and privilege to help found The York School’s Financial Assistance Bursary Endowment. As donors like Michael and Kathryn continue stepping up to lend their support to this important endeavour, the endowment will open the door to a York education for talented and deserving students from across the GTA.”
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The Bowen Family has generously supported The York School community for more than 17 years.
Reflecting back, the Bowens believe that the sense of community and citizenship the school fostered in their children permeated their whole experience at York. In fact, it was a meeting with other parents from the Class of 2023 that inspired the Bowens to mark their family’s time at the school with a leadership gift to the school’s Bursary Endowment.
Both Michael and Kathryn see the gift as a way to say thank you to the community that has given their family so much, and to share the benefits of an outstanding York education by providing bursaries to highly promising students who could not otherwise afford the cost of tuition. In total, the families of the Class of ‘23 came together to raise more than $725,000 to support both endowed and expendable needs-based bursaries.
- Fred Leigh, Inaugural Donor to York’s Bursary Endowment, and father of Ricky ‘22, Jack ‘23, and Danny ‘24
who has extensive volunteer experience at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and multiple other children’s organizations. The Athletic Commons will be completed this fall with support from donors like Alex and David. It boasts a bright, multi-purpose space with private changerooms in a safe, gender-inclusive setting that allows for greater community cohesion, student privacy and adult supervision. Alex believes the Athletic Commons design is an important step forward for our school as it creates a
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welcoming environment. She believes it will attract even greater diversity by making York an option for even more students, including those who may use mobility aids or devices. “This campaign really resonated with me and I was especially happy to support the creation of an accessible washroom and changeroom integrated into the space so that those who use it don’t feel excluded or separated from the main space,” says Alex. “The Athletic Commons is meaningful because it builds inclusion right into the school’s infrastructure.”
The Athletic Commons is meaningful because it builds inclusion right into the school’s infrastructure. - Alex MacDonald
Recently, Alex and David also decided to support the school by making a gift to help create the Athletic Commons for Middle and Senior School students. Specifically, Alex designated their donation to help build the accessible changeroom and bathroom within the new space. “I am a long-time advocate for inclusivity and accessibility. In my mind, The MacDonald/Stevenson family were drawn in by the warm York community after Milo ‘31 entered Junior Kindergarten. Their daughter Adda ‘28 joined the following year.
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prepared them equally for life after high school. Henry has since graduated from Queen’s University and launched a career in e-commerce, Audrey just completed her final year at St. Andrew’s in Scotland, and Ross is in his first year at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
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I especially enjoyed the Theory of Knowledge class, which is essential to the IB program and changed my thinking in a lot of ways.
Kobi got to know students and teachers at the Global Pathways School (GPS) in Chettipalayam, India during a York trip in March 2019.
KOBI BERNSTEIN ‘20 For Kobi Bernstein (Class of 2020 Salutatorian), the decision to defer acceptance to university after graduating from York was not one he took lightly. “I remember waiting until the day before the deadline. When it was clear the beginning of first year would involve online learning and social distancing, I knew that a gap year would be the better choice for me.” With his mind made up, Kobi put a plan in place that would allow him to grow and learn while also providing lots of opportunities to get outside and have fun. First 22 YEAR IN REVIEW / 2022-23
up was the challenge of a four-month internship with Rumble Gaming, where he learned coding software and developed an in-house tool for the sales team. Once that was complete, Kobi headed west for the winter and took a job at Panorama Mountain Resort in British Columbia with classmates Holden Folk ‘20 and Charlie Sheiner ‘20, who also took a gap year. “It wasn’t easy at first when I was still in Toronto with most of my friends from York off at university,” recalls Kobi. “But it was the right thing for me. I got a lot out of the experience and had time to explore my interests. Also,
Sports have always been a big part of Kobi’s life both in and out of school. At York, Kobi was a member of the badminton and soccer teams, and joined the varsity basketball team and volleyball team in his final year. “York was always so inclusive. I have great memories of being with my classmates from my time playing on teams and some sport trips we went on.” Now in his third year of Cognitive Neuroscience at McGill University, Kobi looks back on his time at York with fondness, knowing that many of the skills and perspectives he learned there helped shape the path he’s on today. “There are many benefits to a York education,” says Kobi. “I especially enjoyed TOK (Theory of Knowledge), which is essential to the IB program and changed my thinking in a lot of ways.” In fact, it was the Diploma Program’s TOK class that sparked Kobi’s current interest in epistemology, psychology and philosophy.
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being outside and skiing most days really helped me get through all the lockdowns and other restrictions.”
“At York, I was introduced to the process of questioning how we know what we know,” explains Kobi. “I’m fortunate to now be pursuing an education in the kinds of things I like to think about in my spare time.”
Growing up, Shanifa Nasser’s ‘04 mother always strove to get her the best education possible. But when it came to choosing a high school, they weren’t sure The York School was within reach. With its combination of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program and intimate class sizes, the school was their top choice. But attending York would have been impossible without the help of its financial aid program, Shanifa recalls. “Growing up in a singleparent home, finances were often tight. The bursary program was life-changing,” said Shanifa, citing the transformative impact financial assistance can have for students facing the roadblocks she did. At the time, the school’s individual student laptop program was in its early years and the program helped cover those expenses as well as the cost of tuition. Outside of class, Shanifa found York’s emphasis on social responsibility to be a perfect fit.
Kobi having fun getting ready for prom.
“There was a really strong emphasis on volunteering in the community I was raised in, and the school made it easy to continue on that track,” said Shanifa. As Director of Community Service on Student Council, she organized fundraising activities for the United Way of Greater Toronto and helped lead a program where York students volunteered to provide homework help to
students at an underserved school in Rexdale. In her Grade 11 year, Shanifa participated in an especially memorable school trip to Jamaica, where she volunteered at an orphanage and primary school. The trip deepened her understanding of structural constraints faced by so many, she recalls. “The hope was that we would make a difference in the communities we were volunteering in, but I think in reality, we were changed by the experience, coming back with so much more perspective about our privilege and our place in the world.” After York, Shanifa studied Global Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University and Religion and Middle Eastern Civilizations at the University of Toronto. In 2014, she transitioned out of a PhD program to pursue the Munk Fellowship in Global Journalism. Today, Shanifa is an award-winning journalist with CBC News, where she tells the stories of those who are often overlooked.
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Shanifa working as a reporter with the CBC.
“I went into journalism because I wanted to shine a light on the perspectives and stories of marginalized communities. I think you can probably draw a straight line from those early experiences at The York School to what I do today.”
Shanifa at the Maxfield Park Children’s Home during a school trip to Jamaica.
The bursary program was a big reason why I was able to go to The York School.
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08
SHANIFA NASSER ‘04
Exploring marine life during her New Brunswick Challenge Week trip sparked Julia’s passion for Marine Biology.
JULIA BAND ORANGE ‘22
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The hands-on experiences we had during ICE were transformative for me.
During her time at York, Julia continued exploring her interest in marine biology and her love of research while immersing herself in student life. A member of the varsity soccer team and student council executive, Julia also served as a debate captain for three years, played baritone in the concert band, and established the Rare Diseases Awareness Week at the school shortly after arriving in Grade 7. “I had a lot going on when I was at York,” Julia says. “Learning to balance those commitments with a heavy academic load helped me develop time management and organizational skills that continue to come in handy, especially now in my second year at university.” 24 YEAR IN REVIEW / 2022-23
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Julia Band Orange ‘22 was in Grade 9 when she traveled to the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick as part of the Integrated Canadian Experience (ICE), a unique interdisciplinary program developed by York teachers with a focus on experiential learning. Once there, the class visited the Huntsman Marine Science Centre where Julia had an opportunity to work in the lab with samples of ocean water that showed traces of microplastics. “The hands-on experiences we had during ICE were transformative for me,” recalls Julia. “Seeing the evidence first-hand sparked my overall interest in climate change and biology, specifically in how human behaviour is impacting the environment and sea life.”
Julia expanded her knowledge of sharks during a visit to the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
Julia also credits the University Counselling team for helping her find the perfect fit for her postsecondary pursuits at
Boston University, where she’s in the Marine Program and minoring in English. Because American schools have a different timeline
for applying, Julia feels especially grateful to York for giving her a head start by encouraging her participation in the early application process.“I was looking for a school in an urban setting that offered a balance of strong academics and social activities,” Julia explains. “The University Counselling team was instrumental in gauging my interests and helping me understand all the logistics.” As Julia settles into her sophomore year, she continues to thrive academically and socially. Now a proud member of Boston University’s renowned Pep Band, Julia and her fellow musicians travel with the teams and provide the live soundtrack at all school basketball and hockey games. “It’s a big time commitment, but also a lot of fun,” says Julia. “I arrived here feeling prepared for the challenge and the experience has been amazing!”
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
KAROONI AHMED ‘18 Karooni Ahmed ‘18 was born in Bangladesh and moved with his family to Canada when he was in Grade 3. Thinking back now, he remembers a childhood full of creating art. “I was always very attached to drawing,”explains Karooni. “And let’s just say I got in trouble for colouring on the walls more than once.” That keen interest in art was still very much present when Karooni joined York in Grade 7, and even resulted in him winning an art award that very first year. “Art was such a big part of my identity but I drifted away from it when I started high school so I could try other things,” Karooni recalls. “I wanted to play basketball and be a house captain. The thing about York is that I always felt like it was where I belonged. I always had that sense of community.”
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Karooni also traveled to the United States for the first time as part of a school trip to Los Angeles for IB Art and Film students. He was deeply inspired by the mix of art he saw there and began to rethink his own definition of artistic expression. “We saw street art and fine art and everything in between. The LA trip with York opened my eyes to contemporary pop art and for the first time I realized that my work could belong in a gallery one day.” Today, Karooni is a graduate of the University of Toronto’s School of Architecture. While he enjoyed the program, Karooni knows his true passion is for his own art. “The bridge between architecture and my artwork is 3D modeling. I want to translate those skills and apply them to 2D art.” Most recently, Karooni’s submission to the Welcome Toronto Creators Program was one of
Karooni standing beside his submission to the Welcome Toronto Creators Program, which was featured at a Toronto Raptors Game.
The thing about York is that I always felt like it was where I belonged. I always had that sense of community.
Things came full circle for Karooni when he entered the final two years of high school and opted to take the International Baccalaureate (IB) Art classes for the Diploma Program (DP). During this time, Karooni began to experiment with digital artwork and expand his use of different mediums for his portfolio.
just four portfolio entries selected to be featured at a Toronto Raptors’ Game in partnership with the NBA, OVO and Bell Media. His animation and comic page were shown on the Jumbotron and shared with massive reach across all of the partners’ social media platforms, as part of a contest designed to showcase the talent of emerging young artists.
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Karooni as an eager Grade 11 student.
The night of the game, Karooni took it all in while surrounded by family, friends and a bunch of his former classmates from The York School. The response has been extremely positive, and Karooni has more projects in the works, including additional t-shirt designs for the Raptors.“It has been surreal and it felt amazing to share that moment with the people in my life who have always believed in me.”
448,147 400,000
15%
increase over previous year
increase over previous year
200,000
2020 AF Total
increase over previous year
33%
263,584
0
28%
351,661
512,241
2021 AF Total
2022 AF Total
2023 AF Total
BOARD OF DIRECTORS ANNUAL FUND PARTICIPATION
YEAR OVER YEAR GROWTH IN ANNUAL FUND REVENUE
600,000
AF Participation Rate Goal*
100%
45%
*CAIS GTA benchmark
AF Actual Participation
48%
SCHOOL LEADERSHIP TEAM ANNUAL FUND PARTICIPATION GOAL RAISED 79% $632,755* *Actual Amount Raised by end of FY23 (June 30, 2023)
750,000
ANNUAL OPERATING REVENUE & EXPENSES 2022-23 & 90% Tuition Registration Revenue
Raised for Expendable Bursaries Raised for Expendable Bursaries
106,086
$726,086
REVENUE
total amount raised by the Class of ‘23 families for needs-based bursaries.
Raised for a Bursary Endowment
0
300
1,478
100
0
1,565
1,612
173
2020
1,948
264
210
2021
PARTICIPATING DONOR FAMILIES
2022
10% Auxillary Revenue*
*Includes annual operating donations, rental income & interest income.
620,000
& 2% Licensing Services
Technology
of ‘23 Bursary Campaign CLASS Class OF ‘23 BURSARY CAMPAIGN
251
200
AVERAGE SIZE GIFT 26 YEAR IN REVIEW / 2022-23
Athletic Commons
250,000
YEAR OVER YEAR GROWTH IN ANNUAL FUND NUMBER OF DONORS & AVERAGE SIZE GIFT
FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY HIGHLIGHTS
500,000
2023
TOTAL AMOUNT RAISED BY THE YORK COMMUNITY OF DONORS IN FY23
2.165M
Additional major gifts were generously made by York families in support of the Junior School and the Head’s Initiative Fund.
8% Academic Programming & 20% Facilities Administration
70%Employee Compensation
EXPENSES
GIVING IN 2022-2023:
A L L C A M PA I G N S
Consecutive donors: r3 years p5 years 610 years AC Athletic Commons
Thank you to our generous donors who contributed between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023. $1-999
Audrain Fizzell Familyp Baldwin Family Dr. Ari Baratz & Dr. Orli GoldbergAC Heather Barnes & Duane Leer Bharti Family Jason Birnboim & Ashley H. Pachtr Jonathan Bloomberg & Emily Burnett Catherine & Jeremy Butteriss Mireille Carrillo de Albornoz & Raffi Altounian Cash Familyr Alexis C. Charest-Descomme ‘13 Wendy & Robbie M. Ellis Faralla Familyp Finkelstein Family Chris Flood & Kelly McRobie Fuchs Family Gertin Family Gough Abouchar Familyr Gillian Hamilton & Michael Baker6 Federica & Dayan Henson Lisa Hicks & Jeffrey Singh Kozeta & Ardjan Izeti Ron Jagdeo & Qingyuan Li Lam Wong Family Jenn Law & Paul Rosep Mary Messih & Peter Warnicar Mousavifar Familyr Stephanie Moy & Wei Wang Nidhi Pandey & Bedansh Chaudhary Lauren Payne & David Colman Shirley Pazhaidam Martin & Stephen Martin r Beth & Bruce Perkins Alina & Adrian Phiffer Pinkerton Family Catherine & Greg Rice Rosier Raby Family Oleg Safir & Maria Nesterenko Salmons Family Cristina & Catalin Savap Sarit & Neil Seeman Azmeh Shahidr Morris Shawn & Lili Shalev-Shawnp
10 28 YEAR IN REVIEW / 2022-23
Shanifa N. Sunderji Sutton Kedairy Family Heather Swanson Tavoukdjian Family Jane Teng & Horace Leer Thomson-Bowden Family Tsao Family Laurel & Mark Vanderjagt Rochelle & Robert Waxman Julia Webster & Nicholas Herbstr Ethel & Jonathan Weiner Stacey & Sonya Weisbergr Annette Whiteleyr Worms Sciama Family Xiaojing Xiong & Jiangfeng Lir Family of Lucy Yuan ‘28 AnonymousAC Anonymousr AnonymousAC Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous r Anonymous Anonymous
$1,000-2,499
Sherri Adams & Tom Hong Kathryn Ages Brindle Family Mark Burnatowski & Deb Krickr David & Shannon Burton Calamai Familyr Cathy & Joseph Camposp Centraide Du Grand Montreal Mr. Pengtso Chahsi Vivian Chan & Eugene Fungp Charles FamilyAC Ben & June Chur D’Alessandro FamilyAC D’Souza Chiu Familyr Baoping Dai & Haijiao Yangr del Moral Familyr Richard Di Gioacchino & Nanor Sagherian Diplock Seel Familyr Dunkley Family Arthur, Meaghan, Eliana ‘28, Emerson ‘30 & Chase ‘32 Einav Fonseca Family
Rochelle Fox & Andrew Heitelman Fraiberg Familyr Anatoli Freiman & Andrea Kurtz Joy Futerman & Joel Lessem Gray Family Grell-Murray FamilypAC Gross Family Groth Family Martin & Joanna Guor George & Kathleen Hardy Jordan Jacobs & Sharyn Costin Sanft Metser Familyr Kimsa Atkinson Family6 Karen Lam & Tommy Wong Levi Family Ji Li & Jianxiong ChenAC Otto Li & Tingnan Songp Ken Lu & Fiona Fengp Rob Maddock & Elaine Nicholson Ariella & Michael Marcovitz Laurie McCarthy Missaghie Family Moorhead Familyr Sandra Nissanp Poon Familyr Stephanie Price & Scott Watsonr Virginia Priscus & Julian Padfieldr Reppas Family William Robertson ‘23p Rosenhek Family Ross Familyr Sabanadzovic Familyr Sala FamilyAC Salsberg FamilyAC Jun Seo & Sumi Hongp David & Camille Shermanr Sherrington Family Raffic Skaffe & Lara AvedianAC James & Sheree Stuartr Vivian Sze & Sunny Lee Telem Family Wagner Family Annesley & Kevin Wallace Wang Family White Familyr Alexandra Wilbee & Brian Burker Worsnop Family Yao & Tien Familyp
RECOGNIZING OUR DONORS
Thomas Yeo & Sandra Hainesp Zhang Family Anonymous AnonymousAC
$2,500-4,999
Anugopal Family Ao Familyr Asano FamilyrAC Bennett Chu Familyr Betts Foy FamilyrAC Bronstorph Family Campbell English Familyr Evelyn Chen Cummings FamilyAC Di Geso Family Du Familyr Natalia & Sergey Fedyushchenkor Joel & Melissa Feldbergp Daryl Gelgoot & Vanessa Amyot6 Ori Goldman & Trish Domir Emilie ‘34 & Matthew ‘31 Guertin Jeff & Brooke Hales Dr. David & Cheryl Heike Jane Hemingway & Jamie Ferguson-Woodsr Matthew & Sharon Hind Katerji Family Julia Kfouri & Anson Kwok Inma Kongr Matthew Kronby & Monique Tschofenp Joyce & Greg La Rosa Edward Liu ‘23 Family Yanwei Lu & Gang Hep Ms. Jinghong Ma & Mr. Jian Sunr Marsha Malbari & Allan LeerAC Ted Margel & Ilyse Lustig, Charlie ‘26 & Daisy ‘27r Margis Dawe FamilyrAC Marr Familyr Ladan & Mehra Meh Milner family Diana Olusanmi-Steininger & Volker Steiningerp Pace Familyr Joshua Picov & Jordane Frankelr Mary Qiu ‘22 Familyp Rebello Family Rebecca Ross & Thanos Moschopoulos Andrey Rybakov & Yulia RybakovaAC Alireza Zare Sadeghi Schultz Family Silver Pinchuk FamilyrAC Murray Stieber & Elsa Renzellar Tso Family Alysha Valenti & David Johnson Renita & Brewin Vaz Veltri Fazio Family Mark & Cynthia Walker Waugh Family Foundation Weinstein FamilyAC Xiaole Wu & Yiwei Ha Ye Family Janice Zong & Ping SongAC AnonymousAC Anonymous
$5,000-9,999
Thomas & Sarah Balzer Francesco Bertola & Roberta Ferrarir Bhattacharjee Iles Family6 Limei Chen & Ting Liangr Evan Dai & Yilan Zhao Dempsey-Hall Familyp Emerson FamilyAC Jon, Shlomit, Mia ‘20 & Noa ‘24 FeldmanrAC Galego Family Kevin & Vivianne Gaucir Godfrey Familyp Gori Familyr Kalemi Familyr Kerstin Lueck & Frederick Francisp Nadia & Bernard Luttmer Plumpton-Hill Family6 Raman Rai & Jessie SahotaAC Salcedo-Schiavoni Familyp Stephens Iny FamilyAC Alexandra Stewart & Roger Rudisuli Reid Tang ‘24AC Van Tu & Minh Luongp Uster Familyr Wasserman Familyr Chuan Ye & Ruoyi Wang York Parents’ Association Anonymousr AnonymousAC
$10,000-24,999
Armstrong Murray FamilyAC Corrin FamilypAC Adrianna Czornyj & Shey YlonenAC Sasikhan Geibprasert & Timo KringsAC Gilman FamilyAC Green FamilypAC Amanda HealeAC Hebel Family Foundation Kang Prabhudesai FamilyAC Kernaghan Familyr Kimel Greenwood FamilyAC Kraag FamilyAC Kunkel Price FamilypAC Anita & Steve Marshall for Eddie ‘29, Robbie ‘32 & Rose ‘32 MarshallAC Mazin Weisstub FamilyAC McMahon Ackhurst FamilyrAC Erica & Andrew O’Born Lina & Ron Rein Storfer FamilypAC Benjie & Sonia Thomas Levi Folk & Liza Thomsonp May Vong & Cosmos ChiurAC In Honour of Alex ‘22 & Colin ‘24 WisemanAC
$25,000 - $49.999
MacDonald Stevenson FamilyAC Leslie & Darren Richmond & Benjamin Salmons ’23
$50,000 - $99,999
Michael Bernstein & Nan DasGuptap Kathryn & Michael Bowenp Anonymousr Anonymousr
$100,000 - $249,999 Gadalla FamilyAC Sarah & David Kaufmanr Wu FamilyAC
$250,000 - $500,000
Kristin Blakely-Kozman & David Kozman6AC Leigh Familyp
York Faculty & Staff
Maria Barndenp Kimberley Benoitp Fabio Biagiarellir Keith Blair AC Rob Burkett Simon Carpenter Otino Corsanop Jacquelyn Cummingsp Thomas D. Nosella Yochabel De Giorgio Chloe Edwardsp Heather Evans Amy Fabap Ryan Gaio Megan Gardner Ross Helen Ginr Catherine Gordeyevp Rory Grant Susan Grayr David Hamilton6 Eric IannacchinoAC Simon Carpenter Elissa Kline-Beberr Katherine Laschowski Danielle Lemieuxr Cody MacFarlanep Janet MacMillanp Justin MedvedrAC Hailey Meslin Karen Nielsen Sherry Pielsticker Sean Rand Jennifer & Struan Robertsonr Adam ShamoonAC Angela van Straubenzee Anthony Westenbergp
GIVING IN 2022-2023: LIFETIME GIVING $10,000-24,999
Roseann Andreou & George Hatzoglou Andrews Lengyel Family Armstrong Murray Family Phil Arthur Atack Family Alena & Mark Bailey Leigh & Paul J. Bedbrook Bell Canada Bennett Chu Family Diane Blake & Stephen Smith Jonathan Bloomberg & Emily Burnett Ilena & Mark Borinsky Boyd Meredith Family Laurel Brooks David & Shannon Burton Nicolle Butcher & Kent Smallwood Carr Family Susan Charron Limei Chen & Ting Liang Lynn & Michael Clarfield Naomi & Michael Cohen Heather Conolly & Paul Mingay Adrianna Czornyj & Shey Ylonen D’Alessandro Family Jennifer Dale & Robert Lantos Lynn & Paul Damp Joan Dea & Lionel Conacher del Moral Family Diplock Seel Family Kelly Dobbin & Scott Mathison Moshira El Masry & Ahmed Balbaa Mary Ellen & Lowell Aronoff Jennifer Fagg & Tony Kynaston Natalia & Sergey Fedyushchenko Laurie & Adam Felesky Catherine Fogarty & Maria Armstrong Fraiberg Family Chris Fraser Jane & Michael Freund Jacque & Tom Friedland Linda Fuerst & Michael Kucan Zhibai Gao & Jianmin Hu Daryl Gelgoot & Vanessa Amyot Dana Geller Lampe & Jonathan Lampe Leslie Giller & Andrew Hoffman Gilman Family Giovinco Family Barbara Goodwin-Zeibots Gori Family Chantal & John Graham James H. Grout Fangfang Guo & Jiwen Wang Cathy Hampson & Tom Flynn Amanda Heale Alison & David Heden Barbara Henders & Jeffrey Lloyd Marie Henein & Glen Jennings Zabeen Hirji-Nowaczynski & Mark Nowaczynski 30 YEAR IN REVIEW / 2022-23
Bari Hochman Cloth & Jason Cloth Linda & Timothy Hodgson Marilyn & David Hull Jan Innes & Chris Morgan Elena & Victor Jdanovitch Kalemi Family Nargess Khosrowshahi & Ali Salass Kimel Greenwood Family Inma Kong Kraag Family Matthew Kronby & Monique Tschofen Jenn Law & Paul Rose Sherri & W. Robert Lee Joan & Alan Lenczner Marie-Christine & Bruno Leps Levere Breeze Family Lexus on the Park Otto Li & Tingnan Song Jennifer Logan-Klassen & David Klassen Mackintosh Family Maingot Family Jintana & Michael Mansour Erin Marcus Mary & Danny Marcuzzi Ted Margel & Ilyse Lustig, Charlie ‘26 & Daisy ‘27 Anita & Steve Marshall for Eddie ‘29, Robbie ‘32 & Rose ‘32 Marshall Mazin Weisstub Family Mary McCullough & Robert Murray McLean Foundation Jessica Monk & Christopher Van Loan Janet Neilson & Adam Howard Erica & Andrew O’Born Karel O’Brien & Gerald O’Leary Pace Family Leslie Pace & Thomas Long Joan & Hugh S. Paisley Sharon Pel Andrea Pereira & Vitor Mendes Pereira Wendy & Paul Petrelli Pong Family Carol Purpura & Larry Bates Mary Qiu ‘22 Family Raman Rai & Jessie Sahota Helen & Scott Rattee RBC Dominion Securities Foundation Lina & Ron Rein Hanieh Rezaei & Hooman Fazlollahi Leslie & Darren Richmond & Benjamin Salmons ’23 Heather A. & Stephen M. Rider Andrey Rybakov & Yulia Rybakova Sabanadzovic Family Salcedo-Schiavoni Family Karen & Blair Schultz Maryann Seefuss & Douglas Cowdrey Ann & Gregory Sharp Morris Shawn & Lili Shalev-Shawn Sheridan Family Rachel & Joseph Shilon Lisa Shostack & Alfred Lee
Raffic Skaffe & Lara Avedian Paula Stante & Remo Commisso Jennie & David Steen Erin & Daniel Sternberg Joanne Stewart & Kirk Boggs Murray Stieber & Elsa Renzella Annette & Mike Stramaglia Louise & Gary Sugar Kim & Mark Surchin Reid Tang ‘24 Benjie & Sonia Thomas Sheila Thompson Levi Folk & Liza Thomson Mary Pat Tillmann & Gerry Dancyger Ria Tzimas & Spyros Volonakis Venture Construction Anita Vogel & Mark Rozells Julia & Werner Wehmeyer Beth Weingarden & Paul Stein Myrna & Percy Weinstein Xiaogang & Hongwei Wu Yao & Tien Family Elena & Maxim Zavet Deborah Zemans Yali Zhang & Alfred Wu Charlene & Alex Zivojinovich Anonymous
$25,000 - $49.999
Marilyn Andrews & John B. Anderson Laurel-Ann Baker Corneli & Luc Corneli Mercedes Benayon & Derrick Abraham Bhattacharjee Iles Family E.W. Bickle Foundation Maite Burns & Holton Burns Campbell English Family Wendy M. Cecil Philip Chown Crothers Leasing Sandra & Leo Del Zotto Dempsey-Hall Family Anita & Vincent G. Dong Nicole & Sean Driscoll Susan Eplett & Jim Walker Jon, Shlomit, Mia ‘20 & Noa ‘24 Feldman Maureen Flanagan & David Denison Galego Family Sasikhan Geibprasert & Timo Krings Goldman Family & Cooper Sato ‘34 James Grant Green Family Janet & David Greyson Roberta & Tim Hague Gillian Hamilton & Michael Baker Hyea-Kyung Han & Jae-Jung Kim Helios Energy Inc. Kathy Houde-Lovas & Carl Lovas Pam Isaak & Greg Kiessling Kang Prabhudesai Family Jennifer Kaplan
Hanna & Mark Kassirer Kassum Family Kay Family Kernaghan Family Karine Krieger & Daniel Daviau Kunkel Price Family Linda & Charles Lazzam Pamela & Howard Levitt Romy & Corey Libfeld Kerstin Lueck & Frederick Francis Yan Luo MacDonald Stevenson Family Malcolm Family Leslie & Duncan McCallum McMahon Ackhurst Family Caren & Larry Morassutti Grace & Murray Neal Linda & Kevin O’Leary Diana Olusanmi-Steininger & Volker Steininger Duriya Patel & S. Ali Chaudry Martha & Michael Pedersen Sheila & Michael Royce Nancy Sprott Alexandra Stewart & Roger Rudisuli Robin & Bill Stone Kate Subak Andrea & Peter Szirmak Teresa & Kenneth Toten Van Tu & Minh Luong George & Helen Vari Foundation Ann Louise & Henry Vehovec Veltri Fazio Family Marianne & Wil Verheyen May Vong & Cosmos Chiu Jasmine Vujasinovic Hartog & Adrian Hartog Elisabeth & Maurice Wager Molly & Ben Watsa Sarah White Lindy & David Williams Amal & Jonathan Wolfe Ana & Ken Zuckerman Anonymous
$50,000 - $99,999
Cindy & Shon M. Barnett Susan Bedford & Jason Martin Kathryn & Michael Bowen Jill Burgin & Michael Flood Shailen & Charu Chande Corrin Family Rochelle de Goias-Jackman & Duncan Jackman, Trinity Jackman, Marcus Doyle Marc Dupéré & Willians Bernardo Melanie Edwards & John Brown Sarah Everett & Don Barber Faralla Family Ann Glazier Rothwell & Alex Rothwell Ira Gluskin Godfrey Family Ori Goldman & Trish Domi Judy & Stuart Golvin Renita Greener & Alan Bender Howard Kerbel Kevin Kimsa Kimsa Atkinson Family
Joannah & Brian Lawson Yanwei Lu & Gang He Caro Macdonald & Mark McCain Susan Makepeace & Cornel Brenninkmeyer Melissa McCourt & Brad Cameron Allison & Peter Menkes Patricia Meredith & Stephen Karam Montgomery Sisam Architects Inc. Moorhead Family Murmann Family Nancy & Edward Nash Susan Paul & Ken Engelhart Jennifer Ross-Smuschkowitz & Howard Smuschkowitz Donna & Gary Slaight Catherine Smith & Tedd Bibbo Lauren & Neil Tabatznik Tixi Loewenthal Family Lun Hai Wang & Dao Jing Wang Du Family York Parents’ Association Anonymous Anonymous
$100,000 - $249,999
Ariana Aarabi & Family Saltanat Abdigaliyeva & Abi Abdykerim Cindi Alexander & David Samuel Shelly & Stephen Arbib Susan & Leonard Asper Sara & John Bellamy Christy & Julian Bharti ‘04 Michael Bernstein & Nan DasGupta Dimitra & Michael Davidson Julie Di Lorenzo & Robert Graham Gadalla Family Maxine Granovsky Gluskin Hebel Family Foundation Sarah & David Kaufman Waleuska Lazo & Jeffrey Feldberg McBurney Family Plumpton-Hill Family Sadeh Ward Family Tori Stollery Storfer Family Angela & John Vavitsas Anne Marie & Stephen Walker Karen Weinstein & Jason Hanson Sonya & Stacey Weisberg Keddy Williams & Eric Bushell In Honour of Alex ‘22 & Colin ‘24 Wiseman Wu Family Anonymous Anonymous
$250,000 - $499,999
Azrieli Blanc Family Kristin Blakely-Kozman & David Kozman Joel & Melissa Feldberg Theresa & Seth Mersky
$500,000 - $999,999
Kimberly Emerson Thorsteinson & Timothy Thorsteinson Kaiser Rotman Family Leigh Family Liza Mauer & Andrew Sheiner
$1,000,000 +
Elizabeth & Robert Schad
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32 YEAR IN REVIEW / 2022-23 Sophia Muthu ‘25, Alex Heike and Jadon Luong ‘25 at band practice.
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