October 2005 TDSB TodayThe 2005 Africentric Summer Institute:
Uplifting the Educational Aspirations of African-Canadian Students
by Gary Pieters, Site Administrator, Africentric Summer Institute
This summer, the Africentric Summer Institute, was a wonderful success! Housed at Shoreham PS, this summer institute was a new six-week, full-day, elementary summer school for 80 students in grades 1-5. Their day school teachers identified students, performing at Level 2 or below, from the NW2 Family of Schools, located in the Jane-Finch area of Toronto to participate in this inclusive Afrocentric summer program from July 5th to August 12th.
The school day started with students reading inspirational affirmations over the public address system, after playing the Black National Anthem, Lift Every Voice, and the Canadian National Anthem, O’Canada. Within the Africentric Summer Institute, the staff was creative in meeting the expectations of the Ontario Curriculum, while incorporating inclusive Africentric perspectives. The scheduling was organized in a manner that allowed students to spend the morning engaged in Literacy and Numeracy activities, and the afternoon, participating in the drama, storytelling, music, dance or physical education. Hands on activities included mask making and drumming. The students participated in experiential field trips to the York Woods Library, Caribana, the Royal Ontario Museum, York University Fine Arts Studio and the Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Arts. Guest presenters such as spoken word artist Dwayne Morgan and area principal Colin Fleming, captivated the students with interesting stories and poems.
The school fostered a welcoming and compassionate environment that incorporated exemplary and equitable practices. There were a variety of events including a parent information evening, parent engagement workshops, a parent breakfast, a bi-weekly newsletter to community stakeholders, professional development workshops for staff, a community potluck luncheon, and a closing celebration for the community.
The transformational impact of the program was evident in the positive attitude of the students. In regular walk throughs of the Africentric Summer Institute, students greeted adults with the Twi phase ‘akwaaba’ meaning welcome. The students expected the adults to respond with the phrase ‘medasi’ meaning thank you. Parents stated that students were eager to get to school in the morning, and the students were excited to share what they learned at school once they returned home at the end of the school day.
The Africentric Summer Institute was a high profile program that attracted visits from many educational leaders within and outside the TDSB, to see what an Africentric School looks like. These included officials from The Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat of the Ministry of Education, superintendents Of education, professors from universities, principals, and specialists in the field of Africentric schools.
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Gary Pieters is a school administrator at a K-5 school in Toronto. He served as the site administrator of the TDSB Africentric Summer Institute for students in grades 1-5 in 2005. Gary is also involved in community equity/human rights initiatives. He applies his education and experiences in the areas of global education consultant, e-learning motivational speaker, capacity building facilitator, e-learning facilitator and panelist. Gary has presented workshops on equity and inclusive curriculum, anti-racist education and collaborative teaching and learning.
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