The Erindale Academy

NEWSLETTER - APRIL 2026

FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK

WORDS MATTER MORE THAN EVER
Principal George Vanderkuur

As AI becomes a bigger part of everyday life, the ability to communicate clearly and purposefully matters more than ever. AI tools can only help when we give them accurate, well-thought-out instructions. Facts are easy to find, but organizing ideas, expressing them clearly, and communicating for a specific purpose are skills that only grow through practice.

If we let AI “speak” for us too often, we risk losing our own vocabulary, confidence, and understanding, making it harder to explain what we want, even to the AI itself. To stay connected to the fast-growing world of information, strong speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills are essential. These are the abilities that will keep you in control of the tools you use, not the other way around.

Tomorrow: Shaping the Future of AI and Work

Join us at The Erindale Academy for the GYC 2026 Critical Thinking Competition, where students will take the stage to explore one of the defining questions of our time: AI and the Future of Work.

Date: Tomorrow, March 27, 2026

Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (EST)

Location: The Erindale Academy

Website: theglobalyouth.org

Watch Live: Scan the QR code below or join our YouTube livestream to see the next generation of global thinkers in action.
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear fresh, thoughtful perspectives on how AI is reshaping the world of work.

Theglobalyouth Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming every aspect of how we live, learn, and work. As automation and intelligent systems continue to reshape our world, the next generation must learn to explore possibilities, innovate responsibly, and participate in meaningful change. This year, the Gl...

The Erindale Academy is now recruiting students for our exciting Summer 2026 programs.

1. Summer Camp (Ages 5–17)

A dynamic program filled with innovation, creativity, and hands-on learning including robotics, teamwork activities, and exciting projects that spark curiosity and confidence.

2. Summer School (Grades 9–12)

Earn a full OSSD credit in just 4 weeks, improve grades, and stay ahead with small classes and personalized support from experienced teachers.

Address: 1576 Dundas Street West, Mississauga

Time: July & August 2026

Limited spots available – register early to secure your place!

MARCH 2026 NEWSLETTER

A LESSON FROM THE FIRST FLOWER OF SPRING by Principal George Vanderkuur

The trout lily is one of the first small flowers to appear in Ontario’s forests each spring. It grows up through the cold ground even when the weather still feels like winter. Its leaves have brown and green spots that look like the markings on a brook trout, which is how the plant got its name.

This early flower reminds us that being first can feel exciting, but the real success is simply growing, even when life is difficult. Like the trout lily, we can move toward the light with patience, beauty, and steady effort. Winning is nice, but growing is our true purpose. When we focus on our own progress instead of comparing ourselves to others, we find a strength that lasts long after any race is over.

Glad to be featured in a Toronto Star sponsored piece on how schools like The Erindale Academy are approaching the ethical use of AI in the classroom.

As School Director, and as someone completing doctoral studies in AI and Education, I care deeply about helping students use AI not just effectively, but responsibly.

At The Erindale Academy, we created a clear AI policy and framework so students can learn to use these tools creatively, ethically, and with academic integrity. AI is already part of how young people learn and work. Schools have a responsibility to guide that well.

For our students, this matters even more. They need both practical AI literacy and strong judgment as they prepare for university and beyond.

Read the full article here:
https://lnkd.in/euxy7JWZ

Do you think AI ethics training should be a required part of secondary education?

After school, some students at The Erindale Academy stay with Joseph to learn additional activities. Today, they built a roller coaster.

A memorable student ski trip at the world-class Blue Mountain Resort in Ontario, Canada.

February 27, 2026

FEBRUARY 2026 NEWSLETTER

FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK

SNOW AND MORE SNOW by Principal George Vanderkuur

What a winter it has been! Knee-deep snow piled into towering drifts as the wind swept across the city, blocking roads and burying parked cars. With conditions like that, a snow day was inevitable. It certainly looked like a lot of snow — and it was. In fact, we can estimate that roughly 100 quadrillion individual flakes fell during the storm. That’s one hundred-thousand-trillion flakes.

As huge as that number sounds, it’s nothing compared to the number of stars in the universe. For every tiny snowflake that fell, there are about one million stars. To match the number of stars, we would need one million GTA-sized snowstorms.

This mind-stretching comparison gives us only the faintest glimpse into the vastness of space and reminds us that Earth is like a speck of dust in a cosmic sandstorm. It should make us think carefully about how we treat the thin film of air and the drop of water that protect our small, fragile home.

Facts like these are fascinating, but an educated person goes further than collecting interesting numbers. They look for meaning, ask questions, and consider the consequences of what they learn.