Life and Events at EYA

EYA Life & Events

EYA Grad 2021! Congrats Grads!

Nutrition

Apart from classes, in-house special events, and field trips, EYA also offers daily breakfast and snacks. Food is life!  Students regularly volunteer in the kitchen to plan and make hot meals for the school.  The food we make is varied and always nutritious.  Our most popular dishes include Chana Masala with rice, Shepherd’s Pie, Thai red curry soup, falafel, and chili.

The Alternative Tentacle Art Show

The art show is a great opportunity to earn some genuine gallery showing and curatorial experience.  Our Art show takes place every May, of the busiest months of the year for the Art scene in Toronto. Alternative schools come together to show our work in the annual Alt9 Art show in collaboration with Xpace Cultural Centre. You can view the 2021 show here Alternative Tentacle 16. 

Iron Chef Competition

Food and Nutrition students all participate in the Iron Chef competition, where they form teams and compete with one another. Each team works together to plan and prepare a full meal, which is then presented before a panel of judges to decide which team will win.

Student of the Month Awards

During our monthly school-wide council meetings - where we discuss issues raised by either staff or students - we take some time to recognize the progress or achievements of students over the past month. This recognition can be for acts of kindness or friendship, academic achievement or improvement, increases in participation or attendance, or overall positive contributions to the life of the school community.

Health and Wellness Week

EYA hosts a number of activities and workshops for Mental Health Awareness Week. Workshops on a variety of topics are held, including on yoga, mental health, and boxing. Other activities included a wellbeing scavenger hunt, beading and origami, workshops on healthy relationships and on dealing with substance use, and a play session with a choice of basketball or indoor games hosted by Snakes & Lattes. A great week!

Halloween

Every Halloween, staff and students at EYA dress up in costumes and make the most of the day as a community playing games, carving pumpkins, baking treats, and getting into the spooky spirit.

Winter Holiday Feast

Each year, on the last Thursday before the winter break EYA hosts a huge feast.  The staff prepare special foods the night before and students arrive at school to find all sorts of deliciousness, savoury & sweet.  Our feast is such an important part of the culture at EYA that alumni, often going back years, regularly join in. There are always games and of course a visit from Santa!  This is truly a memorable and closely held tradition at our school.

Basketball Tournament

EYA participates in the Alt9 Annual Basketball Tournament, hosted at a different Alt9 school each year.

School Gardening

Every spring, the whole school takes some time to clean up the front by planting, weeding, and clearing out the collected brush and garbage.  This is usually followed by veggies, watermelon, and pizza.

End of Year BBQ

Towards the end of every school year, we hold a bbq where we share food, some laughs, and - hopefully - some good weather!

Alt9 Prom

Every year, the Alt9 Schools host a prom for all the graduates from our family of alternative schools.

EYA Graduation

Welcome everyone to celebrate the East York Alternative Graduating class!  Graduation at EYA is a very special occasion.  We hold our graduation ceremony at The Fox Theatre on Queen St. E. Guests can enjoy their popcorn while we recognize the accomplishments of our incredible youth.  We have a unique opportunity as a small, caring community to get to know our students well.  The result is a graduation ceremony that acknowledges the perseverance and personalities of each individual graduate.