Father Michael McGivney Catholic Academy

Father Michael McGivney Catholic Academy (commonly known as FMM) is a Catholic high school of the York Catholic District School Board. It is located at the intersection of 14th Avenue and McCowan Road in the city of Markham, Ontario. The school was founded by the York Catholic District School Board in 1989 and is named in honour of Father Michael J. McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus. The school is authorized as an International Baccalaureate World School.^[1] The school officially opened to students on September 1992.

Father Michael McGivney Catholic Academy has implemented the option of being enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program as of January 2011. This program is designed as an academically challenging and balanced program that prepares students for success in their post-secondary education and beyond. In the IB program, students study six courses at higher or standard level. Students must choose one subject from each of groups 1 to 5 (to gain experience in languages, social studies, the experimental sciences and mathematics). Moreover, the sixth subject may be an arts subject chosen from group 6 or another subject from groups 1 to 5.

Mission

The school has an enrollment of 1400 students ranging from grade 9 to 12. Being a Catholic school, it encourages an inclusive community of many cultures, rooted in the teachings of Jesus, to develop the full academic, spiritual and social potential of all students in partnership with home, church, and other communities, as builders of a just society.

Facilities & productions

Facilities in FMM include:

• Main and attendance office
• Guidance office
• Chaplancy office
• Visual art rooms
• Cafeteria
• Classrooms
• Communication/new media lab
• Building and construction shop
• Design & technological lab
• Dance studio
• Stage (in cafeteria)
• Three gymnasiums
• Music rooms
• Lecture hall (rehabilitated in 2015-2016)
• Cosmetology room
• Co-op room
• Special Education aka FLS or Best Buddies room
• Tuck shop
• Drama room
• Dome (opened October 3, 2015)
• Resource center
• Science labs
• Staff room
• Staff workrooms
• Student government office
• Student and guest parking facilities
• Washrooms for students
• Portables for ELS Adult classes
• Gymnasium change room with shower and washroom
• Weight room
• Yearbook office

Father Michael McGivney has had numerous productions for their drama classes, such as the Grade 11 production of The Big Bad in January 2011 adapted from the story of The Big Bad Wolf. In 2012 that class produced the first musical in over 4 years at the school, "You're A Good Man Charlie Brown" performed with live music. The school also has other numerous arts events, including the Grade 12 Art Exhibition at McKay House Gallery in Unionville. They had another show later that year to exhibit more photography and design work at the Unionville Station. They also host Annual Arts Night held at the school where they exhibit work by all the grades, have drama showcases, band performances and in 2012 the addition of the school's newly founded choir.

Feeder Schools

• Mother Teresa Catholic School
• Sir Richard W. Scott Catholic School
• St. Benedict Catholic School
• St. Francis Xavier Catholic School
• St. Vincent De Paul Catholic School

SLAM- Student Leaders at McGivney

Student Leaders at McGivney, more commonly known as SLAM is a leadership council coordinated by the Chaplaincy Department and is the student wing of "servant leadership" in the school. Students who wish to be a part of SLAM can be nominated by staff or apply through the Chaplaincy department. After an interview, candidates who are successful go on a mandatory three-day leadership program called TORCH.^[2] SLAM is divided into a variety of "teams" dedicated to a variety of activities within the school. These teams include:

• (A) Liturgy Team - Focuses on set up and take down of school masses, participates and invites the school community to become involved with the Eucharistic celebration, provides support to the Chaplaincy department on days the school offers the sacrament of Reconciliation.
• (B) Charities Team - Responsible for raising school spirit and awareness for charitable events that include but are not exclusive to the Thanksgiving Casserole Drive, Share Christmas Campaign, Spring Casserole Drive, and Inside Ride.
• (C) Jamaica Mission Team - Usually includes but also not exclusive to students who embark on a Mission trip to St. Andrew's Jamaica during the March Break. Students work together with the school and local community to raise money for students going on the trip, their host - the Brothers of the Missionaries of the Poor, and the children the Brothers dedicate their lives to taking care of.^[3]
• (D) Service & Justice Team - Work hand in hand with the Jamaica Mission Team to raise school and community spirit by encouraging and reminding students of the potential to become involved in the community and how they can live out important Catholic Social Teaching values.
• (E) Photography Team - Captures the amazing moments of SLAM and works with Student council as well as the Administrative team to advertise all of the amazing achievements of FMM's students.
• (F) Communications & Technology Team - Help organize all events run by SLAM by ensuring posters, announcements and information are correctly relayed to all staff and students.

Each of these teams serves to help each other and the greater school community through acts and activities of faith and service.

SLAM is responsible for a number of school activities including:

• (1) School liturgies
• (2) Seasonal charities - Thanksgiving Casserole Drive, Share Christmas Campaign, Spring Casserole Drive
• (3) Jamaica Mission Trip
• (4) Volunteer Fair
• (5) Alumni Speaking Series
• (6) Leader support during grade level retreats

2003 SARS lockdown

In 2003, the entire school was quarantined and closed due to a case of the SARS virus. ^{[4] [5]}

Notable alumni

• Andre De Grasse, Sprinter and gold medalist in the 100m and 200m dash at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto. Bronze medalist in the 100m dash, and 4 × 100 m relay at the 2015 World Track and Field Championships in Beijing, China. He also won bronze for 100m in the 2016 Rio Olympics with a personal best of 9.91s.
• Andrew "Burd" Liburd (Class of 2004) JUNO nominated music producer for Meek Mill, MGK, Pusha T, Joe Budden and more.
• Mike Zigomanis (Class of 2000) - an AHL player drafted to the NHL at age 19, currently plays for Toronto Marlies. He previously played for the Carolina Hurricanes, Phoenix Coyotes, St. Louis Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Toronto Maple Leafs.
• Phylicia George (Class of 2005) - is a Canadian track and field athlete who competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

In film

• The school is featured in Transmania Ontario's video of the TTC 129A McCowan North bus ride northbound. The school can be seen as the bus passes 14th Avenue. ^[6]

See also

• List of high schools in Ontario

References

External links

• Father Michael McGivney Catholic Academy
• Promotional video
• The FMM Grapevine

Coordinates: 43°51′3″N 79°16′47″W / 43.85083°N 79.27972°W / 43.85083; -79.27972