
“At Sirius Stars, I meet new people, learn new things, and have fun . . . my teacher (takes) things that are hard and turns them into something fun.”
Christina, “Sirius Stars” summer student
York Catholic District School Board has put together a thorough (and thoroughly engaging) video compilation of feedback from students, teachers, parents, and mentors about their 2021 “Sirius Stars” virtual Summer Learning Program.
The YCDSB SLP offered students rich summer learning opportunities that included Math activities, animation creation, Métis art, Let’s Talk Science workshops, 3D printing, and much more. And based on feedback featured in their video presentation, all participants found the YCDSB program a rewarding experience.

“I had such a great experience my first year (in 2020) collaborating with two other teaching partners at Sirius Stars that it was a no-brainer to be able to sign up again and have this experience teaching for my second year . . . this year (enrollment has) actually grown almost three and a half times. It’s really a tribute to how amazing the program is.”
Julia, “Sirius Stars” teacher
In addition to wide-ranging comments about the board’s SLP from students, parents, and staff, the York Catholic DSB video also includes teacher feedback on the program’s Splice Project, which encourages students to take risks and explore new interests and ideas while learning in a safe environment that provides support to help them overcome any challenges they may face.
The video ends with a parent describing her child’s enjoyment and positive learning experience in the summer program’s Kick Start Jr. introduction to intermediate learning:
“(My son in Grade 6) has really enjoyed the (Kick Start Jr.) program. He has found that the lessons have been very engaging and everyday he has logged on without any problems in terms of knowing where to go. It’s well laid out and very well organized. He’s enjoyed the variety of subjects that have been offered to him.”
The full video can be found here. Links to specific sections of the video are also listed below:
The Splice Project Teacher Feedback
Kick Start Jr. Parent Feedback
Share your 2021 Summer Learning Program highlights.
Do you have a video, article, report, or other materials that sum up your board’s 2021 summer learning experience?
If so, we would love to share it with the SLP community.
Let us know what you would like to contribute. We’ll collect your images, videos, anecdotes – whatever best tells the story of your 2021 summer program – and feature them on this site for everyone to enjoy and learn from.