Forest Manor Public School's Mission Statement
Forest Manor Public School is located on the southeast side of the Don Mills Rd. and Sheppard Ave. East intersection. The immediate area is comprised of rental and condominium high-rise apartment buildings and townhouses. Over the next 10 years, redevelopment will result in about 2400 being built in the community, along with a new community centre, YMCA daycare and outdoor pool.
Forest Manor Public School first opened almost 50 years ago and includes a new addition with eight classrooms and two seminar rooms. The school serves over 750 students representing almost 50 different languages. Almost two-thirds of the students speak English as a second language.
Revitalizing the Library into a Learning Commons
Forest Manor has embarked on an exciting journey, transforming our library into a 21st century learning environment, referred to as a "Learning Commons" or LC. New Chromebooks, a MakerSpace, and comfortable seating have been added recently. More flexible book shelves, work counters, and tables will be added before the 50th Anniversary celebration in 2018.
What is a Maker Space? It is a collaborative work space for making, learning, exploring, and sharing that uses both high tech and no tech tools. As LC adds new hand-on activities and challenges, we're developing our students' self-confidence and critical thinking skills in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
More Information About Forest Manor Public School
Early Learning Supports
Forest Manor offers a"Welcome to Kindergarten Program," an orientation workshop designed to help newly registered Junior Kindergarten students develop school readiness skills and to provide each family with a bag of materials (e.g., playdoh, scissors). An Early Reading Coach and "Tutor in the Classroom" work with our K-2 students and staff to improve literacy achievement.
Improving Literacy Achievement
Teachers promote reading at home through the use of Book Bags, Reading Logs, and online reading programs, such as star fall.com. We have in-school clubs such as Blue Spruce and Silver Birch books that feature only Canadian authors. Finally, we have many volunteers that donate their time during and after school to help improve our students' literacy achievement.
Forest Manor has a unique Special Education/ESL resource model. We have Resource teachers assigned to support students at every grade level, in addition to LEAP and ESL teachers to provide extra help for students with little or no English. Finally, we have an Intensive Support Program for Grade 4-6 students with Learning Disabilities.
Settlement and Education Partnership
Forest Manor is involved in the Settlement and Education Partnerships in Toronto (SEPT). The program aims at connecting families to settlement services in the community and the School Board and hopes to promote student performance by facilitating the settlement and integration of newcomer families into Canadian society.
Community Use of School
Forest Manor is in use 7 days a week by groups that permit the school (e.g., Agincourt Pentecostal Church, Toronto Hawks, Scouts About). Also, every spring the whole school community comes together for Arts Night.
Additional Features
- Platinum Level Eco-School
- Fit for Life/Health & Wellness
- Scientist in the School
- UOIT/York U collaborations
- Family Nights
- Innovation and Digital Learning
- Character Education
- Extra-Curricular clubs
Student Life - Where You Belong
GO TEAM
Students have many opportunities to be involved, as a committed group of staff offers many types of extra-curricular activities. There are options that include physical activity - cross country, volleyball, basketball, gymnastics, soccer, track and field, walking, and gym games. There are clubs related to the arts - folk dancing, primary and junior choirs, sketching/drawing, and drama. There are also general clubs that include board games, chess, math, puzzles, and scrapbooking and environmentally focussed activities such as Blue Box Recycling, composting, and ECO Owls that are our "Lights Off" Supervisors. We have a large contingent of PALs (Playground Activity Leaders) that organize and lead recess games and activities for our younger students.
To recognize positive student behaviours, contributions and achievements, we have a Character Traits program. Every month, Forest Manor hosts a large assembly to recognize students. Students are encouraged to participate and excel in the whole school life.
WHAT SETS US APART
Forest Manor is a team-based school. All of the teachers work in grade, support or specialty teams. The teachers collaborate around the delivery of curriculum to meet the needs of their students. They become role models for the students who are also expected to work together as defined by the TDSB character attributes, "teamwork and cooperation." The staff is very committed to their own learning and participate in many professional development opportunities at the school and system level.
Forest Manor places significant emphasis on the school Code of Conduct so that everyone experiences a safe and caring environment. All staff members hold high and consistent expectations for student behaviour. September is Code of Conduct month and it culminates with an Assembly that highlights many other character attributes such as "respect, kindness and caring."
Forest Manor believes in strong partnerships. When staff, parents and students work together all students have the best chance to learn to their full potential and to develop positive interpersonal relationships.
PARENT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Our School Council is amazing! We have a strong core of very committed parents that organize various fundraising events and activities for the school community, including a well coordinated Spring Fair in May. School Council meetings and Family Curriculum Nights are always well attended and supported!
Forest Manor is also supported by various community agencies and businesses: Fairview Library, Parkway Forest Community Centre, Foodland, Toronto Fires Services, Toronto Police 33 Division, various College CYW and ECE programs, Secondary School Co-Op Education Programs, Teacher Candidates from numerous Faculties of Education (York, U of T, UOIT), and YMCA Daycare.