Oakridge Junior Public School's Mission Statement
Oakridge Junior Public School is a Junior Kindergarten to Grade 4 community school with an enrolment of 550 students. As part of the Model Schools for Inner City initiative, the staff, parents, and community are committed to providing a wide range of educational opportunities and rich learning experiences for all students.
The Oakridge Way is the cornerstone of our school code of conduct and is in line with the Board's Character Development Program. At our monthly assemblies, we recognize excellence in academic achievement and social skills.
At Oakridge we value our partnership with our parents who are actively involved in the education of their children through School Council, Nutrition programs, and school functions.
School Focus
We're collaborating with stakeholders to achieve our school goals: a) ensuring reading proficiency in senior kindergarten and grade 1; b) developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills in grades 2 to 4 across two subjects and in social situations; c) identifying and addressing educational gaps or biases; and d) fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment for all.
In addition, Oakridge aspires to increase student participation in daily physical education through the Schools on the Move program and DPA. We continue to expand our environmental awareness and activities through our EcoSchools involvement and maintenance of our beautiful Star Garden. Oakridge continues to maintain partnerships with the community, including Faculties of Education, The Early Years Centre, Learning Partnership, Toronto Police Services, Toronto Public Health, and neighbourhood schools, daycares, and community centres.
More Information About Oakridge Junior Public School
Eco Schools
In recent years Oakridge has reached Platinum Eco Status. The entire staff and student body work very hard to ensure that garbage is separated into food waste, recyclables and garbage. We are constantly being educated on the effects of waste on the environment. Environmental students help out in the lunch room, classrooms and in our Star Garden courtyard.
At Oakridge we also develop home/school and community/school partnerships to increase the amount of exposure students have to literacy activities; e.g., Family Literacy Night, Borrow-a-Book program, Toronto Public Library visiting Librarian programs, and workshops. We implement and monitor a kindergarten "readiness for learning in school" checklist using EDI data. Oakridge staff also deliver reading strategies workshops within our community.
Our Family and Parenting Literacy Centre provides a great opportunity for families with pre-school aged children to come and learn as a family.
Supporting Physical, Emotional, and Social Needs
Oakridge works closely with parents and community partners to support the physical, emotional, and social needs of our students. Hearing, vision, and dental screening and a growing nutrition program are all part of what we do to help our children be successful.
Our Students
Total Number of Students: 550
Primary language other than English: 87%
Students living in Canada 5 years or less: 33%
Specialized Instruction
A variety of special education programs and services are offered to meet the needs of all students, including students with exceptionalities.
Understanding that every child has a unique learning profile, educators use numerous strategies to assist students in their learning. Additional support is also offered through Special Education with the support from parents, In-School Team (IST) & School Support Team (SST) meetings are designed to address academic and social challenges students may face.
Additional Features
- Roots of Empathy
- Family Nights
- Parenting & Family Literacy Centre
- International Languages Classes
- Extra-Curricular Activities
- Outdoor Education
- Scientists in the School
- Summer School
Student Life - Where You Belong
GO TEAM
The Oakridge staff is dedicated toward providing Extra-Curricular programs to students affording them growth experiences as individuals and as team players. Oakridge offers a wide variety of programs which include Athletics, The Arts, Leadership Opportunities and Clubs. For Athletics, Oakridge offers House League, Basketball, Cross Country Running, Volleyball, Badminton, Bordenball, Soccer, Cricket and Track and Field. In The Arts we offer Art Club, Folk Dance, Bollywood Dance, Band and Choir. Leadership opportunities are provided to students in a variety of ways. They can be or get involved in Reading Rangers, Student Ambassadors, Student Council, Youth-Assisting-Youth, Future Possibilitarians, and/or Boys and Girls Club. Oakridge offers many different Clubs for our students including Board Games, Computer Club, Boys and Girls Club, Crafts, Cooking and Environmental Club, and Blessings in a Backpack.
WHAT SETS US APART
Our Students: Oakridge Junior Public School has a long and rich history dating back to the last century. With almost 550 students and 29 different language groups, many are new to the community and bring a richness in diversity of culture, language and experience to our school.
Our Staff: The staff at Oakridge provide a wide range of experiences to support student learning. Our programs, instructional practices, professional knowledge and leadership enable students to gain the knowledge and skills required of them to become responsible, caring and contributing participants of a democratic society.
PARENT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Oakridge Jr. P.S. supports the many initiatives of the Oakridge Community Centre. We host students from UOIT, Ryerson, and The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE/UT). We also provide placement opportunities for ECE's in training. Our Settlement Worker provides assistance to help new families in our community. We are a "Priority School" which is a TDSB community use of schools initiative. Oakridge has a Learning Partnership with the Parenting and Family Literacy Centre. The School Advisory Council meets several times per year. Parents and other volunteers assist regularly in classrooms, in the Library and on field trips. Family Literacy evenings are provided to strengthen the Reading/Writing process. Parents support the Oakridge Code of Conduct, "The Oakridge Way". Parents are actively involved in Fundraising activities and after school athletics.