Garden Avenue Junior Public School's Mission Statement
Garden Avenue Public School is situated between Parkside Drive and Roncesvalles Avenue, near St. Joseph's Health Centre. The school was founded in 1957. Garden Avenue P.S. was known as Argentina P.S. between 1961 and 1982.
The school has an enrolment of approximately 205 students, a majority of whom have English as their First Language. Approximately 85% are born in Canada. Garden Avenue School offers Kindergarten to Grade 6 programs. The school shares space with Sunnyside Garden Daycare which serves children between two-and-a-half and 12 years old. This allows our students seamless transitions from daycare to school.
Our Mission Statement:
At Garden Avenue P.S., the teachers, students, and parents work together to provide a caring and safe and accepting learning environment where all students can maximize their learning potential and positive self image. We are committed to a school and workplace that is inclusive and free from bullying (physical, verbal, social or cyber), abuse (physical, sexual or psychological), and discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, culture, religion, gender, language, disability, sexual orientation or physical appearance or any other attribute.
At Garden Avenue P.S., the teachers, students, and parents work together to provide a caring and safe and accepting learning environment where all students can maximize their learning potential and positive self image. We are committed to a school and workplace that is inclusive and free from bullying (physical, verbal, social or cyber), abuse (physical, sexual or psychological), and discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, culture, religion, gender, language, disability, sexual orientation or physical appearance or any other attribute.
The Garden Avenue Community
Garden Avenue Public School is committed to collaborative work among the school staff, students, and an active School Council, whose volunteers actively support the school. School Council champions the promotion of the arts and sports, fundraising and helping teachers in the classroom. Parent volunteers assist on field trips, and events such as, the fun fair and pizza lunches. Student teachers, CYW and ECE students complete class placements.
Garden Avenue actively supports our new to Canada families. Students and families engage in community outreach including visits to Copernicus Seniors Lodge, St. Joseph's Health Centre and contribute to food bank donations. Garden Avenue students engage in global and local responsibility initiatives including fundraising for the Terry Fox Foundation and Jump Rope for Heart Foundation.
More Information About Garden Avenue Junior Public School
Assessment and Evaluation
The primary purpose of student assessment is to improve learning.
Assessment has the greatest potential to improve learning when it is an integral part of classroom activities. Teachers assess student progress towards achieving the expectations on an ongoing basis. Assessment information is used to make informed decisions for school improvement planning.
Assessment has the greatest potential to improve learning when it is an integral part of classroom activities. Teachers assess student progress towards achieving the expectations on an ongoing basis. Assessment information is used to make informed decisions for school improvement planning.
Support for students
Resource programs are offered to meet the Special Education needs of the students at Garden. Students' exceptionalities are identified through the formal review process called Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC).
Individual Education plans are created according to a student's strengths and needs. The classroom teachers works closely with the students and when necessary support is provided by the Resource teacher, Education Assistant and Special Needs Assistant. Individual Education plans are reviewed through the year to set new targets to improve student achievement.
Student Life - Where You Belong
GO TEAM
Garden Avenue students are actively engaged both in their classrooms and in extra-curricular activities supported by their teachers and parent volunteers. A variety of opportunities to extend their learning occur through lunch time and after school activities which include Choirs, Track and Field, Cross Country, team sports and interest clubs. Field trips are also an integral part of learning at Garden Avenue. Students have opportunities to visit the Science Centre, the Toronto Zoo and the Toronto Island Natural School Camp. Local walking trips include visits to Roncesvalles Village, the High Park Library and High Park.
WHAT SETS US APART
Garden Avenue is a small community school with a highly developed culture of caring. Students participate in an annual Terry Fox Walk. Parents volunteer time and effort in order to enhance learning both in the classroom and on school trips. Fundraising supports investments in technology, scientist in the school, dance programs, etc.
PARENT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
At Garden there are regular Public Library class visits (K-6) scheduled at the High Park Library. The proximity to High Park affords an emphasis on the Environment and Conservancy.
Safe Schools and public safety are supported by the Police youth services programs.
Garden Avenue Public School remains committed to collaborative work among the school staff, students, and School Council. The School Council is very active in supporting sports and the arts within our school. It has helped fund visiting artists including the Silver Birch author visits. School Council has also supported ongoing playground development and Eco initiatives such as the planting of new shade trees.