The Grove Community School's Mission Statement
The Grove Community School is Toronto’s first public elementary school focused on environmental education, community activism and social justice. The Grove Community School, which opened in 2009, is located on the third floor of Alexander Muir / Gladstone Avenue Junior and Senior Public School. Both schools share the use of an extensive library and computer lab, gymnasium, auditorium, school yard, and outdoor classrooms. The Grove Community School is a small school of 120 students, from JK to Grade Six.
Unique Curriculum Approach
At The Grove, we satisfy Ontario Ministry of Education requirements with respect to curriculum expectations, but we also go beyond them in a unique approach guided by our core values (social justice, ecological sustainability and environmental justice, community engagement/ activism) and our key commitments. They include the following: community, collaboration, respect for children’s voices and holistic education (see The Grove Community School Handbook) http://thegrovecommunityschool.ca/curriculum/.
At The Grove we value experiential learning and the development of critical thinking skills. As a community we are committed to implementing an anti-bias curriculum. For example, once a year, students explore gender roles and are encouraged through an inquiry approach to challenge stereotypes and homophobia during Gender Spendour Week. In addition, teachers work with students to help them develop goals, reflect on their learning and communicate their success and next steps to parents. Students develop portfolios and share them during Student-Led Conferences.
More Information About The Grove Community School
We are a GOLD STATUS Eco School
The Grove achieved GOLD Eco School Status in 2013 and we are working towards Platinum Status. At the Grove children have many opportunities to explore the natural world and reflect on how to reduce their impact on the environment. Students learn how to be active and thoughtful citizens who advocate for responsible environmental stewardship.
Here are some examples of environmental and outdoor education at The Grove:
- Planting trees in McCormick Park
· Planting a pollinator garden in Dufferin Grove Park
· Kindergarten Wildflower Stomp
· Building our School Food and Herb Garden
· Yellow Fish Road Program
· Watershed on Wheels
· Scientists in the School
· Community Walks
· Investigate Butterflies and Worms
· Planting a Peace Tree
· Visiting West End Food Co-op
· Warren Park Field Trip
· High Park Field Trip
- Evergreen Brickworks field trip
- Planting trees in McCormick Park
· Planting a pollinator garden in Dufferin Grove Park
· Kindergarten Wildflower Stomp
· Building our School Food and Herb Garden
· Yellow Fish Road Program
· Watershed on Wheels
· Scientists in the School
· Community Walks
· Investigate Butterflies and Worms
· Planting a Peace Tree
· Visiting West End Food Co-op
· Warren Park Field Trip
· High Park Field Trip
- Evergreen Brickworks field trip
- Etienne Brule Park (Humber River) Field trip
Learning through the Arts
At The Grove, The Arts, including visual and dramatic arts, music and dance (creative movement), help to expand and foster imagination and creativity. As much as possible, students learn through the arts.
We have an active music program that includes recorder instruction and vocal music. Every year students create through the visual arts program a work of art that is displayed in a formal show and community members have the opportunity to view and buy student art.
Community and Collaboration
At the Grove, we collaborate as a community including staff, parents and students to support children’s learning. Every morning we gather outside for our Welcome Circle to share announcements, music and student work. We regularly get together to celebrate student learning in Grove Gatherings and work in multi-age groupings on a variety of curriculum related activities.
Peaceful Conflict Resolution
At the Grove, we foster the development of emotional intelligence, particularly our ability to feel empathy towards others. To that end, students at The Grove participate annually in ‘Peace Week’ to explore how to interact peacefully as a community and imagine how we can support peace in our local community and in the world.
We are proud to have developed a three step conflict resolution model that all the children learn in order to solve social conflicts independently.
Student Life - Where You Belong
GO TEAM
Students at The Grove have many opportunities to enjoy curriculum-related activities, extensions to the arts program and excursions during the school day. Students participate in both school and Board sports initiatives. Throughout the year, there are also a number of whole-school activities when families can enjoy events with students and staff.
Here is a list of some of the annual community events at The Grove:
· New Families Welcome at Dufferin Grove Park
· Peace Week
· Terry Fox Run
· Wild Rumpus at Dufferin Grove Park
· Remembrance Day Peace Circle
· Student Led Conferences
· Wildflower Stomp
· Winter Concert
· Ice Skating at Dufferin Grove Park
· Friendship Day / Valentines Day
· International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
· Earth Day Celebration
· Art Show
· School Play
· Solstice Festival at Dufferin Grove Park
· “Our Dreams Matter Too” Walk
· Portfolio Sharing
· Graduation Celebrations
· New Families Welcome at Dufferin Grove Park
· Peace Week
· Terry Fox Run
· Wild Rumpus at Dufferin Grove Park
· Remembrance Day Peace Circle
· Student Led Conferences
· Wildflower Stomp
· Winter Concert
· Ice Skating at Dufferin Grove Park
· Friendship Day / Valentines Day
· International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
· Earth Day Celebration
· Art Show
· School Play
· Solstice Festival at Dufferin Grove Park
· “Our Dreams Matter Too” Walk
· Portfolio Sharing
· Graduation Celebrations
WHAT SETS US APART
At The Grove, we aim to create curriculum to counter biases related to race, colour, culture, ethnicity, linguistic origin, disability, socioeconomic class, age, ancestry, nationality, place of origin, religion, faith, sex, gender, sexual orientation, family status, and marital status. As much as possible, we provide opportunities for all students to understand the factors that cause inequity in society, and to understand the similarities, differences, and the connections between all forms of discrimination. We help students to acquire the skills and knowledge that enable them to challenge unjust practices, and to build positive human relationships.
We believe that the quality of children's learning and their ability to realize their potential is intimately related to the health and wellness of their interconnected ecological and social environments. We see sustainability and social justice education as linked.
The Grove is a community-centred school in which students, families, teachers, and community members work together to learn from each other to solve real problems.
We believe that the quality of children's learning and their ability to realize their potential is intimately related to the health and wellness of their interconnected ecological and social environments. We see sustainability and social justice education as linked.
The Grove is a community-centred school in which students, families, teachers, and community members work together to learn from each other to solve real problems.
PARENT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Family involvement at The Grove is vital to our success and is requested of all families; families are strongly encouraged to volunteer. Here are some examples of how families can get involved at The Grove:
· Help organize or participate in a special event at the school
· Coach extra-curricular activities (soccer, ball hockey)
· Help organize or support our fundraisers (art show, silent auction, etc.)
· Sign-up to make soup for Stone Soup (Tuesdays)
· Help organize or participate in a special event at the school
· Coach extra-curricular activities (soccer, ball hockey)
· Help organize or support our fundraisers (art show, silent auction, etc.)
· Sign-up to make soup for Stone Soup (Tuesdays)
· Assist with the Snack Program
· Be a Class Rep
· Serve as a member of the Parent Council Executive
· Volunteer at the Open House
Parents at The Grove have the opportunity to join a wide range of Committees that contribute to our school community. For example, Parent Engagement Committee,
Environment Committee, Peace Committee, Social Justice Committee, Arts Committee, and Good Food Collective.
· Be a Class Rep
· Serve as a member of the Parent Council Executive
· Volunteer at the Open House
Parents at The Grove have the opportunity to join a wide range of Committees that contribute to our school community. For example, Parent Engagement Committee,
Environment Committee, Peace Committee, Social Justice Committee, Arts Committee, and Good Food Collective.