Mary Shadd Public School (Gr JK - 08)
135 Hupfield Trail, Scarborough, ON
M1B4R6
M1B4R6
416-396-6450
416-396-6453
Mary Ann Shadd (1823 – 1893) was born in Wilmington, Delaware. Her parents helped Black slaves escape, and Mary's home was a station on the Underground Railroad. Mary taught in schools for Black youth in New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware. During this time, she also wrote articles for the North Star, an Anti-Slavery newspaper.She founded the newspaper Provincial Freeman, making her the first Black woman editor and publisher of a newspaper in North America.
Free to be... the best of me.
Mary Shadd P.S. opened in 1985 and was enlarged in 1992. Our motto is "Free to be...the best of me" and is intended as a tribute to the spirit of Mary Ann Shadd, after whom the school was named. In the 1830's, Mary Ann Shadd and her family helped slaves escape via the Underground Railroad to Canada. Our school has adopted the train as our symbol.
Mary Shadd P.S. is a large, active school whose students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 participate in a variety of co-curricular activities involving many disciplines. Our students represent 18 nationalities. 76% speak another language as well as English. We offer an after school heritage language program for our Tamil community. We take these factors into account in our school planning.
We're on the Right Track
Mary Shadd P.S. encourages the philosophy of Future ACES: Attitude, Co-operation, Example, Sportspersonship.
This philosophy links with the ten TDSB Character traits (respect, responsibility, empathy, kindness & caring, teamwork, fairness, honesty, co-operation, integrity, perserverance). We have regular assemblies to recognize "Future ACES", celebrate with our school song: "We're on the Right Track" and focus on anti-bullying initiatives. Our mascott, the Mary Shadd train, visits primary classrooms to seek out students who follow our school rule of RESPECT.
Language
Our focus is to teach students to be good readers through the development of critical literacy skills, and have a life long love of reading. Our teachers work together to provide a consistent language program with a school wide focus on reading. Teachers have access to a literacy resource room. Every student is welcome in our well stocked library with a full time librarian. We offer remedial support in literacy for intermediate grades. For additional support of students with special needs, we have a half time ESL teacher, a full time HSP program and 1 & 1/2 special resource teachers. Students participate in a Spelling Bee Canada event. Read more about Language
Mathematics and Science
Our focus is on problem solving and the application of mathematical and science skills in real life situations. Our students participate in math congress and use computers for math skill development. There is an intermediate Gauss Math club. We also offer a junior math club. This year we are hosting another School Science fair.
Information Technology
At Mary Shadd we are preparing our students for the 21st Century by complementing instruction using information technology. We have11 SMART Boards. Classes are regularly scheduled to use the computer lab. The library also hosts a bank of 8 computers. Students are encouraged to use a variety of computer media to complete assignments.
The Arts
We have two music specialist teachers on staff. All students from gr. 5 to gr. 8 learn to play a musical instrument. Our vocal music teacher works with our primary grades and uses orff instruments. We offer primary and junior choir as well as instrumental bands. We also offer other clubs for the arts e.g., folkdancing, art. We are planning a school musical for the spring.
Physical Education
We have two physical education specialists on staff and two gymnasiums in the building. Students participate in daily physical acitivities for at least 20 minutes per day. A variety of co-curricular sports teams for grades 4 - 8 are offered. We also offer an IFTA playday for grades 1-8 each year. Students may go skating locally twice per year.
