Essex Junior and Senior Public School's Mission Statement
In 1989, Essex Senior School and Christie Junior School were twinned and became Essex Jr. and Sr. Public School. The school was built in 1964. Essex is located north of Bloor Street and west of Christie Street. It is a JK to Grade 8 school with rotary in Grades 7 and 8. The number of students currently attending is 310. The Essex Community is committed to providing a safe and supportive learning environment for everyone involved in the school community. The Parenting Centre runs a very active program for about 90 families.
At Essex we believe everyone has the right:
To learn to be listened to, to be valued and be treated equally to be respected to a clean, safe, caring environment.
To learn to be listened to, to be valued and be treated equally to be respected to a clean, safe, caring environment.
We will continue to look at social justice themes as they apply to ourselves, locally and globally. The goal is to find ways that we can make a difference!
Character Education
Essex PS creates a school wide culture that promotes a common understanding of the TDSB Character Traits and celebrates positive behaviours and attitudes at Essex. As a school, we celebrate each character trait at our monthly Celebrating Character Assemblies.
TDSB Character Traits:
Respect, Responsibility, Empathy, Kindness and Caring
Teamwork, Fairness, Honesty, Co-operation, Integrity, Perseverance
Character Trait Celebration Assembly:
Every other month, we hold school-wide CHARACTER TRAIT CELEBRATION ASSEMBLIES. Any class or students interested in presenting in the Assembly are welcome. This is an opportunity for us to celebrate the positive behaviours and attitudes that Essex students have demonstrated throughout the course of the month. Some things to celebrate can include names of teams, clubs, individual students who demonstrated leadership in the school (e.g., ECO Team who promoted proper recycling through classroom presentations, Teams that demonstrates good sportsmanship, etc.)
Every other month, we hold school-wide CHARACTER TRAIT CELEBRATION ASSEMBLIES. Any class or students interested in presenting in the Assembly are welcome. This is an opportunity for us to celebrate the positive behaviours and attitudes that Essex students have demonstrated throughout the course of the month. Some things to celebrate can include names of teams, clubs, individual students who demonstrated leadership in the school (e.g., ECO Team who promoted proper recycling through classroom presentations, Teams that demonstrates good sportsmanship, etc.)
More Information About Essex Junior and Senior Public School
Special Education
Special Education programs and services are offered to meet the needs of all students. At Essex, we have three Mild Intellectual Developmental programs; two Intermediate Developmental Disability programs; and, a Home School Program where students receive a modified program in Mathematics and Language. We also have Resource support for grades 1-8 in language and math.
Our Developmental Disability class has a Functional Apartment. This apartment focuses on the development of functional life skills and vocational skills. Students practice setting tables, preparing snacks, using kitchen utensils and appliances, folding laundry, sorting supplies and vacuuming creating an environment where students feel comfortable in their classroom space.
Assessment and Evaluation
The primary purpose of assessment is to improve student learning. Teachers assess student progress towards achieving the Ministry expectations on an ongoing basis. Essex teachers actively participate in Teaching Learning Critical Pathways and Professional Learning Communities allowing them time to reflect on best practice to improve student success.
Assessment for Learning is a process used by teachers and students during instruction that provides feedback to adjust ongoing teaching and learning to improve students’ achievement of intended instructional outcomes. (Popham, 2008). This definition emphasizes the need for students and teachers to access information about students’ learning during instruction so that they can act in partnership to improve performance.
The literature on assessment for learning identifies four core practices:
• ensuring a common understanding of learning goals and success criteria;
The literature on assessment for learning identifies four core practices:
• ensuring a common understanding of learning goals and success criteria;
• asking strategically planned questions;
• providing descriptive feedback; and,
• modelling and promoting peer and self‐assessment skills.
Technology
Technology plays an important role at Essex P.S. Students use technology to both consume and produce pieces of literacy with a emphasis on media literacy. As well, students are learning the purpose of using technology through the use of wikis and blogs to promote the use of higher order thinking to enable students to become better critical thinkers.
Students have access to a mini-computer lab in the Library including an interactive whiteboard. To augment the lab, students also have access to iPads, Chrome Books, Netbooks and Laptops as well as digital video and still cameras to support their learning. We want students to become full particpants in this new digital culture. We need to investigate the skill sets the 21st Century Learner will need in order for them to become full participants. A school technology plan has been implemented to support students and staff to build on these skills as we move forward. The TDSB ICT standards help set the pace for building these skill sets. Please see our blog www.essexpublicschool.com
Design and Technology
Our Design and Technology programme offers Grades 7 and 8 students the opportunity to solve problems in a hands-on way. Working with wood, metal and plastics, students design and build models in order to solve problems such as: build a vehicle that will carry a load safely down a ramp using gravity to propel it.
Another example would have students build a device to safely lift a load, using hydraulics, pneumatics, gears, levers and pulleys. The goal is to build the skills necessary to be successful problem-sovers in the real world. We use state of the art 3D modelling software to render drawings and computer animation models to simulate physics problems. Teaching with a hands-on approach allows students to explore, experience and enjoy Science, Design and Technology and develop understanding through practical experience.
Additional Features
- Full Day Kindergarten
- Glee Club
- Arts Club
- Athletics
- Student Council
- Choir
- Student Ambassadors
- Yeak Book Club
Student Life - Where You Belong
GO TEAM
Essex - A Fun-Filled Place with Diverse Learning Experiences Students are provided with hands on experiences in Science and Technology in our Design and Technology room. They further their experiences using new computer programs for our Media Studies program. There are regular assemblies and performances, intramural sports, workshops for music and dance, school dances, sports teams, visiting Artists, Outdoor Education, Pizza Days, Spirit Days and Borrow-a-Book program. for students to participate. We have ESL classes for English Language Learners, Yearbook, Skills Trades Canada Competition, Field Trips, Silver Birch and a Computer Lab. We have Junior Achievement and high expectations for learning. We have caring committed teachers who make a difference in their students' lives and an active Student Council.
WHAT SETS US APART
Our students, staff and community are invaluable to our school. The focus at Essex is on academic excellence for all. We work hard to create an inclusive, safe, friendly and stimulating environment where students, staff, parents/guardians and others are valued and respected for their diversity and uniqueness. We are dedicated to providing exemplary programming for our students. Our programs foster academic excellence, critical thinking, self-discipline and a love of learning. We believe that all children can learn successfully and attain high levels of academic and social success.
There is a strong focus on Numeracy/Literacy that includes access to Technology; Family Literacy/Numeracy Events; and, Toronto Public Library visits.
For Personal Development, there are social skills programs for all age groups; Office/Library Helpers; Hearing and Vision Screening
Co-curricular activities include: Eco Schools; Choir; Music and Drama; Concerts/Performances; Earth Day; Chess Club; skating; Heritage Month celebrations (Black History, Asian Heritage); Month Assembly; and luncheons
For Personal Development, there are social skills programs for all age groups; Office/Library Helpers; Hearing and Vision Screening
Co-curricular activities include: Eco Schools; Choir; Music and Drama; Concerts/Performances; Earth Day; Chess Club; skating; Heritage Month celebrations (Black History, Asian Heritage); Month Assembly; and luncheons
PARENT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Some of the activities include: Public library class visits; students placements from local High Schools, Colleges and Universities that support classroom programs; collaboration with community/social agencies: St. Albans Centre for special events; and; outreach of Student Council. Essex School that meet regularly to plan school events such as: parent workshops, year-end barbecue and other school related events. The School Council also advises administration concerning curriculum, school improvement planning and safe schools issues. Parents also volunteer to assist in classrooms and with special events. The Parenting and Family Literacy Centre in the school has about 90 families participating in this program.