Ossington/Old Orchard Junior Public School's Mission Statement
Ossington/Old Orchard Public School, fondly known as OOOPS, is located in the Little Portugal neighbourhood of Toronto. The school is situated south of College Street and north of Dundas Street on Ossington Avenue.
The community around OOOPS is growing and population is increasing. Our school is at capacity in terms of student enrolment. At the moment, OOOPS is closed to Optional Attendance. This means that only students who live in the catchment area for our school can register.
SCHOOL GROUNDS
Our school grounds expand west and cover a entire city block. The grounds include a playing field, apple trees, a sloped forested area, hill and 2 play structures. There is a terraced garden where many herbs and vegetables are grown, cared for and eaten by students and their families. The Kindergarten play area is a separate area and includes play structures, trees and garden beds. Our school grounds are used extensively by students, families and the community. A revitalization project for the school grounds is currently underway with an expected construction date of spring 2022.
More Information About Ossington/Old Orchard Junior Public School
Equity
At OOOPS, ensuring students feel safe, included and supported is of primary importance. Working closely with families and collaboratively with each other, we strive to create a welcoming, engaging and safe environment for all students.
MUSIC PROGRAMS
OOOPS has a specialist Music Teacher who delivers an ORFF-based music program to all students. We also offer, through the Itinerant Music Instructors, Steel Pan, Band and Strings. The class programs are enhanced by Primary /Junior Choirs. Student talent is showcased at Winter and Spring Concerts.
ATHLETICS
At OOOPS, Physical and Health Education is delivered by a Physical and Health Education specialist. Our teachers offer a wide variety of Sports' Teams and our students participate yearly in Cross Country Running and Track & Field.
CO AND EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Drama/Dance/Movement workshops for students
Prologue to the Performing Arts Special Presentations
Visiting Artist Residency for all students
Express Dance Sessions with Kaeja Dance
XMovement Workshops
Student Life - Where You Belong
GO TEAM
OOOPS offers many opportunities for students to discover and explore a variety of interests. A strong curriculum delivery is enhanced by many extra-curricular athletic activities including baseball, basketball, soccer, cross-country, flag football, volleyball and Track & Field. Students can also join the primary and junior choirs, chess club and eco-club. During the winter months, staff offers origami, skipping, board games, and boys' reading club. The older students are given leadership opportunities by reading announcements and being masters of ceremony at school functions. They model reading for the younger students in the reading buddy program.
WHAT SETS US APART
THE GARDEN: OOOPS has a mature, green, natural playground space known as the Ossington/Old Orchard Wilderness Garden which was a creation of the children, staff, parents and the local community. The Garden has its very own apple orchard which was planted by our students. We have become an EcoSchool with a focus on reducing, reusing, recycling and composting. Through this program, our school community, with the help of the Eco Committee comprised of staff, students and parents, have succeeded in reducing our litter by half. Each year, there are planned community and curriculum activities centred around the Garden.
PARENT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
The high level of parent involvement translates into a very active, supportive and enthusiastic School Council; a yearly Arts & Drama project and regular parent volunteers in classrooms, committees and field trips. A number of fundraising events are initiated and coordinated by parent volunteers and supported by staff (Gingerbread Fair and the Fun Fair). The broader community is welcomed to enrich the programming for our students: a Community Liaison Officer visits classrooms to discuss Streetproofing, Internet Safety, Drug Awareness and Traffic Safety; public library outreach program and Scientists In School. OOOPS is also involved with many teacher training programs. We welcome students from York University, O.I.S.E., Niagara College, Ryerson Polytechnical Institute and others.