Whitney Junior Public School

We Feature

Student Leadership

At Whitney, we strongly believe in student leadership. Student leadership is waking up in the morning and being the person who takes small steps to make lives of others better. Students at Whitney are encouraged to make a difference in the school by being positive role models, supporting and assisting others. Students in grade 6 act as PEER MENTORS, helping in the office area, outside at recess time and initiating games with primary students on rainy days in the classroom. All students are involved in our reading buddy program, supporting students with their reading.

Our Peer Mentorship program is a wonderful opportunity for student leadership. All grade 6 students at Whitney may apply and become a peer mentor. With this responsibility comes training from our teachers and school social worker as well as opportunities for leadership at our SPA days, school performances and organizing games for the younger students at recess times.

Whitney Junior Public School's Mission Statement

Whitney is located in a well-established residential district in the Rosedale/Moore Park area. The first school was built in 1926 and the current building in 1964. Some parents and grandparents of our students also attended the school. In May 2001, we celebrated the school's 75th anniversary.

The school population is approximately 280 and most students live in the school's catchment area.
The school has a child care centre and an outstanding record of parental involvement.
Staff and parents work together to support School Improvement
Many unique initiatives provide enrichment opportunities and experiences for all students.
Many opportunities for students to be involved in outreach programs and give to other communities.

We have many different initiatives in place to support literacy and numeracy and they continue to be a focus of our School Improvement Planning process. The Principal works with the staff and parents to develop a School Improvement Plan that clearly identifies specific areas requiring improvement and the programs and resources required to improve student success.

Sports and Physical Education

All students benefit from physical education classes taught by a gym specialist. We have a number of interschool sports teams coached and coordinated by the gym teacher and various staff members. Recently, we have updated our sports team philosophy allowing even more students to play sports at different levels. Most students participate in cross country and the Terry Fox Run.

Our focus over the past few years is on the mental health and well-being of all our students. Every year, we ask students to fill out a survey providing the staff information about how students are feeling in their school environment. Last year, we hosted a full day healthy living conference for students in grades 1-6 and we are currently planning for the Spring.

More Information About Whitney Junior Public School

The Arts

Whitney has an exceptional Arts program! All classes meet with a specialist music teacher at least once a week and are given opportunities to perform. We celebrate a primary focused holiday winter concert. As well, we have a junior choir and offer itinerant strings & band to our grade 5/6 students. As well, our junior school talent show is always a huge success!

Our spring talent show for our junior students and our winter concert for our primary division are highlights at Whitney P.S. Along with professional visiting artists for every classroom, Whitney also provides true enrichment opportunities through Prologue Productions and Director's Cut. Visual arts programs, such as water colour painting and school productions for both the primary and junior division are also offered through our after four programs all under the auspices of professional artists/teachers. Our partnership with the Mooredale Community Centre allows for many exciting after 4 programs including skiing, productions, lego robotics and chess, to name a few !

Information CommunicationTechnology

Whitney has an abundance of working integrated technology in all classrooms. We have Interactive Whiteboards in ALL of our classrooms as well as a full computer lab with up to 30 working computers. As well, every classroom is equipped with both ELMOS & projectors as well as a classroom printer.

Recently, we have invested in ipad technology in order to take advantage of assessment opportunities for teachers as well as integrated science, math, reading and writing challenges. There are many enrichment ipad apps available that are both a spring board for teachers and a way to challenge our students academically.

Respectful School Climate

We are fortunate to offer such a warm and welcoming environment for all of our students, staff and parents. From our many school sports teams to our monthly celebrations of student success at our SPA (Spirit, Pizza & Assembly) days, all students are recognized for demonstrating the TDSB monthly character traits.

SPA Days stands for Spirit, Pizza & Assembly! These days are a huge hit at Whitney P.S. Every month, all students and staff comes together and participate in a spirit theme day ie. pyjama day, fashion disaster, rock n roll or crazy hair day, eat pizza and then celebrate together at our recognition assembly based on the TDSB Build Character, Build Success traits.

Visiting Artists, Scientists and Director's Cut

Enrichment programs such as visiting artists, scientists and a media studies program called Director's Cut are all funded by the WSC. These valuable enriching opportunities provide hands-on learning to complement the classroom. All classrooms has at least two visiting specialists each year providing a full day program in either visual arts, media studies or science.

Most of the visiting artists come to our school from the Inner City Angels, a non profit arts group dedicated to bringing the arts to all Toronto and area schools, especially inner city schools. Our grade 6 students also have the opportunity to create large scale murals under the guidance of a visiting artist. Every year, these mural adorn the walls, benches or brick of Whitney P.S. and allow students to know that they have added a piece of history to the building.

Additional Features

Whitney Child Care Centre
Itinerant band and strings program
After Four Programs
Library/Computer Lab
Whitney Word Newsletter
Healthy Choices Week
Poetry Celebration Week
Book Fairs

Student Life - Where You Belong

GO TEAM

Whitney is a busy and exciting place where students are involved in many activities and events throughout the school year.

Our sports teams include badminton, basketball, soccer, ultimate frisbee, hockey, track and field, volleyball and cross country running, just to name a few. We organize a bi-weekly divisional DPA (Daily Physical Activity) for all students. Literacy learning through library reading programs such as Red Maple, Blue Spruce and Silver Birch, Battle of the books and Book Fairs.

Participation of students in grades 3-6 in the Pythagoras Math Contest

Monthly SPA (Spirit, Pizza & Assembly) Days for recognition of student success, school spirit and global/local outreach

Harvest Fair, Talent Show, Healthy Living Student Conference and Bicycle Rodeo with our police service. As well, our student yearbook club publishes our annual Whitney Yearbook.

At Whitney PS we have caring and committed staff who work together with parents for the success and well-being of all students. Staff collaborate and plan together in bi-weekly professional learning communities, developing classroom programs that are engaging and challenging- focused on student achievement.

WHAT SETS US APART

Whitney PS is a mid-sized school with an active parent community and school council. The majority of students live in the neighbourhood and many attend our community school from kindergarten to grade 6. Students take part in intramural activities at lunch and participate in team sports and after school programs. Parent volunteers provide support for many initiatives such as the Terry Fox Run, cross country, pizza lunches, bicycle safety, etc. The After Four Programs are organized by parent volunteers during lunch and Mooredale Community Centre after school for students in grades 1 to 6. These programs are voluntary and are offered during terms one and two.

Thanks to the School Council's fundraising support we are able to enrich classroom programs and fund initiatives such as Scientists in the School, visiting artists, Director's Cut and the grade 6 mural project. As well, the School Council has funded technology initiatives such as the purchasing of MAC laptops for our grade 6 students and new Interactive WhiteBoards, ELMOS and Projectors for every classroom!

PARENT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Whitney has a committed and actively involved school council with strong community links and involvement in fundraising activities, school safety, community outreach and school planning. Council meetings are held four times a year as well as monthly meetings of the Executive Council.

Parent volunteers assist in classrooms and the library, accompany classes on excursions, drive for sports teams and events and coordinate After Four Programs and registration, Harvestfest, Main Event Fundraiser, Whitney Word Newsletter, Parent Handbook, Whitney Yearbook

Fundraising has included local charities such as the CHUM City Christmas Wish, Heart and Stroke, Terry Fox, UNICEF and the Daily Bread Food Bank to name a few. Scheduled visits to all classrooms come from the Community Police liaison Officer from 53 Division.