Our School
History
Baythorn P.S. is named for its location, on Baythorn Drive. It opened its doors in 1967 with Mr. E.J. Sand acting as the supervising principal. Baythorn has always been a neighbourhood school, in a community where the number of school age children has fluctuated from one year to the next. As a result, there have been a number of programs that have been housed in the building over the years. In the early 70's, Montessori rented rooms from the school to house their program. Later in the 70's, one of the first Alternative Education programs for youth came to Baythorn. During the late 80's Superintendent Jerry Diakiw, developed the idea of an Arts program to be housed at the school. Principal Joe Lawless and Vice Principal Jean Duran worked together with the superintendent to create a unique arts based program for the elementary students of York Region. Students from all areas of the board were given the opportunity to audition for placement in the Arts program. Today Baythorn enjoys both the students from the community and the students who call Baythorn their home from all areas of York Region . The community program includes classes from Junior kindergarten through grade eight. The Arts program, which teaches the curriculum through dance, drama, visual arts and music includes students from grades five through eight.
As far back as anyone can remember, the school mascot has been the Bear. Our athletic teams are all the "Baythorn Bears" with our school colours of blue, white and silver. The bear can be found in the Canadian Aboriginal Peoples Totems as a symbol of power, strength and fearlessness. The bear also symbolizes knowledge, inner-strength and self sufficiency.
Facilities
Baythorn P.S. officially opened in 1967. The original school was significantly smaller than the one we live in today. A number of additions have been added to the school over the past 35 years, including a second floor, a science lab, dance and art studios, as well as a large gymnasium and computer lab. A classroom has been adapted into a drama studio with stage curtains and a stage area.
Programs
As with each school in the York Region District School Board, Baythorn P.S. support student learning through the curriculum standards set out by the Ontario Ministry of Education and many other co-curricular activities.
Baythorn Public School is considered a "dual track" school. We offer two programs that meet the Ontario Ministry of Education Curriculum expectations but in different ways.
We are also proud to offer the following programs to our students:
- In class resource support
- Student Success Center
- Empower program
- ESL
- Reading Recovery
- Curriculum related field trips
- Ongoing and informal skills counseling
- Progressive discipline model
- Student leadership program
- VIP program
- Character Education
- Guest speakers and workshops
- various sports and clubs
Safe and Supportive Schools/Character Education/Equity Education
Every student has the right to learn in a safe and supportive environment. The York Region District School Board has a Safe and Supportive Schools Policy and a defined procedure to implement the policy. Both the policy and procedure support the view that student discipline involves a continuum of support including prevention, intervention and appropriate consequences. The YRDSB remains committed to the inclusion of anti-racist and equity education in its policies and programs. Baythorn P.S. supports the development of character education in the York Region District School Board.
