Our School

Highgate Public School is a JK - 8 elementary school located in the city of Markham. Highgate PS is named after Highgate Drive, the street on which it is located.

The school offically opened on September 6th, 1983. Highgate is in its 32nd year of academic learning and community service.

Programs

Safe Arrival and Departure Program

We wish to ensure the safe arrival of all students attending Highgate Public School. With this in mind, please notify the school if a student is going to be absent: call the school at (905) 477-1019 before 8:25 a.m. An answering machine operates between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. to take any messages. If a student is not in school and accounted for by note or telephone call, the school secretary will:

• call home
• call the parents/guardians at work
• call the emergency number (and if the student is still not accounted for) may
• call the York Regional Police Department 

Intramural Program

Highgate PS offers a universal Intramural Program or all students from Kindergarten, Grade 1 – Grade 8. The Healthy Schools Team believes that EVERYONE should have the opportunity to participate in recreational activities, regardless of skill or fitness level. 

The goal of the Intramural Program is to provide a wide range of activities that promote fun, fitness and cooperative participation in a non-competitive and friendly atmosphere. Some possible activities might include: floor hockey, skipping speed stacking cups, pool noodle games, rubber chicken games, dancing, juggling, yoga, student leadership opportunities. The Intramural program will be offered to students from Kindergarten, Grade 1 – Grade 8.

Through a balanced and comprehensive intramural program, we hope to:

• Increase participation levels through physical activity.
• Increase awareness of the benefits of an active lifestyle.
• Develop of leadership skills, including communication, organization and decision making.
• Physical skill development.
• Develop of social skills resulting in cooperation and teamwork and an understanding of, and commitment to, fair play increased school spirit and enthusiasm.

Music​

​​Highgate's music programming centres around the concert band. In addition to studying an instrument of their choice in class, students may participate in extra-curricular ensembles which perform at music festivals and school events.

Ontario Healthy School

Fuel Program

Highgate’s Healthy School Team in partnership with York Region Public Health and the Ontario Dairy Farmers has implemented a 5-Day universal student nourishment programs.

The Fuel Day Program will support our school in providing nutritious food to our children on a daily basis. The central objective of this program is to support the healthy development of children so they are arriving at school ready to learn. This program supports initiatives to increase levels of school readiness among young people and provide a healthy environment at Highgate. The program also compliments efforts to reduce rates of childhood obesity and the incidences of overweight children.

ALL students at Highgate will be provided a healthy snack that focuses on one of the four food groups from Canada’s Food Guide. Some examples of our snacks might include an apple, cheese string, bagel, milk, or banana. 

York Region Food For Learning along with the Ontario Dairy Farmers will be subsidizing the majority of the cost for the healthy snacks. However students are encouraged to pay a portion of the cost to carry the program.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Healthy Schools Team at 905-477-1019.

Breakfast Program

In partnership with Breakfast Clubs of Canada and the York Region Food for Learning program and to promote the importance of eating a daily nutritious breakfast, Highgate Public School is continuing the Blast Off with Breakfast Program. By offering a balanced meal, a safe environment and, social and emotional support to young people, other breakfast programs reported the following benefits:

    ·      Improved behaviour and increased concentration, leading to greater achievement 

    ·      Improved attendance and punctuality

    ·      Improved social skills and confidence to interact with children and adults

    ·      Reduced bullying through increased cross-age/peer-group communication

    ·      Increased understanding of how healthy eating habits affect energy levels

    ·      Renewed interest in curriculum subjects

The Blast Off with Breakfast Program is a FREE program open to ALL students in the school.