Our School
History
Glen Cedar Public School is named after Glen Cedar Forest, a large cedar bush adjacent to the school property. Approximately twelve acres of mixed hard and softwoods make up the Glen Cedar Forest today, in addition to two small creeks that wind their way through the forest. Many small animals and birds live there including skunks, foxes, raccoons, muskrats, frogs, toads, snakes and barred owls. In December 2001 a Glen Cedar parent, Scouts Canada, the Town of Newmarket, the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and Tim Hortons undertook a five-year plan to recover the forest. The trails have been covered with wood chips, and plants and shrubs line the paths and provide a food source for the animals. The Newmarket Scouts and volunteers from Holland River Clean-Up have spent weekends cleaning the forest for our students and the community to enjoy. An annual Glen Cedar Forest Naturalization Day is scheduled in May. We welcome all members of the community who would like to take part in the activities.
Facilities
Glen Cedar Public School opened in November, 1979 with an enrollment of 386 students. Education Minister Bette Stephenson officially opened the school on Wednesday, March 12, 1980.
Glen Cedar is wheelchair accessible and features both a lift and ramps. Renovations to the former Design and Technology and Family Studies rooms were made to create additional classroom space. Further renovations to a large open area space created two new kindergarten classrooms and a fenced area outside. A full computer lab with 30 computers provides students with multi-media tools. Glen Cedar hosts a Before and After School Program run by Denison Child Care Centre. The program opens at 7:00 a.m. and closes at 6:00 p.m. The school grounds are situated on eight picturesque acres of rolling hills and a flat field with the forest along the north property line. The school yard is dotted with cedar trees.
The York Region District School Board and the Town of Newmarket share a joint use agreement for the school property. The soccer field and playgrounds are maintained by the town during the summer months.
Programs
As with each school in the York Region District School Board, Glen Cedar P.S. supports student learning through the curriculum standards set out by the Ontario Ministry of Education and many other co-curricular activities.
Our school
- promotes a safe and supportive learning environment. This is done through the Board's Safe Schools Policy and Procedures and the Character Education Initiatives
- provides Special Education Programs – Student Support Centre and resource/withdrawal programming
We are also very proud to offer the following programs to our students:
- An extensive athletics program (Volleyball/Basketball/Track & Field/Cross Country, Flag Football & Badminton) Our team name is the "Glen Cedar Crows".
- Guest speakers and workshops (Scientists in the Classroom, Parents, Authors and Artists)
- Anti-Bullying Programs
- Ongoing and informal social skills support
- Regular recognition/acknowledgement of festivals and faiths celebrated in our community
- Progressive Discipline Program
- VIP Program (Grade 3-8)
- Instrumental Music program (including Newmarket Enrichment Band and Music Alive Festival)
- Chess Club
- Instrumental Music and band program
- Dramatic student performances
- Family Movie Nights (Sponsored by School Council)
- Electives
- Tech Club
- Leadership opportunities (office helpers, morning DJs, etc...)
- Healthy Schools Initiatives (Boomerang Lunches, Snack program, Breakfast program, milk program, Pita & Pizza Lunches and Kids Kitchen)
- Equity Club
- You're the Chef program
- Jr. Chef Ambassadors
- Good New Assemblies
- Spirit Days