Sir Alexander Mackenzie Sr. P.S. (SAM) officially opened on January 20, 1972. Our school name honours a man who demonstrated integrity and perseverance while exploring his way across Canada. Sir Alexander Mackenzie was born in Scotland. He was a fur trader and the first white man to cross North America north of Mexico, charting and exploring huge expanses of Canada. One of the rivers he explored, the Mackenzie River, bears his name. His voyages were published in 1801, he was knighted in 1802 and in 1804, he was elected to the House of Assembly of Lower Canada. SAM is located in Agincourt and has a history of responding to the changing needs of its community. SAM is a dynamic, multicultural school with a host of opportunities for students.

Extended French and French Immersion

At SAM we have a rich tradition when it comes to French programming. We are very pleased to offer our community French instruction at three levels -core, extended, and immersion. Extended French and French Immersion are French-as-a-Second Language (FSL) programs in which French is not only taught as a subject but also serves as the language of instruction in other subjects. In the French Immersion program, French must be the language of instruction for a minimum of 50 percent of the total instructional time. In the Extended French program, French must be the language of instruction for a minimum of 45 percent of the total instruction.

Interesting Feature

SAM TO THE CORE

It is not your success or what you have accomplished. It is not your reputation, personality, or what or who others think you are. Character is who you are when no one is looking. It is how you choose to act, no matter what people say or what situations are in play. SAM has teamed up with Premier Agenda to help our students learn more about the "7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens" written by Stephen Covey. Character education plays a key role in the daily lives of our "SAM family". The 7 Habits program will prepare our students for a more successful transition to high school. 

More Information about Sir Alexander Mackenzie Senior Public School

Athletics

SAM has many aspiring athletes who, with the help of teacher coaches, have the opportunity to develop their skills in all aspects of our phys. ed. program. Team pennants adorn the gym walls displaying the many East Conference and/or City Finalist or Championships. Basketball, volleyball, football, slo-pitch and track and field are samples of sports for student selection. 

Music

From choir to jazz band, from wind ensemble to orchestra, our music program is second to none! All students at SAM learn a music instrument as part of their studies, and it shows! Our halls are filled with the sounds instruments and voices working towards a high level of excellence. Enriched learning opportunities include concerts, music festivals, retreats and travel.

The Arts

SAM's visual art department offers a rich experience through its social justice based curricula. The programme’s unique mandate is to develop critical thinking through art based problem solving. All units of study cover historical significance, social context and visual indicators. Some of the projects include clay sculpture, graffiti, stencil graffiti, and serigraphy

More about SAM

We are committed to excellence by promoting personal goals, recognizing student’s individual strengths and acknowledging the role Multiple Intelligence plays in student success. Our goal is to achieve an atmosphere that includes cooperation, kindness and caring, respect and responsibility. SAM's secret is cultivating interdependent relationships among staff and students.

Additional Features

• Safe and Caring Schools Committee
• Strings, Band, Jazz Ensemble, Choir
• 7 Habits Certificate Award Program
• Me to We Human Rights Club
• kids.now
• Nutrition/Snack Program
• Overnight Out-of-Town Excursions
• Grade 8 Grad Trip to Niagara Falls 

Student Life - Where You Belong 

At SAM, we look to excel in all aspects of school life, from academics, athletics, to the arts and beyond. The art room is a great place to hang out if you’re artistic and there’s the cooking room too. It’s always full of delicious treats. Take a peek in the library and also consider joining the Red Maple Club. From the Green Team taking care of our environment to the Math Challenge, all are welcome. At SAM, there are many activities happening. We have basketball tournaments and sell treats to help with fundraising, school walks like the Mustang Marathon, amazing school trips, and school celebrations for many occasions. Whether it’s during the fall, winter, or spring seasons, there is always something happening. We hold fundraisers, such as the Terry Fox run to help cancer research. At our science fair, you can discover new inventions and make your imagination come to life. When walking through the halls, you see students displaying their talents and expressing feelings with emotions. Everyone at SAM is treated the same. It doesn't matter who you are, it's participation that counts. All of us, from students to staff and administrators are proud of what happens everyday at SAM.

What Sets Us Apart

At SAM, we know all schools in the TDSB are working with teachers and support staff to develop programs that are second to none. Similar to all of the schools in the TDSB, SAM truly wants the very best for our students and we care tremendously about their academic success and emotional well being. What sets us apart is our commitment to inspiring students to be proactive, begin with the end in mind, put first things first, think win/win, and seek first to understand then to be understood. These are just a few of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens program at SAM. We truly believe that embracing Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits every day authentically transforms our school culture into one that demonstrates and establishes empathy for others, teamwork, fairness, honesty, and integrity for all. This is just one example of the many phenomenal initiatives taking place in the Toronto District School Board. Make it a habit to visit the TDSB homepage regularly to see what is happening at all schools across the Toronto District School Board!

Parent and Community Engagement

The School Advisory Council (SAC), is a group of interested parents, teachers, and community members who meet about five times per year discussing a variety of items concerning Sir Alexander Mackenzie Sr. P.S. This council started in 2003 and from its onset, the parents and community members involved have collaborated greatly to enhance the life of our students. The SAC has had involvement in fundraising issues, special activity days for students, and school safety, to name a few. During SAC meetings, we have dealt with such items as how board policies affect our students, how parents can support their children at home, and how everyone can make SAM a better place to learn. Currently, at many of our SAC meetings, workshops are presented for parents. Some topics that have been discussed are dealing with your teens, public health issues, cyber bullying, and Facebook for parents.