Chester Elementary is celebrating its 125th year of education in the East York area. The original Chester School opened in 1891 and still stands on what is now Broadview Ave. Chester moved into its current building in 1959. A 'new' wing was added in 1972. Chester is a Junior Kindergarten to Grade 5 school located near Pape and Cosburn Avenues, not far from the bustling Danforth. In addition to our regular Kindergarten to Grade 5 program, Chester offers a Grade 4 and 5 Gifted Education program and a Grade 4 and 5 Extended French program.
Enrich Our Lives!
At Chester we focus on enriching the curriculum with activities that bring the classroom program to life. This year, some of the activities our students will take part in are: Dance activities, snowshoeing, workshops with visiting artists and community experts. Chester also provides programming in Music, Library, and Health and Physical Education by specialist teachers.
Student Diversity
Chester's students have backgrounds from over 35 different countries. The families in this community are justifiably proud of their heritage. At Chester we strive to embrace the variety of cultures that make up our community as For those new to Canada, we have a Settlement Worker in the school one day a week. The International Languages-Elementary Program is hosted at Chester. This after school program supports student in learning some of the more common family languages in our community; Albanian, Bulgarian, Greek and Serbian.
More Information about Chester Elementary School
Music
Whether vocal, orf instruments, recorders or ukulele, Chester students have many opportunities to learn and perform. Our music staff are not only talented in their own right but are very able to bring out the creative artist in our students.
Keeping Active
Chester offers a wide range of in class, co-curricular and house-league activities that engage both students and staff in healthy living. We are proud to be a Toronto School on the Move. We have full time specialist teachers teaching Health and Physical Education. Many of our teachers also participate in coaching our sports teams and intra-murals.
Going by being Green
Chester has earned the status of being a Gold Level Eco-School. Our Eco Team, comprised of students, staff, and parents, takes part in developing and monitoring activities such as our 'lights off 'project and various recycling initiatives. Students participate in litterless lunches and the greening of our schoolyard.
Library
Chester offers a full, vibrant library program. Students and staff have access to current, quality, high interest books and other resources. We work hard to develop the essential literacy skills of reading, writing and oral language, and promote an appreciation of good literature with the goal of creating life-long readers.
Additional Features
● Early Reading and Tutoring Programs
● Student Leadership - 'Prefects'
● Intergenerational Program
● Student Nurses - PALS program
● Focus on Equity
● Character Education Program
● Safe and Caring School
● Outdoor Learning and Play
Student Life - Where You Belong
Chester offers numerous opportunities for our students to participate in school life outside of the classroom. Staff provide extra -curricular activities for students through a variety of sports, athletic teams, clubs, art activities, folk dancing, choir and student leadership. Classroom programs are also enhanced in a variety of ways. Some examples are: field trips, in-school performances, book bags, Borrow a Book, Scientist in the School and volunteers in the classrooms.
What Sets Us Apart
Chester is a vibrant school where parents, staff and students work together to provide a learning environment that is safe, supportive and stimulating. Visitors to our school often comment on how welcoming the school feels. Chester staff participate in a variety of professional development opportunities that provide our students with a rigorous and relevant program.
Parent and Community Engagement
Chester appreciates the large number of volunteers who assist children in a variety of academic & social pursuits. Chester maintains ongoing collaboration with the Faculty of Educations at OISE/University of Toronto which brings fresh student teachers in to learn along side our most experienced teachers. We also collaborate with Ryerson: Faculty of Nursing and ECE programs, and the University of Toronto Medical students. Chester has a very active and involved School Advisory Council. The parents and community support our school fundraising initiatives and volunteer to help in the classroom and at special events. Our parents also organize and run our monthly pizza days, special events and movie nights.
