Our school serves approximately 220 students from 31 different language groups. Students participate in a variety of school-wide leadership activities including serving as Play Leaders, and as members of Student Council. Our community partners help our students achieve at high levels, they include:A School-age childcare program providing full day childcare, and before and after school programs. A Parenting and Family Literacy Centre which introduces parents and children to the school system through a range of play-based, problem solving activities in a culturally inclusive environment. An After-School Recreation Care program operated by Toronto Parks, Forestry & Recreation Department, as well as our Parent and Community Volunteers.
Our Community Partners
We believe that when school and community work together, the potential for students to achieve at high levels is greatly improved. We continue our work to develop community partners to support student growth and development in the areas of nutrition, sports as well as literacy and numeracy.We celebrate our partnership with Model Schools for Inner Cities because we work together to close the achievement gap. We are proud of the work we do regarding Culturally Responsive and Relevant Pedagogy (CRRP), as it provides us with a framework for closing the achievement gap.
Interesting Feature
Our Focus
Teachers use success criteria to help clarify learning expectations, and to be clear to students about what they need to learn and be able to do. Instructions are within students’ reach and reflect high expectations for their learning. Teachers ensure that the learning needs and interests of all students are reflected in coherent programs and pathways.We work to ensure that students see themselves represented in the curriculum program and culture of the school.We use assessment for and as learning.We consistently provide timely Descriptive Feedback.
More Information about O'Connor Public School
Student Nutrition & Learning
Anecdotal evidence and research identify that nutrition affects children's ability to learn. At O’Connor, we provide a healthy and breakfast and a mid morning snack, comprised of food from 3 food groups is served to all students. To deliver these programs, we partner with Toronto Parks, Forestry & Recreation and the Toronto Foundation for Student Success.
Teaching & Learning
At our school, teachers work together to ensure that student learning is the work. They follow our School Improvement and Long Range Plans. They ensure that students understand the criteria for success and receive and use timely descriptive feedback to better demonstrate their learning. Teachers also do moderated marking using teacher designed rubrics.
Parent Engagement
Parents are integral to our work at O'Connor, therefore we share our Long Range and School Improvement Plans with them. We believe that when parents know what we expect their children to learn and be able to do, they are better able to provide appropriate learning supports. Parents also participate through School Council, volunteering, and Early Reading Intervention etc.
School Tone
We believe that our school must be a place where students, parents and staff all feel a keen sense of belonging and share a willingness to work together so that all students will achieve success. To this end we are developing student leadership through groups such as Student Council and PALS and through sports teams and a variety of extra curricular activities.
Student Life - Where You Belong
At O’Connor, students are engaged in school wide leadership activities, such as PALS which provides student leadership during outdoor play time and Student Council which helps to develop student leadership, give voice to student opinions and concerns, and provide a forum for students to make suggestions to staff and principal for improving our school.Student leadership has also led our school’s response to international disasters, community needs or to respond to special appeals mounted by the TDSB. O’Connor table tennis club is as a result of student’s initiative.
What Sets Us Apart
O’Connor is a special place to learn and work because of the atmosphere of caring and commitment that is cultivated in the building. Our school tone reflects the efforts of parents, staff, students and community to engage in behaviours that promote respect for others and for self. Our Teachers plan and learn together, and from each other. They practice moderated marking, and work form year-long Long Range Plans that are congruent with our School Improvement Plan. Our Student Council organizes special whole school activity days such as: play day, spirit day, friendship day etc.
Parent and Community Engagement
We work in collaboration with community/social agencies in an effort to better serve the needs of our students. Some agencies that we work with include: O'Connor Community Partners, Toronto Public Health, Toronto Parks and Recreation, O'Connor Child Care, O'Connor Satellite Day Care, O'Connor Community Centre and Prime Mentors' Enrichment Program and Sowing Seeds of Caring School by School. We also work with schools such as Niagara University Pre-Service (Learn and Serve), Arts for Children, and Parenting and Family Literacy Centre. Our students participate in Intergenerational visits/performances at the local seniors' residence, "O'Connor Gate/Leisure World".
