Terry Fox Public School is located in the Birchmount/Steeles area. The school opened in 1981. The school's name honours the memory of Terry Fox. The school serves approximately 450 students. A high percentage of the students speak English as a second language. School traditions that are maintained each year are the annual Terry Fox Walkathon, a Lunar New Year assembly, Welcome To Kindergarten orientation, Well-Being Night, newsletters to the community, Student Recognition Assemblies, Winter and Spring concerts, and extensive co-curricular activities that include a variety of sports, music ensembles (e.g., strings and choirs) and folk dance.
The Legacy of Terry Fox
Each year, to honour the memory of Terry Fox, the students and community raise funds by selling t-shirts for the Terry Fox Foundation. Every September, our fundraising efforts culminate in the annual Terry Fox Walkathon. Special banners have been presented to the school by the Terry Fox Foundation, acknowledging the contribution we have made to cancer research.
Interesting Feature
The Three A's
Our school community values the three A's of education: Academics, Arts and Athletics. We challenge our students academically while realizing the importance that the Arts and Athletics play in contributing to the development of productive, co-operative and accomplished citizens.
More Information about Terry Fox Public School
Let's Get Physical
Research shows that healthy eating and an active life style contribute to student success. As well as a balanced physical education program, our teachers coach a wide-range of co-curricular sports teams. Students look forward to our annual ski day for Grades 6 to 8.
A Culture of High Expectations
"We are living and learning with courage, we're being all we can be" are lines in the school song and articulate our belief in our students. Based on data collected about how our students learn, teachers work together in Professional Learning Teams to share best practices.
The Performing Arts at Terry Fox
Many groups have grown out of our excellent music program, such as the recorder group, primary, junior and intermediate choirs, the junior and intermediate bands and the strings ensemble and orchestra. A number of our teachers are actively involved in coaching, mentoring and teaching the music program, as well as Itinerant Band Teacher, Mr. Huntley.
Information Technology
The focus on technology support for our students has resulted in the acquisition of interactive whiteboards and laptops throughout the school that support student learning that engages students in their learning and prepares our students for the future. The introduction school-wide to the software "Read and Write Gold" supports the development of our students.
Additional Features
- Full Day Early Learning Program
- Junior/Intermediate Ski Day
- Welcome Newcomers Program
- Eco Literacy Night
- Transition to Bethune C. I.
- Forest of Reading Programs
Student Life - Where You Belong
At Terry Fox, we believe in the leadership potential of our all students. With the guidance of our teachers, students have taken up the challenge to reduce waste and educate the student body on ways in which to take care of our environment through Team Green Fox. As a result of the combined commitment of students, staff and our community partners, Terry Fox Public School has achieved Gold status as an Eco School and we are currently working towards Platinium accreditation. Students can be found taking on many other leadership roles throughout the school from organizing dances, Playground Pals, MC's in assemblies and concerts, Hall Monitors, School Ambassadors and providing mentorship for Newcomers students. Our annual retreat for Grade 7 and 8's provides our intermediate students with the skills necessary to undertake future leadership endeavours at Terry Fox, in high school and beyond.
What Sets Us Apart
Our staff are committed to student achievement through participation in a school-wide professional learning community. Staff meet together in Professional Learning Teams to develop and reflect on best practices and utilize teaching strategies that allow all students to succeed. We always strive to teach according to the individual strengths and needs of our students. Descriptive feedback, timely interventions and differentiated instruction are utilized to help ALL our students learn and be successful.
Parent and Community Engagement
Our Terry Fox School Council has active parent members, teacher representatives, and 2 student representatives. One of the goals of the School Council is fundraising to provide enrichment programs such as Scientists in School, the purchase of technology and providing funding for arts presentations. Parent volunteers also assist in the Library Resource Centre, in classrooms and on class excursions. Our school hosts an active Scouts Canada Program and the Saturday Mandarin International Languages Program. Our teachers provide mentorship for teacher candidates from various Faculties of Education, as well as hosting co-op students from Dr. Norman Bethune C. I. We also link to the wider community by participating in the annual Agincourt Community Services Food Drive.
