Manhattan Park Junior Public School opened in 1956. The school received its name from the adjoining park located near the centre of the community it serves. In an era when most schools went up to Grade 8, the school originally opened as a Junior School with Kindergarten to Grade 5. Grade 6 was added in the late 1960s. Manhattan Park is a school with an enrolment of close to 140 students. For the 2013-14 school year most of the regular classes will be combined grades. In addition there are also two Intensive Support Programs: a Primary Diagnostic Kindergarten and a Primary Developmental Disability Class.
Student Success
At Manhattan Park we work hard to achieve ongoing and higher levels of student success. Over the past number of years, our teachers have spent time analyzing our school data (e.g., EQAO results, etc.) and have identified key areas in which to focus instruction. We work regularly with our Manhattan Park colleagues and plan with teachers from nearby schools utilizing the support and guidance of our Family of Schools Literacy and Numeracy Coaches to examine our teaching and ensure we are using practices that are the most effective. We are pleased that recent assessments indicate that our students' skills and continue to improve!
Student Life - Where You Belong
At Manhattan Park student leadership is encouraged. Some of the ways students develop these attributes are by reading morning announcements over the P.A., working as helpers in Kindergarten and in our Special Education classrooms, organizing and collecting all of our recycling, answering telephones. The Junior Grades elected a Student Council who plan regular Spirit Days, act as MCs at assemblies, and helped with the revision of our Code of Conduct and Appropriate Dress Policy. Students learn social responsibility by participating in fundraising activities for causes such as Terry Fox and international disasters. They also participate in activities that help keep our school grounds adjacent parkland clean and safe of hazards.
What Sets Us Apart
Manhattan Park is renowned for its warm and caring environment. With a compact physical space and a small student body, all of the staff know each student, and most children know all of their peers. This level of personal contact gives the school a "family" atmosphere, helping children to feel valued and safe. We are also honoured that a number of "alumnae" have chosen to return to our community in order to educate their children in this building. We value that trust and esteem!
Parent and Community Engagement
Manhattan Park's School Council has 10 - 15 active members. School Council organizes regular Pizza Lunches for the student body and also offers social events such as Movie Nights. School Council is involved in various fund raising activities, using the funds to subsidize school trips and a guest performance for the student body. They also help to organize the Scholastic Book Fair in support of the library. Parent and community volunteers also assist in school programs in kindergarten, in special education classes, in regular classrooms, on excursions, and in the care and maintenance of our school gardens.
Music Programs
Our school has a long history of an outstanding music program. A specialist teacher offers rich vocal music classes to all students. In addition, many Junior grade students belong to the Instrumental Band.
