Our School
Yorkhill E.S. was officially opened in 1987. We now have approximately 450 students attending our school. The student body reflects the multicultural makeup of our community. Yorkhill E.S. is located at 350 Hilda Avenue, in Thornhill. Our school motto is: Yorkhill Elementary School - YES WE CAN Our school mascot is the cougar. Our school Touchstone guides our actions, attitudes and behaviours. Our School colours are blue and white.
Programs
As with each school in the York Region District School Board, Yorkhill E.S. support student learning through the curriculum standards set out by the Ontario Ministry of Education and many other co-curricular activities.
Our school:
- promotes a safe and supportive learning environment. This is done through the Board's Safe and Supportive Schools Policy and Procedures, our Touchstone and Character Education Initiatives
- houses an Autism Community Class. We have a Student Support Centre, and we provide Resource/Withdrawal Services for other students with special education needs.
- provides a full range of ESL support
- Currently offers French Immersion, Grades 1 and 2. Grade 3 will be offered, starting in September 2015.
- provides a Before and After school program run by the YMCA
We are also very proud to offer the following programs and services to our students:
- Anti-Bullying Programs
- Guest speakers and workshops
- Jewish Family and Child Services
- Progressive Discipline Model, including the provision of a Resolution Room during recess
- Student Leadership programs including Student Council
- VIP program
- Character Education program
- Lunch Time Providers
- Jump Rope/Terry Fox Run
- Intergenerational Programs
- School Sports Teams including Cross Country, basketball, volleyball and track and field
- Public Speaking
- Inclusion Workshops
- Lego International
- Raising Awareness Committee
Safe and Supportive Schools/Character Education/Equity Education
Every student has the right to learn in a safe and supportive environment. The York Region District School Board has a Safe and Supportive Schools Policy and a defined procedure to implement the policy. Both the policy and procedure support the view that student discipline involves a continuum of support including prevention, intervention and appropriate consequences. In addition, Yorkhill E.S. supports the development of character education in the York Region District School Board. The following is an overview of the school's Character Education initiatives:
A school wide review of our acknowledgement programs prompted some changes to how we recognize student success at Yorkhill E.S. We continue to recognize student success in JK – Grade 8 through our Touchstone. Our Touchstone is our code of ethics, written by students, which guides our behaviours and attitudes. Our students aspire to become living examples of our school's Touchstone by learning skills and approaches that they can build upon throughout their lives. Each month, a Touchstone action statement is highlighted through announcements, thoughts, class discussions, artwork, and modeling. Students who demonstrate our Touchstone are recognized each month.