Our School
Joseph A. Gibson P.S. is named after Joseph A. Gibson, as a tribute to a person who gave forty-four years of service to the schools of Ontario. Mr. Gibson was a teacher and inspector in Ontario for many years. In 1960, he was appointed the first superintendent of schools of Vaughan Township School Area Board and guided the new system through its difficult organizational stages until his retirement in August 1964. Our school motto is "Committed to Children". Our school mascot is the Gibson Gator.
Our Facilities
Joseph A. Gibson P.S. was officially opened in September 1964 with 332 students. Additions were placed on the original school in 1966/69. George Bailey Public School was built in 1955 to accommodate the increasing population in the area. For many years, some Gibson students and staff were housed at the Bailey Building, which became known as the Gibson Annex. Until September, 2000, Joseph A. Gibson was the only public elementary school in Maple, operating out of 2 campuses. Today, Gibson is housed entirely at the Naylon Street site, with students from Junior Kindergarten to grade 8. We also have Grade 1 French Immersion classes and a Junior/Intermediate Community Class.
Programs
As with each school in the York Region District School Board, Joseph A. Gibson Public School supports student learning within the Ministry of Education mandated curriculum. We continue our long term commitment to the Literacy Collaborative Project, with a focus on improving our students' achievement, specifically in reading and writing. The School Professional Learning Team, comprised of the Principal, Literacy Teacher, Division Lead teachers and Special Education Resource Teacher (SERT), work together to examine student learning and achievement data in order to help plan the necessary next steps for students success. The Professional Learning Team is committed to working with staff in to facilitate ongoing professional learning.
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. The YRDSB remains committed to the inclusion of anti-racist and equity education in its policies and programs.
Joseph A. Gibson P.S. supports Character Matters through our three R's – Respect for yourself and others, Responsibility for your actions, Readiness to listen and learn. Our Code of Behaviour also incorporates Restorative Approaches (RAYS). Students are recognized for their achievements in the classroom and beyond, with Shining Star awards and at Let’s Celebrate Assemblies.