Our School
In 1837, a half-acre parcel of land was donated and secured for a schoolhouse. The first school built at Vellore was a log structure 16x20 feet in size. The students at this time sat on wooden benches and a single fireplace was the building's only source of heat. A teacher at Vellore School during this early period was Alexander Muir who wrote the song Maple Leaf Forever, considered by some Canada's national anthem until O Canada was officially given the title in 1975. Our school motto is believe, achieve, succeed. Vellore Woods P.S. was officially opened in 2002. The school has 26 classrooms, a music room and a science lab. A before and after school child–care centre, owned and operated by "LeClub" is located at Vellore Woods.
Programs
As with each school in the York Region District School Board, Vellore Woods P.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 Schools Policy and Procedures, the Board's Antiracist and Equity Education Policy and the Character Education Initiatives.
- provides Special Education Programs
- provides a before and after school program. Service is provided by Le Club Child Care Program.
We are also very proud to offer the following programs to our students:
- Arts Program - Throughout the school year an arts program is scheduled for all grades. Students enjoy various plays and musical performances from artists that visit our school. This year we are happy to be subsidizing this program for our students through funds raised from our pizza program.
- Breakfast Program - Every morning from 8:00 to 8:20 a nutritious breakfast is served in the staff room by a group of volunteers. Any student is welcome to join us. There is no cost to the program and we have received some funding from the Student Nutrion Program (SNP) however, we are very grateful for any donations offered.
- Snack Program - Nutritious snacks are available in the office daily also supported through donations and the SNP program.
- Sub Lunch Program and Pizza Lunch program
- Anti-Bullying Programs
- Guest speakers and workshops eg. VIP program (Values, Influences and Peers) Youth Education Officers from the York Regional Police deliver this program to grade 6, 7 and 8 students, addressing topics such as theft, drugs, vandalism, relationships and bullying.
- Ongoing and informal social skills counseling
- Progressive Discipline Model
- Student Leadership program
- Excellent co-curricular activities