Our School
In September 1988, a newly renovated Pine Grove Public School re-opened its door to students in Senior Kindergarten to Grade 5. Two years later, the population grew and two portables were added, along with Junior Kindergarten and Grade 6. By 1996, six portables stood on the site with just under 400 students. Shortly thereafter, plans got underway for a new school building on the Pine Grove site. The new building opened in October 1997 with an enrolment of 500 students from JK to Grade 7. Grade 8's were added the following year. Over the next few years Pine Grove's population rose to over 900 while holding students for new schools being built in the area. Since 2002 Pine Grove has housed only students from within its boundary area and enrolment has remained consistent at just over 600 students. Our school motto is "From the seeds of knowledge, the future blooms."
Programs
As with each school in the York Region District School Board, Pine Grove P.S. supports student learning through the curriculum standards set out by the Ontario Ministry of Education and through other co-curricular activities.
Pine Grove has a very strong emphasis on balanced literacy which includes a guided reading and writing program at all levels, Literacy is woven into the curriculum in all subject areas across the grades. We are part of the Board Literacy Collaborative sessions, focusing this year on junior level students. Reading Recovery provides support for students in grade 1 and Special Education is provided for those students requiring support at other levels. Close collaboration amongst grade partners assures a strong, consistent program at all levels.
Our school:
- Promotes a safe and supportive learning environment. This is done through the Board's Safe and Supportive Schools Policy and Procedures and the Character Education Initiatives.
- Provides a variety of Special Education Programs.
- Provides an after school program. Service is provided by the YMCA
We are also very proud to offer the following programs to our students:
- Balanced literacy program at all levels
- Within Grade leveled Reading and/or Math Programs
- Professional Development opportunities provided by staff to colleagues
- Close collaboration between grade partners to provide consistent program across grades
- Strong focus on data collection to inform strong literacy program
- Support to the new students arriving at Pine Grove each year.
- Anti-Bullying Programs; Character Matters
- Guest speakers and professional development workshops
- Strong support to enable leadership opportunities to promote leadership potential among staff
- Divisional Learning Teams to support the development of literacy skills across the curriculum
- Focus on the development of Assessment and Instructional Intelligence skills
- Ongoing and informal social skills counseling
- Progressive Discipline Model
- Student Leadership program
- Curriculum Night
- VIP programme
- Band
- Choirs
- Celebration Concerts and Special Assemblies
- Grade 8 Graduation
- Cross Country; Track & Field; Volleyball; Basketball
- Intramural sports and games
- Student council
- Supervised Drop Off and Pick Up for parents driving students to school
- Arts Programs
- Numerous Teacher Candidates practice teaching at Pine Grove
- Special Education support programs including: Student Support Centres, Resource &/or Withdrawal Support
- Educational Assistants supporting special needs students
- Rich program-specific field trips
- Outdoor Education – BORC Visits
- Volunteer Support
- Co-op Placements
- Milk Programme