Mission
We strive for academic excellence by providing integrated, balanced, and differentiated instruction for all students. We are committed to creating a culture of respect that promotes inclusion, equity, collaboration, and celebrates diversity of all members in our learning community. Our school promotes the development of each student through equitable participation in the arts, healthy living and physical activities. Go Badgers Go!
Vision
We are the faces of public education. We understand our gifts and challenges. We are motivated by our dreams and act towards their fulfillment. We respect and celebrate our differences. We invite and value the spirit of community, creativity, and personal growth. We support each other. We have joy in who we are and who we are becoming.
Values
We recognize and celebrate excellence, and the heart-felt efforts and contributions of our community.
We strive for equity, inclusiveness, and diversity in all our programs, practices, facilities and people.
We value dedication and commitment.
We value and will respond in an appropriate manner to the voices, ideas, and understanding of all our community members.
We believe it is the right and responsibility of everyone to ensure a safe nurturing community.
We embrace the spirit of innovation that acts to realize opportunities to transform our vision into reality.
We are all responsible for our words and actions.
Overview
Harry Bowes P.S. is located in the north east section of the beautiful town of Stouffville, Ontario. The school opened to the community on September 2, 2008. The school is situated in a rustic setting with farm fields and a reservoir located to the north and west of the school. Our school serves a growing population of increasingly diverse learners. Our staff is excited to meet the challenges and the needs of our students as we "unite in our purpose to inspire and prepare learners for life in our changing world community."
History
The school is named after long time resident Mr. Harry Bowes, who at one time owned a local pharmacy in town. After his retirement in 1971, Mr. Bowes was convinced to run for school trustee, a position he held for 23 years, serving 6 years as the chairperson of the board. A few years later, he ran for council and was a member for six years. An active member of the community, he has been active in local service clubs, non-profit organizations and sports associations. Mr. Harry Bowes was elected Citizen of the Year in 1999. In the newspaper article entitled One Fine Citizen, Mr. Bowes explains that he "feels volunteer work is a way of life in Stouffville and that he's simply been doing his part." Mr. Bowes passed away on August 2, 2010 in his 87th year. We celebrated his legacy on Remembrance Day.
Population
Our school currently has approximately 740 students from junior kindergarten to grade eight. Located in a developing community as well as being a holding school for a large housing area south of Main Street, our student population is expected to continue to grow over the coming years. We serve students in mainstream classes, as well as those requiring additional support in both academic and second language areas.
Facilities
As a newer school, Harry Bowes has state of the art facilities. Our large gym, with high ceilings and our well stocked learning resource centre provide all students with fantastic learning opportunities. Specialized art and science rooms, large and spacious classrooms, a number of meeting rooms/kitchens and a three room in-school daycare round out the school’s interior facilities. Outside, a large paved play area as well as a huge field backing onto fenced green space makes our setting unique and picturesque.
Programs
As with each school in the York Region District School Board, Harry Bowes P.S. supports student learning through the curriculum standards set out by the Ontario Ministry of Education and many other co-curricular activities. The school promotes a safe and supportive learning environment. This is done through the Board's Safe and Supportive Schools Policy and Procedures, Character Education and TRIBES initiatives. HBPS provides a variety of Special Education Programs, (ie. monitoring, resource/withdrawal, partially self-contained) to a diverse student body. We also have one Junior/Intermediate (Grade 4-8) Communications Class.
We are also very proud to offer the following programs to our students:
- Character Matters and student leadership committees
- Clubs - chess, sewing, iCompute, games, robotics
- Guest speakers and workshops focusing on Literacy, Character Education and Drama / anti-bullying /
- Peer mediation / restorative practices
- Student Council Leadership program
- Intramural Sports program during lunch hours
- Athletic Teams
