We have high expectations for each student at Deer Park. Everyone at our school follows our tenet: Respectful, Responsible and Reasonable Behaviour - at all times and from all people. We are not only a ‘small but mighty’ school, but we are also a school that believes in ‘making a difference’ whether it is right here in our own building, in our neighbourhood or in the world community.
As a staff we are working towards continuous school improvement with a focus on the Board’s priorities of literacy, numeracy, equity, environmental stewardship and engagement for all learners. These efforts, in collaboration with parents, are focused on improved student achievement and well-being for all.
Our dedicated staff provides a wide range of activities to help engage our students in an active and healthy lifestyle. If your child has a specific interest in Athletics, the Arts, or Leadership, Deer Park P.S. staff will help your child to participate fully and take advantage of learning opportunities. Our mission is to create a caring, effective school that fosters life-long learning academically, socially and emotionally in its staff students and parents.
Facilities
In 1969 the small school boards of York County amalgamated to create the York County Board of Education. At this time many of the old one and two room schools were closed and sold. Students were relocated to a larger school with up to date facilities. Only a small number of these one-room schools remain within the fabric of our present day school buildings in York Region. Deer Park is one of these schools!
The first school on site of the present Deer Park Public School was built in 1882 and came to be known as Lakeview School, school section #6, North Gwillimbury. It was a frame building that was kept heated by a wood stove in the winter. In 1912, the school board built a new one-room schoolhouse that cost a little over $4000. This brick structure remains part of Deer Park school today.
In the next 10 years many improvements were made including the acquisition of a piano, flagpole and a school garden. In 1930, an addition to the school for junior classes was constructed. In 1953 the school expanded yet again with a third classroom being added in the basement. A second addition was added to the school in 1954, which sustained a growing population until 1969 when a wing was added to Deer Park. The school continued to grow in the 1970's and 1980's. The school received a gymnasium and a library in 1972 and several portable classrooms in 1985.
Programs
As with each school in the York Region District School Board, Deer Park 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:
- is a Performance Plus School
- promotes a safe and supportive learning environment. This is done through implementation of the Board's Safe and Supportive Schools Policies and Procedures and the Character Education Initiatives
- provides Special Education Programs
We are also very proud to offer the following programs to our students:
- Restorative Practices and informal social skills counseling
- Bully Prevention Programs
- Never Be A Victim
- Guest speakers and workshops
- Referrals to Social Service Agencies
- Student Leadership program
- VIP program
- Study Hall
- A variety of sports teams
- A variety of organized activities at recess breaks
- Red Cross Babysitting
- Gr. 7&8 Jr. Achievement
- Rainbows
- Gr. 6-8 Leadership Camp
