Shirley Street School is located near the southwest corner of Dundas Street and Brock Avenue. Our school is a warm, welcoming school with a small population of students and dedicated staff. We serve a highly diverse population. Over 40 percent of our students come from homes where English is not their first language. Shirley Street is an Integrated International Languages Extended Day school. Students choose to study Portuguese, Chinese or Spanish.
The school is also home to:
-City View Alternative Senior School
-YMCA Child Care Centre that offers separate care for toddlers, pre-schoolers as well as kindergarten-aged children
-Parenting and Family Literacy Centre
Literacy
Our central focus is to improve the literacy achievement of all of our students. We have placed an emphasis on language learning, specifically using language blocks to provide a balanced literacy program. We use focused reading and writing strategies to improve literacy achievement. Our Literacy initiatives include: Borrow-a-Book Program; Developmental Reading Assessment; Language Resource Support; Early Reading Intervention program; Reading Buddies; Leveled Independent Reading collection in every classroom; Partnership with Parkdale Public Library. We also use the Empower Reading Program with some of our students.
Interesting Feature
Integrated International Languages
All students at Shirley Street Public School attend Portuguese, Cantonese or Spanish class for 50 minutes per week. The Integrated Day program gives students an opportunity to learn an international language as part of their regular school day. The program is taught by Continuing Education instructors.
More Information about Shirley Street Junior Public School
Mathematics
Our focus in mathematics is to help students develop their mathematical understanding by engaging them in problem solving and shared, guided, and independent math activities. We help students foster a positive attitude towards mathematics and involve students actively in their learning.
Science and Technology
Our focus in science and technology is to help students develop the skills, strategies, and habits of mind required for scientific inquiry. We have incorporated STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) projects into the curriculum. Students will create projects using STEM to solve real world problems. Projects will be shared at a STEM showcase.
Social Studies
Our focus in social studies is to help students develop knowledge and skills that will enable them to carry out increasingly complex investigations. We provide activities that encourage mastery of basic concepts and develop inquiry skills. Cross-curricular learning is used to reinforce skills and knowledge in a range of settings.
The Arts
Learning through the arts fosters integration of a student's sensory, cognitive, emotional, and motor skills. Students learn to link the study of the arts with the study of a variety of subjects. They gain an appreciation of the importance of the arts as a source of enjoyment and as a means of communication.
Student Life - Where You Belong
We have a wide range of clubs, teams, and programs for students to participate in which include:
-Drama Club
-Cross Country
-Track and Field
-Soccer
-Arts and Crafts Club
-Concerts -Performances
-Island School visit
-Visual Arts Club
-Slo Pitch
-Terry Fox Walk/Run
What Sets Us Apart
-Focus on Technology
- SMARTboards in every classroom
-Roots of Empathy
-Early Reading Intervention Program
-Snack Program
-Itinerant music
- Band, Strings, Vocal
-Scientists in the School
-Partnerships with City View Alternative Senior School
-Itinerant ESL/ESD support for English language learners
-Resource and Home School Program support for exceptional learners
-iPads in Kindergarten and grade 1
Parent and Community Engagement
-BLG Reads to Kids
-The legal firm Borden Ladner Gervais helps to promote a love of reading by working with children to improve literacy skills
-McCormick Community Centre
-Trained staff pick up our students and walk them to after-school programmes held at McCormick
-Co-op students from neighbouring secondary schools
-Teacher Candidates from the Institute of Child Studies, OISE, York University, and Ryerson University
-School Council Initiatives
-Fundraising, Community Events
-Parenting and Family Literacy Centre
-Volunteers to assist on class trips, sports, classrooms