John McCrae Public School, designed by Raymond Moriyama, first opened in 1969. It was named to commemorate Canadian Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, MD, who, in 1915, composed the poem, "In Flanders Fields". Our motto is: "The Torch - Be Yours to Hold It High". We serve a diverse school population and community. We provide a safe, nurturing environment where students acquire the skills, knowledge, and values necessary to become lifelong learners. Our staff consists of an excellent mix of teachers with a wide range of teaching experience and personal and professional backgrounds.
Our Community Values
We value an environment that is friendly, respectful, safe, and empowering, an environment in which students are academically, emotionally and socially prepared for their futures. We value an educational environment that nurtures the whole person and celebrates individual and larger group successes. We achieve our environment, in part, through challenging academic programs, through weaving the Character Development programming throughout the curriculum, and through a rich variety of extra curricular activities which, together with our monthly Student Recognition assemblies, help to recognize the worth and individuality of each student.
Interesting Feature
Special Education Programs
A variety of special education programs and services are offered to meet the needs of all students, including students with exceptionalities. At John McCrae, we are very proud of our Community Based Resource Model. Teachers and Administration have worked hard to ensure that all McCrae students are successful, including our Home School students, Behaviour students, and those children needing Special Education resource help.
More Information about John McCrae Public School
Our Staff
Our staff is a dedicated and well educated group of individuals with extensive knowledge of, and experience with, all students. Our staff brings a level of expertise to individual subject areas, such that physical education specialists are teaching the gym classes, mathematics grads are teaching the numeracy component, etc.
Student Life
John McCrae PS runs on a rolling five day rotary timetable. Students remain with their teachers for most of the day, but may have specialized classes with subject specific teachers. As well as school teams, we also have a House League for our students to participate in. Lunch is 55 minutes long, inside and outside times.
After School
The school day ends with agendas being checked and signed prior to dismissal. Remediation is available with individual teachers until 4:00 p.m. Students may be asked to remain to clarify concepts or complete work during this time. Co-curricular activities also take place during this block of time.
What Sets Us Apart
At John McCrae, we believe that student success is cultivated by the development of Character Traits as well as through academic and physical fitness. We focus on respect, responsibility, empathy, kindness and caring, teamwork, fairness, honesty, co-operation, integrity, and perseverance and provide our students with explicit examples of each of these areas of character.
Student Life - Where You Belong
John McCrae Public School runs on a rolling five day rotary timetable. Students remain with their teachers for most of the day, but may have specialized classes with subject specific teachers. Lunch is 55 minutes long. Students may bring their own lunch. The school day ends where agendas are used and signed prior to dismissal. Remediation time is available until 4:00 PM. Students may be asked to remain during this time to complete work, get help or as a disciplinary measure. Co-curricular activities may also occur during this time.
What Sets Us Apart
At John McCrae, we believe that student success is cultivated by the development of Character Traits as well as academic excellence. Specifically, we focus on Respect, Responsibility, Empathy, Kindness and Caring, Teamwork, Fairness, Honesty, Cooperation, Integrity, and Perseverance. At John McCrae, we endeavour to provide our students with explicit instruction around these areas of character growth, and to provide numerous opportunities to practice and demonstrate these behaviours. As well, we have monthly student recognition assemblies to acknowledge the successes of our students. Parent/Guardians are always welcome and are encouraged to attend these celebrations.
Parent and Community Engagement
Designated officers from 43 Division provide ongoing education/support through class visitations and personal interactions with staff, students/parents, and community. RISE (Respect In Schools Everywhere); Boys' Club; Girls' Group; Community Access Program; Cliffcrest Community Centre are some of the programs offered both at/through the school and in the community. Parent Council meets 4 times throughout the year. Amber Deen is our Parent Council Chairperson for 2012/2013 school year. Parents continue to volunteer their time in order to provide positive input and communication through their participation on the McCrae Council. Agendas are set to provide meaningful discussion and resolution regarding issues of importance to the students, parents and community
