Blacksmith Public SchoolADDRESS: 45 Blacksmith Cres, North York, ON

M3N 1V5PHONE NUMBER: (416) 395-2060EMAIL ADDRESS: Blacksmith@tdsb.on.caWEBSITE: http://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/blacksmith/GRADE RANGE: JK to 5

at BlacksmithPublic SchoolCharacter Education is afocal point in everychild's education.  Asstudents build character,they learn to make theirbehaviour effectivethrough the 10 themes,Respect, Responsibility,Empathy, Kindness andCaring, Teamwork,Fairness, Honesty,Co-operation, Integrityand Perseverance.  Thisis often translated in allsubject areas to make itmeaningful for thestudents.  It inspirespositive behaviour that isrewarded at the end ofeach week andcelebrated each monthat the Future AcesAssembly.

I Can Learn! I Will Learn! I Must Learn!

Blacksmith Public School is located south west of Jane andSteeles in the Black Creek community, a vibrant, diverse, caringand supportive community.  Blacksmith P.S. strives to maintainequity to all students in a learning environment that caters to thewhole child emphasizing on academic, social, physical, andpersonal development at each grade level.  The staff is committedto implementing the Ontario curriculum expectations withadded challenges for each students to excel.  Co-curricularactivities support and enhance school programs, whichhelp maintain closer links with the community, home and school. Parent support is growing which augers well for the initiatives putin place for all round improvement.

Focus on Programming:EQAO scores and other school dataare used as a means of identifyingour strengths in the areas of literacyand numeracy.  A needs assessmentis done followed by a school plan forK-5 students.  The principlesadvanced by Miriam Trehearne,Debbie Miller, Lucy Calkins and in First Steps guide our literacyprogram.  Key ideas in Mathematics are based on the OntarioCurriculum Guide for instruction, Assessment and Evaluation. Through professional development sessions and the provision ofappropriate resources, staff will continue to work to achieveon-going success for all students.

More Information about Blacksmith Public School

Literacy and Numeracy Components of theCurriculumWe work diligently to raise the level of achievement of every studentthrough differentiated practices.  All students from K-5 engage inlearning experiences that help them to understand content andproduce work that is measurable of their competence and strengths.

Safety in SchoolWe empower students to be safe at school.  A Safe and CaringSchools Committee is established to ensure the students attendingthis school, work in a safe and caring environment.  Students,teachers, and parents are aware of the Code of Behaviour for theschool and we work in partnership to develop a sense ofresponsibility for all actions.

Special EducationStudents who need additional help to be successful in their workreceive support in a regular classroom or are withdrawn forintensive support.  This helps students to work to their potential andfeel successful at what they can do.

Nutrition ProgramTwo approaches are practised.  There is Healthy Tuesdays whenstudents are encourage to bring healthy lunches to school.  Thenthere is our school Snack Program that offers healthy snacks tostudents daily.  Students are introduced to foods from the CanadianFood Guide.

Additional Features● SEPT program for newcomers● Cluster Schools Initiatives● Boys' Reading Club● Chess Club

● Homework Club ~ Community● Sports● Girls' Club● Ballroom Dancing

For a list of all programs that are also offered visit http://www.tdsb.on.ca/Findyour/Schools.aspx?schno=3028&schoolId=28

Student Life - Where You Belong

“We are currently preparing students for jobs that don’t yetexist, using technologies that haven’t been invented, in orderto solve problems we don’t even know are problems yet.”-Karl FischOur school has a unique population that changes often.Many of our students speak English as a Second Language,and newcomer students are quickly integrated through theESL and LEAP programs. However, this quote really sumsup the new landscape we face in education today. Ourstudents (whether they were born in, or outside of, NorthAmerica) are being asked to think creatively, globally andtechnologically. Though it is a challenging task, our studentshave embraced the opportunity to experiment with newresources, programs and applications. Through the use ofour newly acquired netbooks, our Smart Boards, assistiveprograms and various web-based applicatons, our studentsare being prepared to be the global citizens we need for thefuture. We show appreciation and tolerance for every cultural groupthrough observances like Black History Month, AsianHeritage Month, festivals and celebrations.  

What Sets Us Apart

Our school recognizes the importance of team planning andwe are willing to do whatever is necessary to make ithappen. In professional learning communities, the targetsare set for the whole school (K-5), and grade teams worktogether on thier Pathways that specify the teaching tasks,the learning outcomes and the resources to be shared. Literacy coaches and lead teachers in the Family of Schoolssupport teachers in the discussion sessions as well as in theclassrooms. Pathways are designed to  modify the deliveryof education to our 21st century students.  It entailsplanning, collaborating, creativity and outcome-basedlearning using the many tools for effective teaching.  Ourstaff remains focused on developing the whole child.  Muchemphasis is placed on the child's social, emotional andphysical and intellectual development.  So, in collaborationwith agencies, the needs of students are met in sports, thearts, technology, performances, and excursions.  Familiesare encouraged to be a part of any, or all, of these ventures.

Parent and Community Engagement

We value community involvement at Blacksmith. In order forstudents to become prepared as global citizens, they need to haveaccess to adults from many disciplines. We have had the privilegeof working in collaboration with the Faculties of Education from York,Niagara, UOIT, Windsor and Tyndale Universities as well as RyersonNursing Students and George Brown Behavioural Science students.Our staff, students, and parents are fully involved in co-curricularactivities such as the Terry Fox Run, Community walks, Heart andStroke Foundation, Family reading and math nights, Book Fair,Science Fair, Fun Fair in addition to supporting school programs,such as the School Nutrition Program and the KindergartenOrientation Program. We also work closely with Toronto PublicHealth and the Settlement and Education Partnership.

Imagine a TDSB where all schools share a common core set of characteristics. They arecommunity-driven and focused on teaching and learning. Students and parents have a wide variety ofopportunities and there are enough students in every school to increase program choices. Imagine there is a clear focus on achieving student success and every student is engaged, has a voice,access to a caring adult and the opportunity to develop their full potential. Here at the TDSB our focus is on student achievement, parent and community engagement and financialstability.

Contact Information

SCHOOL NAME: Blacksmith Public SchoolADDRESS: 45 Blacksmith Cres, North York, ON

M3N 1V5TELEPHONE: (416) 395-2060EMAIL: Blacksmith@tdsb.on.ca