Rene Gordon Health and Wellness Academy opened in 1963 as Karen Public School (renamed Rene Gordon Elementary school in 1988) and is located in Don Mills. The school is named after a former North York Board of Education trustee. The diversity of languages, cultures and perspectives in the Rene Gordon community provides an enriched and stimulating learning environment for both students and staff. In September 2012, the school was renamed Rene Gordon Health and Wellness Academy. Some of the features and programs at our school include: a morning snack program; an International Language class in Farsi and Arabic, we are a Fit for Life school and we have full day learning in Kindergarten.
Eco School
Rene Gordon Health and Wellness Academy is proud to be a Silver Eco School! We have worked very hard to eliminate as much garbage at the school as we can but we are continuing to strive for less. We have implemented: Litterless Lunches in our Lunch Room Program as well as a daily Recycling program; weekly recycling collection in classrooms; an active student ECO Club, who monitor recycling and help educate students on the importance of recycling and reusing materials. This school year, our Eco team is going to bring the Green Bin organic waste program to our classrooms.
Interesting Feature
Health and Wellness Academy
Rene Gordon follows the Ontario Government's Foundations for a Healthy School. Our focus is on High quality Instruction and Programs, a healthy physical environment, a supportive school environment and community partnerships. Daily physical education, specialist teachers, learn to skate program, vibrant art and music programs, ESL support for students, Special Education and high quality teaching instruction for all students.
More Information about Rene Gordon Health and Wellness Academy
Positive Behaviour Recognition Program
Designed to support and complement the Toronto District School Board’s BUILD CHARACTER, BUILD SUCCESS mandated initiative, this program is currently implemented in schools in Toronto as well as schools in Kingston, Ontario. This program effectively communicates and instills the importance of ten character traits.
Community Partnerships
We believe it is important to work together with our community to provide our students and families the essential services they require. We presently have partnerships with the YMCA; Settlement and Education Partnerships in Toronto (SEPT) and Adventure Place Child and Family Centre.
The Arts
To enrich our student's lives with the Arts, we have a specialized Art teacher who works with students from Grades JK to 5. Students are also exposed to special performances by professional artists. We also have a Drama and Music teacher on staff.
Extensive Physical Education Program
The students of Rene Gordon are exposed to a wide variety of physical activities throughout the day and year. Students receive instruction from a Physical Education teacher four out of the five days of our cycle. There is also an active houseleague system in the school as well as participation in competitive sports.
Additional Features
- Dedicated Teachers
- Safe and Caring Environment
- Library
- Variety of Extra Curricular program
- Smartboard Room
- Specialized teachers in Arts and PE
Student Life - Where You Belong
Students are given a wide variety of opportunities to participate in the life of the school. From Morning Announcers to Lunch Monitors, there are many opportunities for students to get involved. We offer a variety of clubs (Homework, Bead, Bracelet, ECO) and sports teams (Soccer, Volleyball) as well as Houseleague teams at lunch (Indoor Soccer, Powerball). Students are encouraged to take a leadership role in our school through participation in such activities as Me to We, Morning Announcers, Kindergarten Helper and Library Monitors.
What Sets Us Apart
What sets Rene Gordon apart from other schools is our sense of family. We are a small school and therefore all the staff and students know each other. It is wonderful to see older students interacting with younger students on the playground and in classrooms, calling them by name and knowing who is a brother or sister to another student. Our strong partnership with our local high school, George S. Henry Academy, also sets us apart. We have many students from the high school who work in our school on a weekly basis through a Co-Op program.
Parent and Community Engagement
Rene Gordon has several established Community Partnerships. We have a Before and After School Care program through the YMCA. We have parents volunteering in classrooms and our Snack program, as well as on school trips.
