A slideshow showcasing learning & community engagement at Pinecrest P.S.!
Quick Facts
- Our school welcomes approximately 450 students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 each year.
- We offer full-day bilingual Kindergarten, and the English program with Core French
- After completing Grade 8, students attend either Woodroffe HS, or specialized programs at Sir Guy SS, or Canterbury SS.
Our Mission Statement
Pinecrest Public School is a diverse and inclusive place for students to bridge the relationship between success in school and individual success in life. Our purpose is to understand our students in order to focus on academic excellence and their social/emotional growth.
Registration
Interested in registering your child at our school? Contact us or visit the OCDSB Registration page for more information.
About Our School
Pinecrest Public School, built in 1961, is nestled within a residential area between Greenbank and Baseline Road. We have a unique site consisting of two buildings joined by a glass atrium that provides a spacious place to greet parents and to view our primary students playing in the yard. The amazing architecture of wide hallways, rounded walls and different size windows creates a warm and welcoming environment for students to learn in.
Our school is surrounded by great open spaces that provide many opportunities for students to play a multitude of sports, explore the great outdoors and socialize with friends. Students and staff agree that Pinecrest is a Pawsome place to be!
Restorative Practices at Pinecrest P.S.
Did you know that Pinecrest P.S. is a Restorative Practices school?
What are Restorative Practices?
Restorative practices are those practices which aim at building relationships, resolving conflicts and reconciling differences, and creating communities where social learning and personal development can take place.
Underlying Values and Beliefs of Restorative Approaches
- Mutual respect
- Character development
- Acceptance of responsibility
- Acceptance of diversity
- The belief that people have the capacity to change
- The belief that given time, support and a chance to explain and learn, that problems can be resolved
- The importance of an inclusive and safe approach to problem solving where the needs, values, and goals of all involved are considered
- Building and maintaining respectful relationship
The Pinecrest P.S. community uss the following questions, from the International Institute of Restorative Practices, to support our collective approach and conversations:
Restorative Questions Questions for those who have been harmed:
- What did you think when you realized what had happened?
- What impact has this incident had on you and others?
- What has been the hardest thing for you?
- What do you think needs to happen to make things right?
Restorative Questions for those who have created harm:
- What happened?
- What were you thinking of at the time?
- What have you thought about since?
- Who has been affected by what you have done, and how were they affected?
- What do you think you need to do to make things right?
The same questions above can be adapted to be used proactively (when we “catch someone doing something right” – this should be occurring for 80% of our interactions):
Questions for those who did something positive or productive:
- What happened?
- What were you thinking of at the time?
- What have you thought about since?
- What impact has this had on you and others?
- What has been the most beneficial thing for you?
- What needs to happen to make sure this success/positive interaction continues or happens again in the future?
Caregivers can help by practising this approach and language at home. Thank you for your ongoing support.
Students
Pinecrest has a very diverse and multicultural student body, representing over 40 countries and 29 languages. The many cultural and linguistic backgrounds represented in our school are recognized and celebrated throughout the year within a proud Canadian context.
Staff
Pinecrest has a very dedicated staff that is caring, nurturing and patient. They continue to maintain a progressive approach to professional development concentrated around literacy and math initiatives. Our Student Services Division consists of a team of learning support teachers, learning resource teachers, and ESL teachers who collaborate with our school social worker, psychologist, learning support consultant and other OCDSB staff and Community Partners to plan for student success.
Parents/Guardians and Community
Pinecrest is blessed with a team of school partners who enrich our learning and the quality of our student’s lives here at school. Our staff and students are greatly appreciative of the many personal efforts, donations and grants that our community continues to provide each year to help support and enrich the learning for our students.
- Full-day Bilingual Kindergarten (JK-SK): 50% English instruction and 50% French instruction.
- English Program with Core French (Grades 1-8): Instruction in the English language in all subject areas as well as instruction in French through Core French (40 minutes daily).
Pinecrest has a DD Semi-Integrated Class that consists of ten students, a teacher and two EAs.
ELD (English Literacy Development) students at Pinecrest spend 50% of their day with their ESL teacher for literacy, math and social studies. The other 50% of the day, the students join with their homeroom classes for art, music, French, and physical education.
All other students at Pinecrest with special educational needs are included in the regular classroom. Student needs are met within an inclusionary model with support from LST’s, LRT’s, ESL teachers, EA’s and ECE’s. On occasion, students are withdrawn from the classroom to work with a small group of students and a teacher on very targeted learning goals. At Pinecrest, we believe in a team approach to student learning that includes both home and school. Communication with home is crucial. Parents are encouraged to call and ask questions or seek clarification when necessary. The school, on occasion, may also call parents with an invitation to come into the school to receive academic feedback, review learning goals and set new goals.
Our school offers updated welcoming spaces that foster a sense of belonging, including:
- a well-equipped Library Learning Commons and Makerspace
- a round gym and a square gym
- an Instrumental Music room
- a Science / Art Lab
- a Design and Tech room
During the school day, students have multiple opportunities to engage in play on a very large playground area with play structures, basketball courts, and upgraded multi-level soccer fields. Our very spacious school makes Pinecrest a very special place to be.
Our multicultural students find a safe, stimulating environment where an atmosphere of mutual respect for all cultures in Canada is cultivated. We strive to ensure that our school is a welcoming and safe place for students of all identities to feel valued and respected as they engage, learn, grow, explore, and discover.
A strong commitment to Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility is embedded throughout the OCDSB's 2023-2027 Strategic Plan and captured within each area of focus: learning, well-being, and social responsibility.
For more information, please visit the OCDSB’s Equity and Diversity website.