The Mission and Vision of Our School

We are a community of individuals who share a love of learning and a passion for life. Together we pursue balanced lifestyles, literacy, and responsible citizenship within our local and global communities.

We envision the community of Dr. J.M. Denison S.S. as one which values, models and expects:

respect for self and others,
responsible decision making,
accountability,
critical thinking,
time management and employability skills,
linguistic, numerical, technological literacy,
intellectual, physical and spiritual balance.

Click here to download our School Plan for 2003 - 2006 (Requires Acrobat Reader)

History

Dr. J.M. Denison S.S. is named after Dr. John Michael Denison.

Dr. Denison was a witty and ambitious doctor who was much loved and respected in and around the Newmarket area. His generosity and outstanding work with teenagers inspired the community to name the school after him, an honour seldom bestowed on a living person.

Our school mascot is the Husky.

Facilities

Dr. J.M. Denison S.S. was officially opened in 1989.

Additions were placed on the original school in 1991.

A child-care centre, Denison Child Care Centre is operated by Denison Child Care Centre.

School Facilities also include:

Art lab	Drama stage	Guidance Office
Cafeteria	Classrooms	Student parking facilities
Construction lab	Design & technological lab	Fashion/sewing Lab
Family studies lab	Food lab
Gymnasium	Music rooms
Outdoor Fields	Outdoor Track
Resource Center	Science labs
Staff room	Student council office
Washrooms and shower facilities	Weight room

Computers: 264

Labs: 6

Transportation

The York Region District School Board has a transportation policy that applies to all of its schools.

Number of students bused: 470

Strategies to support student achievement

Grade 9 Applied English courses are scheduled to coincide with the grade 11 Peer Tutoring class. The grade 11 students are able to provide one-to-one and small group support to the grade 9 students under the direction of both the Peer Tutoring teacher and the grade 9 English teacher.

Mathematics support is offered every lunch period, during the second half of the period. Students may access the help of a teacher or a senior student during the Math help time.

Senior peer tutors are available to assist students in most subjects. Students requiring the assistance of a peer tutor can access this support through their subject teacher.

All teachers have time during the day and/or before/after school in which they are available to provide additional guidance to students in their subject area.

In the Library Research Centre the students can access support in the areas of inquiry, research and communication skills.

In-school team meetings can be initiated by parents, teachers or administration to discuss a student’s achievement and plan strategies for future action. This meeting of all stake-holders proves to be invaluable when supporting a student in need.

Both Science and Mathematics students have numerous opportunities throughout the year to participate in enrichment contests. Students wishing to participate in the contests are able to prepare by working with teachers during the weeks leading up to the contests.

All teachers provide students with enrichment opportunities on an ongoing basis.

Arts and Humanities students are encouraged to submit their work to Board and Provincial adjudicators. Countless hours are spent with teachers in preparation of creative works of art, music, drama and writing.

Students have many opportunities to experience different cultures, landscapes, music and languages through a variety of extended trips. e.g. Austria, France, Kentucky, Chicago, New York, Quebec

Curriculum and Co-Curricular Activities

As with each school in the York Region District School Board, Dr. J.M. Denison S.S. supports student learning through the curriculum standards set out by the Ontario Ministry of Education and many other co-curricular activities.

In addition, our school offers the following programs:

Alternative Education Program

Special Education Programs

We are also very proud to offer an Acquired Brain Injury Program.

Students may choose to participate in these co-curricular activities:

Clubs


Amnesty International	Art Society	Blacksmith
Anti-Smoking Campaigns	DECA	Debating
Character in Action	Equity	Drama
Environmental	Geology	Heart And Stroke
Improve	Peer Mediation	Math Contents
Math Help/Tutor	OSAID	Prom
Recycling	Remembrance Day	Red Cross
Science Contests	Science Olympics	Thirty Hour Famine
Students’ Council	Semi-Formal	Senior Buddies
Weight Training	Technology	Youth Alive

Music

Band: Jr./Int./Sr.	Guitar Ensemble	Jazz Choir: Jr./Int./Sr.
Jazz Ensemble: Jr./Int./Sr.	Music Council	Musical Theatre
Small Ensembles	Wind Ensemble: Jr./Int./Sr.

Sports Teams

The York Region Athletics Association coordinates sports activities. Visit their website at www.yraa.com for a full listing.

The athletic council and senior physical and health education students provide the leadership for activities such as student vs staff hockey, volleyball and basketball games, the annual Husky Winter Olympics and the school Snack Shack. Game results and activities are posted outside the physical and health education office. All students are encouraged to participate.

Safe and Supportive Schools/Character Education

Every student has the right to learn in a safe and supportive environment. The York Region District School Board has a Safe Schools Policy and a defined procedure to implement the policy. Both the policy and procedure support the view that student discipline involves a continuum of support including prevention, intervention and appropriate consequences.

In addition, Dr. J.M. Denison S.S. supports the development of character education in the York Region District School Board. The following is an overview of the school’s Character Education initiatives:

In the first week of school classes develop a Mutual Respect Target that illustrates the students’ concept of mutual respect in concept and in action. Administrators visit every class to discuss the Mutual Respect Target that was created and link it to the school plan.

The grade nine students are introduced to the Character Education attributes in an assembly early in the Fall term.

Announcements are read weekly to remind students to be people acting in good character and to use their mind and their heart when making decisions.

The CIA (Character in Action) student club that focuses on actively demonstrating kindness and responsible behaviour develops TAP sessions.

Husky Bucks are used to recognize students who demonstrate character in action. The Husky Bucks can be submitted into a weekly draw for a small prize. The Optimist Club of Newmarket has been very generous in their donations to honour a student at each grade level who best demonstrates the character attribute of Optimism. This recognition is bestowed yearly at either the Recognition Assembly or the Commencement Exercise.

A highlight of the school year is the Spring assembly when the CIA arranges for a motivational speaker to address the student body.

School Council:

School Councils play such a fundamental role across the York Region District School Board in ensuring student success.

Dr. J.M. Denison S.S.’s school council is actively involved in supporting student achievement through the school plan for continuous improvement. School council meets on a monthly basis. Parents and community members are always welcome to attend the monthly meetings or to send comments and suggestions at anytime.

For more information regarding our Dr. J.M. Denison S.S.’ s school council, contact us at 905 (836-0021).

Community

Dr. J.M. Denison S.S. is proud of its community involvement.

In addition to a number of private sector partnerships, the following community agencies serve our school and its community.

[ Big Brothers/Big Sisters

[ Canadian Mental Health Association

[ Cancer Foundations

[ CAYRE

[ Children’s Aid Society

[ Early Intervention Services

[ Newmarket Family Life Centre

[ Central York Fire Department

[ Kid’s Help Phone

[ Lion’s Club North Newmarket

[ Ontario Early Years

[ Newmarket Community Centre

[ Holland Landing Community Centre

[ Newmarket Public Library

[ Holland Landing Public Library

[ Pathways – Outreach Workers

[ Roots of Empathy

[ Settlement and Partnership in York Region – SEPYR

[ York Central Hospital

[ York Centre for Children, Youth and Families

[ York Links

[ York Region Abuse Program

[ York Region Health Services

[ York Region Police

[ Youth Employment Services

[ Southlake Regional Hospital

The York Region District School Board also issues a number of permits for after school use of Dr. J.M. Denison S.S..

For more information about York Region, visit their website at: www.region.york.on.ca

Recognizing Student Success

Dr. J.M. Denison S.S. is proud of all of its students. We make every effort to recognize student achievement, including:

[ Announcements

[ Annual Learning Plans

[ Athlete of the Week

[ Athletic Banquet

[ Character Assemblies

[ Commencement

[ Community Involvement records

[ Community Bulletin Board

[ Community Sign Boards

[ Drama Awards Banquet

[ EQAO Results

[ Honour Roll Certificates

[ Newsletters

[ Recognition Assembly

[ Report Cards – Mid-semester & Final

[ Scholarships

[ Subject Certificates

Student Leadership

Student leadership is the foundation of all school initiatives that benefit our student population and community.

The student council is an elected group that represents the views of the student body. They lead all school events including fundraising for the CURE Foundation, The Canadian Race Relations Foundation and The Yellow Brick House. Students demonstrate their leadership as members of the Athletic, Drama, Music or Student Councils. These councils provide specific subject based special events for students.

Student Led Councils:

Art Council

Athletic Council

Drama Council

Music Council

Student Council

CIA - Character in Action

Dr. J.M. Denison S.S. is proud to support the following student led initiatives:

CIA -raise money to help build a school in Africa

End the Violence Week -raising awareness within the school of violence aimed at specific groups in society such as women and children.

Stomp Out Racism Walk -raise awareness and money for work against racism

Spirit week -actively involve students in the life of the school

OSAID week -activities promoting responsibility around impaired driving, including a motivational speaker.

Black History Week: -account of Black History in Canada; activities quizzing students on this information.

Dr. Denison Day -a celebration of the life of the man for whom our school is named.

Visit the York Region District School Board’s website, www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca, to read more about various programs. Visit our school website, www.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/schools/denison.ss, to view our course calendar, EQAO results, school boundaries and learn more about our school