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The first one-room schoolhouse in the area was built in 1856 in School Section No. 7 on Don Mills Road (now Broadview Avenue), just west of Leslie Street (now Donlands Avenue). In 1889, the area was subdivided into School Sections No. 7 and No. 27.2
Chester Road School1940
Todmorden, Ontario
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In 1890, both School Sections purchased land for new schools. S.S. No. 27 bought land from the Helliwell estate, extending from the west side of Don Mills Road to the bank of the Don River.Both School Sections opened their new buildings in 1891.
Chester School, built by S.S. No. 27, consisted of three classrooms on the ground floor. An auditorium, located on the second floor of the school, was available for public meetings. The building served as a school until 1959. In the following year, it was sold to the Estonian community and converted into the Estonian arts and cultural centre. Additions to the building's front and rear have altered its appearance significantly, but the original structure is still evident on the south facade.
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Booklet commemorating the opening of Torrens Public School27 May 1915
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School Section No. 7 grew rapidly as well.In 1912, land was purchased at the corner of Pape and Torrens Avenues to accommodate a
12-room schoolhouse.
Torrens Avenue School was officially opened in 1915. However, the area grew so rapidly that within several years a six-room addition was required.
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Plains Road School1906
Todmorden, Ontario
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Plains Road School was located just east of Pape Avenue. In 1906, the principal of Plains Road School was Mr. Diefenbaker. His two sons, Elmer and John, attended the school for one year before the family moved to western Canada.The young John Diefenbaker, who later became Canada's Prime Minister, is seated fifth from the left in the front row.
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School curriculum guide celebrating the Royal Visit and Empire Day in CanadaMay, 1939
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In 1939 the schools in East York participated in the celebrations of the visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth to Canada. It was the first time that a reigning British Sovereign had set foot on Canadian soil.The 40th Annual Empire Day was celebrated in all Ontario schools on May 23, 1939 with a recommended program of songs, events, and activities.
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Empire Day celebrations1940
East York, Ontario
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Recommended Empire Day activities for all grade levels encouraged programs, events and songs that "might tend to increase the interest of the pupils in the history of their own country and strengthen their attachment to the Empire."12
Empire Day curriculum guide for Ontario schools23 May 1949
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The curriculum guide for the Empire Day celebrations of 1949 included programs for junior, intermediate and senior school levels. At each grade level, knowledge about the Commonwealth, the Empire, and the interdependence of the member countries was stressed.14
By 1960, the East York Board of Education had a staff of 383 including teachers, administrators and consultants. More than 100 employees offered support services to the 19 schools in East York, serving more than 11,000 students. |
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