History

History

front view of school

1926 – The Toronto Board of Education, with facilitation by Mrs. Edith L. Grover, established the first school in Canada for the education of handicapped children. On April 12, 1926, 32 students began at Wellesley Orthopedic School in two rooms of Wellesley Public School at Bay and Wellesley.

1927 – Enrolment increased to 48 pupils and an occupational therapist was added to the staff.

1928 – In February, they were joined by occupational therapy students from the University of Toronto. Dr. Gallie, with the Toronto Board of Education, decided that the delivery of therapy should accompany the academic program.

1929 – A Home and School Association was formed which developed into the Cerebral Palsy Council.

1930 – A lunch room and a kitchen were added, with a dietician in charge.

1948 – The Toronto Board of Education decided to open a school dedicated to handicapped and deaf children. The driving force behind the new school was Trustee Harold Menzies.

1951 – On June 28, the ground was broken by Ontario Premier Leslie Frost. December 7, the corner stone was laid.

1953 – Sunny View School officially opened on March 26 with 6 classes, their teachers and the principal moving from Wellesley P.S..

1962 – To accommodate the growing number of orthopedic students, the deaf students were moved to Davisville, new quarters at the Metropolitan School for the Deaf.The Sunny View site was renovated to suit the needs of students with physical handicaps.

1977 – The Odette Adventure Centre opened, presided by the Honourable Pauline McGibbon.

1980 – Begun during the Year of the Child, the Cultural and Recreation Centre (gymnasium) was opened on April 28, 1980, by H.R.H. Princess Alexandra.

1999 – On Thursday November 15, Sunny View held a Millennium celebration, inviting former and current staff, students and friends to join for a celebration of the years 1953 – 2000, a look at the past and future of Sunny View.

2004 – On Saturday May 15, Sunny View held a celebration for the 50th Anniversary of the school. It was attended by approximately 400 current and former staff and students and friends of Sunny View.

2006 – On Thursday May 11, Sunny View held a benefit concert “All That We Can Be”. Guest artists included Janet Catherine Dea, (soprano), Mark DuBois, (tenor), Saint Michael’s Choir School, Victoria Scholars and the Sunny View Choir. The concert was enjoyed by a large crowd. Funds were raised to revitalize the Odette Adventure Centre at the school with physical improvements and new plants.

September 2015 – Sunny View became a dual track school, adding classes for students with Developmental Disabilities.