John Wanless Junior Public School

Upcoming Events

Jan 19th-Day 5
Jan 19th- Winter  Term After-4 Programs start
Jan 19th- Work commencing on Childcare Buzzer Entry System
Jan 20th- Sub Lunch
Jan 21st- Professional Development for all staff in the AM
Jan 22nd- Popcorn Day #1 brought to you by the School Advisory Council
Jan 23rd- Pediculosis Check
Jan 23rd- JW 100th Anniversary Planning Committee Mtg
Jan 13th- Pizza Lunch
Jan 23rd- SAC Friday Family Dance Night


The past week brought a number of initiatives run by our staff related to Health and Wellness. Each day brought a new activity and by all accounts our students and staff were eager to participate. We would like to extend our gratitude to our Grade 6 students who led many of the physical activities-your leadership is greatly appreciated! During the course of the week tryouts were also conducted for several athletics teams including girls' volleyball and boys' basketball. Due to the fact that schools were closed yesterday, the second boys' basketball tryout has been rescheduled for next week by the coaches. Practices will also start next week for all teams- specific information about times/days will be shared by the respective coaches.


During the coming week we will have a number of events taking place at our school. Parents are reminded that after-4 programs for the winter term will be commencing on Monday. On Monday we also anticipate that work will be commencing on the installation of the Childcare Exit #8 Buzzer system. Tuesday will see our next Sub Lunch. On Wednesday the vast majority of our staff will be participating in workshops conducted by TDSB's Special Education Department. Our teachers will be released for these sessions in two groups and while the workshops are being conducted, our students will be supervised in the large gymnasium. On Thursday, we will have our first Popcorn Day. For details, please see below. On Friday morning, the JW 100th Anniversary planning Committee will be meeting and in the evening, the School Advisory Council will be running the Family Dance Night! We will also have our next Pediculosis check on Friday as well.


LOST & FOUND CLEAN-OUT
Our Lost & Found pile continues to grow in the front foyer. Parents are reminded to check for lost items prior to January 28th. All items left after that date will be donated by our ECO CLUB.

Reminder to all Parents/Caregivers:
In light of the fact that Influenza seems to be affecting both students and staff harder than usual this year,
we would like to remind all parents to please keep your children home if they wake up in the morning feeling very ill. This will benefit and accelerate their recovery as well as protect the health of other members of our school community.

Eco Team Update
Please remember to bring in your empty pet food packaging, dead markers, snack wrappers and dead batteries!  We are keeping track of the weight to see how we do!  Th eco team will be working on window decals this week to prevent birds from flying into windows at John Wanless.  Watch this video to learn more about how to stop birds from hitting windows. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAgXzGJ-YsI

Ball Playing in the Yard
We kindly ask all families to please remind your children not to throw balls against the North-East wall of the school ( by the Fairlawn gates) at entry time. It is a high traffic area and a number of individuals have been hit by errant balls. Many thanks!

Facilities Update
Please note that although our caretakers do an exceptional job clearing snow and salting, many areas of the yard can still be slippery. Please proceed with caution at all times. Please note that our staff monitor yard and field conditions each day on a regular basis in order to ensure student and staff safety.
We also anticipate work to commence on the installation of the buzzer system for Childcare by Exit #8 on January 19th.

Absence Reporting Reminder to Parents:
If your child is going to be absent from school, we ask that you kindly use the Absence Reporting Line number to register the absence. Number to call is 1-833-250-2290. We also ask that if you e-mail the classroom teacher to let them know about an extended absence, you kindly include our office staff as well.

From our Equity Committee

February is African Heritage Month and Chinese Heritage Month in the TDSB. We are seeking JW families with African or Chinese cultural backgrounds to share their experiences and perspectives.
 
As a family, we are asking you to create a slide, video, or written announcement. We would like for the child/family to introduce themselves and share one thing they want us to know about African or Chinese heritage. Videos should be 30-45 seconds long. Creativity is encouraged!
 
Submissions will be featured on the morning announcements. They can be sent to wanlessheritage@gmail.com. If you have any questions please reach out to Ms. McCrimmon (morgan.mccrimmon@tdsb.on.ca) or Ms. Maharaj (sally.maharaj@tdsb.on.ca). 


Greek Heritage Month - Multi-Media Contest  

The TDSB proudly recognizes Greek Heritage Month in March. This month is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Greek Canadians and explore the rich history of Greek culture. A highlight of Greek Heritage Month 2026 will be the Multi-Media Contest, inviting students to submit original work in three creative categories: 
  • Be graphic! Design a poster 
  • Sharpen your pencil! Write something 
  • Let’s get digital! 

This year’s theme is Celebrating Identities: From Alpha to Omega” / «Γιορτάζοντας Ταυτότητες: Από το Άλφα στο Ωμέγα». Entries will be accepted from three groups: Kindergarten to Grade 3, Grade 4 to 8, and Grade 9 to 12. Winning submissions will be selected from each group. 

John Wanless School Council NEWS

HOT LUNCHES ARE BACK!
Are you already tired of making lunches and throwing out uneaten food?! Then order from our amazing lunch programs!
Pizza Lunches will run every other Tuesday. Order at: www.sagoto.com/jwpc/pizza
Subway Sandwiches will be delivered on opposite Tuesdays. Order at: www.sagoto.com/jwpc/subway
The Lunch Lady is available every Wednesday and Friday. Order at order.thelunchlady.ca
 
WOODWARD MEATS
Use and share our custom link with family and friends and support our fundraising efforts: https://www.woodwardmeats.com/fundraisers/John-Wanless-SAC/
 
SAVE THE DATES - Our School Council team is busy planning this year's social calendar. Mark your calendars for the following events:
Family Dance Night: Friday, January 23
Bingo Night: Thursday, February 26
100th Anniversary Event: Saturday, May 30
Fun Fair: Friday, June 12
 

Don't want to miss a School Council reminder? Follow us on Instagram @johnwanlessschoolcouncil

Other Important Information

School Day Schedule for 2025-26

 8:41 Am Entry for all students- Lines for each class (Grades 1-6) will be identified in the yard

8:45-9:25 Period 1
9:25-10:05 Period 2
10:05-10:20 Recess for all Grade 1-6 students
10:20-11:00 Period 3
11:00-11:30 Period 4
11:30-12:27 Lunch for all Grade 1-6 students (Students in grades 4-6 eat in their classrooms from 11:30-11:50 and then proceed outside to play; students in Grades 1-3 eat in the lunchroom from 11:30-11:50 and then proceed outside to play. Teachers on duty will supervise from 12:12-12:27. Students will be picked up by their respective teachers from their respective outside class lines at 12:27 as we have done so this year (except in case of inclement weather).
Please note that kindergarten lunch will run from 11:15- 12:27. Students who stay at school during lunch will eat in their classrooms.
12:27  PM Entry for all students
12:30-1:10 Period 5
1:10-1:50 Period 6
1:50-2:05 Recess for all students
2:05-2:45 Period 7
2:45-3:15 Period 8
Dismissal for all Grade 1-6 students is at 3:15PM
Dismissal for Kindergarten students is at 3:00PM.

Staff List 

Classroom Locations                          Grade              Room
Ms. George                                          JK/SK A              101
 Ms. Klug                                             JK/SK B                113
 Ms. Kussner                                       JK/SK C               115
 Ms. Stamatiou                                    JK/SK D              111
                                                      
 
 Mr. Burton                                             1 A                     104
 Ms. Flemington                                    1 B                     103
 Ms. Talesnik                                          1C                      109
 Ms. Hood                                             1/2                        110
 Ms. Almanova                                        2A                      201
 Ms.  Grant                                              2B                      102
 Ms. Maharaj                                           2C                      207
 Ms. McCrimmon                                    2/3                     205
 Ms. Dempsey                                         3A                      204
 Ms. Jaklitch                                            3B                      203                                                                        
Ms. Rendell-Dean                                   3C                       202
 Ms. Zarpellon                                         3D                       206
 Mr. Gaunt                                                4B                       217
 Ms. Tweyman                                          4D                        213
 Ms. Tucci                                                 4C                       216
 Ms. Spencer                                            5A                       220
 Mr. Sherman                                            5B                      211
 Ms. Chau                                                  6A                       215
 Ms. Ng                                                      6B                       221
 Ms. Gottesman                                        5/6                       218
 Ms. Reis- Bertini                                Res. Sppt & ESL     214A
 Ms. Labell                                            Resource Support  219                 
 Ms. Hunter                                           Lib & Prep               LIB
 Ms. Wolk ( for Ms. Sedighi)                 ISP                         214
 Ms. Sherwood                                    Health/Phys Ed        GYM
 Ms. Blaney                                          Health/Phys Ed        GYM
 Ms. Lowe                                             French &Prep Sppt  212
 Ms. Willingham                                       Music                     222
 Ms. Yousefi                                             French                    209
 Ms. Lawson                                         0.5 Resource AM/VP PM
 
Ms. Moher                                                  DECE                     115
 Ms. Foscarin                                            DECE                     113
 Ms. Zhang                                                DECE                     101
 Ms. Lau                                                     DECE                     111
 Mr. Douglas                                               CYW
 Ms. Rouhani                                               EA                        
 Ms. Fatima                                                EA-ISP                   214

Ms. Thomas                                               SNA-AM                115

Ms. Rocci                                         LRS

Ms. Chen                                                     LRS
 Ms. Shobi                                                    LRS

Ms. Cappella                                      LRS

Ms. Dong                                           LRS

Ms. Juma                                                       LRS
All other LRS                                                TBD
 
Mr. Frazer                                                  Head Caretaker
Mr. Di Tomaso                                            Caretaker
Mr. Armatowski                                          Caretaker

Mr. Assetin                                                  Caretaker                                

Ms. Marsella                                                  Office Administrator
Ms. Rocci                                                       Office Secretary  (AM)
Ms. Lawson                                                    Vice-Principal  (PM)
Mr. Boross-Harmer                                        Principal
 





Welcome to John Wanless Public School

John Wanless Public School is located north of Lawrence Avenue, between Yonge Street and Avenue Road. Our TDSB mission is to enable all students to reach high levels of achievement and to acquire the knowledge, skills, and values they need to become responsible members of a democratic society. This includes:

  • a strong commitment to student achievement and success;
  • a strong commitment to ensuring that student voice is incorporated in all that we do;
  • a strong commitment to ensuring that equitable practices permeate all that we do within our school community
  • a safe and caring learning environment;
  • continued commitment to ongoing professional learning for staff;
  • encouraging life-long learning; and
  • collaborative partnerships with parents and the school community.