Origin of the Crossley-Coleman Student of the Month Awards

Shortly after a school reunion in 1989, the school was approached by a former teacher of Seventh Street Junior School, Mrs. Lyla Crossley. Even in her retirement, children were still uppermost in her mind. Mrs. Crossley wanted to know if the school could develop a program that would recognize student achievement in a special way.

Mrs. Crossley was aware that the best students in mathematics, reading, etc., always get recognition. She wanted to know if there was some way to encourage those children for whom public recognition might provide the boost to self esteem that could make a significant difference in their education.

The staff at Seventh Street Junior School developed a student of the month award program to highlight those children who had made a significant improvement in personal growth, work habits or some other area not usually formally recognized.

Mrs. Crossley offered to fund the program and gave the school $10,000. Only the interest earned on her donation is to be spent each year so that the recognition program will never end.

Each month a student is selected from every class as that room’s student of the month. The children each receive a book suitably inscribed with their name.

In addition, each student’s picture is posted on the student of the month display board in the main foyer.

The official name for the program is “The Crossley-Coleman Award”. Mrs. Crossley’s late husband was president of The Canadian Coleman Company Limited, manufacturers of camp stoves, canoes, picnic coolers, etc.

Canadian Coleman was based in southern Etobicoke and Mrs. Crossley, through this award program, wished to return something to the community in recognition of what Seventh Street School and Canadian Coleman had meant to her and her husband.

Needless to say, the teachers and parents of the Seventh Street Junior School community are most grateful to Mrs. Crossley for both her donation and the inspiration it has provided.

Mrs. Crossley’s photograph is displayed in the foyer next to the display board. We hope that each time you are in the school you will check the display area for an update on the latest recipients of the award and congratulate those you know.

Seventh Street is a better place as a result of the generous and thoughtful contribution of Mrs. Crossley. Mrs. Crossley, who taught in Toronto for 39 years, passed away in 2006 at the age of 96. Until the end of her life, she always took great interest in Seventh Street Junior School and its exceptional students. We are very grateful that her legacy lives on to this day at Seventh Street Junior School.