By Christine Kilfoil
York Street Public School is a heritage school located in Lowertown East. The school was designed by the architect W.C. Beattie and built in 1922. It plays a prominent role in the book Angel Square by author Brian Doyle, who is a graduate.
York Street Public School has deep roots in Lowertown as an anchor to the community. The building has supported students’ learning in Lowertown through two world wars, the Great Depression, and most recently, a global pandemic. It was because of the pandemic that celebrations for the 100th anniversary had to be postponed until the 2022-2023 school year. The school enters this school year with a new principal—Jonathan Coupland—supported by vice-principal Chantel Verner. The school’s administration is enthusiastically preparing for a full year of celebratory events.
The 100th anniversary celebration was launched with a community BBQ on October 15. The Lowertown Community Resource Centre provided hot chocolate and coffee. Hot dogs were also provided. Then councillor Mathieu Fleury and his team assisted with distribution of community event flyers. York Street students helped with organizing activities and made signs for the day. Music was supplied by the Junkyard Symphony.
York Street teacher Sara Smith was especially thrilled to meet with former students of the school at the event. Some of the students were recent graduates who are currently in Grade 9, while others are now attending university.
The next event—an open house at York Street School—will take place on December 5 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Current students will participate in a wide range of activities to help plan for the day. The school will host a speakers’ corner in the library for families to share their stories digitally. These digital records will be placed in a sealed time capsule that will be opened in 50 years. Community members are invited to drop in to see the current state of the school and to view student work that has been planned for this day. Former York Street students and staff are encouraged to attend and share their memories.
Current teacher Sara Smith spoke with her Grade 8 class about the significance of the 100th anniversary. The discussion allowed students to reflect on the school’s history and future.
The students were asked to reflect on what it means to attend a school that has been around for 100 years. The students found it weird, but also cool. They see it as cool because there are so many things not seen anymore. For example, the side entrances on opposite sides of the school are labelled “Boys” and “Girls”. Also, the kindergarten room used to be a house for the custodian. There are some interesting samples of writing by former students on walls and desks throughout the school. The students also noted the building has older floors and bricks, but they see renovations being done to upgrade the school.
Ms. Smith’s Grade 8 class has hopes for the next 100 years of York Street Public School. They hope that all staff and students will continue to feel respected and appreciated when they come to the school. They also want the school to be supported into the future. In the short term, they are hopeful there will be more support so they can explore other areas of Ottawa with field trips and other learning opportunities, and acquire learning resources not always easily accessible by all students at the school.
The students believe it is important to celebrate the anniversary of York Street School because it proves that even though there have been challenges over the past 100 years there is still much to celebrate.
It also shows how much the community, school and education system have developed in the past 100 years. For example, would the builders of the school in 1922 have known in 2022 the school would host a diverse student population representing over 40 languages?