Staff and students at F.H. Miller Junior Public School are living a dream.

The school, at the corner of Rogers and Caledonia in the city's West end, has recently completed a $2.1-million gym and playground addition, renovation and school yard greening. In these budget-conscious times, it's a wonder the project ever saw the light of day.

But it's the result of three years of tireless lobbying on the parts of local parents, principal Jim Smyth and politicians. When nearby Hughes Public School was selected for closure in the wake of the Board's 2000 amalgamation (the schools are a block away from each other, yet straddle the former border between Toronto and York), the deal was that Miller would get a new gym with the money saved by closing Hughes.
Miller's old gym was actually a multi-purpose room - school concerts and events were divided between primary and junior classes because the entire student body and their parents couldn't safely fit in it at once. Nor was it full-height, meaning older students couldn't truly play volleyball or basketball.

Many promises were made, but with the Board's uncertain management and the placement of the supervisor, no one really believed the construction would happen until the foundation was poured last February.

This September, students arrived to find not only a brand new gym, but a new play structure (replacing the old one that the Board removed three years ago), and a lush new carpet of sod. The previous landscape at the school was a vast expanse of unforgiving asphalt that made soccer and other outdoor sports rather treacherous. The asphalt also froze over into a sheet of ice in the winter months, making for many indoor recesses.

The change has made a palpable difference to the morale of the school.

Students are excited and proud to have a safe and fun place to play. The gym addition, under the watchful and innovative Taylor-Smyth Architects, features panels of cherry wood and plenty of natural light thanks to two banks of windows. The floor of the corridor attaching the old school to the new is topped with colourful linoleum arranged in graphic shapes. The ceiling is clad in aromatic cedar. It all makes for a unique and inviting space.

Friends of F.H. Miller Donor Wall

The corridor is also the site of the Friends of F.H. Miller Donor Wall. The wall, conceived by the School Council and designed by the architects, features horizontal blond maple planks. Every third strip will be replaced with cherry wood "bricks" engraved with the names of school families, students, staff and community businesses. For a minimum donation of $50, supporters can have their child(ren)'s or family names as part of this lasting legacy. Local businesses can participate for a minimum of $250, and national chains with a local presence can participate for a minimum of $1,000. All supporters will receive charitable tax receipts. So far, about 40 families and friends and six local businesses have bought their bricks.

How you can help

We have contacted many former staff and local businesses and invited them to participate. However, we may have missed former students and some businesses. Anyone interested in participating should call the school at 416/394-2336 for more information.

Grass Roots Campaign

The Donor Wall is the fourth initiative by the school's Grass Roots Fundraising Campaign, which was established last year to raise money to “green” the school yard. Projects included a coin drive ($850 in loose change!) and the production and sale of 500 Robert Munsch CDs, exclusively arranged with the celebrated author after a November 2002 appearance at the school. The CDs were so successful a second run was sold before Christmas.
This fall some of last year’s funds was put toward new shrubs planted by parent and students volunteers, as well as spring bulbs planted by the students.
With the money raised this fall, we hope to revitalize an area of the school yard which took a beating during the three years the children were without a play structure, as well as during the construction. Our plan is to invest in trees, gardens, and in the longer-term, a second play structure for kindergarten students. The additional projects total an estimated $60,000.

About the School

F.H. Miller Junior Public School has 232 students from grades JK to 6. As a small school, it has fostered a special feeling of intimacy, which is emphasized by a staff of dynamic teachers, many of whom never leave once they find their way here. We are a proudly diverse school, representing more than 28 languages, myriad cultures and just about every religion you can think of, all celebrated with enthusiasm and interest. Our parents also comprise a broad range of backgrounds including labourers, office workers, professionals and those on social assistance. Regardless of income, the school is an important source of stability in the lives of our families.

For information, please contact the School Council at 416-394-2336
Or write
F.H. Miller School Council
300 Caledonia Road
Toronto, Ontario
M6E 4T5