Episode 1

Orde Street Public School’s History

1914

Orde was built to accommodate the influx of immigrants following the impact of World War I, who sought economic opportunities and refuge from persecution and political instability.

1916

Orde’s Open Air School, to improve and prevent tuberculosis in children, was among the first of its kind in North America.

1921

Orde opened the first "sight-saving class" for visually-impaired students in Toronto.

1950 - 1960

Orde had always played an important role in the lives of newcomers to Canada like in this image where newcomers are learning English.

LOCATION

Orde Street Public School is nestled behind the huge glass hospital buildings on University Avenue. It’s hidden, and unless you know it’s there, you wouldn’t see it. However, the experience there is one of the reasons I wanted to pursue my Master's in Teaching. One of the most impactful programs that I was a part of at the school was the Heritage Language Program.

Heritage Language Program

Flyer from the Toronto Board of Education announcing the Heritage Languages Program and classes in Cantonese and Mandarin, 1977. (Source: TBE-Curriculum-Heritage Languages, vertical files, Toronto District School Board Archives.)

In this episode you’ll be hearing a bit about the history and about the experience of Hannah Wong, a former student at Orde.

Cover page of an undated brochure from the Toronto Board of Education advertising the Black Cultural Heritage Program. (Source: TBE-Curriculum-Heritage Languages, vertical files, Toronto District School Board Archives.)

Mi Ling Cheung teaches Kindergarten students at Orde Public School Chinese songs during a 30-minute class at the end of the normal school day. (Dick, Toronto Star, 1987)

Snippet from the Toronto Star (September 27, 2000)

Snippet from the Toronto Star (May 10, 1980) with a quote by Tony Succi, the TDSB’s heritage language Supervisor.

Episode 2