During those years...
In 1974, the school was renamed, from Dundas Street Public School, to Florence M Heard Public School. (Dundas Street is the main east/west street in Whitby - also known as Hwy.2) Miss Heard was first a classroom teacher at the school. Promoted to principal in 1942 (during WWII), she eventually became the school's longest serving principal before her retirement in1964. In total, Florence M Heard served the Dundas Street Public School community for forty years. Florence Heard took part in the re-naming dedication ceremony for her school [see photo below].
A serious fire in 1967 (Canada's Centennial year), forced a closure of the school during a re-build of the entire west wing, at a time when "Open Concept" classes were popular. To accomodate this philosopy, all four of these new second floor classrooms were built with moveable walls. The first floor Library, staffroom, and health room, were also rebuilt at this time. Because Heard is blessed with a large playground, the addition of several portables in the 1970s consumed only a small portion of the grassed area. Since the 80s, some edge property has been lost to apartment developement and parking.
Florence M Heard P. S. became a local French Immersion school for all streets south of Rossland Road. The school closed for good in 2011, followed by demolition seveal years later.
Paul's Playground
The engraved stone marking this special area remains, but the original playground equipment is gone. Paul Roy lived in the corner house at Cedar and Pine. While in Grade 5, he died of cancer. Paul's family, and parents and staff from Heard, cut and prepared cedar logs for constructing a playground on school grounds. The outdoor photos [main menu] show how the park looked when it was first built.
Playground equipment included swings, climbing bars, a teepee made of posts, balance beams, teetter totters, and more. One photo shows Paul in his classroom wearing a Gilligan sailor cap to cover his baldness.
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Keith Primeau inducted into the Whitby Sports Hall of Fame in 2007
Keith attended F.M.Heard Public School, Whitby Senior (now Leslie McFarlane Public School) and then Anderson C.V.I. He played six seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, then was team Captain of the Carolina Hurricanes and team Captain of the Flyers. Kieth was assistant Captain and team member of the 1997 Team Canada World Champions.
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F M Heard 7 year-old meets PM and Bono -May 2004
Paige Pedlar wrote and illustrated about AIDS orphans, "Who Will Cuddle Them When They Sleep?" She was invited to Ottawa, where she met the Prime Minister and autographed Bono's book, while he autographed hers. [Search the Toronto Star web site for details.]
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Heads Up Seven Up
If you remember this game, the photos are probably from your era. [1. Heads Down 2. Teacher (or alternate) touches 7 students 3. You finish the rules!] |
F M Heard today.
 This title: - "F M Heard today" refers to 2007. It has since been demolished, several years after the 2011 closing.
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Florence M Heard at the Re-naming |
 "Learning is Great" is the winning motto for F M Hear Public School upon its re-naming. The logo was designed by a Grade 6 student, Earla Kennedy. |
