School Profile 2013-2014
Connaught Public School
JK to 6 English/Core French
Address:
1149 Gladstone Ave.
Ottawa, Ontario
K1Y 3H7
Phone: 613-728-4671
Fax: 613-728-9761
School hours:
8:20 a.m. - 2:50 p.m.
School Website1
Principal
Amy Hannah
Vice Principal
N/A
Office Administrator
Ida Rollin
Chief Custodian
David Prevost
School Council Chair
Alan McKay
Superintendent of
Instruction
Susan MacDonald
School Trustee
Jennifer McKenzie
Chair of the Board
Jennifer McKenzie
Director of Education/
Secretary of the Board
Jennifer Adams
General Board
Information:
Phone: 613-721-1820
OCDSB Website2
Accessibility Information3
Our School
For over 100 years, there has been a school on this site. Our current
school building was erected in 1994. It is built around an Art Deco
“tree” just as many schools in tropical countries are centred around a
tree. When the new school opened, students contributed to a time
capsule, which will be opened in 2015. This date marks the 100th
birthday of the naming of Connaught Public School, after the Duke of
Connaught, a former Governor-General of Canada.
Our school is located in the heart of the Hintonburg community and
our school location allows our students, staff and parent community to
easily collaborate with all the rich opportunities and expertise this
community has to offer. We are a single track, three-storey building,
which has been a part of our city’s landscape for almost a century.
Within our school walls, we have bright spacious classrooms, a large
library, computer lab, two gyms, and a beautiful Art Deco stage. Our
school yard is divided into two areas; one for grade 1 to 6 students
and another area for our Full-Day Kindergarten students.
Our school policy states our commitment to ensure that Connaught is
a welcoming, caring and supportive school, a place where all children
have the opportunity to reach their full potential in literacy, numeracy,
problem solving and character development. It is a safe place where
the 4Rs are practised; Respect, Responsibility, Relationships and
Recognition.
Our Students
Connaught Public School is home to 216 students representing over
20 countries and languages from Junior Kindergarten to grade 6. It is
enriched by its diverse ethno-cultural and multilingual student
population. Many students speak a language other than English in
their homes. These include Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese,
Arabic, Somali, Russian, Croatian, French, and many others.
Connaught students are proud of their school and are respectful and
supportive of each other. They warmly receive the special needs
students who attend our community school, further enriching and
contributing to our diverse environment.
What students say about our school:
“The teachers and students are caring and they have good manners.”
“We have a lot of choices and the power to make change.”
“We have a lot of extra-curricular activities.”
When our grade six students leave Connaught Public School for
middle school they attend Fisher Park / Summit for Grade seven and
eight.
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Our Staff
Connaught Public School staff includes our principal, 16 teachers, 7 registered early
childhood educators, 1 library technician, 3 educational assistants, 4 OFIP tutors, 1 office
administrator, 1 part time office assistant, 3 custodians, and 4 adult lunch monitors. We
are supported by our district’s psychologist, speech and language pathologist and social
worker.
Our teachers hold a wide range of qualifications and bring a wealth of national and
international teaching experience to our school. They act as Associate Teachers for
University Faculties of Education, as trainers for secondary school students in co-operative
education programs, and as supervisors in the University of Ottawa mentorship program
and Algonquin College CYW program. They work collaboratively to provide a variety of
opportunities to engage our students and to consistently improve student achievement.
Our staff believes in our community and supports sports, cultural, and social activities for
our students and their families. They are a group of dedicated professionals that are
always striving to foster a safe and caring learning environment.
Google Map of Connaught Public School
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Our Community
Parents and Community
Connaught Public School welcomes parents and volunteers from our rich and diverse
Hintonburg community. We welcome are many wonderful volunteers into our community
school. Several community and parent volunteers support school activities, including
literacy and support programs and accompanying students on rich learning experiences in
our community.
Our School Council is active in sponsoring programs, events and fundraisers. The
Connaught P.S. School Council is composed of members of the school community,
parents / guardians, and community representatives. The West Branch of the Public
Library is adjacent to our school and is a valuable partner in our many literacy initiatives.
Hintonburg Community Center offers an after-school child care program. Family Services
Canada, the YW/YMCA, ONFI, Kiwanis and Statistics Canada provide support with
programs and volunteers. ArtsSmart and MASC offer cultural programs and performances
for our students and families to enjoy. We are grateful to the many local businesses and
organizations that support our breakfast program and school events.
Mission Statement
Connaught Public School is a welcoming, caring and supportive school where children are
encouraged to reach their academic and social potential. It is a safe place where the “4
Rs” are practiced: Respect, Responsibility, Relationships and Recognition. At the core of
our school community is the strong emphasis on character development and embedding
all of the character attributes found in our district’s Community of Character. We also
embrace our district’s mission of “Educating for success - inspiring learning and building
citizenship.”
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Programs and Services
Academic Programs
Connaught P.S. is a single track school for Kindergarten to Grade 6. The Regular English
program offers 100 minutes each week of Core French to Junior and Senior Kindergarten
and 200 minutes each week for grade 1 to 6 students. We have two Full-Day Learning
Kindergarten classes. “The purpose of the full day program is to establish a strong
foundation for learning in the early years, and to do so in a safe and caring play-based
environment that promotes the physical, social, emotional and cognitive development of all
children.” Ministry of Education
One System Primary Semi-integrated Developmental Disability class
Classroom Organization
Connaught Public School is a Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6 school and is organized as
follows:
 JK/SK Full Day
 JK/SK Full Day
 Grade 1/2
 Grade 1/2
 Grade 3
 Grade 4
 Grade 5
 Grade 6
Special Education and ESL Programs
The Special Education Staff provide assessments of students and work collaboratively
with the classroom teachers to develop programming for students that is differentiated to
their specific needs and requirements. Our English as a Second Language Staff provides
special support to students who are new to Canada or to the English language. There is
one Specialized Special Education Class of Primary students with developmental
disabilities.
 Learning Support Teacher (LST)
 Learning Resource Teachers (LRT)
 Special Education - Primary / Junior Developmental Disability System Class (DD)
 English as a Second Language support (ESL)
Clubs and Activities
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Junior intramural and inter-school sports
Gardening Club (Vegetable and Herb Garden)
Recognition Assemblies
Chess Club
Reading and Math Buddies
Concert Evenings
Scrabble Club
Green Team Environmental Club
Spirit Week
Composting/Recycling Club
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Book Fairs
Art Club
Knitting Club
Drama Club
Kindergarten reading program with the Ottawa Kiwanis Club
Annual School and Community Barbecue
Homework Club
Big Brothers’ and Big Sisters’ Mentoring Program
Silver Birch and Blue Spruce Reading Clubs
Heart of the City Piano Program
A School Anthology – ‘Write it Down’
Safe Schools Initiatives
Students have a right to learn in a school environment which is positive, safe and free from
disruptions which interfere with learning activities. At Connaught the Four R’s (Respect,
Responsibility, Relationships and Recognition) helps the students work cooperatively,
make good decisions, and take positive actions that create an atmosphere favourable for
learning. Students are also working on developing strong relationships with others through
restorative conversations and corrective and supportive initiatives. At the core of our safe
schools initiatives are character development, respect for equity and diversity, and
restorative practices.
 Roots of Empathy Program
 Social Skills & Leadership Programs
 After school activities in partnership with the central YM/YWCA “The ‘Y’ REC CLUB”
 Character Development and Citizenship building opportunities
 A personal safety program is taught at all grade levels
 ‘Safe and Caring Schools’ Curriculum
 FRIENDS (Students with anxiety program)
 Peacemakers Initiative
 True Sport
 Monthly Student Citizenship Assemblies
 Safe Schools Team
Facilities and Resources
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A library/resource center
Ice skate/Exchange Program CJOH
Computer lab
A Parent & Volunteer Resource Room
Two gymnasiums
Wheelchair accessible (elevator / ramps)
On-site school age child care program
Breakfast Program
Separate Kindergarten yard with play structure
Primary / Junior Play structure
Soccer Field
SMARTboard and media carts
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Achievement and School Improvement Planning
Measures of Student Achievement and Success
The school follows the guidelines set out in the OCDSB Policy and Procedures for student
evaluation, available on the Board’s website2 and the Ministry document Growing
Success. Student Achievement is based on the expectations stated in the Provincial
Curriculum documents for each subject area and grade.
 Teacher observation, formal and informal testing
 Yearly, every student review by the Principal, Spec. Ed. Team and the classroom
teacher
 Continuation of the ELOT observation survey - assessment for Junior and Senior
Kindergarten Students
 Grade 1 and grade 2 students are assessed on the P.M. Benchmarks
 Grade 3 students are assessed on EQAO and P.M. Benchmarks
 Grade 6 students are assessed pm EQAO and CASI
 P.M. Benchmark Tracking Board and CASI Tracking Board (Data Wall)
 Students’ portfolios, which are shared at parent-student conferences.
 Informal and standardized tests are administered by the Special Education Resource
Teacher to support the teachers, diagnose learning strengths and weaknesses and
make suggestions for program differentiation.
 ESL students are also referred to the Family Reception Centre
 Gifted screening is provided annually – (CCAT)
 Leveled Literacy Intervention Program
School Improvement Plans and Initiatives
Our teachers strive to create lessons that are relevant and meaningful to their students.
They utilize a variety of teaching methods to ensure all students learn to their full capacity.
In collaboration, staff plans curriculum units and assessment strategies. Parent and
community volunteers dedicate their time to assist in classroom activities.
Staff is committed to directing the school’s activities, resources and energies toward
improving student achievement. Resources are reviewed and updated regularly. Many
programs have been implemented to enrich and support the areas of Literacy and
Numeracy. Some of these include: Balanced Literacy, Literacy and Numeracy Room, Early
Literacy Program, Borrow-a-Book, Silver Birch Reading Program, Cross Graded Reading
Programs for Primary and Junior Divisions, Book Fairs and used book sales, purchase of
manipulatives, Kindergarten take home - reading log program and Read-a-thons.
We are grateful to our many partners in the community who support the children of
Connaught with generous donations of their time and resources.
Our School Improvement Plan has been developed together as a staff team and designed
to address areas in the data mentioned in the Measures of Student Achievement and
Success. The focus at Connaught P.S. is literacy with a concentration on writing. Our goal
is to engage our students in their writing by examining the purpose and audience of their
work, while focusing on the meta-cognition behind their work. Staff will be modeling for
students how to plan their writing, while embedding the character attributes into their
thinking (meta-cognition) and through rich feedback, students will be able to further
improve their ability to provide authentic writing samples for a specific audience and
purpose.
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Leadership Recognition
“Leadership in the OCDSB is the demonstration of personal initiative
to achieve a positive outcome.”
Students
Our Grade six students are our role models and take leadership in such activities as
Earthcare Club, Yard Monitors, Friendship Partners, Reading Buddies, and JK/SK
Mentors. In addition to informal recognition on a regular basis, we also acknowledge their
contributions in our classrooms, school announcements, newsletters, community
newspapers, assemblies, monthly, term and end-of-the year ceremonies, the Principal’s
report to the School Council and other special events. As well, we recognize student
leadership by incorporating their suggestions into our planning.
Staff
Our staff members have a wealth of professional qualifications including Bachelors and
Masters degrees, as well as additional qualifications. Some of our staff provides
workshops and seminars for our school, other schools, the Board and the province. They
actively participate in numerous district-wide professional development activities in
Literacy and Numeracy, and we recognize their initiative by providing and supporting
opportunities for further professional growth within the school, the district, the city and the
province. We also recognize staff leadership via personal interactions with one another,
letters of thanks, school announcements, school newsletters, community newsletters,
assemblies, performance appraisals, and our Principal’s report to the School Council.
Parents/Guardians/Volunteers
Last year, our volunteers contributed approximately 5000 hours of support for the benefit
of students in our school. Our School Council contributes funds to support our Computer
Lab and the replacement of our outdoor toys. As invaluable partners, we thank our
parents, guardians and volunteers on an on-going basis, and look for opportunities to
acknowledge them in many ways, such as school announcements, our Principal’s report to
School Council, school newsletters, community newspapers, the School Council
newsletter, gifts and cards made by the students and our volunteer appreciation events.
Community
We are very fortunate at Connaught Public School. There are many individuals, both
parents/guardians and community members, who are consistently looking for ways to
support and work with our staff and students. They are a true example of a dedicated
community. For the past decade, strong relationships have been built with different
community organizations with the goal of fostering a diverse, enriching community for all
students. Many of our community partners have contributed financial and in kind support to
our school (Kiwanis, Cygnus Foundation, TD Bank, Parkdale United Church, Loeb, Giant
Tiger and many others). We appreciate, recognize and thank our community partners for
their dedication and desire to make Connaught P.S. a true community school.
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URL References
1
http://www.connaughtps.ocdsb.ca/
http://www.ocdsb.ca/
3 http://www.ocdsb.ca/ab-ocdsb/
4 http://www.eqao.com/
2
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