School Profile 2013-2014
Berrigan Elementary School
JK-6 English/EFI
Address:
199 Berrigan Drive
Nepean, Ontario
K2J 5C6
Phone: 613-825-0092
Fax: 613-825-5733
School Hours:
8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Our School
At Berrigan Elementary School we provide a safe, supportive
environment where student learning is the focus of an
educational partnership among dedicated staff, parents and the
community. Our priorities are student success, a focus on
literacy and numeracy, character education and an inclusive
approach to education.
School Website1
Principal
Jill Cutler
Vice-Principal
Nancy Reid
Office Administrator
Heidi Mogg (acting)
Chief Custodian
Eugene Lascelles
School Council Co-Chairs
Lynn Ogilvie
Jennifer Roy
Superintendent of Instruction
Peter Gamwell
School Trustee
Donna Blackburn
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 Students
Berrigan has an enrolment of just over 920 students
representing over 35 countries and more than 20 languages.
Our students have a variety of cultural, religious and ethnic
backgrounds and are proud to be Canadian. Our students will
go to Longfields Davidson Heights Secondary School following
the completion of Grade Six.
Our Staff
Berrigan employs a full-time equivalent of 51 teachers, 3.5
educational assistants, 2.5 office administrators, 3 custodians, a
library technician, a full time Vice-Principal and a full time
Principal. Our staff works together as a team to create the most
positive learning environment possible for our students. At
Berrigan we are dedicated to the promotion of academic
excellence. Literacy imbued with arts education, numeracy and
character education continue to be the main areas of focus for
our school.
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board also provides
support in terms of a psychologist, social worker and a speechlanguage pathologist. Through regular visitations and
consultations, these professionals assist teachers and serve the
needs of our students. Community Care Access professionals
such as physio and occupational therapists also serve our
students. A part time MLO, Multicultural Liaison Officer, works
with staff and families to help ensure the successful integration
of immigrant students and their families in our school. A School
Resource Officer (SRO) from Ottawa Police Services also
supports our school.
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Our Community
Parents and Community
Berrigan parents represent a rich diversity of people, languages and countries. Our parents
are very active education partners and work in our school assisting children in all areas of
their development: academic, social, emotional and physical. Parents arrange for Pizza and
Subway Days, milk is available daily, as well as a hot lunch program called ‘Mommy’s
Yummies’. Parents also assist with Early Literacy and Numeracy programs and volunteer
many hours in a great variety of ways within and beyond the classroom. Our active School
Council meets monthly, usually on the first Monday of the month, and strives to enhance
communication between parents, teachers, students and administrators. In addition, our
Council addresses current educational issues, trends and curricula.
Mission Statement
Educating for Success - Inspiring Learning and Building Citizenship
Our School: Our Community
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Programs and Services
Academic Programs
Berrigan offers:
● Regular English Program JK-6
● Early French Immersion SK-6
● Core French to our students in the Regular English Program JK-6
● English to French Immersion Grades 2-6
● Special Education integrated into the homeroom classes(Primary and Junior Programs)
● Library/Computer Resource Centre
● English as a Second Language
Classroom Organization
Berrigan is a dual track community school offering both Regular English and Early French
Immersion Programs. We have 21 classes including JK and SK in our English Program. We
have 22 classes including SK in our Early French Immersion Program.
Special Education and ESL Programs
We have Integrated Special Education Learning Support in our Primary and Junior
classrooms. We also have two Learning Support Teachers who provide remedial support and
administer educational assessments. These Special Education Learning Support Teachers
(LST’s) oversee the interests of students with exceptionalities or special needs, and provide
support for all students who are identified through the IPRC process. They work closely with
classroom teachers in developing IEP’s (Individualized Education Plans). We also have
English as a Second Language support, JK through Grades 1 to 6.
Clubs and Activities
Organized sports activities for primary and junior students include: bordenball, soccer, track
and field, cross country running, basketball, and volleyball. Various clubs and activities are
available:
● Choir
● Dance
● Computer Club
● Knitting Club
● Art Club
● Homework Club
● Club Fantastique
Our students are encouraged to demonstrate their leadership skills by being bus, lunch and
kindergarten monitors. Our annual Bread Festival provides an opportunity for families to share
a part of their culture with our school community.
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Safe Schools Initiatives
At Berrigan our “Code of Behaviour” stresses respect and safety. In addition, the District’s
‘Community of Character’ Wheel is embedded into daily life at Berrigan, and is printed on the
back of every student’s agenda. Other Safe School Initiatives include:
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Our “Berrs Club Tributes” reinforce Social Skills, Good Character and Academic
Performance
A ‘Kiss and Ride’ student drop off area
Staff and visitor badges for all adults on-site
Staff trained in Non Violent Crisis Intervention
Staff trained in First Aid, CPR, use of AED and Suicide Prevention
Facilities and Resources
Kindergarten classes are found in the lower west wing of the school, while other grades are
spread throughout the school. One grade 4/5 class is located in a portable classroom. The
school yard includes two play structures, two basketball courts, a soccer field, and a fenced-in
Kindergarten area. Inside our building there is a large double gymnasium with a stage; a
spacious library with a wide variety of books and resources; an English Book Room and a
French Book Room; an open stage located in our main lobby; a well-equipped computer lab
with internet access, whole-school WIFI access, digital technology peripherals, two netbook
carts, digital projectors in almost every classroom; and a fully operational community kitchen.
The school is surrounded by terrific neighbours who keep a close eye on our building and
schoolyard.
Google Map of Berrigan Public School
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Achievement and School Improvement Planning
Measures of Student Achievement and Success
Berrigan follows the guidelines set out in the OCDSB Policies and Procedures for student
evaluation, including the Principles for Fair Student Assessment Practices for Education in
Canada (Joint Advisory Committee 1993) and The Seven Fundamental Principles as stated in
Growing Success: Assessment, Evaluation, and Reporting in Ontario Schools (2010). The
Administrative Team, Special Education Team and classroom teachers are dedicated to the
accurate assessment and placement of students within academic programs. All students in
our District are expected to participate in district-wide evaluations. Our Grade Three and Six
students participate in provincial testing (EQAO) in the spring. Students, according to their
identified needs, shall be accommodated and may be exempted.
All primary students are assessed in reading using PM Benchmarks or GB+. DRA (Directed
Reading Assessment) is also being employed by our teachers. All junior students are
assessed in reading using CASI or a French equivalent such as evaluation rapide de la
lecture. At Berrigan, we recognize that the primary purpose of assessment and evaluation is
to improve student learning. Other measures of student success include our students’
participation in community events, arts presentation (drama, dance, visual and music) as well
as athletic activities.
Over the pass year, our students have much success in Board sponsored tournaments. Our
school regularly achieves recognition from CAPHERD which recognizes quality physical
education programs. We have received recognition for our participation in a number of local,
provincial and national initiatives.
School Improvement Plans and Initiatives
The development of our school effectiveness framework is a collaborative process involving
staff, parents and the community. Our goals for the 2013/2014 school year are:
By June 2014, students will develop the ability to use creative and critical thinking skills and/or
processes through ongoing assessment and feedback to improve their learning as measured
by the indicators of progress. Students will determine and apply success criteria as a basis for
discussion with peers and/or teachers to reflect upon progress and plan next steps.
Literacy
In reading, our student data reveals a discrepancy between male and female scores. We plan
to increase the reading scores of male students by utilizing more non-fiction texts in everyday
work. We are targeting the expectations related to “thinking and inquiry” as these skills are
applicable to all curriculum areas. We will engage in teacher moderation activities which make
use of exemplars to further develop this area. Our goal for this upcoming year is to provide
effective feedback to our students that is specific, timely and provides enough information for
them to take the “next step” for increased growth and learning. This feedback will also shape
our teaching to be responsive to student needs on a day-to-day basis not only in reading and
writing, but all subject areas.
Math
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We will continue to focus on the strands of number sense and numeration, patterning and
algebra along with the process expectations in mathematics because we feel that the skills
learned in these areas are transferable to all the other strands. In order to improve our
primary patterning and algebra scores we will work within grade level and primary and junior
teams to review and analyze student work to refine our instructional strategies. We will make
extensive daily use of a variety of supports in math. Use of recently published ministry guides
will also be employed regularly, and teachers will utilize the Three Part Math Lesson Model
during weekly instruction. With past support provided through our District through the
Ministry’s “Schools in the Middle” initiative, our staff were able to deepen their knowledge,
understanding and application of assessment of student work in mathematics within the milieu
of the three-part lesson. We will continue to broaden our competencies in our work during PD
days, staff and team meetings as well as Ministry websites such as EduGains.
Character Development
Berrigan staff will contribute in meaningful ways to the development of plans and decisions for
the implementation of the character development initiative in our school. The OCDSB
Community of Character attributes are modeled by staff daily and provides many
opportunities in academics, athletics and the arts for students to learn about and develop their
character. A number of our teachers integrate issues of social justice into their plans for
literacy, science and social studies. At Berrigan, character education is embedded in all that
we do, including our work in the Arts strands.
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Leadership Recognition
“Leadership in the OCDSB is the demonstration of personal initiative
to achieve a positive outcome.”
Students
Last year our students raised over $2,000.00 for Pass the Baton for Parkinson’s Disease. We
have completed the 7th year of participation in the Terry Fox Run. We were successful in
raising almost $4000.00 We have strongly supported UNICEF. This year we raised close to
$2,500.00 in our UNICEF campaign and our students were featured in the UNICEF
promotional video. Our students also showed leadership and sportsmanship during sporting
events. In addition to informal recognition on a regular basis, we acknowledge their
contributions in our classrooms, school announcements, assemblies, our principal’s report to
school council, and end-of-year awards ceremonies for grade six students.
Staff
Our staff members have a wealth of professional qualifications including Bachelors and
Masters degrees in Arts, Fine Arts, Physical Education and Sciences, as well as additional
qualifications in Mathematics, Reading, Special Education, English as a Second Language,
Music, Visual Arts, Physical Education, Guidance, and Computers in Education. They have
actively participated in numerous Board-wide professional development activities in critical
and creative thinking, literacy and numeracy. We recognize their initiative by providing and
supporting opportunities for further professional growth by attending conferences such as
“Reading for the Love of It” in Toronto. Our administrative and support staff (office assistants,
office administrator, educational assistants, library technician and custodial team) are also
regularly involved in increasing their knowledge and skills so that they can support our
students effectively and efficiently. Our administrative and support staff provide invaluable
assistance throughout the school, in the office, the library and in the classrooms.
We also recognize staff leadership via personal interactions with one another, letters of
thanks, school announcements, school newsletters, assemblies, performance appraisals, and
our Principal’s report to school council.
Parents/Guardians/Volunteers
Our volunteers contribute many hours of support for the benefit of students in our school. Just
some of the initiatives undertaken by parent volunteers include: our lunch programs, annual
garage sale, school barbeque, Movie Nights and yearbook. Our dedicated school council
meets monthly and continues to support financially many of our programs. As invaluable
partners, we thank our parents, guardians and volunteers on an on-going basis, and look for
opportunities to acknowledge them in our school announcements, our Principal’s report to
school council, school newsletters, and our annual volunteer breakfast event.
Community
We recognize our community partners through our school announcements and school
newsletters. We invite them to special events and assemblies. We host a number of co-op
students from local high schools. College and university students are also involved in our
school both at the undergraduate (mainly Faculty of Education students) and graduate
programs (for example, Master of Social Work). Local business and service organizations
also support our school in a variety of ways. At Berrigan, we realize the importance of
maintaining community partnerships and are always looking for ways to involve our
community partners to add meaning to our students’ experiences. Our community supports
our work generously.
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URL References
1
http://www.berriganes.ocdsb.ca/
2 http://www.ocdsb.ca/
3 http://www.ocdsb.ca/ab-ocdsb/
4 http://www.eqao.com/
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