School Profile 2013-2014
Barrhaven Public School
JK-4 English/Core French/EFI
Address:
80 Larkin Dr.
Nepean, Ontario
K2J 1B7
Phone: 613-825-2691
Fax: 613-825-9307
School hours:
9:10 a.m. - 3:40 p.m.
School Website1
Principal
Denise Gagnon-Lebrun
Vice-Principal
Stephanie Borrens
Office Administrator
Linda Ludlow
Chief Custodian
Kevin Amos
School Council Chair
Tom Hazle
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
613 721-1820
OCDSB Website2
Accessibility Information3
Our School
At Barrhaven Public School, our goal is to provide each student
with a high quality education, while meeting their individual
learning needs within a safe and challenging learning
environment. At Barrhaven P.S., children come first! Our school
motto is “Live, learn and play the Barrhaven way”. Barrhaven’s
school colours are blue and gold and our school mascot is
Tornado the Wolf (le loup Tornade).
Our Students
Barrhaven P.S. is a JK to Grade 4 school with an enrolment of
approximately 530 students. We offer both an Early French
Immersion Program and a Regular English program with Core
French. Our school’s attendance area draws from Barrhaven,
Stonebridge West, Highbury Park area and Half Moon Bay (for
grandfathered students only). We are a multi-cultural community
and enjoy our caring and cooperative environment. We are proud
of the many achievements of our students and how well they
represent us, both within the school and in the broader
community. Some of our students are at risk of anaphylaxis due
to allergies to peanuts and nuts, and some to dairy, eggs and
other food items. We support these students by encouraging a
peanut/nut free school.
Our Staff
This year, Barrhaven P.S. has a staff of approximately 45. This
includes administrators, full-time and part-time teachers,
educational assistants, office staff, a library technician, a daytime custodian and evening custodians. Our staff meet on a
regular basis to support school, Board and Ministry initiatives, as
well as co-curricular activities. Our staff participates regularly in
workshops to support ongoing professional growth opportunities.
We have a strong mentoring culture where experienced staff
members assist and encourage our beginning teachers and staff
new to our school.
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Our Community
Parents and Community
We welcome volunteers in our school. Last year, many adults participated in school
activities, including helping students with reading and math, organizing fundraising events,
accompanying students on field trips and working in the Library. We also welcome college
students, high school co-op students, volunteers from community organizations such as
Big Brothers/Big Sisters and student teachers into our classes.
The Barrhaven Public School Council is an active group of volunteer members of the
school community; parents/guardians, a community representative, as well as staff
members dedicated to strengthening and enriching educational opportunities for all our
students and their families. Our School Council is a member of the Ottawa Carleton
Assembly of School Councils. All parents are welcome to attend the monthly meetings.
Mission Statement
Our School Motto is: Live, learn and play the Barrhaven way!
Our school principles, developed by our students, are:
● Participate and do your best
● Be cooperative and fair
● Be generous and patient
● Be the friend you would like to have
● Respect everything and everyone
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Programs and Services
Academic Programs
Barrhaven P.S. has a regular English program in which the students receive 20 minutes of
Core French per day at the JK and SK levels, and then receive 40 minutes of Core French
from Grades 1 to 4. In our Early French Immersion program, the children receive a 100%
French program at the SK and Grade 1 levels, with 60 minutes daily of English language
instruction at the Grade 2 and Grade 3 levels. Instruction in English increases to 120
minutes of the day for Grade 4, with mathematics being taught in English. Students
enrolled in the regular program who want to enter the Middle French Immersion program
can do so at Adrienne Clarkson Elementary School in Grade 4. Most of our students
attend Cedarview Middle School for Grades 5 to 8.
Classroom Organization
Barrhaven P.S. is a Junior Kindergarten to Grade 4 school. Following the Ontario Ministry
Guidelines, our primary classes have an average of 20 or fewer students. We presently
have the following homeroom classrooms:
Regular English Program
Kindergarten (5)
Grade 1 (1)
Grade 1/2 (1)
Grade 2 (1)
Grade 2/3 (1)
Grade 3 (1)
Grade 3/4 (1)
Grade 4 (1)
Primary Special Needs (10 students)
Early French Immersion
SK (4)
Grade 1 (3)
Grade 2 (3)
Grade 3 (3)
Grade 3/4 (1)
Grade 4 (1)
Special Education and ESL Programs
Barrhaven P.S. has a special education team that is comprised of one and a half LRT
(Learning Resource Teachers) teachers and a full-time LST (Learning Support Teacher).
We have 4 Educational Assistants and a half time ESL teacher (English Second
Language). Our LRT teachers and educational assistants support children within their
classes and provide small group support as needed. Our LST supplies remedial support
and performs educational assessments. Enrichment through the regular curriculum is
provided for our gifted students. In class support is given to our ELL (English Language
Learners) students.
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Clubs and Activities
The staff at Barrhaven P.S. offer a wide variety of extra-curricular activities that enhance
school life for our students. Inter-school competitions with our neighbouring schools are a
highlight of several sporting events. Cross country and track and field teams participate in
regional meets. Planned activities are offered to specific age groups. A range of sports
activities, such as cross-country running, soccer, soccer-baseball, indoor soccer,
volleyball, track and field, badminton, borden ball, scooter ball, ultimate Frisbee, are
offered in addition to the Silver Birch Club (Junior Book Club), Blue Spruce Club (Primary
Book Club) environmental club, gardening club, pet club, cooking clubs, choir, sewing
club, French club and PALS.
Safe Schools Initiatives
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All staff model, teach and reinforce respectful and safe behaviour.
Daily teaching supports character development throughout the curriculum.
We are in the process of becoming a “Rights Respecting School” through this UNICEF
initiative.
We have a Student Leadership Program that includes lunch and kindergarten helpers,
door monitors, bus helpers and Playground Activity Leaders (PALS). Junior level
students volunteer and receive training for these activities.
Our School Resource Officers spend time with our students reviewing important safety
information.
Two school crossing guards assist children and parents at two busy intersections in our
school community and yard duty teachers, paid noon-hour monitors and educational
assistants monitor safe arrival and departure of our students.
Facilities and Resources
Our school has a fully networked computer system and computer lab. There are LCD
projectors in most classes as well as 5 Smartboards for the school to use. We have a
gymnasium with a multi-purpose stage and state-of-the-art sound system (The Wolf’s
Den). Our large playground has a climber, basketball court, asphalt games and a soccer
field. Our School Council has raised funds to create a safe and attractive outdoor
environment for our children.
Our Library houses approximately 15,000 books in English and French and our wellequipped Literacy, Math and Science Resource rooms support Ministry initiatives and
student learning.
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Google Map of Barrhaven Public School
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Achievement and School Improvement Planning
Measures of Student Achievement and Success
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The purpose of all assessment and evaluation is to improve student learning.
Our grade 3 students participate in EQAO provincial testing.
Pupil and program assessment and evaluation are ongoing as teachers strive to
maximize student achievement.
The staff incorporates a wide variety of assessment tools such as teacher observation,
student portfolios, authentic activities, rubrics, tests and oral presentations.
We are also committed to using the following evaluation tools to assist us in planning for
improved student learning at the primary grades: PM Benchmarks (Progress with
Meaning), GB+ (Groupe Beauchemin - French benchmarks evaluation), and DRA
(Developmental Reading Assessment). In the junior grades, we use CASI and Trousses
d’évaluation.
School Improvement Plans and Initiatives
The following areas continue to be areas of focus for school improvement:
 Continue to implement Balanced Literacy at both the Primary and Junior levels.
 Focus on improved student achievement in the areas of reading, writing and
mathematics.
 Continue to make improvements to the physical environment of our schoolyard, and
determine, with staff and School Council, areas that can be enhanced to facilitate
beautification and functionality of the playground.
 Continue our ongoing partnerships with the police and other local schools to ensure a
safe environment for our students.
 Barrhaven Public School is part of the Ottawa Public Health “Healthy Active Schools
Program”.
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Leadership Recognition
“Leadership in the OCDSB is the demonstration of personal initiative
to achieve a positive outcome.”
Students
"Howl Abouts" are awarded by the staff of Barrhaven Public School on a daily basis.
Students are recognized for modeling of school principles. Their names are read on the
announcements by the principal/vice-principal and certificates are posted on a bulletin
board. Grade 4 students interested in learning about leadership may choose to participate
in our Playground Activity Leaders Program (PALS). They practice leadership skills and
responsibility in their roles as school seniors throughout the year, and help younger
students on the yard.
Staff
The staff at Barrhaven Public School are skilled and caring professionals who are
dedicated to providing a quality education to all children at our school. With specialties in
Special Education, The Arts, Physical Education and Computer Technology, our teachers
actively participate in both Board-wide professional development workshops and personal
growth activities. Our support staff, office staff and custodians are trained in a variety of
areas such as working with children with special needs, maintaining a safe work
environment and providing a welcoming atmosphere for our community. As a team, we
support each other and encourage new initiatives that benefit our students and our
community. Staff willingly share their interests and expertise with students, through an
extensive extra-curricular program. We recognize staff leadership at staff meetings, social
gatherings, school assemblies, Council meetings and in school newsletters. Staff awards
are handed out at our end of year celebration.
Parents/Guardians/Volunteers
Barrhaven Public School is extremely fortunate to have a supportive and dedicated School
Council and volunteer program. Our parents continue to support our school by contributing
hundreds of hours of their time working with our students in the school, and raising money
to enrich the learning environment for our students. Over the years, financial support has
been provided for sports and technology equipment, library books, additional literacy and
numeracy resources, art supplies, and assisting with field trip and performing arts costs.
Our School Council raises funds for our school through events such as the Annual Walk-athon, Family Dance, Movie Nights, monthly lunches and our year end Family B.B.Q. Many
adult volunteers contribute to our excellent Library Program by assisting our Library
Technician. Our school grounds are lovingly kept beautiful by wonderful parent volunteers.
Barrhaven PS staff expresses our appreciation to our dedicated volunteers throughout the
year; personally, in our newsletters and at council meetings, but especially at our annual
Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast which we hold during Education Week. We honour, too,
our bus drivers, delivery drivers, temporary staff, student teachers and others with small
tokens of our appreciation.
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Community
We welcome the assistance and support of local merchants and establishments, and we
recognize their help in our school newsletters, at our assemblies and at our end-of-the
year celebrations. We thank local restaurants, stores and vendors for contributing prizes to
staff and Council organized events. Barrhaven students and staff support our local and
global communities by collecting goods for the food bank, Pennies for Portions, collecting
winter clothing for the Snowsuit Fund, Jump Rope for Heart, Pass the Baton for
Parkinson’s, staff support for the United Way, and sending books, toys, and money to
disaster relief efforts around the world.
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URL References
1
http://barrhavenps.ocdsb.ca/
http://www.ocdsb.ca/
3
http://www.ocdsb.ca/ab-ocdsb/
4
http://www.eqao.com/
2
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