School Profile 2013-2014
Greenbank Middle School
Grades 7 to 8 Regular English, EFI, MFI, Gifted,
LD
Address:
168 Greenbank Rd.
Nepean, Ontario
K2H 5V2
Phone: 613-828-4587
Fax: 613-828-8975
School hours:
8:15 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.
School Website1
Principal
Carol Gage
Vice Principal
Rod Oickle
Office Administrator
Diana Brouse
Office Assistant
Elizabeth Parkinson
Chief Custodian
School Council Chair
Tracey Severin
Superintendent of Instruction
Frank Wiley
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 School
Greenbank Middle School is an intermediate school located in
the west end of Ottawa, Ontario. The school was founded in
1968 and has a history of learning, leadership and community.
The school is positioned on a large property adjacent to
serviced parkland which offers our students access to soccer
pitches, baseball diamonds, tennis courts and a community rink.
Greenbank offers a Regular program as well as Early and
Middle French Immersion programs. In addition, we offer a
Congregated Gifted French Immersion program, a Learning
Disabilities program, and an integrated model of support for
English Language Learners and students with Special
Education needs. Our students come primarily from one of our
four feeder schools: Knoxdale Public School, Manordale Public
School, Leslie Park Public School and Briargreen Public
School. Upon completion of grade 8, most of our students
attend Sir Robert Borden Secondary School. Greenbank Middle
School is a host school for the Ottawa International Elementary
Languages program that takes place on Saturdays.
Our Students
Greenbank Middle School has an enrolment of 400 students,
representing a culturally rich community, and a variety of
diverse heritages, cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds. As
a group, our students hail from 25 countries of birth, and speak
31 languages. Although they are only at Greenbank for 2 years,
students are energetic and spirited in their pride in their school.
Our students lead and initiate many interest clubs and
participate in sports, arts and community volunteer activities.
While at Greenbank, students devise and participate in
awareness projects in support of local and global organizations,
and carry on this interest into high school. The many talents of
our students are promoted and encouraged in the areas of
academics, the arts, physical education, and leadership, both at
school and within the community.
Our Staff
Greenbank staff are dedicated to providing exemplary
education to every student in the school. We embrace
challenges and foster the love of learning within an inclusive
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and positive learning
environment. Our
dynamic staff team is
composed of 23
teachers, an
educational
assistant, 2 office
staff, a library
technician, a chief
custodian with 4
support staff, and a
principal and viceprincipal
administration team.
Our multi-disciplinary
team includes; a School Social Worker, a School Psychologist,
and Learning Support Consultant and the regular support of a
School Resource Officer. Greenbank staff have earned
additional qualifications through ongoing professional
development including specialist qualifications in Computers in
the Classroom, English, French as a Second Language,
History, Music, Science, Special Education, Visual Arts, and
Design and Technology, as well as Masters degrees. In
addition, we have staff members qualified in First Aid and CPR,
and Non Violent Crisis Intervention, and National Coaching
Certifications. Many teachers on our staff are Associate
Teachers for new teachers from the Faculties of Education of
several universities and colleges, and mentors to Co-operative
Education students from local high schools.
Our Community
Parents and Community
Our Greenbank Middle School families represent a number of local communities; adding strength and
diversity to our student body. Parents and guardians support ongoing classroom learning and enrich the
education of our students by accompanying students on field trips, organizing fundraising events, providing
library support, and serving on School Council.
Greenbank School Council is a volunteer group of members of our parent community dedicated to
strengthening educational opportunities and partnerships with the community. School Council organizes
parent education events, a book fair and Ski and Snowboard Club. The School Council raises funds each
year to support student achievement, enrich school programs and support charity endeavours.
As a Middle School, we have developed relationships with our feeder schools for students coming into Grade
7, and with our secondary school for our students leaving Grade 8, to ensure smooth transitions.
Strong partnerships have been established with a number of organizations including Tim Horton’s, OCRI,
Child and Youth Friendly Ottawa, the Ottawa Regional Science Fair, the Ottawa Legion, Algonquin College,
University of Ottawa, and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Mission Statement
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Picture of Greenbank Middle School
Programs and Services
Academic Programs
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Regular English
Early French Immersion
Middle French Immersion
Congregated Gifted French Immersion
System Learning Disabilities Class
Classroom Organization
Greenbank students follow a homeroom model. Students learn core subjects with their
homeroom teacher, and rotate to specialist teachers for Science, Physical Education and
Instrumental Music. Students follow a 5 day cycle and may have between 4 and 7 teacher
contacts within the cycle.
Special Education and ESL Programs
Through an integrated Special Education delivery model, our special education staff work
closely in classrooms to support student learning. Special Education staff are part of the
classroom team working to develop and facilitate Individual Education Plans. English
Language Learners are supported in their classrooms in consultation with our ESL
resource teacher. Greenbank offers two system class programs: a Learning Disability
Class and a Congregated Gifted French Immersion Class which are accessed through
central applications to Learning Support Services.
Clubs and Activities
Greenbank students participate in regional and provincial competitions such as Regional
Science Fair, the Geography Challenge, Math Olympics and Gauss Math Contest.
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Greenbank staff provide rich and varied extra-curricular programming for all students in the
areas of athletics, arts, academics and leadership. Students frequently add activities by
express their interest to staff members, and finding a teacher with similar interests. Some
offerings include:
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Band -Grade 7, Grade 8 and Jazz Band
Chess and Magic Club
English and French Public Speaking Competition
Garage Band
Gatoraids -Athletic Leadership Team
Glee Club
Green Team Environmental Club
Greenbank Leadership Team (Student Council)
Homework Club
Interschool athletic teams (badminton, basketball, cross-country, field hockey, football,
soccer, track and field, volleyball)
Intramural Athletics
Journalism club/ School newspaper
Library Club
Math League
Mini Enrichment Programs at Carleton University and Ottawa University
Photography Club
Red Maple Reading Club
Seeds-In-Residence Enrichment program at Queen’s University
Science Olympics
Science Club
Yearbook Committee
Safe Schools Initiatives
Code of Conduct
At Greenbank Middle School, we are preparing our students to become global citizens
who respect and recognize the ideas, abilities, beliefs and cultures of others. The GMS
Code describes how we demonstrate that respect for our community, self, others and our
learning. Greenbank Middle School is a welcoming and safe environment for everyone.
Bullying Prevention, Human Rights and Character Development are embedded in the
curriculum and the daily communication among students and staff. Classes initiate and
participate in an outreach project to learn about how they can contribute and support
organizations in the community.
Orientation week activities introduce new students to staff and peers. All students
participate in activities to reinforce effective learning habits, school routines, and
expectations to get the year off to a good start.
A multitude of indoor and outdoor activities at recess ensure that all students are
supervised and participating socially and comfortably at unstructured times.
Our Student Success Team works closely with teachers to identify and support at-risk
students. Our teachers work closely with the Sir Robert Borden High School to ensure
appropriate supports are put in place in Grade 9 to help all students achieve.
Our in-school team works closely with the support of a school psychologist, social worker
and school resource officer collaborate to enhance and support early intervention for
students who are demonstrating at-risk behaviour.
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Facilities and Resources
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Library / resource center with computer stations for research.
Literacy Room
Computer Lab
Large Gymnasium with stage facilities.
Two fully equipped science laboratories
Design and Technology room
Instrumental Music Room
Dance/drama studio
Large yard with multiple soccer pitches, baseball diamonds and basketball courts.
Google Map of Greenbank Middle School
Achievement and School Improvement Planning
Measures of Student Achievement and Success
Data collected early in the year, and again in the second term is used to drive our staff
development, teaching and assessment practices through a purposeful and targeted
approach to improve student learning and achievement. Data sources include:
 CASI (Comprehension, Attitude, Strategies and Interests) reading assessment
 OWA (Ontario Writing Assessment)
 Evaluation Rapide en Lecture, a French Immersion reading assessment
 a common problem Math assessment
Class profiles guide professional dialogue among staff. Greenbank staff and our
secondary school colleagues meet to examine curricula and share common strategies to
support the transition of students from Middle School to High School.
Student Achievement
Student Success in Science: Greenbank Students win numerous awards annually at the
Ottawa Regional Science Fair (ORSF).
Student Success in Mathematics: Our students competed at the Carleton Ottawa Math
Olympiads, and Kangaroo Math Competition in provincial and national competitions.
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Student Success in the Arts: Our students’ art work is consistently recognized at the
annual Legion poster competition for Remembrance Day. Students’ work has been
awarded provincial recognition. Greenbank students participate in MusicFest and the
Ottawa Drama Festival.
Student Success in Geography: Greenbank students have achieved great success at the
Canadian Geography Challenge in provincial and national competitions.
Student Success in Literacy: Our students achieve great success at the French public
speaking contest (Concours d’art oratoire) at the regional and board levels. Students
participate in CANSPELL competition. In addition, our students’ works in poetry and essay
writing have received regional and provincial awards and have been published. “On the
Greener Side” – an anthology of writing by Greenbank students was published in 2010,
and a second edition in 2011.
Student Success in Athletics: The high quality Greenbank interscholastic teams continue
to win medals, trophies and banners for both the South-West region and Board level finals
on an annual basis.
School Improvement Plans and Initiatives
The School Improvement Plan for 2010-2011 focus on Literacy, Assessment and
Evaluation, and Character Development. Initiatives are based on research in the areas of
effective teaching and assessment practices and student learning. Teacher in-service,
professional learning teams and resource allocation specifically target these initiatives.
Literacy:
Staff continue to focus on embedding higher level thinking skills and critical literacy in
instruction through school-wide literacy plans. Staff use resources in the Literacy Room to
model the features and purposes of text and supplement student leveled texts and
professional resources.
Math:
Teachers of Mathematics focus on the development of skills in problem-solving,
perseverance and mathematical thinking as they work collaboratively to improve the
achievement of all our students in Mathematics.
Assessment and Evaluation:
Staff members use diagnostic tools to track student improvement through the year as well
as to target areas for further instruction. Our Special Education team works closely with
classroom teachers to develop strategies and interventions to improve learning and
achievement for all students. Ongoing, regular feedback supports students to improve
achievement.
Character Development:
Character Development is embedded in daily programming, assemblies, school-wide
events and student leadership opportunities with the goal of promoting responsible
citizenship. Each homeroom class collaborates to determine an issue or organization for
which they will raise awareness or provide service. Organizations include; a local Food
Bank, local schools in need, and the sponsorship of children in third world countries.
Leadership Recognition
“Leadership in the OCDSB is the demonstration of personal initiative
to achieve a positive outcome.”
Students
We value and promote opportunities for students to develop leadership skills. Initiatives
are designed to promote student leadership, environmental stewardship and citizenship.
Student groups work together with staff to promote positive leadership, responsibility and
local and global charity. Monthly assemblies provide recognition of student leadership
ventures.
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Staff
Greenbank staff demonstrate their leadership as curriculum leaders, coaches and
mentors. Greenbank staff are involved in extra-curricular activities for all our students and
provide leadership both within the Board and the community. Staff members contribute as
Regional and Board-Wide conveners for cross-country, volleyball, football and track and
field. Our Support staff provide leadership daily as mentors and advisors to co-op students
and to visitors to our building. Greenbank Middle School teachers serve as mentor
teachers to student teachers from the University of Ottawa and Nipissing University.
Greenbank teachers serve as seconded Professors at the Faculty of Education, University
of Ottawa, and on OCDSB committees for both the Social Science and Science.
Parents/Guardians/Volunteers
Our volunteers are members of the community, parents and guardians, who are dedicated
to strengthening educational opportunities and partnerships. Parents and members of the
community assist in the office, help to maintain our gardens, provide support in
classrooms, serve on committees and school council, work with small groups of students,
attend field trips, and coordinate our hot lunch programs. They form an essential and
highly valuable and appreciated role in the education of our students. Our volunteers
include former students and former student teachers who return to Greenbank to share
their enthusiasm for learning and teaching.
Community
Strong partnerships and involvement have been established with a number of
organizations including Metro, Tim Horton’s, ONFE, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Ottawa
Public Health, FAMSAC, the Ottawa Regional Science Fair, the Ottawa Legion, Algonquin
College, the University of Ottawa, and Carleton University and Sir Robert Borden High
School.
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URL References:
1 – http://greenbankms.blogspot.ca/
2 – http://www.ocdsb.ca/
3 – http://www.ocdsb.ca/ab-ocdsb/
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