The Secondary Alternate Program
Grades 9 to 12
Principal
Brett Reynolds
Phone: 613-596-8211
ext. 8464
Fax: 613-596-8715
Elizabeth Wyn Wood
Vice-Principal
Monica Leonhardt
Secretary
Valerie James
Phone: 613-225-8826
Richard Pfaff and the
Urban Aboriginal High
School
Vice-Principal
Tom Benke
Our School
Our secondary schools work hard to foster learning opportunities for our students, but not all
students feel they are achieving success. Some students need an alternative to the traditional high
school setting. This is where the Alternate Program plays an integral role in our system. Students
who are capable learners, but who have become disengaged in their learning thrive in the Alternate
Program setting. In our programs, students are encouraged to take control over the means and pace
of their learning. Staff and students work together to provide learning opportunities within a positive,
goal-oriented, student-centred learning community. Our community acknowledges and supports
diversity and individual learning styles. With a whole student focus, our programs provide for the
student’s academic, social, and emotional needs. Success brings success and students develop the
learning skills they need to achieve their Secondary School Diplomas. Students follow their own
unique pathways that may make take them to work, college, apprenticeships, or university – but
always towards a positive future.
The Secondary Alternate Program has five sites:
Secretary
Gerri Scott
Elizabeth Wyn Wood Alternate Program (Nepean)
Frederick Banting Alternate Program (Stittsville)
Norman Johnston Alternate Program (Gloucester)
Richard Pfaff Alternate Program (Ottawa)
Urban Aboriginal High School (Ottawa)
Phone: 613-594-8020
Frederick Banting
Vice-Principal
Debra Buffett-Riddell
Secretary
Anne Murphy
Phone: 613-591-7678
Norman Johnston
Vice-Principal
Terri Powell
Secretary
Jose Dufresne
Phone: 613-841-7510
Executive Officer of
Instruction
Susan MacDonald
These five sites are located in the different geographical areas of the Ottawa-Carleton District
School Board. They are close to main bus routes; they are available to all students in the district.
The Alternate Program has three key components:
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Lifeskills Course
Cooperative Education Program
Academic Program
Our Students
School Trustees
Pam Fitzgerald
Lynn Scott
David Moen
Jennifer McKenzie
Our students are seeking an alternative to the traditional high school setting. Students range in age
from 16-20. Instruction is provided in an individualized manner, one course at a time in a small
school setting. All five sites demand that students be committed to their education and demonstrate
this commitment through their attendance, punctuality, consistent academic progress, and
responsible behaviour. Our students are goal oriented and motivated to learn because they are in
control of their own learning.
Chair of the Board
Jennifer McKenzie
Our Staff
Director of Education/
Secretary of the Board
Jennifer Adams
General Board Information
613-721-1820
Staff members in the Alternate Programs are dedicated to meeting the unique and varied learning
styles of our individual students. They work to help students improve self-esteem, critical thinking,
and problem solving skills. Staff and students work as a team as they proceed through the
secondary school curriculum. Each site has a social worker and psychologist available to provide
additional support for students.
www.ocdsb.ca
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board challenges all students to achieve personal excellence in learning and responsible
citizenship within a safe, equitable, diverse and caring environment.
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Parents and Community
We encourage all families to play an active role in our school
community. Working together helps our students build success.
Community partnerships are an integral part of our program.
Some of our partnerships include connections with community
resource centres, substance abuse programs, youth programs,
local hospitals, and many others. In addition, though our
cooperative education program we have strong links to local
businesses. Our approach is collaborative, holistic, and student
centred.
Frederick Banting
1453 Main St. , Stittsville, ON K1R 6E5
Phone: 613-591-7678 Fax: 613-591-7685
School Hours: 8: 00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Elizabeth Wyn Wood
20 Rossland Ave. ,Nepean, ON K2G 1H6
Phone: 613-225-8826 Fax: 613-225-1322
School Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Richard Pfaff
160 Percy Street, Ottawa, ON K1R 6E5
Phone: 613-594-8020 Fax: 613-239-2288
School Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Norman Johnston
Urban Aboriginal
2410 Cleroux Cres, Gloucester, ON K1W 1A1
Phone: 613-841-7510 Fax: 613-841-7509
School Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
12 Stirling Ave Ottawa, ON K1Y 1P8
Phone: 613-722-3811 Fax: 613-722-4667
School Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Academic Programs
Classroom Organization
Students in the Alternate Program have access to a full range
of courses needed to meet their diploma (OSSD) requirements.
Students may work on both Academic and/or Applied level
courses. At the senior level, courses are offered at the Open
College, Mixed and University levels to ensure that our
graduates are prepared and able to access the many programs
at our community colleges and Universities. The sites provide
many work opportunities through the Cooperative Education
Program. Students are able to be part of the Ontario Youth
Apprenticeship Program (OYAP). Students are quick to gain the
requisite skills to move successfully to the work of work.
Alternate Programs offer students an opportunity to access a
personalized program that allows them to work at their own
pace. Students start with the Lifeskills course. From there they
move to either the Coop or Academic program. Though this
unique delivery model, students work on one course at a time
and are able to complete six or more courses in an academic
year. This is an opportunity for differentiated programming and
flexibility to match individual learning styles. The teachers act
as facilitators to support student learning. Students take control
of their own learning, supported by teachers who monitor
progress.
Elizabeth Wyn Wood
Frederick Banting
Safe Schools Initiatives
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Safe and caring schools
Tragic Events Response Team
Emergency Procedures Manual
Threat Assessment, Non-violent Crisis Intervention
Student Focused
Lifeskills Entry Course
Caring Adult Program
School Resource Officer(SRO), Ottawa Police Services
Facilities and Resources
Norman Johnston
Clubs and Activities
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Community of Caring Initiatives
Creative Programs: Drama, Music, Dance, Visual Arts
Activity and theme days
Business luncheons, breakfasts through Coop
Leadership, Focus and Outdoor Education Programs
Student Voice Initiatives
EarthCARE, Expose, Live it Up!
Breakfast Clubs
Rideauwood Substance Abuse Program, Youth Net and
other Community Support Groups
Urban Aboriginal
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OCDSB Social and Psychological Services
Strong Student Success Team
Community partnerships with agencies, businesses,
colleges
Regular Student Concern/Success Meetings
Academic Review Days
Each site has its own unique culture and building
Special Education and ESL Programs
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Inclusionary programming that offers differentiated learning
opportunities to meet the diverse learning styles of our
students
No additional Special Education Programming is provided
Richard Pfaff
Measures of Student Achievement and Success
School Improvement Plans and Initiatives
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The five Alternate Programs are constantly working to make
sure that we respond to students’ needs. Our focus is always
on achieving student success. Our areas of school
improvement reflect district initiatives, but more importantly
also focus on issues that will make a difference for our
students. We try to enrich and enhance the educational
experience we provide for our students and make sure that we
support not only their academic needs, but those social and
emotional issues that impact on their lives. Our goal is to
ensure that our students achieve excellence and take
responsibility for their own learning in a safe, caring, and
equitable environment that acknowledges diversity. We work
to ensure that they have every support they need to achieve
success and move on with their lives!
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Students in the Alternate Programs experience outstanding
success!
Graduation ceremonies are a celebration of student
achievement. Over 300 students graduate each year from
our programs.
Families are audible in their praise for the Alternate
Programs and the difference the sites make in the lives of
their children.
Families and students comment that they have never
experienced success at school until they started at
Alternate.
Graduates return to visit with a deep appreciation of what
they have achieved and who they have become. They are
our strongest advocates.
Students move onto apprenticeships, college, university
and the work of work.
Several of our graduates are now teachers in the OCDSB!
Student Achievement and Success
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focus on credit accumulation through the use of our
Credit Rescue and Credit Recovery programs.
careful monitoring of student progress through regular
Student Concern/Success meetings.
provide increased opportunities for students to take
responsibility for their own learning.
encourage students to advocate for their own learning
needs.
improve the success rate on OSSLT by improving the
participation rate.
further integrate the OCDSB's Assessment and
Evaluation Policies and Procedures into our instructional
practices
Building a Community of Caring
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providing the supports our students need to enhance their
academic success
consistently striving to find new and more effective ways
to support our students and build success
using activities that are student and staff driven to
enhance the learning at our sites
embedding character development within all subject/focus
areas
establishing a Professional Learning Community and
focus group to examine and profile exemplary work
Community and Program links
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expanding and developing partnerships with businesses
and other employers
enhancing coop opportunities for our students
responding to our community and the need for skilled
employees
building flexible programs to allow students to work, but
also stay in school
encouraging OYAP opportunities and participation in our
House Building Focus Program
forging partnerships with Rideauwood, Community
Resource Agencies, John Howard Youth Employment
Agency, Youth Net, CHEO, Youth Services Bureau,
Pastoral care, and many others
Supporting projects such as Quiet Time Meditation,
Project of Heart, Free the Children, and EarthCARE
“Leadership in the OCDSB is the demonstration of
personal initiative to achieve a positive outcome.”
Students
Students in the Alternate Programs are excellent leaders. They learn valuable skills in their Lifeskills classes which
are then used in their activities at our schools. The sites run a Leadership Camp each spring for student leaders.
Some sites have Outdoor Education Programs that also provide terrific experiences for students.
The unique nature of the Alternate Program allows for a multitude of leadership opportunities for our student
population. The fact that these programs exist with student populations numbering between 210 to 395 students
allows for staff to involve students in many school initiatives from advertising school events to working on school
barbeques and web sites. Students play a lead role in school-wide initiatives such as the White Ribbon Campaign,
the Day of Pink, food drives, and other community-focused fund raising events. In a more formal setting, our students
participate in city-wide events such as the Rainbow Forum, the Love and Danger workshops, and other OCDSB
student focused initiatives. There is enthusiastic participation in programs such as Exposé and Live it Up. The
Alternates are well represented in EarthCARE. A group of our students participating in EarthCARE (an environmental
board initiative) won the David Suzuki award for their creative ideas. Our students are talented and creative and often
demonstrate their talents in drama productions, music presentations, coffee houses, and in the incredible art displays
that decorate the walls at each site. Our staff encourage students in their activities and, acknowledge their success in
many ways. The sites have display boards that list the students who have graduated or are close to doing so. Student
success is consistently acknowledged and supported. It is what the Alternate Programs are all about!
Staff
Staff leadership initiatives are an integral part of the program. Staff participates in the many workshops offered
throughout the district. They seek out learning activities available in the community as well as spending many
summers keeping their qualifications current. The staff at the Alternate Programs work actively to develop better
learning experiences for their students. Teachers have participated in district workshops on Numeracy, Literacy,
Differentiated Learning, and Assessment and Evaluation. Student Success initiatives are a crucial focus for our
teachers. All staff is well trained in the areas of substance abuse, Non-violent Crisis Intervention, and Threat
Assessment.
Our support staff also bring many skills and professional qualifications to their work. Our office and custodial staff,
along with our social workers and psychologists are valued members of our school team. We have a whole school
approach to student learning.
Parents/Guardians/Volunteers
Families are an important resource for the Alternate Program. They are our number one advocates! They are always
willing to support activities at the sites and often participate in workshops and other activities. We constantly
acknowledge their support and concern for our program. We value our many community volunteers who work with
our students and devote their time and effort to building positive connections. We acknowledge and appreciate the
many people who support our students.
Community
Community partnerships are an integral part of the Alternate Program. The sites have active collaborations with many
community agencies, particularly Rideauwood and the Community Resource Centres as well as Youth Net, etc. Our
cooperative education program has forged strong bonds with companies such as Amsted/Restore All. The Focus
Program on House Building is an exciting, hands-on initiative that has our students working within our community in
an authentic learning experience. Employers value our students as we value the opportunities our employers give to
our students. The community efforts on behalf of our students are acknowledged in many different ways, including
Community Appreciation Awards, plaques and certificates and in the gratitude both staff and students express for
their efforts. The Alternate Programs exist within their communities in a positive way that makes a real difference for
our students.