The Alternate Program
Grades 9 to 12
Principal
Michael Laurie
Phone: 239-2707
Fax: 232-1616
Our School
Coordinator
Gerry Cuppage
“It is the Alternate Program’s commitment to work with students to build a safe, creative,
and caring environment, and to promote self-esteem through hard work and personal
responsibility such that their formal education will lead to satisfaction and productivity
both academically and in the world of work.”
Secretary
Valerie James
The Alternate Program has four sites:
Elizabeth Wyn Wood Site
Phone: 225-8826
Elizabeth Wyn Wood Alternate Program (Nepean)
Frederick Banting Alternate Program (Kanata)
Norman Johnston Alternate Program (Gloucester)
Richard Pfaff Alternate Program (Ottawa)
Richard Pfaff Site
Coordinator
Tom Benke
Secretary
Gerri Scott
Phone: 594-8020
Frederick Banting Site
Coordinator
Daintry Topshee
Secretary
Anne Murphy
Phone: 591-7678
Norman Johnston Site
Coordinator
Dan Milks
Secretary
Josie
Phone: 841-7510
For more information about
each site please look on
page 2 of this profile
Coordinating Superintendent
of Instruction
Larry Archibald
School Trustees
Jim Libbey
Alex Getty
Joan Spice
David Moen
Chair of the Board
Lynn Graham
Director of Education/
Secretary of the Board
Lorne M. Rachlis
General Board Information
(613) 721-1820
There are four Alternate Program Secondary Sites situated in the Ottawa-Carleton
Region. Frederick Banting is located in an Industrial Park facility in Bridlewood, Kanata.
The other three sites are located in former OCDSB elementary schools. Richard Pfaff
has on-site access to a municipal library, gymnasium and arena. Norman Johnston and
Elizabeth Wyn Wood have limited gymnasium facilities. All sites are equipped with
computers and internet access and are linked to a wide-area network.
The Alternate Program has three key components.
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The Lifeskills class
The Cooperative Education Program
The Academic Program
Our Students
Students who attend an Alternate program are seeking an alternative to the traditional
high school setting. Instruction is provided on an individual basis, as well as in small and
large groups. It is a different delivery model to that of the traditional high school.
All four sites demand that students be committed to their education and demonstrate this
through their attendance, punctuality, consistent academic progress and responsible
behaviour. Students are goal oriented and motivated to learn because they are in
control of their own learning.
Our Staff
All the staff in the Alternate Programs are dedicated to supporting our students. They
work to help students improve their 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 part-time Social Worker who along with the rest of the staff
makes sure that each student receives the support they need.
www.ocdsb.edu.on.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
An interview is required for entry into the program and parents are welcome to attend. Parents are encouraged to be
part of program by working with School Councils. Each site has established close links within its community. This
has been achieved through partnerships with community groups such as Community Resource Centres, Social
agencies, and through strong links to local businesses through the Cooperative Education Program. It is a
collaborative, holistic approach that is student centred.
Elizabeth Wyn Wood
Frederick Banting
20 Rossland Ave.
Nepean, ON K2G 1H6
Phone: 225-8826 Fax: 225-1322
School Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
115 Terrance Matthews Drive
Kanata, ON K2M 2B2
Phone: 591-7678 Fax: 591-7685
School Hours: 8: 00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Norman Johnston
Richard Pfaff
2410 Cleroux Cres
Gloucester, ON K1W 1A1
Phone: 841-7510 Fax: 841-7509
School Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
160 Percy Street
Ottawa, ON K1R 6E5
Phone: 594-8020 Fax: 239-2288
School Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Academic Programs
Classroom Organization
Courses are offered at the Academic and Applied level of
difficulty. Because of the size of each program, the Alternate
Sites are unable to offer the broad spectrum of course
selection which can be found in the traditional high school
program. Nevertheless, Alternate sites are able to provide a
selection of courses that will allow students to graduate to
post-secondary education (College) with their OSSD and to
ready students to enter the world of work with excellent skills.
There are no University courses offered at the Grade 12 level.
Alternate programs offer students an opportunity to learn at
their own pace. Students work on one course at-a-time and
are able to complete six or more courses in an academic
year. Each classroom has 21 students who are all working on
individual courses. The teacher‘s role is to assist students
when they have difficulty and support student learning. The
focus is on student directed learning rather than the ‘teacherteaching’. Student progress is monitored closely and students
are held accountable for their work.
Elizabeth Wyn Wood
Frederick Banting
Norman Johnston
Richard Pfaff
Special Education and ESL Programs
Facilities and Resources
No special education services are provided at the alternate
sites. Because the curriculum is delivered through ICL
materials, good reading and writing skills are required.
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Safe Schools Initiatives
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Provincial Code of Conduct - Sept 2000
Tragic Events Response Team - Sept 1999
Emergency Procedures Manual - Dec 1999
Risk Assessment Training
Individual School Site Code of Behaviour -On-going
Lifeskills Entry Course
OCDSB Psychological / Social Services
Community Partnerships (e.g. Rideauwood, YSB, CHEO,
Probation Services, CAS)
Clubs and Activities
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Co-operative Education Program
School Council
Safe and Caring School Initiative
Drama presentations
Coffee House
Business Program Luncheon
Graduation
Measures of Student Achievement and
Success
The Alternate sites are looking particularly at the area of math
when considering the issue of Literacy and Numeracy skills,
especially with the requirements in the new curriculum for three
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The Alternate Sites collectively graduate 200+ students each
Math credits. Because of the use of ILC materials the English
year. Many go on to College.
skills of our graduates are fairly good, but Math skills are much
The Alternate Program is in demand. At any time there are
weaker. The sites are looking at a number of different strategies to
over 250 students on waiting lists to enter the program.
enhance this important area of student achievement. The literacy
Students are more successful when they move on to college
course may also be an option for students.
or into the world of work.
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Parents acknowledge the difference the Alternate Program
Student Success Initiatives are a valued addition to the Alternate
has made for their children.
Programs. These involve Credit Recovery and other strategies to
Graduates return to visit their site with a deep appreciation of
improve credit accumulation. There are regular meetings among
what they achieved at their alternate program.
staff along with our Academic Review Days that are used to make
Graduates from the Alternate Programs are now teachers in
sure that everything is done to foster Student Success.
the OCDSB and others are fulfilling many other important
jobs in our community.
The Cooperative Education program is an essential component of
the Alternate Program and improving Cooperative Education
School Improvement Plans and Initiatives
opportunities for our students is also a key part of our School
Improvement Plans. Partnerships with business and other
The four Alternate sites are constantly working to make sure that
employers, as well as a focus on apprenticeships and workplace
the program responds to student needs. As a result, the School
skills will build on the excellent skills many of our youth already
Improvement Plans for the four sites are formulated to reflect
have. There is real pressure right now from the community for
areas of concern and to focus on the goals of the OCDSB by
skilled workers and we are building links to allow students to work,
providing opportunities for students to achieve excellence and
but also stay in school. The OYAP Program is an important
responsibility for their learning in a safe, caring, and equitable
environment. Our Improvement Plans are also designed to reflect
the unique needs of our “at risk” population.
component of the program for many of our students. The sites are
also involving in the House Building Project at EWW. Students at
the Alternate Sites receive exceptional on the job training and do
The area of student achievement is a key element in our School
an outstanding job in our community in their Coop Placements.
Improvement Plans. The focus here is on supporting the students
so that they can achieve the requisite number of credits for their
diplomas since many students come to the Alternate Program with
A final area of focus within our School Improvement Plans is
providing the supports our students need to enhance their
very few credits. Each site is carefully monitoring student progress
and striving to provide increased opportunities for students to take
academic success. Our Social Workers are a key component here
responsibility for their learning. It is also essential to provide the
as an essential part of the school team. The Social Workers are
social supports our students need to make academic success a
instrumental in forging links to community agencies. Parents have
reality.
a role to play by being more involved in the sites and supporting
the needs of our students. With more and better support for our
students through the community and within the sites, our students
will be able to achieve greater and longer lasting success and go
on to be responsible members of the community.
“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 great skills in their Lifeskills classes which
are then used in their activities in the school. 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 the student
population. The fact that these programs exist with student populations numbering between 200 to 300 students
allows for staff to involve students in many school initiatives from advertising of school events to working on
school barbeques. Students often are the lead individuals in fundraising such as Pizza days organized in the
school. In a more formal setting, our students participate in City wide events such as the Love and Danger
workshops held at St. Paul's University dealing with dating violence. A group of alternate students participating
in Earth Care (an environmental board initiative) won the David Suzuki award for their creative ideas. Our
students are talented and creative and often use these skills in drama productions, music presentations at
Coffee Houses, and in the incredible Art displays at the sites. 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 always acknowledged and supported. It is what the
Alternate Programs are all about!
Staff:
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• Staff leadership initiatives are an integral part of the program. Staff are encouraged to enroll in any of the
workshops made available by the Board. Staff often seek out learning activities available in the community as
well as spending many summers keeping their qualifications current. The staff at the Alternate Programs
actively seek out ways to make the learning experiences for their students better. Staff participate in the Board
workshops on Numeracy and Literacy. They are well trained in the areas of addiction, Non-violent Crisis
Intervention, Risk Assessment etc. The staff also bring many skill areas and Professional Qualifications to their
work. Our Office and Custodial staff, along with our Social Worker, are valued members of our school team.
This year the Office staff at one of our sites received the Director’s Citation
Parents/Guardians/Volunteers:
• Parents are an important resource for the Alternate Program. When there is any challenge to the viability of the Alternate
Sites they are the first to speak out and attest to the value of these Programs. They are more than willing to support
activities at the Sites and often participate in Workshops and other activities provided for them. We are constantly
acknowledging their support and concern for our Programs. We value our volunteers and anyone who works with and
supports 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 House Building
Project is an exciting initiative that has our students working within our community in unique way. Employers value our
students as we value the opportunities our employers give 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.
The Alternate Program
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