School Profile 2013-2014
Mary Honeywell Elementary School
JK – 5 English and Early French Immersion
Address:
54 Kennevale Dr.
Nepean, Ontario
K2J 3B2
Phone: 613-825-4834
Fax: 613-825-5058
School hours:
8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
School Website1
Principal
Cheryl Sevigny
Vice Principal
Sherry Fetterly
Office Administrator
Patricia Ghadban/Brenda
Feldbruegge
Chief Custodian
Peter Larocque
School Council Chair
Jodi Parker
Superintendent of
Instruction
Peter Gamwell
School Trustee
Donna Blackburn
Chair of the Board
Jennifer McKenzie
Director of Education/
Secretary of the Board
Jennifer Adams
Genera Board Information
(613) 721-1820
OCDSB Website2
Accessibility Information3
Our School
Mary Honeywell Elementary School opened in 1989 serving a
triple-track junior kindergarten to grade 8 student population.
After the construction of a middle school (grades 6-8) in the
community, we became a junior kindergarten to grade 5 school.
The school was named after the first teacher in Nepean, whose
log cabin served as the district’s first school. Our school colours,
green and white, reflect those of the former city of Nepean. The
school crest was designed by a senior student and is proudly
worn by many children during the school day. Our school has
many young children in its midst who work and play in happy and
productive settings. Large and well-equipped kindergarten rooms
face out onto a kindergarten play area. Grade 1 children have
their own play yard and a beautiful play structure thanks to the
fundraising efforts of a very dedicated School Council. The
Grades 2’s and 3’s enjoy their own play structure. Our Junior
students have a large area in which to play soccer, basketball
and other yard games.
Our Students
Total enrolment (September 2013): 540
Approximately 55% of our students are in the English program
and 45% are in French Immersion. When our students leave
Mary Honeywell E.S. they go to Cedarview Middle School. Once
they have completed grade 8, students move on to John McCrae
Secondary School. Our students reflect a variety of cultural
backgrounds; most are English speaking.
Our Staff
Our in-school and external support staff numbers 50, most of
whom are classroom teachers, with support being provided by
teaching assistants, a library technician, custodial staff, and the
administrative team of an office administrator, office assistant, a
principal and a vice-principal. Staff undertakes numerous
activities in support of students and the surrounding community.
Staff members promote their own learning by presenting and
attending workshops in curriculum related fields.
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Our Community
Parents and Community
The Mary Honeywell E.S. Council provides a basis for parents to be involved in school life
and to continuously improve the quality of education of our children. It provides an
important vehicle for parents to share ideas and concerns, contribute to the resolution of
issues and directly influence the education of our children.
To this end, priorities for the Council are to: enhance parental awareness with regard to
the curriculum, increase safety awareness of children and the school community, continue
to strengthen lines of communication, and increase Council representation.
Mission Statement
We are all part of a community of friends.
Comments from Parents:
● “Excellent school program.” “Very dedicated staff.”
● “School Council is doing a great job.” “Thanks for all the hard work.”
● “Extremely well organized events!”
● “The parent workshops help me to help my child.”
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Programs and Services
Academic Programs
Mary Honeywell offers English and Early French Immersion programs from Senior
Kindergarten to grade 5, and a Specialized Autism program. Full day kindergarten was
implemented in September 2013, along with an Extended Day Program run by the
Barrhaven Child Care Centre, a third party operator.
We encourage all our students to benefit from the diversity of the curriculum and program
events.
Classroom Organization
Mary Honeywell Elementary School is a JK to grade 5 dual track school. We have Early
French Immersion classes from SK to grade 5 as well as the English program from JK to
grade 5. In the English program we have the following classes: two JK, one JK/SK, one
Grade 1, one Grade 1/2, one Grade 2/3 two Grade 3, one Grade 4, two Grade 5, and four
specialized autism classes. In the Early French Immersion program, we have the following
classes: two SK, three Grade 1, two Grade 2, a Grade 2/3, a Grade 3/4, a Grade 4 and a
Grade 5.
Special Education and ESL Programs
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Special Services Board personnel consisting of a psychologist, speech/language
pathologist, social worker, and occupational therapists work with our staff.
1.25 full time equivalent Learning Support Teacher and a highly developed Resource
Centre for those requiring additional academic help.
1 Learning Resource Teacher delivering integrated Language Arts and math.
4 congregated classes for students with autism.
Clubs and Activities
The sports program offers students a roster of activities, including soccer, volleyball,
basketball, cross-country running, and primary/junior track and field. Arts groups and
speakers visit the school to provide students with the opportunity to see and hear dynamic
productions and presentations. Noteworthy individuals in curriculum-related fields are also
invited to speak. A number of clubs operate to extend children’s learning and these include
a Primary and Junior choir, Student Leaders, Scrabble/Chess club, dance, and ski club.
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Safe Schools Initiatives
Through Mary Honeywell Elementary School’s code of behaviour and social skills
programs, our children learn to respect themselves and others. The school creates a
positive atmosphere that nurtures the self-discipline of all. Everyone learns to be
courteous, considerate, and respectful of the rights and property of others and our
students are frequently commended for their exemplary behaviour when representing the
school in board-wide events. The motto that we, as a school, try to live by is “We are all
part of a community of friends.” In a school like ours we also place a strong focus on
character education and citizenship.
To promote the safe and inclusive environment we enjoy at Mary Honeywell, we continue
to be proactive. Our staff participates in positive character building daily within the
classrooms. Our School Council has provided every classroom with bins that contain
outdoor games. We also have numerous school-wide initiatives and activities geared
towards promoting a Bully-Free and inclusionary atmosphere including a monthly
Character Education assembly.
Facilities and Resources
Facilities include a double gymnasium with a stage, a smaller gym/community room,
networked PC classroom computers, a well-stocked library, and a computer lab. The large
playground provides a number of activities for children; two different areas have play
structures, as well as parkland, a soccer field and baseball diamond. The school has an
adjoining childcare centre and parent resource centre. The centre also operates an afterschool program.
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Google Map of Mary Honeywell Elementary School
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Achievement and School Improvement Planning
Measures of Student Achievement and Success
Student achievement is measured in many ways at Mary Honeywell E.S. Observations,
student tracking sheets, parent-teacher interviews, homework books or planners, phone
calls home, portfolios, participation in the Ontario assessment for grade 3, progress
reports, and report cards are some of the means by which the school keeps track of
student progress. Primary grades participate in storytelling as their debut into public
speaking. Junior level students participate in English and French public speaking contests.
Their standing in these contests, which are judged by personnel from outside the school,
is consistently high. An award sponsored by the Ontario Principal’s Council, is presented
yearly at the grade 5 level for academic excellence and school citizenship. Another award
is offered by the Mary Honeywell School Council to students in grades 3, 4, and 5 who
demonstrate, through the course of the year, their commitment to fair play and
sportsmanship
School Improvement Plans and Initiatives
1. Our school initiatives this year focus on five important areas that foster successful
student achievement and promote a safe learning environment.
2. Students in all grades will be engaged in numerous literacy based activities/events
such as reading and writing portfolios, editing and publishing school-wide student work,
home reading programs and “reading buddies”.
3. Students will continue to use problem solving and critical inquiry for a better
understanding in math.
4. We continue to purchase interactive technology such as Smartboards which promote
hands on learning.
5. Staff continues to participate in professional development in literacy, numeracy, and
technology.
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Leadership Recognition
“Leadership in the OCDSB is the demonstration of personal initiative
to achieve a positive outcome.”
Students
Student leadership as demonstrated through sports, academic achievement and social
excellence, is a cornerstone of our school. Students are active organizers in special event
planning and charity initiatives throughout the year. Our school recognition programs are
designed to highlight student achievement in our classrooms, school announcements,
newsletters, assemblies, our principal’s report to school council, and end-of-year awards
ceremonies.
Staff
Our staff members are excellent role models of “leadership” not only in their classrooms,
clubs and intramurals, but also in the wide range of personal interests and experiences
they bring to our school setting. Our staff has a wealth of professional qualifications
including Bachelors and Masters degrees. We recognize staff leadership via personal
interactions with one another, letters of thanks, school announcements, newsletters,
assemblies, performance appraisals, and our principal’s report to school council.
Parents/Guardians/Volunteers
The parent volunteer community at MHES is steadfast in its dedication to the
enhancement of our students’ school experience. Nearly 150 in number, our volunteers
provide valued support to our students and teachers in the classroom, library, during field
trips, special events and activities which take place throughout the year. Some of the
programs managed by our volunteers are hot lunch programs, as well as our annual
Halloween Family Dance, Best of Season Family event, Fashion Show, and Summer Fun
Day. MHES benefits substantially from all our volunteer efforts and our staff is most
appreciative. The volunteer breakfast, held every June, is an opportunity for staff to
demonstrate their gratitude to our volunteers although such gratitude is expressed in many
ways throughout the year.
Community
The MHES school community supports community programs such as: the Barrhaven Food
Cupboard, Operation Go Home, Pass the Baton for Parkinsons, the Terry Fox Run and
many others. We are always looking for ways for our students to reach out to others in
their community. We also encourage community participation in our annual Rise and Rake
program, which is run in conjunction with the City of Ottawa’s “Clean up the Capital”
campaign.
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URL References
1
http://www.maryhoneywelles.ocdsb.ca/
2 http://www.ocdsb.ca/
3 http://www.ocdsb.ca/ab-ocdsb/
4 http://www.eqao.com/
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