School Profile 2013-2014
The Secondary Alternate Program
Grades 9 to 12
General Board Information: Phone: 613-721-1820
OCDSB Website1
Accessibility Information2
Principal
Brett Reynolds
Phone: 613-596-8211 x8464
Fax: 613-596-8715
Elizabeth Wyn Wood
Vice-Principal
Sandra Blakely
Secretary
Valerie James
Phone: 613-225-8826
Richard Pfaff and the
Urban Aboriginal High
School
Vice-Principal
Tom Benke
Secretary
Lindy Mercick
Phone: 613-594-8020
Frederick Banting
Vice-Principal
Ken McQueen
Secretary
Anne Murphy
Phone: 613-591-7678
Norman Johnston
Vice-Principal
Terri Powell
Secretary
Jose Dufresne
Phone: 613-841-7510
Superintendent of Instruction
Susan MacDonald
School Trustees
Pam Fitzgerald
Lynn Scott
Katie Holtzhauer
Jennifer McKenzie
Chair of the Board
Jennifer McKenzie
Director of Education/
Secretary of the Board
Jennifer Adams
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 located in the
different geographical areas of the Ottawa-Carleton District School
Board. They are close to main bus routes and are available to all
students in the district. The sites are 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)
The Alternate Program has three key components: Life skills
Course, Cooperative Education Program, Academic Program
Our Students
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.
Our Staff
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.
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Our Community
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.
Google Map of Elizabeth Wyn Wood Alternate Site
Google Map of Frederick Banting Alternate Site
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Google Map of Norman Johnston Alternate Site
Google Map of Richard Pfaff Alternate Site
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Programs and Services
Academic Programs
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.
Classroom Organization
Alternate Programs offer students an opportunity to access a personalized program that
allows them to work at their own pace. Students start with the Life skills 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.
Special Education and ESL Programs
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Inclusionary programming offers differentiated learning opportunities to meet the
diverse learning styles
No additional Special Education Programming is provided
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
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
Life skills Entry Course
Caring Adult Program
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School Resource Officer (SRO), Ottawa Police Services
Facilities and Resources
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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
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Achievement and School Improvement Planning
Measures of Student Achievement and Success
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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.
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 their achievements and who they
have become.
Students move onto apprenticeships, college, university and the work of work.
Several of our graduates are now teachers in the OCDSB!
School Improvement Plans and Initiatives
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!
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
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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
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Leadership Recognition
“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
Life skills classes which are then used in activities at our schools. The sites run a
Leadership Camp each spring for student leaders. Some sites have Outdoor Education
Programs. The unique nature of the Alternate Program allows for a multitude of leadership
opportunities. The fact that these programs exist with student populations numbering
between 210 and 395 students allows for staff to involve students in many school
initiatives from advertising school events, to working on school barbeques and websites.
Students play a lead role in school-wide initiatives such as the White Ribbon Campaign,
the Day of Pink, food drives, and other community fundraising 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 initiatives. There is enthusiastic participation in
Exposé and Live it Up. The Alternates are well represented in EarthCARE. A group of our
students participating in EarthCARE won the David Suzuki award for their creative ideas.
Our students are talented and creative, demonstrating their talents in music and drama
productions, 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 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 participate in
workshops and other activities. We 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.
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
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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.
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http://www. ocdsb.ca/
http://www.ocdsb.ca/ab-ocdsb/
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