School Profile 2013-2014
South March Public School
JK-6 Regular English/SK-6 EFI
Address:
1032 Klondike Road
Kanata, Ontario
K2K 1X7
Phone: 613-595-0543
Fax: 613-595-0605
School hours:
9:15a.m. – 3:45p.m.
School Website1
Principal
Dorothy Baker
Vice Principal
Barbara Martinez
Office Administrator
Heather Nichols
Chief Custodian
Ron Schiemann
School Council Co-Chairs
Afreen Shaikh
Chris Bridgen
Superintendent of Instruction
Olga Grigoriev
School Trustee
Christine Boothby
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
South March Public School opened its doors for the first time on
September 1, 2009. We are one of the newest elementary
schools in the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, located in
the Kanata North area of Ottawa. Our students come from the
Briarbrook and March communities. We are a dual track school,
providing regular English programs with Core French daily and
Early French Immersion programs for our Senior Kindergarten
to Grade 6 students. We are also home to a specialized Autism
Program, offering placements to students from across our
District.
Our school is on a balanced day schedule, giving students two
opportunities to have a nutrition break and recess during the
day, while reorganizing the academic learning times into two
120 minute and one 60 minute instructional blocks.
We have worked hard to develop a culture that is unique to our
school, students, parents/guardians, staff and community.
Students have been actively involved in decision-making about
our school colours (gold, blue and black) and school mascot.
The penguin was chosen to represent the importance of
community and team work.
Our Students
Our students come from diverse backgrounds. They represent
48 countries, such as China, India, Turkey and Russia (to name
a few) and 35 languages. There are currently 630 students
enrolled at South March. Upon completion of the grade 6
program, our students will go to Jack Donahue P. S. for grades
7 and 8 before entering West Carleton High School for grade 9.
Our Staff
We have a team of dedicated professionals some of whom
have been long serving OCDSB employees and those who
have recently joined the profession. They represent 30.5
teachers, 4.5 educational assistants. There is one full-time
Principal, a 0.5 Vice Principal, one Office Administrator, one
Office Assistant, and a 0.6 Library Technician. Our school
grounds and building are maintained by our chief custodian and
2 evening custodians. The staff bring with them their diverse
backgrounds and experiences to help our students expand their
learning.
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Our Community
Parents and Community
Our community is rural and suburban. Many of our families are new to the area, moving
into the newly constructed homes in North Kanata. We anticipate that the school will
continue to grow along with the community.
Even before our doors opened on September 1st of 2009, our parents and community
have been active participants in the life of our school. The school council began meeting in
the spring before the school opened and have been invaluable in their work in setting up
our library, establishing hot lunch programs, and supporting school initiatives. The council
meets and holds public meetings monthly in the school library.
Mission Statement
Our Dreams – Nos Réalités
Educating for the 21st Century
South March Public School embraces the OCDSB mission statement: Educating for
Success, Inspiring Learning and Building Citizenship
Picture of South March Public School
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Programs and Services
Academic Programs
South March offers numerous programs:
 English program with Core French, Junior Kindergarten to grade 6
 Early French Immersion from Senior Kindergarten to grade 6
 Specialized Autism Program for grade 1 to grade 6 students
Classroom Organization
South March Public School is a JK to grade 6 dual track school.
Currently, there are 27 homeroom classes:
 10 half day Kindergarten classes (6 English and 4 Early French Immersion)
 9 classes in the English program
 11 classes in the Early French Immersion program
 2 Autism Program classes
Special Education and ESL Programs
South March operates with a team approach aimed at providing support for all students. Members
of the School Support Team which include the Learning Support Teacher, the Learning Resource
Teachers, the English as a Second Language teachers, and our Educational Assistants, work
within classrooms and with small groups of students on a daily basis. A Psychologist, Social
Worker, Learning Support Consultant and a Speech and Language Pathologist service the school
as members of the Multidisciplinary School Team. Gifted programming is delivered using the
integrated model. South March is a designated site for a primary and junior Autism Program. The
program receives specialized support from a designated Psychologist, Learning Support
Consultant for Autism, Occupational Therapist and Speech and Language Pathologist.
Special equipment includes:
 Wireless network
 Short Throw Projectors in classrooms
 Portable SmartBoard/I Rovers
 SmartBoard tablets
 Elmo digital cameras
 Scanners
 Class set of digital cameras
 Class set of digital video cameras
 Class set of notebook computers
 Digital Voice Recorders
Clubs and Activities
Our students benefit from our extensive extra-curricular activities. They include:
 A wide range of intramural athletics offered during lunchtime at all levels
 Competitive school athletic teams (tournaments, inter-school games)
 Spirit Days
 Chess Club
 Knitting/Crocheting Club
 EarthCare Club
 Primary and Junior Choir
 Winter Carnival
 Terry Fox Run
 Dance Club
 Primary Games Club
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
Sewing Club
Students also have leadership opportunities as:
 Members of the P.T. A.(Penguins Taking Action student advisory council)
 Lunch Monitors
 Library Helpers
 Kindergarten Helpers
 Reading Buddies
 Helpers in the Autism Program
 Student presented announcements
Safe Schools Initiatives
At South March Public School, we are committed to the creation of a learning environment that
fosters the development of each child to his/her greatest potential; provides a safe and secure
place to work and play; is characterized by courtesy and mutual respect; and, above all, provides a
supportive and nurturing atmosphere. In addition to providing our students with fundamental skills
and knowledge, we want them to develop an ability to work both independently and collaboratively,
to adapt to changing technologies, to think critically, and to value our natural environment.
South March Public School’s Code of Behaviour adheres to OCDSB Policies and Procedures, the
system-wide initiative of Community of Character, and a commitment to a school wide restorative
approach to student discipline.
Safe School Arrival of students is verified daily through attendance, encouraging parents/guardians
to call for any and all absences. Attendance is checked twice daily to ensure our students’ safety.
Picture of Play time outside
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Facilities and Resources
South March Public School is an environmentally friendly elementary school. It is a 44 500
sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility. The school is designed to conform to the Model National
Energy Code for Buildings. Some sustainable concepts include: materials with recycled
content, exposed concrete finishes and use of natural wood.
A twelve room extension has been approved for the school, and construction is set to
begin in July 2014.
The school houses:
 A fully automated library with student work stations
 Computers in every teaching area
 Computer lab
 Gym with fold down stage and server
 Soccer fields, basketball nets
 Play structures and Kindergarten play area
 Children’s Village Daycare Centre
Google Map of South March Public School
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Achievement and School Improvement Planning
Measures of Student Achievement and Success
Student achievement is measured in a variety of ways at South March Public School. We
use student portfolios and student-led conferences which provide a comprehensive view of
a child’s progress over time, rather than a static snapshot. Our teachers work
collaboratively to ensure consistency in our assessment practices as they work with the
Ontario Curriculum. In November, students receive a Progress Report that provides
feedback on the learning skills and work habits that are essential to academic
achievement. The Progress Report also highlights each student’s strengths and next steps
in relation to the curricular expectations set for him/her. Student achievement is formally
reported to parents/guardians on report cards in January and June and at scheduled
interviews and/or student-led conferences. We are also using ELOT (Early Learning
Observation Tool), PM Benchmarks, La trousse d’évaluation en lecture de GB+, CASI,
Évaluation Rapide and Ontario exemplars to gather information about student progress
and to refine the delivery of our program. We will use these, along with EQAO results from
last spring’s assessment, to plan improvement initiatives for our school. These, along with
informal assessments such as daily teacher observation, student daily assignments, unit
pre-tests and quizzes, student self-and peer-evaluation (rubrics), will be compiled into an
electronic data wall developed by one of our staff.
School Improvement Plans and Initiatives
The School Improvement Plan for Student Achievement will focus on the enhancement of
critical thinking with an emphasis on the impact of effective and timely feedback on
achievement. The teachers will be looking at feedback in one of three areas: distinctive
voice and style in writing, non-fiction reading and writing and patterning and algebra. Our
focus on Literacy includes: the further development of a “book room”, a staff resource area
that supports classroom programming, the continued implementation of our district
initiative on Balanced Literacy, and a focus on Using Higher Order Questioning, Cocreating Success Criteria, Giving Descriptive Feedback, Using Accountable Talk, and
Utilizing Exemplars
We continue to use “A Community of Character” as a guiding principle for developing
caring citizens by teaching and celebrating the ten character traits (acceptance, respect,
appreciation, responsibility, fairness, optimism, perseverance, empathy, integrity and
cooperation).
Our “school climate improvement plan” is very important. We are continuing with the
process of defining our community as well as traditions and practices.
Partnership and communication between home and school will continue to be an important
initiative at South March Public School. Many of our teachers are embracing the idea of
Classroom blogs to provide regular and timely feedback to parents/guardians on the
learning taking place. All of our school newsletters are electronically available on our
website and paper copies can be made available upon request.
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Leadership Recognition
“Leadership in the OCDSB is the demonstration of personal initiative
to achieve a positive outcome.”
Students
When students were asked why South March is a special place, they spoke about a
community that was safe and a great place to learn and play. The great learning
environment is created by understanding staff that create fun activities and events.
Teamwork is important here at South March and teachers and students are accepting of
others and friendly. We are fortunate that we feel our school is like our second home.
As representatives of the student population, our PTA (Penguins Taking Action)
Committee provides input for various school-wide events, participates in developing
fundraising initiatives, and contributes to the enhancement of creating a culture of
community at our school. For example, the PTA has been involved in organizing spirit
days, have fundraised for United Way, Education Foundation, KIVA, the Angel Tree and
CHEO. In addition, our students show leadership throughout the school, assisting with
announcements, acting as Kindergarten Helpers, Lunch Monitors, Yearbook Committee,
working with the Autism Program and assisting with a variety of school initiatives and
extra-curricular activities. In addition to informal recognition on a regular basis, we also
acknowledge their contributions through newsletters, school announcements, Penguin
Pride Certificates, assemblies, our principal’s report to School Council, and end of year
awards ceremonies. As well, we recognize student leadership by incorporating their
suggestions into our planning.
Staff
Our staff members have a wealth of professional qualifications including Bachelors and Masters
degrees as well as additional qualifications such as Special Education, Computers, Library,
French, Physical Education, English as a Second Language, Reading, Integrated Arts, and
Childhood Education. They have actively participated in numerous Board-Wide professional
development activities and we recognize their initiative by providing and supporting opportunities
for further professional growth. Some of our teachers are recognized for their contributions both
within and outside of the school such as a regional chess club coordinator. Our staff is known for
their interest in technology, athletics, literacy, mathematics, the environment, restorative practices,
and the arts. Our teachers contribute to our school in a variety of ways: Earth Care, Winter and
Spring Play Days, Choir, Ultimate Frisbee, Soccer, X-Country Running, Bordenball, Basketball,
Soccer, Volleyball, Primary Games Clubs, Chess Club, and French Public Speaking to name a
few. We recognize staff leadership via personal interactions with one another, notes of thanks,
school announcements, school newsletters, assemblies, performance appraisals, and our
principal’s report to School Council.
Parents/Guardians/Volunteers
Our parent and volunteer community have been committed supporters to the creation and
enhancement of South March PS as a school. Our dedicated School Council meets on a monthly
basis and has generously contributed funds to support literacy, numeracy and physical education
initiatives as well as procuring a Parent’s Reaching Out Grant to begin building a Parent Resource
Library. Members of School Council are involved in OCASC (Ottawa-Carleton Assembly of School
Councils), KISC (Kanata Inter-School Committee), and ARC (Area Review Committee), keeping
apprised and informed regarding board and Ministry objectives and initiatives and serving as a
communication vehicle for our school community. Our volunteers are in the school daily assisting
with Pizza Days, Early Literacy Program and various classroom events, and also for school
activities such as Terry Fox Run, Track and Field, Play Days, Jars, Jars, Jars, Cake Walk, Auction
and end of year BBQ. As invaluable partners, we thank our parents, guardians and volunteers on
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an on-going basis, and look for opportunities to acknowledge them over school announcements,
our principal’s report to School Council, school newsletters and our annual volunteer breakfast.
Community
Our various community partners include the Western Ottawa Community Resource
Centre, Ottawa Public Health, School Resource Officer, Willy’s Pizza, Chartwell
Retirement Residence, OVIE (Ottawa Volunteers in Education) Cole Funeral Services in
Carp (who sponsor 67 tickets for our students) and Children’s Village at Klondike. We
recognize our community partners through our school announcements, school newsletters,
school website, principal’s report to School Council, and thank you cards. We also invite
them to events, awards ceremonies, and the Grade 6 leaving ceremony.
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URL References
1 – http://southmarchps.ocdsb.ca/
2
– http://www.ocdsb.ca/
3
– http://www.ocdsb.ca/ab-ocdsb/
4
– http://www.eqao.com/
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