School Profile 2013-2014
Glen Cairn Public School
Grade 6, 7 and 8 English/Middle French
Immersion and Early French Immersion
Address:
182 Morrena Rd.
Kanata, Ontario
K2L 1E1
Phone: 613-836-2342
Fax: 613-836-4620
School hours:
8:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
School Website1
Principal
Shannon Smith
Vice Principal
N/A
Office Administrator
Mairin Rankin
Chief Custodian
Steve Sadaka
School Council Chair
Tracy Ahern
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
Glen Cairn Public School is a positive and caring learning
community where we stand by our commitment to both equity
and excellence. We actively seek partnerships with area high
schools, universities and community groups so our students
may enjoy a rich variety of learning experiences tailored to meet
their unique needs. To further enhance these experiences, our
students participate in community outreach programs including
the Terry Fox Walk for cancer research, canned food drives for
the Kanata Food Cupboard and the Heart and Stroke
Foundation’s Jump Rope for Heart.
Glen Cairn Public School is located in the heart of Kanata
South. The Glen Cairn Community Centre is attached to our
school and we share the gymnasium, washrooms, and a
community centre with kitchen facilities. Community and
recreation groups rent the “upper hall”, the activity room and the
gymnasium for day and/or evening activities. The Glen Cairn
Cooperative Nursery School operates out of the community
centre.
The Glen Cairn Tennis courts, an outdoor pool and a skating
arena are located within a short walk of the school and are used
as part of the physical education program. The Hazeldean
Branch of the Ottawa Public Library is located just down the
path from the school where our students have heard from
published authors on what it takes to write a book.
Our school logo is the phoenix, emphasizing our commitment to
continual innovation in learning and teaching, as well as our
belief that “we can do better when we all work together”. In
Greek mythology, the Phoenix is a bird that rises from the
ashes in a cyclical pattern of renewal. Also interesting to note is
that there is no plural for Phoenix. There exists only one
Phoenix at any given moment. At Glen Cairn Public School,
when we all work together, we develop the capacity and inner
strength to meet challenges and rise above them in our pursuit
of excellence.
Our Students
Glen Cairn PS is situated in the centre of the vibrant, suburban
community of Glen Cairn, allowing many of our students to walk
to school. We appreciate the diversity of our 185 students in
grades 6, 7 and 8 who come from many different backgrounds.
Glen Cairn PS is in the first of two years of transition as we
become an intermediate site. Next year, we will see a jump in
our student population as we welcome Grade 7 students
Educating for Success – Inspiring Learning and Building Citizenship
1
coming to us from
our feeder schools:
John Young ES,
Bridlewood CES and
Roch Carrier ES.
We recognize that
each individual in our
learning community
brings unique gifts to
enrich the learning of
all. We offer
numerous sports and
clubs to enhance
opportunities for our
students to be active
and to explore
interests.
Our Staff
There is one Principal, 12.25 Teachers, a half time Educational
Assistants, 1 full time Office Administrator, a .50 Office
Assistant, one day Custodian, two evening Custodians and a
half time Library Technician who make learning a rewarding
experience in a safe, clean environment.
Our staff of committed professionals engage in inquiry-driven
life-long learning. As a staff, we hold many specialized
qualifications including FSL (French as a Second Language),
Physical Education, Music, Special Education, Reading
Specialist and Computers in the Classroom. Each member of
our staff is dedicated to working with all children in the school to
support them in developing their academic and social skills. To
this end, guidance appropriate to development age is provided
to all students. Parents and visitors recognize and appreciate
the caring shown by the staff, which is inherent in a community
school such as Glen Cairn.
Our Community
Parents and Community
GCPS is located in the heart of Kanata and is the home school for families living in Glen
Cairn and Bridlewood communities for children in grades 6, 7 and 8. Our commitment to
equity and excellence is supported through the work of our caring School Council and
parent volunteers. On any given day, you will witness members of our community helping
in the classroom, organizing weekly pizza days and various fundraising activities. They
exemplify the school motto “We can do better when we all work together”. Students also
benefit from the involvement of co-op students and student teachers. Our students attend
A.Y. Jackson Secondary School after they leave GCPS.
Mission Statement
We are committed to equity and excellence in all facets of learning. We provide a safe,
integrated learning environment for all students. We foster 21st century skills such as
critical thinking, creativity and resilience. We recognize that all members of our learning
community bring unique strengths that enrich the overall learning experience for our
students.
Educating for Success – Inspiring Learning and Building Citizenship
2
Picture of Glen Cairn Public School
Programs and Services
Academic Programs
Glen Cairn Public School offers the Regular English program, Middle French Immersion
and Early French Immersion.
Classroom Organization
GCPS classes are organized in both straight and split grades.
Special Education and ESL Programs
Glen Cairn offers an integrated approach to special education support for students who require it.
This means that special education teachers provide specialized support within the regular
classroom. English Language Learners also receive support within the regular classroom.
Clubs and Activities
Glen Cairn staff organizes and supervises a multi-faceted sports program for boys and girls
including such sports as soccer, cross-country running, flag football, basketball, volleyball and
track and field. Teams representing Glen Cairn participate in area tournaments. Students are
offered an opportunity to participate in outdoor winter activities such as alpine skiing, snowshoeing
and tubing. Student Council provides a forum for student voice at Glen Cairn PS. Class
representatives meet regularly and propose activities to promote school spirit and responsible
citizenship. Grade 6, 7 and 8 students are invited to join a band and participate in concerts,
fundraising and which culminates in an end of year trip for the grade 8 band members.
A broad range of interest clubs engage students during our breaks. These include Makers’ Club,
Choir, and Free the Children. Our Free the Children group is currently raising money to build a
school in Kenya.
Glen Cairn is proud to host the annual Monarch Release Day in September. Our students are
actively engaged in all steps of the process as they watch caterpillars turn into Monarch butterflies.
Monarch Release Day is the day the butterflies are set free to begin their long journey to Mexico.
Safe Schools Initiatives
Educating for Success – Inspiring Learning and Building Citizenship
3
A number of initiatives promote a safe and caring school environment. We are excited to partner
with the Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre to bring a comprehensive bullying
prevention program to the school. The committee includes staff members, parents and community
members.
Our teachers use progressive discipline and restorative practices in their efforts to promote
appropriate behaviour. All inappropriate interaction between students is tracked electronically
throughout the school. This helps to identify students that are repeating unacceptable behaviours.
Where required, students are asked to reflect on a poor decision and with guidance, identify a
more appropriate behaviour. Good choices are also tracked and regularly recognized.
Facilities and Resources
The school has a very well-stocked library with over 9000 titles. Our library mural,
depicting familiar storybook characters, reminds students of the wonderful world of books
and promotes reading as a leisure activity.
Our computer lab holds 30 stations. In addition there is a mobile cart of Chromebooks that
are used in classrooms. Each classroom has a multi-media cart with a projector and
document camera. We have a multi-purpose media lab with 5 iMacs and our 3D printer.
To promote outdoor activity, Glen Cairn is fortunate to have a spacious playground with
large expanses of grass as well as hardtop surfaces for games. There are a number of
pavement games painted on the surface. Additionally, GCPS is a member of Healthy
Active schools.The yard includes a smaller field, a basketball court, and an area shaded
by mature trees.
Several memorial trees enhance the front of the school and we enjoy a beautiful front
garden and interior courtyard that are maintained by staff and volunteers.
Google Map of Glen Cairn Public School
Educating for Success – Inspiring Learning and Building Citizenship
4
Achievement and School Improvement Planning
Measures of Student Achievement and Success
Glen Cairn follows the guidelines set out in the OCDSB Policy and Procedures for Student
Evaluation available here2.
Students at Glen Cairn are assessed in a variety of ways. These assessments include
teacher observation, conferences, presentations, performance tasks, rubrics, tests,
journals, and self and peer evaluation. As well, all of the students keep a digital portfolio of
their work which is used to help promote reflections and self-evaluation.
Student progress is reported to parents through telephone calls, graded assignments and
tests, student-led conferences, parent teacher interviews and report cards.
A diagnostic assessment of reading occurs in all divisions using PM Benchmarks, DRA
and/or CASI.
All students in grade 6 participate in the provincial EQAO test of reading, writing and
mathematics.
School Improvement Plans and Initiatives
Each year a school improvement plan is developed. During the 2013 - 2014 school year
we will continue to develop best practices around numeracy, with a particular focus on
proportional reasoning and algebraic thinking.
Other Initiatives:
 Maximizing professional development opportunities for staff
 Review and refinement of leadership opportunities for students
 Focus on learning through problems
 Promotion of healthy eating habits through our fruit program
 Involvement with Healthy Active Schools
 Conflict Resolution programs in classrooms and on the yard.
Educating for Success – Inspiring Learning and Building Citizenship
5
Leadership Recognition
“Leadership in the OCDSB is the demonstration of personal initiative
to achieve a positive outcome.”
At Glen Cairn we believe that everyone has the capacity to make a positive impact! Many
of our staff and students take an active leadership role within the school, which helps to
make Glen Cairn the great place it is!
Students
As representatives of the student population, our Student Council provides input for our
school-wide events and fundraising for the community. Glen Cairn works hard to promote
leadership at all levels. We appreciate the leadership role our students take and recognize
their efforts during our monthly assemblies. In addition, we acknowledge their contributions
in our school announcements and assemblies.
Staff
Glen Cairn PS has a leadership team that includes 6 teachers, as well as the principal. Staff
members continually update their learning to reflect current research and directions in the field of
education. This is encouraged and supported by the Annual Learning Plan and participation in
Board wide opportunities for professional development. Various staff members take on leadership
roles within the school (Division Team Leaders, Associate Teachers, Mentoring, Computer
contact). We are very excited and proud of the on-going staff initiative to bring the Monarch Project
to Glen Cairn. Students are engaged in the metamorphosis and release of monarch butterflies.
This project has awakened the imagination of the entire school community and we are pleased to
continue it again this year.
Parents/Guardians/Volunteers
Our School Council meets monthly throughout the year and is actively engaged in fundraising and
providing input on various school matters. Weekly pizza days as well as special events are
organized by parents for the enjoyment of all students. We thank our parents and volunteers
through school newsletters and our annual volunteer appreciation event. Their on-going support is
greatly appreciated.
Community
As previously noted, Glen Cairn Community Center is attached to the school. Through a
co-operative relationship with the City of Ottawa, the costs of improvements to the
common areas (e.g. gym mats) has been shared.
Educating for Success – Inspiring Learning and Building Citizenship
6
URL References
1
– http://glencairnps.ca/
2
– http://www.ocdsb.ca/
3–
http://www.ocdsb.ca/ab-ocdsb/
4–
http://www.eqao.com/
Educating for Success – Inspiring Learning and Building Citizenship
7