Barrhaven PS

Our Students

Barrhaven P.S. is a JK to Grade 6 school with an enrollment of almost 500 students. We are a triple-track school, offering an Early French Immersion program, Middle French Immersion program, and Regular English program with Core French. Our school’s attendance area draws from Barrhaven, Stonebridge West, Highbury Park area and Half Moon Bay (for grandfathered students only). We are a multi‐cultural community and enjoy our caring and cooperative environment. We are proud of the many achievements of our students and how well they represent us, both within the school and in the broader community. Some of our students are at risk of anaphylaxis due to allergies to peanuts and nuts, and some to dairy, eggs and other food items. We support these students by encouraging a peanut/nut free school.

Our Staff

Barrhaven P.S. has a staff of approximately 55. This includes administrators, full‐time and part‐time teachers, educational assistants, early education educators, office staff, a library technician, a day‐time custodian and evening custodians. Our staff meet on a regular basis to support school, board and ministry initiatives, as well as extra-curricular activities. Our staff participates regularly in workshops to support ongoing professional growth opportunities. We have a strong mentoring culture where experienced staff members assist and encourage our beginning teachers and staff new to our school.

Our Community

We have an number of volunteers who work in our school through the Ottawa Volunteers in Education Program (OVIE). These volunteers work with students in the classroom and within the school on developing reading and math skills. 

Parents are always welcome to volunteer in our school. Parents can assist with the supervision of students on field trips, organizing our lunch program, and more. We also welcome university and college students, high school co‐op students, as well as volunteers from community organizations such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

The Barrhaven Public School Council is an active group of volunteer members of the school community; parents/guardians, a community representative, as well as staff members dedicated to strengthening and enriching educational opportunities for all our students and their families. Our School Council is a member of the Ottawa Carleton Assembly of School Councils. All parents are welcome to attend monthly meetings.

Mission Statement

Our school motto is: "Live, learn and play the Barrhaven way!"

Our True Sport school principles are:

• Participate and do your best
• Be cooperative and fair
• Be generous and patient
• Be the friend you would like to have
• Respect everything and everyone

Facilities and Resources

Our school has a fully networked computer system. There are LCD projectors in most classes as well as 5 Smartboards for the school to use. We have a gymnasium with a multi‐purpose stage and state‐of‐the‐art sound system (The Wolf Den). Our large playground has a climber, basketball court, asphalt games, and a large soccer field. Our school council has raised funds to create a safe and attractive outdoor environment for our children. Our library houses approximately 15,000 books in English and French and our well‐equipped literacy, math and science resource rooms support ministry initiatives and student learning.

Programs and Services

Academic Programs

Our Full Day Kindergarten is a bilingual program, with one week taught in English and the following week in French.  At the end of the two year Kindergarten program, parents can choose to enroll their child in our Regular English or Early French Immersion program.
Students in our Regular English program  receive 40 minutes of Core French from Grades 1 to 6, with all other subjects being taught in English.
In our Early French Immersion program, the children  are immersed in the French language, with all subjects except for Math and English language being taught in French. In Grade 1, students in the Early French Immersion program receive 60 minutes of Mathematics instruction in English.  Beginning in Grade 2, students in the Early French Immersion receive 60 minutes of Mathematics and 60 minutes of English Language instruction. 
At the end of grade 3, parents of students who are enrolled in the Regular English program have the option of choosing  Middle French Immersion, and can do so at our school site.  All subjects are taught in French, with the exception of 60 minutes of Math instruction and 40 minutes of English Language.

We also have two specialized program classes at our school, an ASD class for students on the Autism Spectrum, and a PSN (Primary Special Needs) class.

Most of our students attend Cedarview Middle School for Grades 7 and 8.

Barrhaven P.S. has a special education team that is comprised of two half time LRT (Learning Resource Teachers) teachers and a full‐time LST (Learning Support Teacher). We have 2 Educational Assistants who support students in our regular classes, and 4 additional Educational Assistants who support the students in our specialized programs. Our LRT teachers and educational assistants support children within their classes and provide small group support as needed. Our LST supplies remedial support and performs educational assessments. Enrichment through the regular curriculum is provided for our gifted students. Support is given to our ELL (English Language Learners) students.

Clubs and Activities

The staff at Barrhaven P.S. offer a wide variety of extra‐curricular activities that enhance school life for our students. Inter‐school competitions with our neighbouring schools are a highlight of several sporting events. Cross country and track and field teams participate in regional meets. Planned activities are offered to specific age groups. A range of sports activities, such as cross‐country running, soccer, soccer‐baseball, indoor soccer, volleyball, track and field, badminton, Bordenball, scooter ball, ultimate Frisbee, are offered in addition to other clubs which may vary from year to year, but which could include the Silver Birch Club (Junior Book Club), Blue Spruce Club (Primary Book Club) environmental club, gardening club, pet club, coding club, choir, sewing club, SCC (Spirit Character Crew), French club and PALS.

Safe Schools Initiatives

• All staff model, teach and reinforce respectful and safe behaviour.
• Daily teaching supports character development throughout the curriculum.
• We are in the process of becoming a “Rights Respecting School” through this UNICEF initiative.
• We have a Student Leadership Program that includes lunch and kindergarten helpers, door monitors, bus helpers and Playground Activity Leaders (PALS). Junior level students volunteer and receive training for these activities.
• Two school crossing guards assist children and parents at two busy intersections in our school community and yard duty teachers, paid noon‐hour monitors and educational assistants monitor safe arrival and departure of our students.