Principal's Message

Welcome to First Avenue Public School!

It is an honour to serve as principal of this wonderful school, which opened its doors in the winter of 1899. Starting as a four-classroom school, with class sizes averaging 54 students, expansion of this historical building was approved in 1907 to include eight more classrooms and an assembly hall. Bursting at the seams in the early 1980s, a large building project added a gym, library and more classrooms to the footprint. French instruction became an integral part of curriculum at First Avenue in 1930, something for which our community takes pride. 

Today, our school hosts students from Kindergarten through to grade 6. We offer Middle French Immersion beginning in grade four. We are also privileged to host specialized classes for students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Giftedness. In addition, Glebe Parents’ Daycare hosts a third-party child care program onsite - offering early years and before and after school programming. 

Our school is comprised of 180 students and 30 staff. We have an active School Council that works hard to enrich the experiences of our students. First Avenue Public School also possesses a wonderful sense of community that is inclusive of all students and their families. Committed to the OCDSB’s Culture of Caring, Innovation and Social Responsibility, we seek to support the well-being and academic success of our students.

In terms of fostering a Culture of Caring, our staff work to build positive relationships with students. They seek to make learning accessible for all by using resources, materials and activities that are representative of the diverse identities and lived experiences of our students. We are deeply committed to the path of reconciliation - endeavouring to grow understanding of the history and harm experienced by Indigenous populations - daily expressing our gratitude that we can learn, play and grow on the unceded and unsurrendered lands of the Anishinabe Nation. 

Our creative and dedicated educators encourage students to engage in exciting learning experiences daily. STREAM (science, technology, robotics, engineering, arts and mathematics) activities are woven thoughtfully and intentionally throughout our students’ academics. Adjacent to the schools are National Capital Commission parklands, Patterson Creek and the Rideau Canal which affords exciting outdoor educational opportunities for our students. This past winter many of our classes enjoyed snowshoeing in these green spaces and skating on the canal. These are opportunities that are unique to First Avenue Public School.

Stewardship for the environment is a strong priority held by our school community. Many active students engage in the Green Team - a student club dedicated to shrinking our school’s carbon footprint and educating our community on the importance of handling resources and waste in an environmentally friendly manner. The OCDSB’s Exit Outcomes and Character Traits serve as a foundation to impart ethical agency and leadership for our students. 

If you have questions about our school, please contact our office.

Sincerely, 

Tim Brock - Proud Principal of First Avenue Public School 


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