Quick Facts
- Our school welcomes approximately 180 students from Kindergarten to Grade 6 each year.
- We offer full-day bilingual Kindergarten, the English program with Core French, and Middle French Immersion (Grades 4-6).
- After completing Grade 6, most students attend Glashan Public School for Grades 7 and 8, before moving on to secondary school at Glebe Collegiate Institute, Canterbury High School, or Lisgar Collegiate Institute.
Mission Statement
Public education is a shared responsibility at First Avenue Public School. Together we achieve the extraordinary where all learners reach their full potential in a safe and caring environment.
Registration
Interested in registering your child at our school? Contact us or visit the OCDSB Registration page.
About Our School
First Avenue Public School is a beautiful brick schoolhouse that symbolizes over 100 successful years in education. The school was built in 1898 and was officially opened in 1899. The community joined together to celebrate the school’s centennial year in 1999, proud to have the school designated as a heritage site by the City of Ottawa.
Our School Community
Students
Through student leadership, students raise awareness and funds for a variety of causes and charities that they research and support. Our students participate enthusiastically in parent and student-led outreach activities such as gathering and donating gifts for the Children’s Aid Society and the Food Bank. Also, our students show leadership in various sports and are always great ambassadors of our school. In addition to informal recognition on a regular basis, we also acknowledge their contributions in our classrooms, school announcements, newsletters, assemblies, and end-of-year awards ceremonies.
Staff
The First Avenue staff has a wealth of professional qualifications including Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Arts, Fine Arts, Physical Education and Sciences, as well as additional qualifications in Special Education, French as a Second Language, Music, Visual Arts and Computers in Education. Our staff is involved in extra-curricular activities which greatly enhance our First Avenue climate and the lives of our students both in and out of school. As well, our staff actively participates in numerous professional development activities both within and outside the Board.
Our focus over the past few years has been on literacy and numeracy. Both the school and the Board will continue to support these initiatives by providing and supporting opportunities for further professional growth. We recognize leadership through letters of thanks, school announcements, newsletters, assemblies, meetings, performance appraisals, media releases and our Principal’s report to the School Council.
Parents/Guardians & Community
Every year our parent volunteers contribute hundreds of hours of support for the benefit of all students in our school. School Council’s generous donation to enhance and update our library is a great example of parent commitment. As invaluable partners, we thank our parents, guardians and volunteers on an on-going basis, and look for opportunities to acknowledge them.
First Avenue and its community has been the beneficiary of wonderful contributions from both individuals and organizations. We recognize our community partners through our school announcements, school newsletters, school web site, Principal’s report to School Council, and thank you cards. We also invite them to different school related events.
Programs and Supports
We offer the following academic programs:
- Full-day Bilingual Kindergarten (JK-SK): 50% English instruction and 50% French instruction.
- English Program with Core French (Grades 1-6): Instruction in the English language in all subject areas as well as instruction in French through Core French (40 minutes daily).
- Middle French Immersion (Grades 4-6): Students receive 66% of instruction in French.
- Congregated Gifted Class
We supplement the curriculum with many enriching cultural experiences, music, drama, science and athletics. The curriculum is also enhanced with many field trips and special guests. First Avenue offers a wide range of physical education activities to complement its strong academic program such as skating on the Rideau Canal that is steps away from the school.
Special Education and ESL Programs
Our Learning Support Teacher provides special education support to students. The special education team coordinates assistance needed by students with special needs that have an IEP (Individual Education Plan) and who may be identified by an IPRC (Identification, Placement and Review Committee). They also provide assistance to students who are experiencing temporary difficulties throughout the school year.
An OCDSB social worker, speech and language pathologist, and psychologist are available to assist our staff and assess students. We also have access to services such as occupational therapy provided to us through Community Care Access Centre.
Activities
A wide variety of activities are planned throughout the year to enrich the regular school program. Students also have opportunities to get involved in a wide range of clubs and athletics.
For more details, visit our Teams and Clubs page.
Facilities and Learning Tools
Our very elegant and spacious heritage building provides a wonderful learning environment:
- We have a well-equipped library overlooking the canal and a spacious gym.
- Students enjoy a large number of laptops and other devices for use.
Wi-Fi is available throughout the school. - The primary and junior play structures provide enjoyable play-space 7 days a week.
Equity, Inclusion and Indigenous Education
A strong commitment to Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility is embedded throughout the OCDSB 2023-2027 Strategic Plan and captured within each area of focus: learning, well-being, and social responsibility. We strive to ensure that our school is a welcoming and safe place for students of all identities to feel valued and respected as they engage, learn, grow, explore, and discover. For more information, please visit the OCDSB’s Equity and Diversity website.
Child Care
For child care options at First Avenue Public school, please visit the Glebe Parents Daycare website.