Our School
Manotick Public School was built in 1942, on Long Island in the heart of the beautiful town of Manotick. The school has maintained its close ties to the community as the area continues to grow. Some of our staff live in the community. There has developed over the years a close partnership with our local Kiwanis Club, Watson’s Mill, the library, Legion, and seniors’ residences. The students raise awareness for local initiatives such as recycling, energy conservation and honouring our military by attending Remembrance Day ceremonies at our Manotick cenotaph. They respond to their community’s needs by organizing food drives and snowsuit collections. Our unique location affords our students access to many community facilities such as Bracken’s Field (running track/cross country and ball diamond), the Manotick arena, and Watson’s Mill.
Manotick Public School is a dual track school, delivering an English Program from Grade 1 to Grade 5 and an Early French Immersion program from Grade 1 to Grade 5. Our Kindergarten classes are 50% English/50% French.
Our school motto “Learning for Life”- “Apprendre pour la Vie” is a philosophy shared by students and staff. Our school mascot, Buzzy Bee – Bourdon L’Abeille, was chosen by the students. Manotick Public School encourages a community feeling that promotes a positive, safe and caring learning environment. We work in partnership with our parents to provide a program that allows each child to reach his/her full potential.
Our Students
At Manotick Public School the students have a genuine sense of belonging and care for one another and the community as a whole. Students are proud to attend MPS and to be part of the Manotick community. This positive atmosphere fosters academic excellence, a growth of self-esteem and wise decision-making. Our students are enthusiastic learners who demonstrate respect for themselves, others and the environment. They take pride in Educating for Success – Inspiring Learning and Building Citizenship 2 being kind, respectful, and helpful to others. The school has a population of 235 students. Approximately, two thirds of our students are enrolled in the Early French Immersion program. The other one third takes part in the English program. Following completion of grade 5, our students move on to Kars on the Rideau Public School and then to South Carleton High School.
Our Staff
The Manotick staff is made up of dedicated, enthusiastic professionals who are lifelong learners. Their specialties include French as a Second Language, Special Education, English as a Second Language, History, Computers, Music, Physical Education, Science, Math, the Arts, and Early Childhood Education. They participate regularly in professional development and contribute to making Manotick Public School a community of learners. Our staff believes that Manotick Public School is “a great place to learn”. They plan exciting learning opportunities for their students to promote a love of learning and to develop the skills and knowledge that will prepare our students for the challenges of the future. Our staff plans academic and extra-curricular activities for our students to grow in and to support their larger community.
The Manotick staff is active in mentoring teachers new to the profession as well as co-op students and teacher candidates from a variety of Faculties of Education. The staff work very well together to assist all students in meeting their learning goals and potential.
Our Community
Volunteers play an important role in the day to day life at Manotick Public School. Each year parents, grandparents, retired teachers, co-op high school students and community members give generously of their time and energy to support school programs.
Our amazing School Council offers all staff, parents, volunteers and community members a variety of ways to be involved. One of the Council’s goals is to work in partnership with school staff to enhance the learning opportunities and experiences for all of our students. Our school is actively involved in the community, participating in friendship visits to a local seniors’ residence or clubs, taking part in the Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Manotick Cenotaph, visiting a local farm to gather pumpkins, visiting the Manotick Library, taking part in educational activities at Watson’s Mill, or using the local ice rink to learn and further develop skating skills. Our school is a busy one filled with dynamic learning opportunities for our students. We could not take on so many clubs and activities without our many capable and creative volunteers.
School Council has undertaken a number of projects over the past few years. The biggest one to date was raising funds to replace two play structures in the Fall of 2012. Another sizable project funded by School Council is our outdoor classroom. This outdoor space was built with large boulders formed into a semi-circle with 3 hexagonal benches around trees. Teachers and students use this space as a learning space for topics that span the curriculum. The goal of the Council is to enhance the life and activities of MPS students in partnership with the school staff. Parent involvement enriches every child’s school experience. As parent skills and other community resources are drawn upon, the extension of possibilities happens for the students at MPS. All fundraising by School Council goes back to the school to enrich and extend programs.
Mission Statement
Manotick Public School encourages a community feeling, promoting a positive, safe and challenging learning environment where a sense of belonging, ownership and a caring for one another prevails, fostering academic excellence, growth of self-esteem and wise decision-making.
Facilities and Resources
- Library/resource centre
- 13 iPads for classroom use
- 15 LCD projector (one in every classroom plus one for each rotary teacher)
- WiFi access for staff and visitors
- 3 play structures
- 1 Multimedia Cart – PC laptop and projectors
- 1 Document camera with an LCD projector
- Gymnasium with stage and loudspeaker system
- Extra-large newly paved and grassed play yards
- Shade trees
- Outdoor classroom
- Raised butterfly gardens
- Full access to park and field adjacent to school under staff supervision
- Student games painted on the playground pavement
Programs and Services
Academic Programs
- English Program from Grade 1 to Grade 5 (40 min of core french a day)
- French Immersion Program from Grade 1 to Grade 5
- Core French: Accelerated Integrated Method (AIM) Program
- Kindergarten students have 50% English and 50% French Instruction
- English to French Immersion (ETFI)
- Primary EFI students (Grades 2 and 3) have 60 minutes per day of instruction in
- English (ETFI)
- Junior EFI students (Grades 4 and 5) have 120 minutes per day of instruction in
- English (ETFI and Math)
- A Balanced Instructional model is used
- Our timetable is based on a Balanced Day model (120 minutes- break - 120 minutesbreak-60 minutes)
Classroom Organization
Kindergarten Classes
- 3 JK/SK Kindergarten classrooms
English Program – Grade 1 to 5
- 1 Grade 1/2/3 class
- 1 Grade 4/5 class
French Immersion Program- Grade 1 to 5
- 2 Grade 1 classes
- 1 Grade 2 class
- 1 Grade 2/3 class
- 1 Grade 3 class
- 1 Grade 4 class
- 1 Grade 5 class
Special Education and ESL Programs
Our Learning Support Teacher (LST) provides educational support for students, diagnostic assessments, and support in curriculum planning.
- Special Education Language Learning Disabilities System Class
- Educational Assistants are assigned to the school, based on medical or safety needs.
- Individual Education Plans are prepared for students receiving special education programming
Clubs and Activities
- Sports activities - basketball, bordenball, cross country running, track and field, snowshoeing, soccer, badminton, tennis
- Monthly Assembly Days
- Monthly School Spirit Days
- Meet the Staff night
- School choirs for primary & junior students
- Alternate Lunch Program
- Cultural school assemblies – visiting arts performers (plays, musicians, authors, etc.), character education assemblies
- A variety of nutrition break clubs
- Greening projects
- Continuing Education – Yoga in Schools program
- Silver Birch and Blue Spruce Reading Clubs; Kiwanis Read-a-thon participation
- Swim to Survive (Grade 3 students)
- Jump Rope for Heart
- Ice Skating at the Manotick Arena
- Leadership Club for Grade 5 students
- Recycling
- Scientists in School workshops