Programs and Services
Academic Programs
Knoxdale offers a English/French Kindergarten Early French Immersion program grade 1 to 6 and a grade 4 to 6 Middle French Immersion program. We are also home to a Specialized Gifted Early Immersion class at the grades 5/6 level. Kindergarden is a half English and Half French program. Early French Immersion children study in French for all subjects except Math in Grade 1. With the introduction of English in grade 2, In MFI, and EFI the students are immersed in French for most of their day. Math and English arr the only subjects not in French. Although French is the language of instruction, the children study the same curriculum content and meet the same expectations as their peers in the English program.
Classroom Organization
Knoxdale has 15 classes of children in the Early French Immersion program from Kindergarten to Grade 6. We have 6 classes of children in Middle French Immersion from Grade 4 to Grade 6. Knoxdale is also home to one grade 5 / 6 Early French Immersion Specialized Gifted Program class and 2 Full Day Junior Kindergarten classes.
Special Education and ESL Programs
We have a full-time Learning Support Teacher and a 0.5 Learning Resource Teacher who collaborate with the teaching staff to support our students with special needs through the integrated model. We also have two Educational Assistants who provide support for students in the classroom. We have a Specialized Gifted Early French Immersion program at the grades 5/6 level. We have access to the itinerant ESL teacher who provides assistance and support to staff and students.
Clubs and Activities
Organized sports activities include: Cross-country running, Basketball, Soccer, Borden ball, Volleyball, Track and Field and Ballon-quilles.
Throughout the year, students may participate in:
Glee Club, Arts Club (drama, dance, visual arts and music (including a guitar club), art, writing and math contests, Chess club, Environment Club, Corking and Knitting Clubs, Junior Public Speaking in French, Talent Show, Halloween Electives and Scientists in the School programs
Our lunch programs include: Pizza, Subway, Mommy’s Yummies and Lunch Lady, as well as a daily milk program
Students are given opportunities to demonstrate leadership and citizenship by working as lunch and Kindergarten monitors, peace makers as well as participating in charitable events such as UNICEF, FAMSAC, Snowsuit Fund, Terry Fox walk, Jump Rope for Heart, Pass the Baton for Parkinson’s, Child Haven, Canadian Legion poppy sales and emergency relief fundraisers.
Safe Schools Initiatives
Parents and visitors access the school through a buzzer system. Upon arrival, they sign-in at the office and carry an identification badge before proceeding to classrooms.
Other Safe School initiatives include:
Safe School Team, Character Development Committee, Presentations by our School Resource Officers to review student safety and important life skills, four adult crossing guards, Ottawa Safety Council’s School Zone Traffic Safety presentations.
Knoxdale’s Code of Behaviour, developed by students, staff and parents, is printed in the student agenda and on the school website. It is regularly reviewed and reinforced by all staff members.
Character education is at the heart of what we do. The Community of Character Wheel is referenced regularly and specific information about each attribute is included in the student agenda. Assemblies focused on character are held in the “Eagle’s Nest”. We take pride in being a part of the OCDSB’s Community of Character and celebrate excellent character at Knoxdale.
Our students are supervised from the time they get off the bus or enter the schoolyard at 7:45 a.m., until they leave at 2:30 p.m. Teachers wear fluorescent, orange sashes when they are outside on yard duty. They also carry MIKE phones which link them to other teachers in the yard, and to our central office. Grade 6 students help younger “Eagles” in many ways, such as bus monitors, Peace Makers and lunch monitors during the nutrition breaks.