News from Viscount Alexander School
Michael Barnes
Volleyball brings home the bronze(s)
The Girls Volleyball tournament took place on February 22, at Glebe Collegiate. The team, with coaches Mme Tait and Ms. Mills, finished in 3rd place which is a great result. Congratulations to Maida, Adaora, Renna, Lilly, Meron, Savannah, Victoria, Emilie, Arty.
At the Boys Volleyball tournament on March 1 at Glashan School Mrs. Fulford coached the team which won 3rd place. The team members were Byron, Jerry, Eddie, Shaquib, Tarek, Hamse, Ayham, Arsh, and Austin. Well done!
Skate-a-thon/Run-a-thon
Each year during a week in March every one of our students takes time to help with our annual Skate-a-thon fundraiser. The JK/SK students participate in the Run-a-thon in the gym, and students in Grades 1–6 attempt to skate as many laps as possible during their final skating session. The children will benefit from their fundraising through the purchase of technical equipment, as well as providing supplemental education activities such as Scientists in Schools (you can find them at scientistsinschool.ca), and much needed sports equipment. This year the students raised $3580! Thanks to everyone in the community who contributed to Viscount’s one and only annual fundraising activity. Thank you also to our School Council members for setting up the showcase with the prizes, and for organizing the draw.
Volunteer Breakfast
Every year we like to show appreciation for the volunteers that help our school. The breakfast was held on April 10 with teachers providing tea, coffee, and a wonderful assortment of delicious breakfast foods. Thanks to Mrs. Contant for organizing the event. Congratulations to volunteers Amanda Seguin (9 years volunteering) and Milly Morton, our volunteers of the year!
Forest School in Sandy Hill
This is our second year participating in Forest School with Mrs. Benjamin (kindergarten) and Mrs. Contant (grade 4/5). Viscount Alexander is pleased to have hosted the Forest School right here in Sandy Hill. On six consecutive Tuesdays, from March 20 to April 3, one kindergarten class and one grade 4/5 class went outside for four hours to enjoy playing in various parks and wooded areas that Sandy Hill has to offer. The kids engaged in activities such as climbing trees, setting up tents and shelters, swinging on trees, setting up hammocks, and playing with pine cones. Everyone is really enjoying Forest School
The staff at the Ottawa Forest and Nature School are excited about this opportunity to share the forest school philosophy with more students, educators and families: to nurture outdoor learning, risky play, emergent and inquiry-based curriculum.
Our growing school needs an addition!
Anyone who has walked by or visited Viscount during school hours will know that it’s a busy place. The school is operating close to its capacity, which is 188 students. Yet, the Ottawa Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) has projected the school’s enrolment will increase over the next 10 years.
Viscount Alexander Public School is seeking approval for an addition, which would provide: appropriate program space for the school’s full-day kindergarten program, an elimination of the need for portables on site, sufficient space for early French immersion program students from Old Ottawa East, and flexibility to accommodate future enrolment fluctuations and students generated from the Greystone Village development on Main Street.
The proposed $2.8 million addition would include four regular classrooms and one purpose-built kindergarten classroom. This project would result in 118 additional pupil places giving a capacity of 306. The Capital Priority submission to the Ministry of Education was initially made in 2015, and has since been resubmitted annually for funding consideration. Viscount currently ranks second on the OCDSB’s capital priority list. However, the funding decision is made by the Ministry of Education. The OCDSB will decide upon and submit its updated priority list to the Ministry in April.
Building a permanent addition would be good for students and staff. It would make Sandy Hill a more desirable community for families with young children looking for a dual track neighbourhood school. We encourage the Sandy Hill community, the OCDSB and other elected representatives to help make this project a reality!
