Our School

D. Roy Kennedy Public School

We acknowledge that our learning is taking place on unceded and unsurrendered Algonquin Territory. We thank the Algonquin Nation for hosting us and recognize their enduring presence on this land.

Our School

D. Roy Kennedy is a Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 School located just to the west of Ottawa’s city centre and home of the “Bulldogs”. We are proud to be part of the Ottawa Carleton District School Board’s Community of Character and our students, staff, families and community together form a strong partnership in support of student learning and well-being.

Our many school clubs, activities and sports programs promote acceptance, belonging and contributing to society and we use the W.I.T.S. bullying prevention and intervention program to make our school a safe place to learn.

Our School Council actively supports student learning and engagement and makes many additional opportunities available for our students to enhance their education and making learning and play fun.

Together, we have an amazing team of supports for an amazing group of students!

Our Students

D.R.K. has an enrolment of 390 students.

Our student body is represented by many cultures. Languages spoken by our students include: Arabic, Cantonese, Farsi, Korean, Mandarin, Somali, Russian, and Vietnamese. Our D.R.K. graduates may go to Woodroffe H.S., Nepean H.S., or one of the specialized programs in the OCDSB.

Our Staff

D. Roy Kennedy P.S. has a committed, caring staff of 25 teachers, 1.5 office staff, 3.5 educational assistants, 2 registered early childhood educators, 1 library technician, and 4 custodial staff.  There is 1 full time principal and 1 full time vice-principal (with a half time teaching assignment).  Our staff represents a wide range of educational experiences, interests, and talents which they offer to enrich the lives of our students and community.  All staff regularly participate in professional development, conferences, and/or college/university courses to remain at the forefront of their field of work.

Our Community

The School Council’s focus is to support and provide advice on school programs to ensure high academic standards, and to organize the volunteer services at the school.

The Council meets monthly during the school year to:

  • Identify, discuss, and seek solutions to issues affecting student achievement
  • Participate in the preservation of safety and maintain the quality of the school environment.

In addition, Council members undertake a number of special events to nurture the community spirit at D. Roy Kennedy P.S. and to raise funds for program enrichment. The Council takes on responsibility for recruiting and organizing volunteers to support programs both in and out of the classroom.

Mission Statement

D. Roy Kennedy P.S. is a dynamic and diverse learning environment where students and adults strive towards personal excellence. We are lifelong learners dedicated to nurturing, empowering, and motivating students to become positive, responsible, healthy and respectful members of society.

Facilities and Resources

  • Mobile Chromebook technology in every classroom complete with LCD projectors
  • Smartboard Technology
  • Mobile Chromebook technology for interactive learning opportunities in the classroom
  • Library with approximately 20,500 volumes; a computer lab, and conference room
  • Instrumental Music room; art/drama room
  • Science lab
  • Two gyms (one with a stage)
  • Two soccer fields
  • Accessible features that include an elevator
  • Accessible washrooms
  • Separate, enclosed primary and kindergarten yard with play structure
  • Extended Day Program offered through The Whitehaven Kindergarten School Age Centre

Programs and Services

Academic Programs

  • Bilingual Kindergarten (English and French; JK/SK)
  • Regular English with Core French (Grades 1-8)
  • Middle French Immersion (MFI; Grades 4-8)
  • Dual Support Program (DSP; Grades 6-8)

Classroom Organization

D.R.K. is a community school with a Middle French Immersion entry point. There are 2 bilingual Kindergarten classes. There are 9 classes in the English with Core French program (grades 1-8) and there are 5 Middle French Immersion classes (grades 4-8). We also have a Dual Support Program class (grades 6-8).

Special Education and ESL Programs

We have 1 LST teacher (Learning Support teachers) and a total of 1.8 teaching staff who provide assistance in the classroom to students with special educational needs. We also have 1.5 teaching staff who provide support to students with English as a Second Language needs.

Clubs and Activities

The staff, parents and community volunteers offer a wide variety of extra-curricular activities that enhance the school life of our students:

Band, many, many sports teams, Sock Monkey Club, Junior games club, Me to We, Eco-School club, Primary games club, Intra-Mural sports, Spirit Days, Student Council, Yearbook, Math club, Homework Clubs, Open Gym and many more extra-curricular activities throughout the year!  Please check out the "Teams and Clubs" section of our website for a more comprehensive listing.

Sports

Students have the opportunity to join intramural or competitive sports in cross-country, basketball, soccer, volleyball, badminton, flag football, track and field.

We strive to offer all students the opportunity to participate and enjoy sports while developing an interest in healthy active living. For those students wishing to try-out for teams to represent the school we have a long history of success. Many banners representing a wide array of sports proudly hang in our gym. The D. Roy Kennedy “Bulldogs” continue to be well known for their athletic abilities across the school board.

Safe Schools Initiatives

D. Roy Kennedy is committed to promoting a safe and caring environment which is characterized by mutual respect. We have established a variety of initiatives:

  • A code of behaviour developed by students, staff and parents.
  • Peace Patrol, junior students help primary students mediate situations out in the yard
  • Intermediate Lunch monitors
  • Partnership with Ottawa-Carleton Police School Resource Officer
  • Intermediate Student Success Teacher assistance
  • Lunchtime clubs and activities
  • Student Ambassadors
  • Adult crossing guards
  • W.I.T.S. Bullying prevention and intervention program

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