BARRHAVEN PUBLIC
As the community of Barrhaven started to grow into a family driven neighbourhood, its demand for an elementary school grew. In 1969 Barrhaven Public opened its doors and is the oldest school in the neighbourhood. The school caters to roughly 430 students from Kindergarten to grade 6.
WORKING WITH POLYGONS
January 29, 2026
It did not take students at Barrhaven Public long to roll into winter after the Christmas break. The second week of January started off with students re-connecting with one another, building snowmen and snow forts.
The school has painted one of their walls green which the students will be able to use as a green screen. Mme Renee was hard at work preparing this for the students –a great way for them to get more tech savvy.
A new wolf pack mural was also unveiled in the school. It was created by some of the students with guidance and expertise provided by Nicole Belanger.
Grade six students were hard at work measuring to find the area of polygons. They used what they have learned to create art based on the highway man poem.
Grade 9 and 10 students from John McCrae also stopped by Barrhaven Public for a dance performance. They shared their talents and inspired many young minds.
And in grade 1, students explored 10-frames. Using two sided counters, the students tested different ways to make 10 by changing the colour of the counter: 9 red + 1 yellow = 10, 6 red + 4 yellow = 10. Then we practiced writing # sentences using white boards.
WE CLUB RAISES 124 PAIRS OF PYJAMAS FOR LESS FORTUNATE KIDS IN OTTAWA
December 19, 2025
For students at Barrhaven Public School, the month of December started off with a spirit assembly. A new mural was unveiled, and the school’s Spirit Character Crew created the conditions to celebrate the creativity, energy and kindness of the school community.
Students in Penny Damianakos class created and labelled their own maps, amusment parks and cities, using grids, so they could write travel instructions for their dash robots.
Meanwhile grade 1 students learned measurements through temperatures and how they can impact people’s lives – especially right here in Canada! They also got into the Christmas spirit by creating patterns on Christmas trees.
Also, on the topic of Christmas, students transferred the blue room into a gingerbread wonderland. The students have read different versions of the gingerbread story, each of them having their favourite version.
And like many OCDSB schools, Barrhaven Public took part in the Hour od Code during Coding Week. Some students enjoyed it so much they stayed after school hours to finish their activities!
Kate Venneli came into teacher Mme Howards grade 4 EFI class to teach the many wonders of Cheetahs.
And in Kindergarten, the teachers got up early one morning to hide numbered snowflakes in the woods. Later in the day the class went out with some parents and grandparents to take part in the scavenger hunt. The weather was great, and the activity was enjoyed by all the students.
The school’s WE Club held their annual pyjama drive, where they raised 124 new pairs of pyjamas thanks to the generous support of the school community. The pairs will go to less fortunate kids in our community.
TALKING TO THE EXPERTS
October 4, 2025
It has been a busy week at Barrhaven Public School, with students learning in various ways.
Students in grade three and six had the chance to speak with National Geographic explorer and scientist, Debarati Das, about the Mar's Curiosity Rover and about the planet itself.
In grade one math, students had another busy week sorting out shapes in different ways.
Students in the school community also wore orange to remember residential school survivors and had a successful month of raising money for the school's coding club. They raised $930 and are only $70 away from their $1,000 goal. They money raised will go towards purchasing new technology.
In Ms. Y's class, students created plasticine artwork inspired by Barbara Reid's artwork.
LEARNING THROUGH MULTIPLE CHOICE
September 20, 2025
At Barrhaven Public School, learning this week was well underway.
In Renée Ste-Marie's French classes, students got to play with Plickers (data without devices). Each student used their personal codes to answer multiple choice questions in French.
The kindergarten students also enjoyed their first full week back, building objects out of coloured shapes, making LEGO trains, and reading books.
The school also held their first assembly of the year as a way to welcome new and returning students. It celebrated innovation in the classroom and learning in the hallways.