Our School
Sawmill Creek Elementary School is located between Bank Street (Highway 31) and Albion Road approximately one kilometre south of Hunt Club Road. It shares a playing field with the adjacent Sawmill Creek Community Centre and backs on to a wooded area that includes a path along Sawmill Creek which gives our school its name.
Sawmill Creek E.S. serves both urban and rural students in South Ottawa. Our school was opened in 1996 to replace the former Ramsayville Public School which had served this community as a Kindergarten to Grade 5 Early French Immersion school. With the space available in the two levels at Sawmill Creek, the school community grew to include the Regular English as well as the Early French Immersion programs for students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8. Currently, our Regular English program students come from an area located within a few kilometers of the school, while our Early French Immersion students are drawn from as far away as Carlsbad Springs as well as the broader community south of Hunt Club Road.
The Sawmill Creek community represents a diverse and enriching array of cultural and ethnic populations, with a wide range of housing options. We are located in the Blossom Park area, which provides our students with a caring neighbourhood in which to grow up, learn and play.
Our Students
Sawmill Creek ES has an enrolment of approximately 570 students. We are enriched by a diverse ethnocultural and multilingual population. When our students graduate from Sawmill Creek E.S., they go to Ridgemont High School Gloucester High School, Canterbury High School or Osgoode High School.
Here are some comments from our students:
- “Sawmill Creek is a great school.”
- “The teachers are caring and fantastic.”
- “We have lots of exciting activities such as Terry Fox and Freaky Fridays.”
Our Staff
Sawmill Creek E.S. has 45 staff members, including teachers, educational assistants, office staff, custodians and administration. Our staff members, as life-long learners, are excellent role models for our students. The staff members are dedicated, caring professionals who provide a quality learning environment for all our students.
Here are some comments from our students and parents about our staff:
- “Our teachers, principal and vice-principal really care about us.”
- “They do lots of activities before and after school.”
- “The staff at Sawmill Creek are professionals and they work hard to make sure students are looked after and receive an excellent education.”
- “The custodial staff are very friendly and work hard.”
Our Community
We work together with parents and the community to provide a quality educational experience. We welcome volunteers in our school. Last year, a large number of parents participated in school activities, including helping students with reading, organizing fund-raising events, accompanying students on field trips, etc.
Our School Council is a volunteer group of members of the school community, parents/guardians, community representatives, teaching and non-teaching staff, dedicated to strengthening educational opportunities and partnerships with the community.
Here are some comments from our parents:
- “This is a positive, fun and safe school.”
- “Sawmill Creek is a large school it still maintains a family atmosphere.”
- “The Principal knows most of the children by their first names which really make them feel important and good about themselves.”
Mission Statement
The mission statement of Sawmill Creek ES is to foster a diverse community of responsible, lifelong learners on the journey towards excellence.
Facilities and Resources
- A library/resource centre
- A Literacy Resource Room
- A Numeracy Resource Room
- Computer technology in every room
- Two computer labs
- A double gym - with change room/shower facilities
- Two large play structures and a separate kindergarten play structure
- A gazebo – outdoor classroom
- All areas of the building are handicapped accessible.
Programs and Services
Academic Programs
- JK-8 Regular English with Core French
- SK-8 Early French Immersion
Classroom Organization
Sawmill Creek E.S. is a Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 dual Track community school. Presently there are 21 classes, including straight grades and multi-grade classes. We have 10 Regular English classes and 11 Early French Immersion classes.
Special Education and ESL Programs
In-class remedial and behavioural support is provided by our Learning Resource Support Teachers (LRT’s) and Educational Assistants where necessary. Educational assessments are completed by our Learning Support Teachers (LST’s). Special Education programming is provided in the regular classroom, in consultation with our special education teachers.
Clubs and Activities
- School Wide Plays – held annually. Grease /Oliver/ Stacks of Wax
- Primary/Junior Choir Primary Indoor Soccer Junior/Intermediate Dance Club
- Intramural and competitive sports
- Skating
- Spirit Days
- Fund-raisers for charitable organizations
- Assemblies
- Principal / Vice Principal Visitors
- Regular special lunch days
- Cyclone Spirit Club
- Grade 8 Year-end Trip
- Freaky Fridays
- Media Club
- Class Field Trips
Safe Schools Initiatives
Code of Behaviour
Sawmill Creek has a Code of Behaviour which was developed by students, staff and parents. It is printed in our school agendas and reflects the Ministry of Education Code of Behaviour.
Other safe school initiatives:
- Shining Stars- social skills program
- Amigos program - older students are trained to run playground games for Primary students during the noon hour
- Monthly Character Education Assemblies