All About Our School!
Millen Woods Public School opened in January, 2011. We currently have 299 students and 32 staff members. We have both English and French Immersion classes in our school.
There is a Jacob Hespeler Child Care facility attached to the school, providing care for toddlers, preschoolers and also extended care for school-aged children.
At Millen Woods we are Mariners, and every year we set sail on a voyage of learning! At Millen Woods, we all belong.
Our motto is:
I use my head, my heart, my hands
The choice is mine to make.
When we SAIL we are:
Showing respect, Always positive, Including everyone, Loving to Learn.
Our Students
Our students are fantastic! They live by the motto, “There is always room for one more”, and they strive to include everyone in their activities. The students come from many different parts of the world, and represent a wide variety of cultures, religions and customs. When our students complete Grade 6 they move around the corner to Lester B. Pearson Public School. They attend Bluevale Collegiate for their secondary school education. Students who continue in the Partial French Immersion Program attend Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate.
Our Staff
Our staff is comprised of dedicated professionals who are proud of Millen Woods, and committed to giving each child a sound foundation for learning. Our intent is to recognize the growth and development of the whole child…. intellectually, physically, socially and morally. Our staff members set the highest possible standard for respect and collaboration.
We are committed to offering current and challenging instruction in the area of technology in order to prepare our students for the world of rapidly changing and expanding knowledge. Critical thinking and problem-solving are foundational to our program. Classrooms implement the use of technology using Chromebooks, Ipads and Google Classroom as part of their learning environment.
We believe in a strong partnership with parents and the community as we strive to build solid academic strengths and socially responsible students.
Academic Programs
Regular English instruction is provided to all students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6.
Core French is provided to students from Grades 1 to 6.
A partial French Immersion program is available, beginning in Grade 1.
A Special Education School-Based Team of classroom and resource teachers works at Millen Woods and is dedicated to assessing and providing modified programs for children with special needs.
Enrichment is available to all students through classroom accommodations and special withdrawal programs, following a process set out by the WRDSB to identify those students.
Facilities and Resources
Millen Woods PS is located in the Eastbridge area of Waterloo and is surrounded by quiet streets and suburban homes. The school has two stories with a large double gym and a beautiful spacious library on the main floor. The school is barrier-free and fully wheelchair accessible. Classrooms are organized in a pod arrangement with computers and digital technology throughout the school. The school has wireless access in all areas and sound-field systems in every classroom. Our school yard has two soccer fields and a large grassy area. The playground backs onto a natural wooded area, which creates a beautiful vista in all seasons. In 2012, School Council commissioned Earthscapes to design and build a naturalized playground featuring a ship climber, compass rose, and island hideaway seating area. In 2013 a butterfly, centipede, and inchworm were added in the Kindergarten area. In the summer of 2018, with the support of our School Council and our generous school community, we saw an additional playground apparatus installed on the grounds! Our amazing School Council is helping plan a replacement for our aging butterfly structure area and we will be actively fundraising starting in the 2022-23 school year to help make this purchase a reality!
Community
Millen Woods PS has established a dynamic School Council that meets on the third Wednesday evening of every month. Its mission is to “support and enhance learning for all students through the cooperative efforts of parents, students, staff members, and others in the community.” In addition to being an advisory group to the administration, School Council organizes fundraising initiatives such as the Magazine Campaign, Pizza Days, a Dance-a-thon, and the Fundscrip Gift Card Program. Council funds many enhancements to Millen Woods’ academic program, including a primary Home Reading program, and enriching presentations and learning opportunities.
Millen Woods Public School is fortunate to have many hard-working volunteers. We are very grateful for the support with class trips, and with programs such as Strong Start and Home Reading.
Millen Woods has been honoured with the coveted Gold EcoSchool award! Ontario EcoSchools is an environmental education program. It has been designed by school boards to incorporate environmental education and responsibility into the school setting. We have met the high standards for energy conservation, waste minimization, school ground greening and ecological literacy set out by EcoSchools Ontario. In 2015 we were awarded an Eco-Schools grant which we used to purchase of bird houses and also two scooter racks in order to promote active travel to school. We are very proud of our students and the larger community for ongoing efforts in the area of environmental responsibility. In 2018, the ECO and Gardening Club will be working to enhance the garden areas located in the front of our school. We have been a Gold Standard EcoSchool since Millen Woods opened and our students and staff work together to maintain and sustain such status.
Measuring Student Achievement and Success
Many different assessment and evaluation strategies are used by staff at Millen Woods, including regular testing, class participation, class work, individual and group work, self and peer-evaluation, as well as feedback conferences and portfolios. Pupil and program assessments and evaluations are ongoing as teachers strive to maximize student achievement.
School Success Plans and Initiatives
Our current School Success Plan, focuses on two overall goals:
- Support students with reading via small group support in class, interventions, ongoing teacher professional development, and ongoing assessment and monitoring.
- Ensure that all students have a strong sense of belonging – all identities are respected, represented, and have contributing voices to our school climate.
Clubs and Activities
Millen Woods’ students love to get involved! Students participate in a variety of extra-curriculars offered by our teachers.
- Please contact the office, or Principal Karen Grant-O’Grady karen_grantogrady@wrdsb.ca for any inquiries.