Our School
The original school building opened on November 10, 1936. This building was a two-room frame structure and hosted students from kindergarten to grade 3. An addition to the building was erected in 1953 and students from kindergarten to grade 6 attended. The current two-storey Westmount school opened in September 2015 on the same site as the original school, which was demolished during the summer of 2015. Our school is located in the Westmount area on Glasgow Street in Kitchener.
Our Students
Westmount Public School could be described as a beautiful snapshot of the United Nations. There are over 520 students enrolled from kindergarten to grade 6 who have joined us from all parts of the world. We have over 150 students who speak English as their second language and represent over 40 different countries and languages. In fact, one third of our school population speaks more than one language. At Westmount, we welcome new families regularly and pride ourselves on making everyone feel at home in our school, classrooms and on the playground. After students have completed grade 6, they move on to MacGregor Senior Public School located in downtown Waterloo.
Our Staff
Our school possesses a dedicated and energetic team of professionals, a team which is committed to serving the needs of the entire child. Staff members consistently collaborate to provide our students with meaningful, quality programs and experiences. Westmount teachers and staff are committed to providing opportunities that meet Ontario Curriculum expectations while they challenge and inspire our young learners.
Academic Programs
Our school offers programs in English, with Core French being a component, as well as French Immersion and English as a Second Language. We provide a structured literacy program.
Westmount continually strives to develop numeracy. We are enhancing our supply of essential materials for hands-on learning in each class and teachers are consistently updating their instructional practices through professional development in mathematics instruction. Technology is used regularly in all of our classrooms. Technology Acceptable Use Teachers and students also participate in daily physical education to support the importance of living a healthy lifestyle.
English as a Second Language Program
At Westmount we are fortunate to have a very dedicated staff, including a full time English Second Language (ESL) teacher who supports ESL students and their families. In addition to classroom instruction, ESL teachers help new families adjust to the many changes a Canadian school and society bring. In addition to the teachers and support staff that work hard with our students, Westmount also works collaboratively with many community agencies and services in our region. One day a week we have a settlement worker in our school who assists our families in settling into our community faster. SEPWR (Settlement Education Partnership of Waterloo Region) is one of the many programs offered through the YMCA Cross Cultural and Community Services Department.
At Westmount we benefit greatly from our diverse population. We learn through a global perspective about other countries, religions, festivals and cultures. We celebrate our differences, respect each other’s opinions and learn from one another. We all work together to help build a tolerant and peaceful society that includes everyone in the Westmount Wildcat family!
Facilities and Resources
Westmount is a busy school with busy students. Teachers and students can be seen working together in the halls, classrooms and school yard. Teachers strive to make the walls of our classrooms and halls attractive and informative. Throughout the year, visitors will see student artwork and projects on display.
Westmount’s new double gymnasium provides more space for our students to learn and play. Contributing to the school’s feeling of family, the large gymnasium allows all students to fit comfortably in the gym for assemblies and larger presentations. Our new library has large windows which provide a beautiful view of the front of the school. It is a welcoming place for students to enjoy reading and spending time in. Our new Technology Studio is equipped with a variety of new technology as well as a green screen for creating videos and projects. This resource area is a hub of activity in our school. Westmount’s playground has a large green space for students to enjoy themselves at recess. We have a large soccer field, a creative playground, basketball nets and a variety of activity lines and games painted on the tarmac. Students may also relax on our large rocks which are situated in the shade for those hot days of June.
Special Education Programs
We have Special Education teachers, Educational Assistants and a Child and Youth Worker who support students throughout the school. Members of our special education staff work cooperatively with classroom teachers and support staff to provide excellent programming opportunities for all of the students in our school.
Safe Schools Initiative
As our students come from many parts of the world, the cornerstone of our code of conduct is Respect. Many engaging learning opportunities that come through assemblies, theatre groups, classroom activities and presentations focus students’ attention on appropriate conduct and anti-bullying concepts.
A detailed outline of our code of conduct is printed in our student planner.
Clubs and Activities
Westmount supports a variety of charitable community events and works to initiate service activities throughout the school year. We regularly contribute to the Local Food Bank drives and support many Me to We initiatives throughout the school year. Students enjoy participating in a variety of clubs and activities that arise throughout the school year. From intramurals and track and field to participating in musicals and concerts, our students are kept busy.
Our young leaders take the responsibility of helping our school run smoothly. Students help out as lunchroom helpers, kindergarten helpers, bus patrollers and bus buddies. A number of students participate in a leadership opportunity known as WILD. WILD leaders collaborate throughout the year to organize and run a variety of events such as the Play Day in June, the annual Beach Day and many more activities and events for the students at Westmount.
Westmount’s School Council
The Waterloo Region District School Board values the involvement of parents, guardians and community members in providing a quality education for students. School councils have been established in each school to encourage and facilitate this involvement. Its role, in collaboration with the principal, staff and the community, is to help set the priorities of the school, and to enhance learning opportunities, through various activities, for the benefit of our children. School Council initiatives have included annual fundraising, weekly pizza days, Breakfast Club and community activity nights such as movie night, science fair and family reading night. Our school council consists of parents/guardians who form the majority membership, our principal and school staff.
Research has proven that the involvement of parents in their children’s education has a positive impact on improved student learning and helps to create a sense of community in the school. By working together as partners, we can encourage greater academic success and all-round growth for our students and develop caring and contributing citizens.