Our School
Henry Larsen Elementary School is a suburban JK-8 triple-track school that opened in November of 1986. Our school motto, “Through Caring and Sharing We Learn” truly lives, as the entire school has participated in such charitable and community activities as the Terry Fox Run as well as several local food and clothing drives. Parents, guardians and staff work together to build an effective and stimulating learning community, one that fosters self-respect, care for others, and the rewards of a job well done.
Our Students
- Total enrolment: approximately 380
- Our feeder schools: Convent Glen E.S., Forest Valley E.S.
- High Schools: Our students attend Cairine Wilson S.S., Canterbury H.S., Colonel By S.S., and Ottawa Technical Secondary School.
Our Staff
Our amazing Henry Larsen E.S. staff is comprised of teachers, educational assistants, early childhood educators, a library technician, an office administrator and office assistant, a chief custodian and evening custodial staff, and a principal and vice-principal. Our staff is a highly-skilled, hard-working and dedicated group of professionals who endeavour to provide child-centered and authentic learning experiences based on the Ontario curriculum while ensuring that literacy and numeracy continue to be a primary area of focus for our school. Healthy, active school experiences are also part of daily student life. The staff at Henry Larsen works collaboratively in a team-based approach, striving for effective program delivery.
Our Community
A Message from School Council
Students and staff benefit from the participation and collaboration of our very involved and caring community partners. Each year, many volunteers help in classrooms, make special presentations, help with field trip supervision, host events like Monster Mash and Family Movie Night, and participate in monthly School Council meetings. The School Council works within the guidelines set out by the Province and the OCDSB. In cooperation with the teachers and staff, the Council helps with fundraising, gives input to the School Code of Conduct and provides a forum for parent /guardian concerns. The School Council has collaborated successfully with area police and the municipality with regards to the safety issues and concerns of parents/guardians. All community members are welcome to attend meetings. The Council’s biggest undertaking to date is the new schoolyard project, called Henry’s Cool Yard. This has included a new play structure, new benches and an outdoor classroom. This project has benefited students of all ages and the community as a whole.
Mission Statement
Through a child-centered, holistic, process-oriented approach to teaching and learning, and within a caring and nurturing environment, the staff and parents/guardians at Henry Larsen Elementary School strive to facilitate the development of each child's intellectual, physical, social, emotional, cultural, and moral domains to reach their maximum potential.
Facilities and Resources
- Wheelchair access and wheelchair accessible washroom
- A library/resource centre
- Music room
- Double Gym with a retractable wall – with change room facilities
- A soccer field/junior yard
- Two large play structures in the primary yard
- New gas forced-air heating and cooling system
- Extended Day Program offered by the OCDSB
Programs and Services
Academic Programs
- Early French Immersion - JK to grade 8
- English with Core French - grades 6 to 8
- Middle French Immersion - grade 6 to 8
- Specialized Primary/Junior Behaviour Intervention Program
- A Partnering/Twinning Program between the junior and senior grades is encouraged to foster multi-age opportunities for cooperation and learning.
Special Education and ESL Programs
- Integrated support from our Learning Support Teacher and Learning Resource Teachers.
- Remedial support and educational assessments with our Learning Support Teacher and Learning Resource Teachers.
- Our ESL students are fully integrated into the regular classrooms and are supported by an Itinerant ESL Teacher.
Clubs and Activities
Extra-curricular activities include award winning Choirs and Bands, Green Team, Scratch Club and Yearbook Club. There are also strong and varied intramural and interscholastic sports programs. Henry Larsen Elementary School was the first OCDSB elementary school to be declared a True Sport school. This national organization promotes the positive values that sport embodies, including teamwork and commitment. It ensures a meaningful, enriching and encouraging experience for all who participate in sports. Students and staff at Henry Larsen are working hard to be environmentally friendly. We run both a Green Bin program (composting) and a Blue/Black Bin (recycling) program, co-ordinated by Intermediate students. Our school is an Eco-School and has achieved Silver Status.