Williamstown Public is a rural school of 350 students nestled in the heart of Glengarry County. Although the school is situated in the village of Williamstown, most of the students are bussed to school. Williamstown serves children from Junior Kindergarten to grade six. The children arrive to school at 9:30 a.m. They are immediately welcomed into the classroom by their teachers. The day begins with announcements and the singing of O' Canada.
Our school hosts the South Glengarry Child Care Centre which offers daycare and a Before & After School program. Our Kindergarten classes are composed of four and five year-old students who attend The Full-Day Early Learning – Kindergarten Program. They enjoy a separate beautiful yard adjacent to the school. The various pieces of playground equipment, free of interruption from others, are available to them when their teachers take them outdoors.
Upon entering grade one, students in the Regular Program receive French instruction for 40 minutes per day and students in the Immersion program receive 150 minutes of French instruction per day. The subjects taught in the Immersion program are Reading, Writing, Social Studies, the Arts, and Health and Physical Education.
Programming in the Primary and Junior Division is focused on literacy and mathematics. The 150 minute morning block is dedicated to developing student literacy and numeracy. The teachers are committed to focused literacy and math blocks to enrich the children's language and numeracy skills. The teachers are dedicated to working together and plan integrated units and culminating events throughout the year.
We have several Special Education Teachers (SETs) who support our classroom teachers with programming for our students with special needs. They also work with students in the classrooms and in small groups. We have the services of four full-time Educational Assistants. They work in our classrooms, supporting students in various ways.
Our teachers have access to a number of portable carts which host iPads and laptops, in-class Smart Boards and Smart TV's to support their instruction and student learning.
Communication with our families is an important aspect of our children's time with us. Our parents and guardians receive phone calls, positive notes, agenda messages, and are invited to curriculum nights and family events throughout the year. They receive an interim report card as well as two regular report cards issued in February and June.
Families are also encouraged to volunteer in their child's class and attend our concerts, plays and the celebrations that take place. A calendar/newsletter is sent home at the beginning of the month.
Students at Williamstown Public School are involved in sports programs and participate in a number of interscholastic tournaments. During the winter, the students skate at the South Glengarry Recreation Centre next door to the school, and participate in snowshoeing and cross country skiing at Summerstown Trails. Our students are involved in a variety of activities planned by the school and the School Board. We have high expectations and provide our students with numerous opportunities throughout the year.
Our families demonstrate their commitment to student learning through our School Council, fundraising efforts, and time given by various volunteers.