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We acknowledge that our learning is taking place on unceded and unsurrendered Algonquin Territory. We thank the Algonquin Nation for hosting us and recognize their enduring presence on this land.
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Wazoson Public School is a kindergarten to grade 5 school opening in September 2024 in the Half Moon Bay community. Students will start the year at our temporary location at 595 Moodie Dr, Nepean, Ont. (D.A. Moodie Public School). Our permanent location at 989 Kilbirnie Drive is scheduled to open in January 2024.
Academic Programs
Wazoson Public School offers:
- Full-day Bilingual Kindergarten (JK-SK): 50% English instruction and 50% French instruction.
- English Program with Core French (Grades 1-5): Instruction in the English language in all subject areas including Core French (40 minutes daily).
- Early French Immersion (Grades 1-5): In grade 1, students receive 80% of instruction in French. In grades 2-5, students receive 60% of instruction in French.
Our School Name
I am happy to inform you that following final approval of the OCDSB Board of Trustees, our school will now be named Wazoson Public School.
Pronounced wuh-zoh-sohn (audio pronunciation), Wazoson is the Algonquin/Anishinaabe word for bird’s nest. A nest is a safe place to nurture the young. Birds of all types, sizes and shapes begin life in a nest. As there is a place for all those different kinds of birds in the natural world, there is also a place for every student in our school. The name encourages engagement and connection with the natural world around students.
The name Wazosun was chosen following consultation through the spring of 2023 with students, parents, staff and members of the Half Moon Bay community. Additional input was provided from a member of the Indigenous Education Advisory Committee along with an Algonquin Elder and an Algonquin Knowledge Keeper.
We are so thankful to all who participated in helping us find a name for our new school. This is a significant step in framing the school culture we would like to create. We want our school to be a safe, caring and nurturing environment for children to thrive. An Algonquin-named school also sends an important message of our commitment to reconciliation and learning about the rich knowledge, history and culture of Indigenous peoples.
With the name now official, we can really start to move forward together in building the community and culture of Wazoson Public School.
Facilities
Our permanent location, scheduled to open in January 2024, is a two-story building located on a 8 acre site. It will include a library/learning commons, 28 classrooms, and a large gym.
Child Care (Extended Day Program)
Our school will operate an Extended Day Program for before and after school child care for students. The Extended Day Program operates from 7:00 a.m. to the start of school and from the end of school until 6:00 p.m. Parents may register their child for the morning, afternoon, or for both. The affordable and high-quality program will run on all school days and be available for select professional activity days.