Severn School and QTN

 UPDATE ON PLANS FOR SEVERN SCHOOL – April 20, 2025

The board of QTNca welcomes changes made to the plans for Severn Elementary Public School in the revised strategy posted by the Ottawa Carleton Public School Board.  The revisions respond to many of the concerns QTNca raised in its letter (below) and will better meet the goals for community schools and liveable neighbourhoods.

The board of QTNca continues to advocate for one additional change:  improved access to the English stream for children living in QTN now and for the growing population in the future.  Read the letter here: https://www.qtn.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/QTNCA-letter-re_-Severn-Ave-PS_updated-OCDSB-plan.pdf

Community Impacts of Proposed Changes to Severn School

Severn School, the only school in QTN, is important for the well-being of the community, as well as for parents and children who attend it.  Proposed changes for Severn School, which are part of the current program review, would  have significant impacts for the community.  In a letter to the Ottawa-Carleton Public School Board, the board of QTNca asks school board members to give more consideration to those impacts before making their final decision.

Among the impacts that need consideration are:

      • The safety of grade 4 students crossing Highway 417 on Pinecrest to get to Pinecrest public school.  Walking or biking to school is not a realistic option if students have to cross Highway 417 at Pinecrest.
      • The impact of additional buses and cars coming into QTN on narrow streets without sidewalks.
      • Highway 417 is a major barrier for the concept of community schools and 15-mInute neighborhoods, which QTNca supports. This proposal is not consistent with the board’s own goals for community schools or the City’s goals for development of this area.
      • The proposal does not consider the projected additional population  from intensification.  Severn School will be 116% over-capacity in 2026 already.  The need for more investment in local schools and other infrastructure has been a major theme of QTNca in presentations to the City about future development in this area.

Check here for a copy of QTNca letter for your information. https://www.qtn.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/QTNCA-letter-re-Proposed-Changes-to-Severn-School.pdf