Mission / Vision
École Notre-Dame-des-Vertus serves Fransaskois families from Zenon Park, Tisdale, Carrot River, Arborfield, Nipawin and Melfort who are seeking a high-quality French first-language elementary and secondary education for their children. Guided by proven educational practices, our school is committed to helping every student thrive academically and personally.
Through enriched learning opportunities, strong family engagement, and the active involvement of the Fransaskois community, students develop a strong sense of Francophone identity, belonging, and pride while building the skills they need for future success.
Mission
École Notre-Dame-des Vertus provides French-language education from Prekindergarten to Grade 12, following the curriculum established by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education. The school serves children of Francophone parents and families who hold French-language education rights, offering a learning environment where students can grow academically, culturally and linguistically in French.
Vision
École Notre-Dame-des-Vertus strives to educate its students in the French language, foster Fransaskois culture, and convey the Christian values and the Catholic faith of its Francophone community. Its mission is to develop individuals who are open to the world and actively engagement in the growth and development of their community and country.
Welcome to École Notre-Dame-des-Vertus!
Located in the heart of the Francophone community of Zenon Park, École Notre-Dame-des-Vertus (NDV) welcomes students from Prekindergarten to Grade 12 in a warm and caring environment where strong relationships, mutual support, and a sense of belonging are valued. As the region’s only French-language school, NDV also serves families from Arborfield, Nipawin, Tisdale, and Carrot River, creating a diverse school community that is deeply rooted in Fransaskois culture.
At NDV, students benefit from a comprehensive French-language education that enables them to develop strong proficiency in both of Canada’s official languages. This solid foundation opens the door to countless opportunities for future studies, career pathways, and personal success.
Life at NDV extends far beyond the classroom. Sports, cultural projects, leadership opportunities, educational trips, community involvement, and provincial events provide students with unique experiences to discover their passions, build confidence, and develop lasting friendships.
Our school is much more than a place of learning. It is a community where every student is encouraged to grow, get involved, and contribute proudly to the vitality of the Francophone community.
If you have any questions about enrollment or student life at NDV, please do not hesitate to contact us at 306-767-2209. We would be pleased to answer your questions and welcome you into our school family.
We look forward to meeting you,
Benoit Leblanc
Our Team
At École Notre-Dame-des-Vertus, our team is committed to creating a welcoming, engaging, and nurturing learning environment where every student can thrive.
Meet the dedicated staff members who support our students throughout their academic, personal, and Francophone journey, helping them grow, succeed, and reach their full potential year after year.
Meet the staff at École Notre-Dame-des-Vertus
A Look Back at Our History
The creation of a French-language school in Zenon Park was the result of years of dedication, advocacy, and community effort. In mid-August 1997, Zenon Park officially became the twelfth school to join the French-language School Division No. 310, now known as the Conseil des écoles fransaskoises (CÉF).
With the decision confirmed just weeks before the start of the school year, the community quickly came together to prepare temporary facilities. The first floor of the former Notre-Dame convent was cleaned, renovated, and adapted to meet provincial health and safety requirements in only a matter of days. Thanks to the remarkable commitment of parents and volunteers, the work was completed in time for students to begin classes.
With teachers and support staff in place, and desks and textbooks gathered from a variety of sources, the École fransaskoise de Zenon Park officially opened its doors on September 3, 1997, welcoming 41 students.
Later that year, following a community-wide “Name Our School” contest, the school officially adopted the name École Notre-Dame-des-Vertus, the name it proudly carries today.
In June 1998, a court ruling in favour of the Zenon Park Parents’ Committee paved the way for the construction of a new school. Building began that September, but students and staff would spend one more year in the former convent while they eagerly awaited their new home.
The move into the new school finally took place in May 1999. It was a milestone the community would never forget. Once again, parents, staff, and volunteers came together to make sure everything was ready for students when they arrived on Monday morning, May 17. The sense of pride, accomplishment, and excitement was felt by everyone. It marked the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Zenon Park and its French-speaking community.
Like any young and growing school, École Notre-Dame-des-Vertus faced its share of challenges along the way. Yet its story has been defined by achievement and perseverance. Over the years, students have excelled in academics, science, language arts, athletics, and the arts, earning recognition locally, provincially and beyond. Their continued success throughout their school years and in post-secondary studies reflects the strength of the education they received at NDV.
Today, École Notre-Dame-des-Vertus continues to build on that legacy, providing students with opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. With a strong foundation and a vibrant school community, its future remains bright and full of promise.
By 2001, the school had expanded to offer a complete educational program from Prekindergarten to Grade 12. That same year, its first graduating class crossed the stage and was celebrated in style, marking another important milestone in the school’s history.
Today, Notre-Dame-des-Vertus School continues to provide a full range of educational opportunities for its students. Learners grow and thrive in a safe, French-language environment while taking part in a variety of activities that foster their language, culture, and sense of identity.
Governance
and policy
The Conseil scolaire fransaskois (Fransaskois School Board, or CSF) is made up of nine trustees elected from the province’s Francophone school regions. Each trustee represents a designated region of Saskatchewan and serves a three-year term.
The CSF provides governance and strategic direction for the Conseil des écoles fransaskoises (CÉF), ensuring that Francophone students across Saskatchewan receive a high-quality education in French. Much like the Boards of Education that oversee English-language school divisions, the CSF is responsible for setting priorities, making key decisions, and supporting the long-term success of the school division.
Your school board trustee
Monica Ferré
- mferre@cefsk.ca
Other members of CSF Board
Geneviève Binette
- gbinette@cefsk.ca
Roger Gauthier
- rgauthier@cefsk.ca
Nathan Poirier
- npoirier@cefsk.ca
Maria Lepage
- maria.lepage@cefsk.ca
Rosemarie Gelsinger
- rgelsinger@cefsk.ca
Michel Lepage
- milepage@cefsk.ca
Élizabeth Perreault
- eperreault@cefsk.ca
Oumnia Tahiri
- otahiri@cefsk.ca
Guy Roberge
- groberge@cefsk.ca
Election to the Conseil scolaire fransaskois (School Board)
Interested in becoming a member of the Fransaskois School Board (CSF)? Consult the document below to learn about your rights, eligibility, and the election process:
- Election Regulations for the Conseil scolaire fransaskois.
For any additional questions pertaining to nominations, election timelines, voting information, or election results, please contact the Conseil des écoles fransaskoises (CÉF) Head Office at 1.877.273.6661.
Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct for School Board Members
The members of the Board and the Board as a whole are committed to maintaining the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct. Trustees are expected to act with integrity and in accordance with the Code of Ethics established by the Saskatchewan School Boards Association.
For more information, please refer to Policy 2.3: Code of Conduct in the Fransaskois School Board Policy Manual (Politique 2.3 sur le Code de conduite) in the Fransaskois School Board Manual (Manuel des politiques du Conseil scolaire fransaskois).
Conseil d’école (School Community Council)
Role and Responsibilities of the Conseil d’école
Each Fransaskois school elects a Conseil d’école (School Community Council) made up of a minimum of four and a maximum of nine members, depending on the school region. One of the elected members serves as the community representative and must be an adult member of the Francophone minority community residing within the school’s attendance area. The remaining members are parents or guardians of students enrolled at the school. All council members are elected by the school’s parent community.
The Conseil d’école represents parents and guardians by providing input and recommendations to the Conseil scolaire fransaskois (Fransaskois School Board, or CSF) and the Conseil des écoles fransaskoises (CÉF). Council members contribute to discussions, planning initiatives, and school development activities that support student success and the continued growth of French-language education.
Each council member is elected to a two-year term.
If you are interested in running in the next election, please contact the school principal for more information.
Meeting minutes are available upon request.
