The final bell rings at St. Bernadette School, but instead of heading home, a group of girls gather in the hallway with excited chatter. They lace up their running shoes and head outside together. Across the city, the same scene unfolds at Frank Ryan School, where another group warms up with laughter and high fives. Different schools, different faces, but the same spark. This is Girls on the Run, a program helping girls discover confidence, strength, and community in ways that stay with them long after they cross the finish line.
Launching a Movement of Belonging
Girls on the Run is a North American program grounded in research-backed social/emotional learning and physical activity. In Ottawa, the initiative is supported by the OSEG Foundation and has expanded steadily across OCSB schools. Teachers volunteer as coaches, guiding students through lessons that strengthen both body and mind.
At Frank Ryan School, teacher and avid runner Alicia Davis brought the program to the school after hearing about it from a colleague. Two years in, she describes it as rewarding and successful. At St. Bernadette, teacher Sara Hiscoe saw the potential for something more than an after school club. Lessons on body image, friendship, motivation, and positive self talk help students learn about themselves while building endurance toward a 5 kilometre run.
A Place Where Every Girl Belongs
Engagement has been remarkable at both schools. St. Bernadette welcomed sixteen students who rarely missed a session. At Frank Ryan, interest is so high that fifteen students are selected each season, often choosing girls who need extra encouragement or may not feel comfortable joining competitive teams.
Coaches see the same transformation year after year. New friendships form across grades. Students discover that they can run farther than they ever imagined. Sara watched her group step boldly into activities that would normally feel outside their comfort zones. Alicia saw her quiet circle of runners become a joyful, tightly bonded team.
One Frank Ryan student summed it up: "I made a lot of new friends that I probably wouldn't have met, and now I know I can run a 5K."
Research Affirms What Teachers See Every Day
The Girls on the Run model is built on strong evidence. Research shows increases in confidence, connection, empathy, and emotional regulation, with the biggest gains among girls who begin the season with lower confidence. These improvements remain steady even three months after the program ends.
Teachers across OCSB echo these findings. Confidence rises. Friendships deepen. Resilience grows. Parents share heartfelt notes. Students proudly talk about their race day accomplishments.
As St. Bernadette Principal Victoria White reflected, "I could see new friendships developing, confidence building and an appreciation for a newly developed skill. Each evening when the girls left the school it was quite clear that they were proud of themselves."
Moments To Remember
At St. Bernadette, the final celebration race was pure joy. Some students wore their medals for days afterward. Sara remembers the thoughtful, empathetic discussions girls shared during lessons and the way they encouraged one another every step of the way.
At Frank Ryan, Alicia describes beginning the season with shy runners who barely knew each other. Three months later they were running farther than ever before, cheering with genuine excitement. "These girls truly belonged to something that was just for them," she says. "That impact motivates me to continue."
Student Voices That Say It Best
Across both schools, students share their pride:
Ellie: "It made me feel more brave and confident about myself."
Marie Lynn: "I learned more about friendship and working together."
Rosie: "I found out I really liked running and want to continue."
Zara: "Girls on the Run makes me feel good and healthy about my body."
Their words remind us what the program is truly about. Running matters, but what stays with them is confidence, friendship, and belonging.
A Season That Shapes More Than Runners
Whether it's finishing a 5K, trying something new, or discovering inner strength, Girls on the Run is helping OCSB students grow in ways that last. Schools like Frank Ryan and St. Bernadette are building communities where girls feel seen, supported, and capable of achieving big things.
Girls on the Run may start with running shoes and after school practices, but the finish line stretches far beyond a single race. It reaches into confidence, wellbeing, and community, giving girls something they can carry with them every day.
