October 27, 2023 - Applications for Ontario Colleges and Universities, Student Transportation Update, Muslim Students Group in Celebration of Islamic Heritage Month, and more.
Hello Students,
Tuesday, October 31st is Halloween and schools across the OCDSB may choose to mark this in a variety of ways. We want activities to be kept fun for all students, respectful. Costumes are not required and students do not need to participate in Halloween activities.
Please remember, a culture is not a costume.
- Avoid costumes that mimic the traditional attire of an ethnic, religious, racial or gender group. Pretending to be a member of a group is cultural appropriation and sends the message that cultural attire is a ‘costume’ to be donned for entertainment purposes.
- Avoid costumes that are intended to, or have the impact of, inciting, fear and anxiety, stereotyping, misrepresenting or making fun of an ethnic, religious, racial or gender group. As always, our student dress code is in effect.
Applications for Ontario Colleges and Universities
A reminder that applications for Ontario colleges and universities are open, with important deadlines coming up throughout the fall and winter. Please visit ontariocolleges.ca and the Ontario Universities Application Centre to learn more about applying to college or university, and to be aware of important dates and deadlines. If you are looking for more opportunities to learn about Ontario’s universities, there’s an Ontario Universities’ (Virtual) Information Session coming up on November 22nd.
Check out this post-secondary financial aid and virtual campus tours webpage, and contact your guidance counsellor for more information.
Student Transportation Update
OSTA is actively working with operators to cover a shortage of 50 school bus drivers, down from 71 on October 5th. Earlier this week OSTA announced plans to resolve the current bus driver shortage, including the ongoing DriveYellow recruitment campaign, which has received more than 430 applications. OSTA will be holding a Public Governance Meeting on Monday, November 6, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. via Google Meet. Please fill out the registration form if you are interested in attending.
Muslim Students Group in Celebration of Islamic Heritage Month
In celebration of Islamic Heritage Month, which takes place each October, Muslim students in grades 7-12 are invited to join a virtual weekly Google Hangout (OCDSB student login required). The last of these weekly Hangouts will take place on Monday, October 30th, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more details, email [email protected].
November 29 - Save the Date: All About High School Virtual Information Night
We invite Grade 7-12 students, their parents and caregivers, and staff for the All About High School virtual information session on November 29, 2023, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. This virtual event is a great opportunity to learn about subjects, programs, and other exciting aspects of high school. Participants can ask questions and learn about topics that interest them. Registration and more details will be shared in the next update.
Celebrating Success
OCDSB students, staff, alumni, and volunteers have been recognized through awards and prize-winning efforts in competitions. This fall, we’re celebrating OCDSB success in the Schulich Builders Scholarships for Skilled Trades, International Mathematical Olympiad, Cheese4Change competition, and more.
Flu vaccine
Getting your annual flu vaccine is an important way to help protect yourself, your family and high-risk groups in your community against seasonal flu. Refugee 613 has created helpful information in multiple languages that breaks down the basics of what you need to know to protect yourself from the flu.
Calendars and Planning for Important Dates
Please consult the OCDSB’s Elementary and Secondary calendars for PA Days, holidays, exam dates, and more during the 2023-2024 School Year. In addition, schools avoid scheduling activities like evaluations and field trips on certain religious/creed-based days of significance. Additional dates of significance can be found in our MultiFaith calendar and on our website.
In case you missed it:
Events:
Helpful Links
Thank you,
Pino Buffone
Director of Education