November 17, 2023 - Student Transportation Update, Election of Chair and Vice-Chair of Board of Trustees, and more.
Dear OCDSB Families,
I had the pleasure and privilege to visit Half Moon Bay Public School earlier this week and watched a number of students engaged in enriching learning tasks, including the development of sight vocabulary in both English and French in the bilingual kindergarten program. My heartfelt thanks to all staff on site for their efforts and energy in creating such exciting teaching and learning environments in the early years and elsewhere on site.
Student Transportation Update
The Ottawa Student Transportation Authority (OSTA) is actively working with operators to cover a shortage of approximately 30 drivers, down from 40 on October 30th. This driver shortage results in the long-term cancellation of 2% (118 runs) of all transportation services managed by OSTA. For more information, visit the OSTA website.
Election of Chair and Vice-Chair of Board of Trustees
On Tuesday, the Board of Trustees elected Lynn Scott, Trustee Zone 1, and Cathryne Milburn, Trustee Zone 12 to the offices of Chair and Vice-Chair. Chair Scott and Vice-Chair Milburn welcomed the opportunity to serve in these important roles and extended deep appreciation to former Chair, Trustee Lyra, as well as former Vice-Chair, Trustee Bell for their work over the past year. For more information, visit our website.
OCDSB is Seeking Indigenous Community Members to Serve on the Indigenous Education Council (IEC)
Members of Indigenous communities, now is your chance to share your voice and support Indigenous students within the OCDSB. The Indigenous Education Council (IEC) is looking for expressions of interest from Indigenous members of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities to sit on the IEC. For more details and application information, please visit our website.
Mental Health Literacy Modules: Resources for Parents and Caregivers of Students in Grades 7&8
Learning about mental health at school can help students to build skills and habits that promote well-being. As your child learns through the Ministry of Education’s Mental Health Literacy Modules for grades 7 and 8, you can learn along with them and find helpful tips on how to maintain positive mental health and well-being for your child.
November 19-25 is Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week
Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week is an opportunity for us all to reaffirm that bullying is not acceptable in our schools and communities. Next week, we will be working to raise awareness and provide helpful information for how we can all work together to prevent and respond to bullying. The OCDSB Safe Schools Reporting Tool is one way for students to share information about bullying and other concerns they might have at school. Learn more about bullying prevention.
November 20 - Transgender Day of Remembrance
Each year, Transgender Day of Remembrance is recognized on November 20th. On this day and every day, we honour and remember transgender people who have been lost to violence.
November 21st - Secondary Report Cards will be emailed
Elementary report cards were sent to families via email on November 16th. Secondary report cards will be sent on Tuesday, November 21st. You will need your child’s Ontario Education Number (OEN) to access the report card. For more information, please visit our website.
November 24 - PA Day
Friday, November 24, 2023, is a Professional Activity Day for OCDSB elementary and secondary school staff. There will be no classes for students on this day. The elementary PA Day focuses on parent/educator interviews relating to Progress Reports. The secondary PA Day focuses on key Ministry priorities: Literacy, numeracy, cybersecurity and online privacy awareness.
November 25 - Celebrating the International Decade for People of African Descent
On Saturday, November 25, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. the OCDSB and other local signatories to the United Nations Declaration for People of African Descent (UNDPAD), 2015-2024 will join together for a symposium to reflect and learn on commitments made and future actions. The symposium entitled Our Shared Legacy; Our History – Our Humanity, will build on the theme of Ubuntu, a Zulu expression which centres on the notion of humanity towards others. We invite you to join us for the symposium being held at the National Gallery of Canada. For registration and more details, visit our website.
High School Information Sessions
If your child will be starting high school next year, we can help you and your child get ready. OCDSB schools are hosting high school information sessions starting in December till February to help families prepare, learn how to register, and more. Visit our high school information sessions page for the schedule and links to helpful tips and resources.
Classroom Chronicles
Last week, OCDSB schools marked Remembrance Week. Glebe Collegiate Institute created a walking memorial in the community; Cairine Wilson Secondary School staged the play Where the Poppies Blow; Lisgar Collegiate Institute shared banners honouring alumni who served; and Osgoode Township High School joined schools across Canada for Operation Remembrance.
At Ottawa Technical Secondary School, a group of students turned t-shirts into a canvas for their creativity, voices, and imagination. Check out their one-of-a-kind wearable art.
This week, we are bidding au revoir to 39 exchange students from Provence, France, who joined schools across the OCDSB for five weeks of learning, connection, and cross-cultural experiences. Read about their journey!
Upcoming Board and Advisory Committee Meetings
November 21st, 7:00 p.m. - Committee of the Whole
November 22nd, 6:00 p.m. - Parent Involvement Committee (PIC)
November 23rd, 6:00 p.m. - Advisory Committee on Equity (ACE)
Agendas, locations, minutes, livestreams and recordings of meetings are available for public viewing using the Board and Advisory Committees' meeting calendar.
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 (located on the OCDSB home page) and on this webpage.
In case you missed it:
Events:
Helpful Links:
Thank You,
Pino Buffone
Director of Education