The Newsbrief is meant to provide the highlights of the decisions made at the Board meeting for the benefit of our community. The notes do not serve as the official record of the meeting. Please refer to Board or Committee minutes.
For full PDF agenda package prepared ahead of this meeting, visit: https://pub-ocdsb.escribemeetings.com/FileStream.ashx?DocumentId=5059
Presentation to Frank Wiley
Left to Right: Camille Williams Taylor, Frank Wiley and Lynn Scott
Trustee Scott began the meeting with a special thank you to Frank Wiley, who will be retiring from the OCDSB after years of dedicated service to public education.
Trustee Scott highlighted Mr. Wiley’s deep concern, good guidance and caring support for thousands of students as a teacher and, eventually, superintendent of instruction.
“A leader and mentor to so many of us, it’s hard to imagine what it will be like without his wise presence among us,” she said.
She presented Mr. Wiley with a memento of appreciation for unrelenting service to our students.
Briefing from the Chair of the Board
Rowan’s Law Day Speaker Series – Concussion Management
Our first speaker series event on concussion management will take place on Rowan’s Law Day, on Wednesday, September 25th at Longfields-Davidson Heights Secondary School. Led by Dr. Andree-Ann Ledoux, attendees will learn the causes of concussion, how to recognize a concussion, the neurobiology of a concussion, symptoms, recovery trajectory and concussion management protocols on return to learn and play.
Upcoming Religious Holidays and Celebrations
The District is home to a wide range of diverse religious and cultural backgrounds and we wish those celebrating upcoming holidays joy and happiness.
Rosh Hashanah – September 30, 2019
Dussehra (Vijayadashmi) – October 7, 2019
Yom Kippur – October 9, 2019
Religious Holy Days and Days of Significance Calendar 2019–2020
Briefing from the Director
Summer work at OCDSB
While students were on vacation, work didn’t stop at the OCDSB. Trustees were provided a factsheet , outlining all of the activities undertaken at OCDSB through the summer to prepare for the new school year.
Fallingbrook Community Elementary School Mural Unveiling
On Monday, September 23, 2019 the OCDSB in partnership with Global Child Care Services, Art Studio Plus, and Fallingbrook Community Elementary School students unveiled their new outdoor mural. The school applied for and received funding through Crime Prevention Ottawa’s Paint it Up! Program, sponsored by the City of Ottawa. The program aims to support youth empowerment, graffiti prevention, community safety and the beautification of Ottawa neighbourhoods.
The one-of-a-kind masterpiece and its artistic vision was inspired, guided, sketched and painted entirely by the Fallingbrook students. The mural project provided Fallingbrook Community Elementary School students with an incredible opportunity to demonstrate their skills and responsible citizenry. Well done team Fallingbrook.
Global Climate Strike
We know that some of our students are eager to attend the Global Climate Strike rally on Friday, September 27th. The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board remains committed to building a culture of social responsibility. We want our students to develop well-informed opinions regarding social issues, such as climate change, and to be able to express those views appropriately.
As such, the District, in consultation with other districts across the province, has sent the following direction to schools:
- Should students decide to participate in this event, they should be encouraged to provide notice to the school and follow the regular sign-out procedures.
- Students should not be penalized for choosing to participate in this event and staff should be cognizant of scheduling any major assessments on September 27th.
- Schools will not be organizing field trips or other events in support of the proposed marches, but as always teachers may choose to lead instruction regarding climate change, social responsibility and other related topics where appropriate in their classes.
Orange Shirt Day
Orange Shirt Day is an opportunity for First Nations and non-First Nations to raise awareness about the legacy of residential schools in Canada. Orange Shirt Day is held each year on September 30. OCDSB schools are commemorating Orange Shirt Day throughout first week of October.
Public Motions
Confirmation of Board Minutes, 24 June 2019
Trustees confirmed the minutes of the Board meeting, dated 24 June 2019, as amended.
Receipt of Committee of the Whole Report, 17 September 2019
Trustees confirmed the minutes of the Committee of the Whole Report, 17 September 2019, as amended.
Chapman Mills Public School Area Consultation Plan
Trustees approved a consultation process and timeline to review the accommodation pressures at John McCrae SS and at Cedarview Middle School by considering an attendance boundary redirection in the Chapman Mills neighborhood, (west of Woodroffe Avenue) area of South Nepean (Chapman Mills Public School boundary area). The Board affirmed that a Pupil Accommodation Review is not required for this review.
Approval of Supervisory Officer Selection Process
Trustees approved to initiate the selection process for a supervisory officer position, including a job posting, effective immediately.
Provisions for Calling Extraordinary Meetings of the Board and Appointing Trustees to a Strike Management Committee
Trustees adopted a resolution authorizing the calling of extraordinary meetings of the Board and to appoint two trustees to the Strike Management Committee to deal with collective bargaining issues, should this be required.
A Strike Management Committee is established during the collective bargaining process to provide advice to the Board, if required. The Board appointed Trustee Boothby and Trustee Blackburn as members of this committee.
Board Work Plan and Key Areas of Focus for 2019-2020
As part of its responsibility for ethical leadership and accountability, the Board recognizes that it must plan and schedule its work to effectively govern the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board. The Board has had an annual work plan since 2013-2014, incorporating areas of focus, fiduciary responsibilities, major projects already directed by the Board, and new initiatives. The annual identification of areas of focus is a requirement in Board policy P.130.GOV Evaluation Process for the Board of Trustees.
The development and approval of the Board Work Plan and Areas of Focus enables the Board to 1) identify the learning opportunities it requires to effectively act on its priorities and, 2) clearly articulate the Board’s expectations of its own contributions to the achievement of the District’s strategic objectives and, 3) establishing the benchmarks against which the Board can evaluate its performance.
The work plan includes Areas of Focus, Learning Opportunities and Fiduciary Responsibilities. The Key Areas of Focus align with the Board’s Strategic Plan for 2019-2023: Culture of Innovation, Culture of Caring and Culture of Social Responsibility.
Trustees approved the 2019-2020 Board Work Plan and Key Areas of Focus, with an amendment to include language in the second last bullet under learning opportunities be amended to add “including where climate friendly alternatives can be incorporated into current practices and projects.”
Appointment of Association Representative to the Special Education Advisory Committee
Trustees appointed Nicole Ullmark, as the primary committee member of Easter Seals Ontario to the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) for the term ending 14 November 2022.
Appointment of Trustees to an Ad Hoc Supervisory Officer Selection Committee
Trustees approved the establishment of an Ad Hoc Supervisory Officer Selection Committee whose mandate shall be to recommend the selection of a supervisory officer.
Trustee Penny and Trustee Boothby were appointed as members of this committee.
Meeting ended at 9:18 pm