November 3, 2022 - Indigenous Veterans Day (Nov. 8) and Remembrance Day (Nov. 11), 2021-2022 EQAO Results Released, and more.

November 3, 2022 - Indigenous Veterans Day (Nov. 8) and Remembrance Day (Nov. 11), 2021-2022 EQAO Results Released, and more.
Posted on 11/03/2022

Dear Families, 

A reminder that Friday, November 4th is a PA Day for all elementary students, and a regular school day for secondary students. The OCDSB does not have any CUPE bargaining units, and will not be directly affected by any strike action tomorrow. Next week will be a regular week for all OCDSB schools.

Indigenous Veterans Day (Nov. 8) and Remembrance Day (Nov. 11)

The OCDSB honours the commitment and sacrifices of all who have served and continue to serve in times of war, conflict, and peace. In recognition of Indigenous Veterans Day and Remembrance Day, students will be taking part in many activities to reflect, remember and learn about those who have served. Every school will host their own Remembrance Day ceremony.  Check with your child’s school for more information.  An in-person ceremony will also take place at the Board office at 133 Greenbank Road on November 11 at 10:40 a.m., which community members are welcome to attend.

New Opportunity for Parents and Guardians to have Input on Student Mental Health in Ontario

School Mental Health Ontario (SMH-ON) has launched a new Parent and Caregiver Collaboration Group for the 2022-23 school year. This provides an opportunity for parents and caregivers to learn more about student mental health and collaborate with SMH-ON in the creation of relevant resources and supports. Visit SMH-ON’s website for more information. To apply to join the group or if you have questions, please contact Patricia Codner at [email protected]. Applications are open until Sunday, November 6th, 2022.

2021-2022 EQAO Results Released

The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) has released the school board level results for assessments conducted during the 2021-2022 school year. More than 22,000 OCDSB elementary and secondary students participated in assessments focused on reading, writing, mathematics and literacy. We are proud of the achievements of OCDSB students, particularly as these assessments were conducted through the pandemic. The results reaffirm the vital contribution of all educators to support student learning and well-being. Learn more.

Applications for Ontario Colleges and Universities 

Applications for Ontario colleges and universities are open, with important deadlines coming up throughout the fall and winter. Please check out ontariocolleges.ca and the Ontario Universities Application Centre to learn more about how your child can apply to college or university, and to learn about important dates and deadlines.

November 16: Pink Triangle Legacies: Coming out of the Shadows of the Holocaust

On November 16 at 7:00 p.m., the Shoah Committee of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa, in partnership with the Greenberg Families Library, is hosting an online Author Talk with Dr. Jake Newsome, "Pink Triangle Legacies: Coming out of the Shadows of the Holocaust”. The community is welcome to join this free webinar, which details the historical transformation of the pink triangle from a symbol in Nazi concentration camps to one of queer liberation and pride. The webinar will also share experiences of LGBTQ+ Holocaust survivors. Register here.

November 17: Transgender Day of Remembrance Webinar

Please join us on Thursday, November 17 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for the 2022 Transgender Day of Remembrance Webinar. Learn more about transgender identity and support for trans and gender diverse students. Participants will hear from Kusha Dadui, OCDSB Trans and Gender Diverse Student Support Coordinator, and a three-member panel. Register Now!  Transgender Day of Remembrance is officially recognized on November 20. 

November 22: International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) Virtual Open House

Is your child in Grade 8 or 9? Come learn more about OCDSB’s IB Diploma Programme, and the application process for the 2023-24 school year. The IB Programme Virtual Open House is on Tuesday, November 22nd from 6:15 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. For the first 15 minutes we will play a video answering a few Frequently Asked Questions. The presentation will start sharply at 6:30 p.m. For the participation link and more details, visit: ocdsb.ca/ib.

November 7: International Inuit Day

International Inuit Day is celebrated each year on November 7. This is an opportunity to celebrate Inuit communities, learn more about their culture and history, and amplify their voices.

A Special Statement from Dr. Vera Etches 

On Wednesday, Ottawa Public Health’s Medical Officer of Health issued a special statement about the fall and winter respiratory illness season, noting “Trends across the country indicate a very active respiratory illness season is upon us and Ottawa is no exception. We are also seeing more COVID-19 transmission in the community as we enter the colder months. We predict that this respiratory season will be challenging.” To help prevent illness, Dr. Etches recommends the following: 

  • Wash your hands often, especially after being in contact with others or being in a shared/public space
  • Cover your cough
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands 
  • Clean and disinfect high touch surfaces like doorknobs and light switches
  • Stay home when you’re sick – do not attend work, school or childcare or high-risk settings like long term care or retirement homes and hospitals
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • Choose to gather with people outside or in well-ventilated spaces
  • Wear a mask to protect against exposure to airborne and respiratory viruses in crowded and indoor spaces, and especially when you are sick or recovering from being sick
  • Make a plan in the event you or your child/children have to stay home from work, school or daycare

Please read the full statement for more information, and for what to do if you become sick.

In case you missed it…

November 9: Indigenous, Equity and Human Rights Road Trip - Transforming Cultures for Students, Staff and Families: The OCDSB is hosting a special event to reflect on how far we’ve come and where we need to go to fulfill the commitments in the OCDSB Indigenous, Equity and Human Rights Roadmap. On November 9 we will launch our “Indigenous, Equity and Human Rights Road Trip” with an event for students, families and staff at Woodroffe High School from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 pm. Register now.

Looking for More Information on Upcoming Events or Dates? 

Remember to check the OCDSB’s elementary and/or secondary calendars for PA Days, holidays, exam dates, and more. Board Meetings, committee meetings, and dates of significance can be found on the OCDSB’s board calendar. In addition, religious and/or cultural dates can be found in our MultiFaith calendar.

And finally, a reminder that our OCDSB Parent Conference is this Saturday, November 5th, at Ridgemont High School. Please visit our website to register and view the full schedule. We look forward to seeing you there!

Thank you, 

Camille Williams-Taylor

Director of Education

 

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