November 3, 2022 - Applications for Ontario Colleges and Universities, Indigenous Veterans Day (Nov. 8) and Remembrance Day (Nov. 11), and more.
Hello Students,
A reminder that tomorrow, Friday, November 4th, is a regular school day for secondary students. The OCDSB will not be directly affected by any CUPE strike action tomorrow. Next week will be a regular week for all OCDSB schools.
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.
Looking for more opportunities to learn about Ontario’s universities? Mark your calendar for the following Ontario Universities’ Information Sessions virtual events:
- November 9, 5-8 pm (ET)
- December 1, 5-8 pm (ET)
All Ontario universities will participate in these free virtual events. No travel is needed – you can participate from wherever you are, and everyone is welcome. Each event will be divided into six 30-minute sessions where you can learn about the universities you are interested in and ask questions. Register for a Virtual Pass.
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. Looking ahead to Indigenous Veterans Day and Remembrance Day, students will be taking part in many activities to reflect, remember and learn about those who have served.
This year, schools will host their own Remembrance Day ceremonies with student and staff participation, guest speakers and where possible, community involvement. 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.
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.
November 17: Transgender Day of Remembrance Webinar
Each year, Transgender Day of Remembrance is recognized on November 20. We invite students, staff and families to 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!
November 22: International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) Virtual Open House
Are you in Grade 8 or 9? Have you heard about the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme? To learn more about OCDSB’s IB Diploma Programme, and to learn about application procedures for the 2023-24 school year, we encourage you and your family to attend the IB Programme Virtual Open House 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.
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. 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 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
Please read the full statement for more information, and for what to do if you become sick.
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.
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 our secondary calendar 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.
Thank you,
Camille Williams-Taylor
Director of Education