March 01, 2024 - 2024-2025 Budget, 2024-2025 School Year Calendars (Subject to Ministry Approval), and more.
Hello Students,
This week, I had the opportunity to take part in professional learning with colleagues, nationally and internationally, on the integration of artificial intelligence in teaching and learning environments. The diverse array of emerging technologies that enable computers to perform a variety of advanced functions is a fascinating topic. I look forward to the continued conversation of its application in our district through our information technology and digital transformation initiatives.
2024-2025 Budget
Every spring, the OCDSB develops the annual operating budget for the next school year. Guided by the commitments in our strategic plan, the budget outlines how funds will be spent to support students across the district in reaching their full potential. To learn more about the budget process and share your feedback, visit Engage OCDSB.
2024-2025 School Year Calendars (Subject to Ministry Approval)
This week the Board of Trustees approved draft elementary and secondary calendars for the 2024-2025 school year. These calendars are subject to Ministry approval. Visit our website to learn key dates.
Secondary Students: Initial Learning Updates (Progress Reports) to be sent on March 19
The Initial Learning Updates (ILU) for semester 2 for all secondary students will be emailed to parents/guardians and students on March 19, 2024. Your Ontario Education Number (OEN) is needed to access this document. If you need help identifying your OEN or additional information, please contact your school or visit ocdsb.ca/reportcards. This initial learning update provides feedback on the student’s progress prior to parent/teacher interviews and mid-term report cards.
Please note this excludes our non-semestered International Baccalaureate (IB) students attending Merivale High School and Colonel By Secondary School.
Coming soon: 2024 Student Survey
In April, the OCDSB will be launching our 2024 Valuing Voices: Identity Matters Student Survey. Collecting this information will allow us to better address issues including bullying, safety, mental health, learning and student achievement. More detailed information about the survey will be shared after the March Break. The 2024 survey is designed based on past identity and school climate surveys. Ahead of the survey release, we wanted to share more information with you about how we were able to use past studies to better support students across Ottawa. Learn more on our website.
Reminders:
Need a prom dress?
Fairy Godmother of Ottawa, a non-profit organization, is offering free, gently-used prom dresses, shoes and accessories to high school students. The dresses and accessories will be distributed at their two-day pop-up shop at the Confederation Education Centre (1645 Woodroffe Avenue) on these dates:
Monday, April 8th, 12:00 p.m. ‐ 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 9th, 12:00 p.m. ‐ 7:00 p.m.
Interested students can book an appointment. For more information, visit their website.
Events:
Postponed - Inuktitut, Algonquin Anishinaabe Community Discussions About Language
The OCDSB Indigenous Education team’s upcoming community discussion sessions focusing on Indigenous language revitalization will be postponed to a later date. Thank you to those who have already registered. More information will be shared in the coming weeks.
From the Boardroom:
Upcoming Board and Advisory Committee Meetings
March 5th, 7:00 p.m. - Committee of the Whole
March 5th, 10:00 p.m. - Special Board Meeting
March 6th, 6:00 p.m. - Special Education Advisory Committee
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 observance. Additional dates of significance can be found on the MultiFaith Calendar (located on our home page), Dates of Significance webpage, and on the Government of Canada, Ontario Government, and United Nations websites.
In case you missed it:
Helpful Links
Thank you,
Pino Buffone
Director of Education