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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08 Report 06-013 Re-Scheduling of Board Meeting - 12 June 2006OTTAWA - CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD 25 January 2006 Report No. 06 -013 to the Chairs' Committee Re: Re- Scheduling of Board Meeting - 12 June 2006 ORIGINATORS: Diane Jeudy -Hugo, Coordinating Superintendent Peter Gamwell, Superintendent of Instruction (Schools) Barrie Hammond, Principal, Curriculum Services Dale Taylor, Arts Consultant PURPOSE: To request that the Board meeting of June 12, 2006 be re- scheduled to June 13, 2006 in order to allow for a 'Cappies' (Critics Awards Program) Gala to be held on June 12, 2006 at the National Arts Centre. BACKGROUND: 2. The Ottawa - Carleton District School Board, in collaboration with the Ottawa Citizen and the Ottawa - Carleton Catholic School Board have embarked on the first Canadian Cappies (Critics Awards Program). There are thirteen schools involved, seven from the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board, and six schools from the Ottawa - Carleton Catholic School Board. Four productions have already been critiqued, and full page articles of student reviews, together with photographs of the productions, have been published in the Ottawa Citizen. 'Cappies' is a theatre arts program that began in the United States in 1999. Through this initiative, theatre and journalism students are trained as critics and attend each other's theatrical productions. As a result, high school plays and musicals receive high profile publicity when the reviews are published with the students' bylines. In this way, theatre programs are celebrated for their excellence. The experience in the United States has shown that theatre programs flourish in the schools as a result of this exciting initiative. 4. In the fall of each year, various schools each select a Cappies show, usually a big play or musical. Students form teams of critics, and teachers volunteer as mentors. Critics are trained, often with the help of staff from a local newspaper, and are expected to write reviews stressing the positive aspects of the performances. Each critic reviews several shows throughout the year. In the late spring, critics vote for 35 Cappies awards. Nominees are selected in each category. Over 200 students receive honours of some kind. At year's end, Cappies awards are presented by local V.LP.'s at a Cappies Gala. Students perform songs and sketches from nominated shows. In the United States, the Awards Gala is held each year at the Kennedy Centre. STATUS: 6. This year, for our inaugural celebration, we are thrilled that the National Arts Centre has offered its venue free of charge, red carpet included, for the evening of June 12, 2006. We are honoured that this will provide the high profile that our student artists deserve, and the impetus to promote excellent arts programs in our schools. June 12 is the only date available to us for this purpose. 7. Trustees and senior staff, as well as special guests, will be invited to attend the Cappies Gala. RECOMMENDATION: As there is a Board meeting scheduled for 12 June 2006, it is recommended THAT the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board's June 12, 2006 Board meeting be rescheduled to June 13, 2006 in order to permit trustees and senior staff to attend and participate in the inaugural Canadian Cappies gala on June 12, 2006 at the National Arts Centre. Lorne M. Rachlis Director of Education/ Secretary of the Board Diane Jeudy -Hugo Coordinating Superintendent Peter Gamwell Superintendent of Instruction