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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Council Update 2016/09/23 - #3School Council Newsletter September 23, 2016 WHAT'S NEW... Hi there, This week there was a lot of media coverage about mathematics and the results of EQAO math assessments. Here are a few facts about the OCDSB results:  OCDSB students performed at or above their provincial counterparts in five of six assessment areas at the primary and junior levels, in grade 9 academic level mathematics, and on the OSSLT (both first-time and previously-eligible); and,  OCDSB student performance improved in four of the ten areas assessed by the EQAO (i.e., primary and junior reading, junior writing, and OSSLT - previously eligible students), compared to provincial results which saw improvements in three areas. However, across the province there was a downward trend in EQAO results for mathematics and this was true in our district as well. Many parents are asking how this will be addressed and the district has identified the following key strategies:  Mathematics will be a priority area of focus this year as we implement the provincial Renewed Math Strategy. Key aspects of the action plan for numeracy provides for new forms of support for all schools, and increased or intensive support for some. The focus aligns with the District approach to ensuring a balanced mathematics program in all our classrooms - one that combines operational skills and problem-solving - and will emphasize purposeful practice of mathematical concepts and skills along with the thoughtful utilization of resources.  Every school in our District will develop a School Learning Plan that focuses on mathematics and numeracy. Resources and supports will be provided for core mathematics educators in addition to those responsible for other curricular areas (science, social studies, health and physical education, the arts) in identifying and supporting explicit and implicit numeracy links in planning and assessment practices.  Work will continue to ensure an integrated approach in support of our District focus on 'Closing the Gap' for our identified groups of students who need additional support to achieve to their full potential at the District, school and classroom levels. Interested parents can check out this toolkit, which is described in more detail in the Math Facts section below. Multi-Year Plan for Student Learning and Accommodation Planning Online Community Engagement and Discussion Our online consultation on the Eastern Secondary and Western Area student learning and pupil accommodation reviews are very active! As of today we have had a total of 1,139 participants who have shared 4,510 thoughts. Interested parents/guardians who want to share their thoughts on the proposed plans for change are welcome to do so. Click on one of the links below, input your email address and the feedback form will be sent to you directly. Bell High School Family of Schools - Public Consultation Forum Merivale High School Family of Schools - Public Consultation Forum Sir Robert Borden High School Family of Schools - Public consultation Forum Woodroffe High School Family of Schools - Public Consultation Forum Eastern Secondary Review (Gloucester, Rideau, Colonel By) - Public Consultation Forum Public Meetings A reminder that there are two public meetings in each of the review areas. You may want to note the dates on your calendar if you plan to attend. Western Area Public Meetings October 27, 2016 - 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Sir Robert Borden High School January 10, 2017 - 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Woodroffe High School Eastern Secondary Review Public Meetings November 1, 2016 - 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Rideau High School January 11, 2017 - 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Gloucester High School Public Consultation Meeting re New Findlay Creek elementary school Over the past few months a locally-formed working group has been meeting to discuss potential accommodation proposals associated with the scheduled September 2017 opening of a new elementary school in the Findlay Creek Community (4180 Kelly Farm Drive). You're invited to attend a Public Consultation Meeting on Wednesday November 2, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. Elizabeth Park Public School gymnasium, 15 De Niverville Drive (on the Uplands Base). Final decisions are scheduled to be made by the Board in December 2016. More information can be found on our website. PA Day - October 7th Just a reminder that both Elementary and Secondary students have a PA Day October 7th. The Extended Day Programs operated by the district will not be operating on that day to allow for professional development opportunities for those employees. Continuing Education Newsletter Check out the new Continuing Education Newsletter for September/October 2016 here. Have a look at what is coming up this Fall. The newsletter is interactive, so please click anywhere to be linked to our website for more information on all our programs. Math Facts Inspiring Your Child to Learn and Love Math is a toolkit for parents developed by the Council of Ontario Directors of Education (CODE). This toolkit was created specifically for parents of children in the elementary grades in Ontario (Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8). The toolkit emphasizes the many ways in which parents' help and support plays an important role in inspiring their children to learn and love mathematics. The goal of this resource is to provide parents with the most significant research-based information to help them be the best, most knowledgeable and most confident supporters for their child's mathematics education. The complete tool kit is available here. SCHOOL COUNCIL BUSINESS School Council Contact Information Each year, school council chairs and co-chairs are asked to provide their contact information (name, phone number, email address). This information is shared with trustees and superintendents and is also used to keep you up to date on school council information. Please send the following information to Susan Baker at susan.baker@ocdsb.ca - School name, chair/co-chair name(s), phone number(s), and email address(es). School Council Annual Report - Due 30 October 2016 School Councils are also required to submit to the District an annual report on its activities, including fundraising activities. The School Council Annual Report is one of many requirements included in the "School Opening Documentation" process conducted by the principal. On or before October 30, 2016, please ensure to submit your school council annual report to school principals and forward a copy to Susan Baker, 133 Greenbank Road, Ottawa, ON K2H 6L3 or by email at susan.baker@ocdsb.ca School Council Elections The election of school council members must be held within 30 days of the start of the school year. The details about the election process are outlined in the School Council policy and in the school council elections procedure. The election of officers (Chair, Co-chair, Secretary, Treasurer) happens after the members of council have been duly elected. Don't forget to review your school council constitution for specific provisions with respect to your school. Please send us an updated list of school council contact information after your elections. Ottawa-Carleton Assembly of School Councils (OCASC) OCASC wants to connect with school councils! Next week, school councils will receive a newsletter from OCASC in their school mailbox - watch for it! Mark your calendar to attend an OCASC meeting. OCASC usually meets monthly on the third Thursday of the month at Fisher Park Summit School. The first meeting of this school year is September 29th. This meeting will be a chance for you to learn more about OCASC and to meet OCASC Chair Dale Childs and the rest of the OCASC executive. Learn more on the newly updated OCASC website. BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS Meetings that Matter.... Board and Committee of the Whole Meetings The next Board Meeting will be held September 27th. Please note change in start time. The Public session will begin at 7:00 p.m. For more information about the meeting please read the full agenda. Upcoming Committee Meetings: 9/26/2016 7:00 PM Alternative Schools Advisory Committee 9/26/2016 7:00 PM Advisory Committee on the Arts 9/28/2016 7:30 PM Audit Committee NOTE TIME CHANGE 9/29/2016 6:00 PM Advisory Committee on Equity 9/29/2016 6:30 PM Student Senate 9/29/2016 7:00 PM Ottawa Carleton Assembly of School Councils Boardroom Highlights can be found here. EVENTS AND REMINDERS Places to Go...Things to Remember NEW: Open Trails Day at MacSkimming Outdoor Education Centre Hike and explore the trails at MacSkimming Outdoor Education Centre on Saturday, October 1st, 10:00 a.m - 3:00 p.m. Join the Ottawa Field Naturalist Club and Les My cologues amateurs de l'Outaouais at 10:00 a.m. and meet the beekeeper at 1:00 p.m. at 3685 Wilhaven Drive. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the day. This is a free public event however donation boxes will be set up on behalf of the Education Foundation of Ottawa - a charitable organization that assists less advantaged children in our schools. You will find more information on Open Trails Day here. Free Presentation on Teen Concussions - Returning to Learning and Play - September 22nd 7:45 p.m. Parents are invited to hear CHEO Medical Director Dr. Kristian Goulet on the topic of Teen Concussions. He will be discussing what parents need to know to help their children recover from a concussion and return to school and sports as quickly and safely as possible. Location: South Carleton High School Library, 3673 McBean Street, Richmond REMINDERS: Parent Conference 2016 and School Council Training Day - Save the Date - November 19th 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. We're very excited to announce that we will again be hosting the OCDSB Parent Conference. This year we will be incorporating the School Council Training Day into the Parent Conference. The conference is held in partnership with the Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) and the Ottawa-Carleton Assembly of School Councils (OCASC). Mark your calendar for Saturday, November 19, 2016 from 8:30 am to 12:30 am. There will be workshops on a wide range of topics including school council finances, well-being, learning and more. A full agenda will be released in October. Everyone is welcome and the session is free. We will be asking for all to register in advance to help us with our planning. Speaker Series 2015/2016 We will be holding our Speaker Series again this year. Stay tuned for a list of speakers, dates and times! The presentations begin at 7:00 p.m. Stay Connected OCDSB staff, students and community members can view the District's website. Keep in touch by following us on Twitter, visiting our Facebook and LinkedIn pages, and watching our videos on YouTube. About the Newsletter We get a lot of feedback about the newsletter and we are always happy to hear from you. Anyone can receive the newsletter. If you are not on our distribution list and would like to be please clickhere or email Communications@ocdsb.ca. At this time of year there are many changes on school council, please be sure to notify us about any change of email address. Many people forward the newsletter to others in their community. If you forward this message, please delete all of the text from the "forward e-mail" link at the bottom left of the newsletter (just outside of the purple border). Otherwise, anyone who receives the message can click the opt-out button at the bottom of the newsletter and will actually unsubscribe your name from our distribution list. This may explain why some regular users are being dropped from our distribution list. Have a wonderful weekend. Michele Michele Giroux Executive Officer, Corporate Services Ottawa-Carleton District School Board 613-596-8211 ext. 8607 michele.giroux@ocdsb.ca