HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Council Update 2017/01/27 - #18School Council Newsletter
January 27, 2017
WHAT'S NEW...
This week the Parent Involvement Committee met and welcomed six new members! It is
wonderful to have such an interested group of parents to advise on strategies related to parent
engagement. The Committee elected a new Chair and Vice Chair. Congratulations to Mr.
Mostafizur Khan, Chair of PIC and to Ms. Carm Janneteau, Vice Chair of PIC.
School Accommodation Reviews - UPDATE
Today, the District released the final staff recommendations for both the Western Area and the
Eastern Secondary Pupil Accommodation Reviews. In September, the school board released
a proposed plan for change. That plan was circulated for consultation. The feedback from the
consultation was considered and that lead to some changes between what was proposed and
the final staff recommendations. In some cases, it was possible to make changes that were
asked for by the community. Unfortunately, that was not always possible.
The final reports are very detailed and you can read either the Western Area Review - Final
Report or the Eastern Area Review - Final Report from these links. There is more information
on the district website at www.ocdsb.ca. There is also an executive summary for both the
Western Area and the Eastern Secondary reviews which summarizes the report and
recommendations and these are also on the website.
Where are we in the process?
This is the final staff recommendation. The final decision will be made by the Board of
Trustees. The Board can approve the staff recommendation, modify the recommendation, or
reject the staff recommendation.
When will the decisions be made?
There are two steps in the decision making process. The first step is for the Committee of the
Whole to consider the report and make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees. The
Committee of the Whole will consider the Western Area Review report on Monday,
February 13th. The meeting begins at 6:00 p.m. They will hear delegations and then will
debate the recommendations. If they don't finish on that night, the meeting will continue
at 7:00 p.m. on February 14th. (EASTERN SECONDARY REVIEW DATES - Committee of
the Whole on Wednesday, February 15th at 6:00 p.m. and if necessary, Thursday, February
16th at 7:00 p.m.) The meetings are public and anyone can attend. They are held in the
Boardroom at 133 Greenbank Road.
The recommendation by the Committee of the Whole has to be approved at a Board
meeting. The Board for the Western Area Review is scheduled for Monday, March 1st,
2017. The Board meeting for the Eastern Secondary Review is scheduled for Tuesday,
March 7, 2017.
How can I participate in the decision making process?
You can speak with your trustee or send an email
to westernareareview@ocdsb.ca or easternsecondaryreview@ocdsb.ca. You also can sign up
as a delegation at the Committee of the Whole meeting. If you want to sign up as a
delegation, please send an email to Samantha.flynn@ocdsb.ca
Elementary School Program Framework Update
Many parents were interested in the Elementary School Program Framework. As a result of
the excellent feedback received during consultation, many changes were made to the draft
document. It was discussed at Committee of the Whole this week and additional amendments
were made. The Board is scheduled to approve the final version on Tuesday, January 31st -
you can read more about the discussion in the minutes which are posted on the agenda.
High School Exam Schedule Udpate - January 25 - January 31,
2017
Please note the change in dates for secondary school exams due to inclement weather.
Secondary school exam period for grades 9-12, was extended through to Tuesday, January
31, 2017 due to the cancellation of transportation on January 24th. Check your school
website for a copy of the exam schedule. Semester 2 now begins Wednesday, February 1,
2017. Monday, January 30th, 2017 is remains a PA day for all OCDSB schools.
High School Information Nights
All of our secondary schools host Grade 8 Parent Information Nights. These sessions are an
important opportunity for parents and students to learn more about high school and the
programs and pathways best suited to your child's needs.
Adult High School
If you or someone you know is thinking of going back to school - Registration for semester 2
takes place in January and classes begin on Friday, February 3, 2017. Adult High School is
open to residents of the City of Ottawa who are 18 years old or older. It is a full-time high
school. Classes are held Monday to Friday from 8:30 am - 2:30 pm. All of the courses are
credit courses that can be used towards an Ontario Secondary School Diploma. Call 613-239-
2707 - to register for second semester early in the new year.
Kindergarten Information Nights
If your child will be age four or five by December 31, 2017, they are ready for junior or senior
kindergarten starting September 2017. Students already in junior kindergarten do not have to
re-register for senior kindergarten. Visit your local school to register. Information on our
Kindergarten program can be found here.
2017-2018 Student Transfer Application Period:
February 6-17th, 2017
If your child wishes to submit a student transfer request, the application period is between
February 6 and the 17th for next school year. Making a transfer request does not mean that
your request will be approved but following the process is essential for consideration.
Check here for the 4 basic steps to the process.
Middle French Immersion Registration Period - February 17th-23rd
Middle French Immersion starts in grade 4. If your child has completed the grade 3
English/Core French Program, together you can choose to enter your child in the Middle
French Immersion Program.
Continuing Education Newsletter - January/February 2017
Take a look at the latest edition of the Continuing Education Newsletter and what is coming up in
our department. It is interactive, so please click anywhere to be linked to our website for more
information on all of our programs.
Minister's Student Advisory Council (MSAC) applications are open
Students in grades 7-12 can apply to advise Ontario's Education Minister. Apply online today.
Deadline: February 9, 2017.
Ottawa Public Health (OPH) Immunization
A reminder that parents are required to report all immunizations done at the doctor's office to
OPH. Under this Act, OPH has the authority to suspend students from school. Due to the size
of our District, OPH is dividing its surveillance campaign into two phases. The first phase of
notification letters to parents alerting them of missing documentation was sent out on
November 15, 2016 and the second on November 22, 2016. Suspensions for the first group
will commence on February 8, 2017 and for the second group on February 22, 2017 so it is
very important to ensure your child's immunizations are up to date. Immunization protects
children from many serious diseases that are easily spread in schools. Learn more here.
Updating your child's immunization record
Any time your child gets a vaccination or booster shot you need to update their record with
Ottawa Public Health by:
Completing the Online Immunization Reporting to Ottawa Public Health
Fax: 613-580-9660
Mail: Immunization Program, 100 Constellation Dr., Ottawa, ON, K2G 6J8, 7th floor,
mail code 26-44
Phone 613-580-6744 Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm
ImmunizeCA App: appottawa.immunize.ca
CANImmunize has also launched an action comic, Immunity Warriors: Invasion of the Alien
Zombies, to educate elementary school students about the immune system and the role of
immunization in defending against illness.
Math Facts
Communicating with Children Using Math Language
Talking About Math: Talking about mathematics with your child - whatever his or her age -
helps strengthen his or her mathematical reasoning and understanding. Some ways to keep
the talk engaged and focused while you support your child include:
1. Revoice - Repeat what you heard your child say, then ask for clarification (e.g., "So
you are saying it's an odd number?").
2. Repeat/Restate - Ask your child to restate your reasoning (e.g., "Can you repeat
what I said in your own words?").
3. Reason - Ask your child to apply his or her own reasoning to someone else's
reasoning (e.g., "Do you agree or disagree? Tell me why.").
4. Adding On - Prompt your child to participate further (e.g., "What more would you
add to that?").
5. Think Time - Wait several seconds (try five) to give your child time to think (e.g.,
"Take some time to think."). You may be surprised by how hard it is to stay silent in
that time!
SCHOOL COUNCIL BUSINESS
Funding for Play Structures and Playgrounds
Funding is available to assist school communities in developing their school grounds and
installing or replacing some of their play structures. Please submit your application using Form
700, as soon as possible. Approval will take into account equity, special circumstances and
other funding already in place. Project applications that did not receive funding in previous
years will be carried over; however, it is important to update the application to reflect the
current status. If you have any questions, please contact Dan Fournier at 613-596-8211 ext.
8690 or at daniel.fournier@ocdsb.ca.
BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Meetings that Matter....
Board and Committee of the Whole Meetings
The next Board Meeting will be January 31st at 7:30 p.m.. There are several items of interest
on this agenda including a report on the Elementary School Program Framework and the
Complaints Resolution Policy. For more information about the meeting please read the
full agenda here.
Upcoming Meetings:
1/30/2017
7:00 PM Advisory Committee on the Arts
1/30/2017
7:00 PM Committee of the Whole, Budget
2/1/2017
7:00 PM Advisory Committee on Extended Day and Childcare Programs
2/2/2017
6:30 PM Student Senate
2/7/2017
7:30 PM Committee of the Whole, Public
2/8/2017
6:00 PM Parent Involvement Committee
Boardroom Highlights can be found here.
EVENTS AND REMINDERS
Places to Go...Things to Remember
Agincourt Road Public School - Blues in the Schools Fundraiser -
Feb 11th
Did you get your tickets yet? Blues in the Schools is bringing educators and local musicians to
Agincourt for two weeks to expose our Grade 1-5 students to music and to encourage them
how to use music as a positive outlet in the world. The fundraiser is next month - and it's going
to be a rockin' good time!
When: Saturday, February 11, 2017
Where: Fatboys Southern Smokehouse (Byward Market)
What: 3 course meal with musical entertainment by Sussex (http://sussexrocks.ca/)
$50 per person; $40 per person vegetarian option
Invite your friends, family and neighbours to come! It's going to be a great time!
Order your tickets online at:
https://agincourtroadpsfundraising.myshopify.com
Questions? Email agincourt.executive@gmail.com
Kids 2 Innovate
Looking for something fun to do with your kids on January 30? Join the Innovation, Science
and Economic Development Canada (ISED)'s Innovation Lab to design what the future looks
like for Canadian children.
ISED's Lab will be working with Overlap and UNICEF Canada to organize a one-day Children's
Design Lab. Using the principles of design thinking, they will leverage the knowledge of the
people in the room, both adults and children, to generate ideas, prototypes, and outcomes that
can be used on a larger scale. Attendees can speak either French or English during the
activity.
The day will be divided in two sessions:
Morning (9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.): Ages 6-12 / Grades: SK - 6
Afternoon (1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.): Ages 13-17 / Grades: 6-12
According to a comparative study from UNICEF, Canada ranks 17th out of 29 so -called
wealthy countries when it comes to the well-being of children.
Kindness Week 2017
Be a part of the growing movement of Kindness in Ottawa! Kindness Week will be celebrating
its tenth anniversary in 2017 and there are many ways for schools to get involved. This
initiative has become a vibrant movement in our community, encouraging people to "choose to
be kind" and recognizing those in our community who engage in everyday acts of kindness.
Kindness Week 2017 takes place from February 17 to 24.
Students can volunteer their time, energy and talents to help a worthy cause. Some activities
can be done alone; others should be done in groups or with a parent/guardian.
* Shovel a driveway
* Walk a dog
* Carry someone's groceries
* Send cards or art to kids in the hospital
* The possibilities are endless
For more ideas or opportunities, contact 211 or Volunteer Ottawa.
Speaker Series 2017
Parents, guardians and caregivers are invited to join us for our free Speaker Series
Presentations. The presentations will begin at 7:00 p.m. Please save the date; more details will
be added to our website in the near future.
First Nations, Métis, Inuit event
Thursday, March 2nd
Rideau High School auditorium, 815 St. Laurent Boulevard
Gender Identity and Expression
Thursday, May 8th
Sir Robert Borden High School auditorium , 131 Greenbank Road.
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
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Have a great weekend.
Michele
Michele Giroux
Executive Officer, Corporate Services
Ottawa-Carleton District School Board
613-596-8211 ext. 8607
michele.giroux@ocdsb.ca