HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Council Update 2017/02/03 - #19School Council Newsletter
February 3, 2017
WHAT'S NEW...
This week the Board made some important policy decisions. One of those was the approval of
a new policy regarding the process for complaint resolution in the school district. In education,
we build long-term relationships with our students, parents and community members. Those
relationships are really important to student learning and well-being. We recognize that from
time to time, there may be misunderstanding, a lack of communication, or a situation that
needs to be addressed in order to maintain these relationships.
The new Complaint Resolution Policy establishes standard processes for handling complaints,
built on the principles of open communication and cooperative problem solving. In many
respects, the policy formally documents the practices that have been in place for many
years. If you have a concern about your child's learning, the first step is to talk with the
teacher; if the concern is not resolved, the next step would be to talk with the school principal.
Where a complaint or concern cannot be resolved at the school level, the next step would be
to speak with the superintendent of instruction. In those cases where a concern continues to
unresolved, the concern would elevate to the Director of Education or her designate. Of
course, your local trustee is always available to assist by facilitating communication between
the parent(s)/guardians(s), or community member and the appropriate staff member at the
school or District office.
Thanks to everyone who provided feedback during our complaint policy consultation process -
it was very helpful. In the weeks ahead, we will be working on some communications material
to make this policy more accessible to the community.
Elementary School Program Framework
This week the Board approved the policy on elementary program delivery structures, including
the Elementary School Program Framework . The framework was revised as a result of the
feedback received during consultation. The framework is an important document as it
describes the program offerings of the district and it will guide decision making about
elementary programs. During the consultation there was a lot of concern about the stated
ideal of 1.5 classes per grade per program. That was changed in the framework and the new
language recognizes the many factors which impact decision-making related to school size
and the number of programs offered at a school. These factors include, but are not limited to:
community school model considerations, equity, transportation, student transitions, District
boundaries, population changes, enrolment; enrolment capacity; utilization rate; size of school
building; number of programs currently offered; location of the school; the impact of program
offerings on other schools and programs; program demand; community interest; and resource
allocation.
School Accommodation Reviews - UPDATE
The Western Area Review - Final Report and the Eastern Area Review - Final Report have
been posted on the district website. 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.
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.
The Committee of the Whole will consider the Eastern Secondary Review report 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
VIDEO: Parent and Family Literacy Centres
The OCDSB operates Parenting and Family Literacy Centres in eight elementary schools with
the support of the Ministry of Education. They offer fun, play-based activities within a school
setting for parents, grandparents and caregivers with children birth to s ix years old. Watch the
video here.
Free Online Homework Help in French - Voilà Learning
Voilà Learning is extending the Online Homework Help in French free of charge to ALL
students registered in the OCDSB.Last year, this program provided live homework help to
hundreds of French Immersion and Extended French students across Ontario. This coming
school year, and thanks to a generous contribution from the Ministry of Education, all
students from your school board can benefit from the help of a French, English or Math
teacher online every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00
p.m.. Watch the demo video here.
Register now.
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.
Minister's Student Advisory Council (MSAC) applications are open
Student voice is so important and here is an amazing opportunity for student voice. Students
in grades 7-12 can apply to advise Ontario's Education Minister. Apply online today. Deadline:
February 9, 2017.
Continuing Education Newsletter - 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.
REMINDERS
Kindergarten Registration
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 anytime.
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.
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
Math Tips for Parents
Check out this newsletter that supports math learning and encourages your child to love math.
This edition was written by Lynda Colgan, Associate Professor and Director, Queen's
Community Outreach Centre, Faculty of Education, Queen's University.
SCHOOL COUNCIL BUSINESS
Your Child's Education - Be a Part of It!
Several years ago, the Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) coordinated the production of a
booklet for parents about how to get involved in your child's education. The booklet is posted
on the district website and is available in several different languages. Next week, PIC will be
having a discussion about this booklet and how to update it. We always welcome your ideas.
If you have thoughts or suggestions about this booklet, please send them to pic@ocdsb.ca.
Take a look at the booklet here. You can find the links to it in other languages on
this webpage.
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 Committee of the Whole Meeting will be February 7th st 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:
2/8/2017
6:00 PM Parent Involvement Committee
2/13/2017
6:00 PM Special Committee of the Whole, Western Area Review
PLEASE NOTE START TIME
2/15/2017
6:00 PM Special Committee of the Whole, Eastern Secondary Review
PLEASE NOTE START TIME
2/16/2017
7:00 PM OCASC Secondary School 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
Order your tickets online here.
Questions? Em ail agincourt.executive@gmail.com
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.
CHEO Workshops on MindMasters 2 at Alta Vista P.S. - February
23rd, March 30th and May 11th
MindMasters 2 is a free toolkit, developed by CHEO, for children from JK to Grade 3, to help
children learn mindfulness, relaxation and positive thinking strategies that will help them
manage emotions and cope with stress. Learn about the toolkit (including the free app for
iPad) at a 3-part workshop series at Alta Vista Public School 1349 Randall Avenue in the
Main Gym 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 23rd, March 30th and May 11th. Attend any
or all workshops. Child minding is available. These tools can be modified for all ages. More
information can be found here.
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