HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Council Update 2017/02/17 - #21School Council Newsletter
February 17, 2017
WHAT'S NEW...
This was a hectic week - lots of weather in Ottawa, many school activities and outings to
celebrate winter, math nights, inquiry sessions, pot lucks, new learning protocols, and
professional development opportunities - it is truly amazing what happens in our schools. If
you follow us @OCDSB on Twitter you can stay up to date and learn more about these
activities in real time!
It was also a busy week in the Boardroom at 133 Greenbank. This week Committee of the
Whole held delegations meetings on both the Western Area and Eastern Secondary
reviews. Over four nights, the Committee heard from well over 50 delegations - parents, staff,
students and community members who presented a range of perspectives to inform the
Committee discussion. After much debate, the Committee has made recommendations, which
are detailed below. These recommendations still require formal Board approval, which is
scheduled for March 1st (Western) and March 7th (Eastern).
These are complex and difficult issues and the district is fortunate to have such an engaged
community to participate in the decision making process. We are also fortunate to have such a
dedicated and hard working Board of Trustees who have spent many many hours over the
past six months listening to the community, asking difficult question and analyzing options to
ensure that their decisions support student achievement and we ll-being.
After the Board approves the final decisions, the district will communicate with all affected
schools in more detail about the specific changes in each school community. Another
important part of the process will be transition planning and parent and student participation is
essential to that process.
School Accommodation Recommendations
Western Area Review - Final Committee of the Whole Recommendation Highlights
February 13, 2017:
Bell High School High School would become a grade 7 -12 school;
D. Aubrey Moodie Intermediate School (IS) would close;
Bells Corners Public School, Lakeview Public School and Bayshore Public
School would become K grade 6 schools, with Bells Corners Public School offering
English(ENG) and Middle French Immersion (MFI), Lakeview Public School offering
Early French Immersion (EFI), and Bayshore Public School offering ENG and EFI;
Sir Robert Borden High School would become a grade 7-12 school;
Greenbank Middle School (MS) would close;
Leslie Park Public School would close and its students would attend Briargreen Public
School;
Grant Alternative School (AS) would close and its students would
attend Regina Alternative School
Merivale High School would become a grade 7-12 school and (upon certification)
would offer the west end International Baccalaureate (IB) program;
Century Public School would close and its students would
attend Carleton Heights Public School;
Regina Street Public School would become a K-6 Alternative School and its students
could enrol in the Alternative Program or attend the ENG program at D. Roy
Kennedy;
Committee of the Whole - February 14, 2017:
J.H. Putman Public School would close coincident with the opening of a new
intermediate wing at Agincourt Road Public School;
Agincourt Road Public School would become a K-grade 8 EFI school (coincident with
the opening of a new intermediate wing) and its ENG students woultd be redirected
to Pinecrest Public School;
Woodroffe Avenue Public School would become a JK-grade 8 school; and
Severn Avenue Public School would become a JK-grade 6 school for immersion
students (starting with grades 1 to 3) expanding one grade per year with possible
expansion to a JK-grade 8 structure as soon as critical enrolment is achieved to
sustain an intermediate program.
The Woodroffe Avenue Public School EFI boundary would be changed; and
Severn Avenue Public School English students would attend Pinecrest Public
School or D. Roy Kennedy Public School depending on their place of residence.
Read the full recommendations here.
Eastern Secondary Review - Final Committee of the Whole Recommendation Highlights
February 16
Rideau High School would close and its Grade 9 to 12 students be redirected to Gloucester
High School effective September 2017.
Grade 9 to 12 Immersion program students residing within the Rideau High
School attendance area be directed to Gloucester High School effective September 2017.
The Immersion program students residing within the Rideau High School attendance area
currently enrolled in schools (2016-2017) other than Gloucester High School be permitted to
remain at those schools.
The Board support the transition of Rideau High School students to Gloucester High School,
by providing transportation; additional staffing; and in consultation with students, staff and
community partners continue the creation of a room for students that is culturally friendly to
FNMI and comparable to the Lodge at Rideau High School
The Committee also referred a motion to staff for further clarification regarding annualhat
reporting to monitor the transition.
Read the full recommendations here.
Ottawa Public Health Alert - Risks of Counterfeit Prescription
Drugs
This week Ottawa Police Services and Ottawa Public Health issued an alert to warn residents
about counterfeit prescription drugs in the City of Ottawa. It is suspected that these drugs
have been involved in recent life threatening overdoses. Counterfeit pills can be
manufactured to look almost identical to prescription opioids such as Oxycontin or
Percocet. Parents can help reduce the risk of drug use by staying informed. Ottawa Public
Health has some great information - learn more about overdose prevention here and read the
joint Alert here.
Ottawa is bidding to host the 2021 Canada Summer Games
The Canada Summer Games are the largest multi-sport event in the country for young athletes.
This two-week event takes place every two years, alternating summer and winter. The Canada
Summer Games attract athletes from every province and territory in the country to compete in
20 different individual and team sports. The event is a key step in developing the next generation
of elite Canadian athletes. The Games also leave an important lasting legacy in the host
community in the form of new and upgraded athletic facilities that benefit athletes and the
general public.
The 2021 Canada Summer Games would inspire, engage and transform our community in many
ways, delivering legacy benefits that would endure beyond the event itself. They would:
Promote accessibility, diversity and inclusion
Leave behind enhanced and improved sustainable sport venues
Involve the city's Indigenous Peoples, provide a stage for its arts and cultural
communities, and engage its legions of volunteers
Help our athletes, coaches, officials and sport leadership take a giant leap forward in
their personal and professional development
Ottawa's bid to host the 2021 Canada Summer Games will only succeed if the local community
demonstrates its support. Sign up to show your support at Ottawa2021.ca
Speakers' Speech Writing Contest
To commemorate the 150th anniversary of Confederation, the Speakers of the Senate and the
House of Commons have launched a speech writing competition for Canadians aged 12 to 17.
This national contest asks, "What does Parliament mean to you?" Young Canadia ns are
invited to participate by submitting a written speech via the contest webpage. The contest
closes April 21, 2017. Visit the contest webpage here or here.
What Does Well-being Mean to You?
Join the OCDSB's Advisory Committee on Equity (ACE) and the York Street Public School to
engage in the Ministry of Education's Promoting Well-Being conversation. Come and share
your thoughts and ideas on Thursday, February 23, 2017 from 6:00pm - 8:30pm at York Street
Public School, 310 York St. More information here:
Young Artist Award - Deadline for applications: March 10, 2017
The Young Artist Award is a project-based, mentorship-driven youth arts award established for the
recognition and encouragement of young Ottawa-based artists, ages 14 - 17 years old,
demonstrating exceptional potential and a commitment to excellence in any art form. The award
recipients will receive funding in support of the creation and presentation of a proposed arts project.
In addition, the Young Artist Award will provide mentorship support by pairing the award recipient
with an established and qualified Ottawa-based artist working in the same field. A more detailed
description of the award and the application procedure can be found here.
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 6th-21st, 2017
If your child wishes to submit a student transfer request, the application period is between
February 6 and the 21st 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.
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
Wrong Answers, Great Learning
Thomas Edison said that he did not fail at making the light bulb one thousand times, but rather
that "the light bulb was an invention with 1,000 steps."
"I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times I've
been trusted to take the game winning shot... and missed. I've failed over and over and over
again in my life. That is why I succeed." (Michael Jordan)
Making mistakes is a natural part of all learning. Those who we consider to be "great" are clear
that mistakes lead to learning.
The latest research on mathematics shows that mistakes are a very important part of learning
math! When a person makes an error in math and they have the opportunity to learn from it,
they actually develop a much stronger understanding. In fact, the research states that students
learn more from making mistakes than from getting all the right answers. When your child
makes an error, it offers insight into what understanding your child has about a mathematical
idea. It allows parents and teachers to talk to the child about what they know, and ask
questions to stretch their thinking around where they are currently developing their
understanding. Parents can ask "How do you know that? What was your thinking here? Is
there another way you could solve that? How did you think about X (an element they may be
missing or have misunderstood)?"
This conversation helps to develop the crucial skills of reasoning and communication and is
therefore more helpful than simply showing a child how the math is done. When you support
an attitude that values learning from mistakes, you are telling your child that mistakes are a
valuable and natural ingredient in learning and lead to deeper understanding. Research shows
that this attitude supports stronger achievement!
SCHOOL COUNCIL BUSINESS
Your Child's Education - Be a Part of It!
The Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) is reviewing the publication Your Child's Educaiton -
Be a Part of It! PIC had a great discussion last week. We welcome feedback from all parents.
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 Board Meeting will be on February 28th at 7:30 p.m. at 133 Greenbank Road in the
boardroom. The agenda will be posted next week.
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.
Upcoming Meetings:
2/23/2017
6:00 PM Promoting Well-Being - Advisory Committee on Equity and York Street PS
2/23/2017
7:00 PM Special Education Advisory Committee
PLEASE NOTE NEW DATE
2/27/2017
7:00 PM Advisory Committee on the Arts
2/27/2017
7:00 PM Alternative Schools Advisory Committee
Boardroom Highlights can be found here.
EVENTS AND REMINDERS
Places to Go...Things to Remember
New:
Elmdale Public School BookFest 2017
Friday Feb. 24th, 9:00 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Saturday Feb. 25th, 9am - 4pm
Elmdale's iconic annual second-hand book sale is an opportunity to find a great read while
supporting educational programs and community initiatives. With more than 25,000 titles and
over 20 categories, there's something for everyone at very low prices. Raffles and bake sale
too.
Elmdale Public School (Gymnasium) - 49 Iona Street. http: //elmdalecouncil.com
Reminders:
Screenagers - Fisher Park/Summit Alternative - March 1st
On March 1st, Fisher Park/Summit Alternative (FPSA) Councils are showing the movie
"Screenagers - Growing up in the digital age". This documentary explores the parental and
teenage struggles over social media, video games, academics and internet addiction and
offers solutions to help kids find balance. Advance Ticket Purchase - Adult $8, Student $5 or
Family Package $25 (Good for a Family of 5).
Buy Online here.
Practical Tips and Tools For Supporting Girls - Navigating Life
Online
Support girls facing digital & media issues with A Guide for Trusted Adults, made with
@YWCA_Canada #ProjectShift.
Me-to-We Food Drive and Raffle
Roch Carrier's Me-to-We Club is hosting a food drive students, staff and community members
can donate. At this time of the year items that are in high demand are coffee, soups, crackers,
canned goods including; stews, vegetables and fruits. If you would like to participate you can
drop off the items at the main office.
Kindness Week - Artwork Contest -February 17-24
Please note that entries must be submitted by noon on Thursday, February 16th. The idea is
that students draw something/anything that represents kindness to them.
Details
Please submit to your drawing to your teacher.
Teachers please scan/photograph and send all entries in JPEG format
to kindness@caringandsharing.ca.
Be sure to include the student's full name, school, and grade.
There will be two categories, one being K-6 and the other grades 7-12.
You can also fax entries to 613-226-7522.
Only one entry per student.
If you have any questions about this contest, please contact: Megan O'Meara Communications
Coordinator, the Caring and Sharing Exchange here.
Canada's Pink Shirt Day - February 22, 2017
Bullying is a societal issue that negatively impacts our schools, workplaces, homes, and over
the Internet. Over the month of February try and raise awareness of these issues. One of the
easiest ways to do this - is to simply wear a pink shirt on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 and if
anyone asks why - simply say you support universal kindness! More information here.
Merivale HS - Graphic Design & Automotive Open House - funded
by PRO Grant
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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Remember that Kindness Week Ottawa 2017 starts today. Remember, we always have a
choice - we choose to be kind!
Have a great Family Day weekend. Be kind to yourself and to each other.
Thanks,
Michele
Michele Giroux
Executive Officer, Corporate Services
Ottawa-Carleton District School Board
613-596-8211 ext. 8607
michele.giroux@ocdsb.ca