HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Council Update 2017/02/24 - #22School Council Newsletter
February 24, 2017
WHAT'S NEW...
I hope you had a good week. There are many things happening next week across the district.
You may want to make note of some of these important events.
Public Meeting - February 27th - Risks of Drug Use
Last week, we highlighted the recent alert issued by Ottawa Police and Ottawa Public Health
relating to the risks of prescription drug use. As we explained, Ottawa Public Health has some
great information - learn more about overdose prevention here and read the joint Alert here.
This week, the district has continued to work with our community partners to raise awareness
about this important issue and develop a coordinated prevention strategy. Here is another
good website for parents - Parenting in Ottawa. There is a meeting scheduled for Monday,
February 27th in Kanata to discuss the availability, use and dangers of opioid drugs. The
meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Kanata Recreation Complex in Hall A, located at 100
Charlie Rogers Place.
Twoonie Tuesday - February 28th
Did you know that 1 in 5 Ottawa children live in poverty? This is an unfortunate truth and an
important reminder about the barriers to student learning and well-being. We can make a
difference by supporting Twoonie Tuesday and the work of the Education F oundation of
Ottawa.
Toonie Tuesday is all about experiencing small acts that can make a BIG difference. On the
last Tuesday in February, students at participating schools are asked to bring $2 to help
other kids just like them. All the funds raised from this day go directly to the Students in Crisis
Emergency Fund. Your spare change will open doors for students who would otherwise be cut
off from countless opportunities to succeed in education. Learn more about the Education
Foundation and take a moment to GIVE.
Board Meeting - Western Area Accommodation Review
March 1st
The Board of Trustees will consider the Committee of the Whole recommendations from
February 13 and 14th and will make final decisions on March 1, 2017. See more information
below.
First Nations, Métis and Inuit Student Well-being Speaker
Series
March 2nd
Join us to hear an interesting panel of speakers and gain a better understanding of the issues
related to
Indigenous Well-being. Learn more about the supports available from partnering agencies for
our students.
Representatives from the Ottawa Inuit Children's Center, Métis Nation of Ontario and Wabano
Wellness
Center will be discussing the importance of student well-being and its link to educational
success.
Our panel will include:
Jody Alexander, System Vice Principal for First Nations, Métis & Inuit Education at the
Ottawa-Carleton District School Board
Gina Metallic, Circle of Care Coordinator & Mental Wellness Case Management Team
Lead, from the Wabano Center for Aboriginal Health
Margo Walsh, Family Systems Navigator & Mental Wellness Staff Development Team
Leader, also from the Wabano Center for Aboriginal Health
Christina McNeil, Métis Family Wellbeing Coordinator, from Métis Nation of Ontario;
and
The Board of Trustees will consider all input for the Western Area Review at the
Committee of the Whole on February 13, 2017 and will make final decisions on
March 1, 2017.yla Power, Bridging the Gap Support Coordinator from Ottawa Inuit
Children's Center.
Student well-being is an integral part of success for all learners.
We invite all interested parents/guardians to attend.
Thursday, March 2, 2017 from 7:00 pm. - 9:00 p.m.
Rideau High School, Auditorium
801 St. Laurent Blvd Ottawa ON.
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 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 Canadians 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.
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.
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 resear ch 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:
2/27/2017
7:00 PM Advisory Committee on the Arts
2/27/2017
7:00 PM Alternative Schools Advisory Committee
2/28/2017
7:30 PM
Board Meeting
3/1/2017
7:00 PM
Special Board Meeting (Western Area Review)
3/2/2017
6:00 PM
Advisory Committee on Equity
3/2/2017
6:30 PM
Student Senate
Boardroom Highlights can be found here.
EVENTS AND REMINDERS
Places to Go...Things to Remember
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
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.
Merivale HS - Graphic Design & Automotive Open House -
Tuesday February 28 at 6:30 p.m.
School Council will host presentations and a tour for two of our programs; Graphic Design and
the Auto Shop. Our guest speaker, Debra Ford, is a retired OCDSB principal who provides
educational expertise at Algonquin College and the University of Ottawa. She will speak to our
Special High Skills Major (SHSM) program. RSVP MHS School Council
atmbmcfaul@gmail.com This event is supported by a PRO Grant from the Ministry of Ontario.
Speaker Series
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 and Inuit Student Well-being
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. - 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 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.
45th National Student Commonwealth Forum
Families are needed to welcome students into their homes for the 45th National Student
Commonwealth Forum. The Forum is a week-long youth leadership program for Canadian
high school students, the first week of May in Ottawa. Students will discuss Canadian issues
in the Senate Chamber and meet Members of Parliament and Commonwealth High
Commissioners. If you would be interested in supporting this charitable program by billeting
one or more high school students from out of town between April 30, and May 5 - more
information can be found at www.nscf-fnec.ca
Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School - 25 Year Anniversary and
Reunion
The reunion is scheduled for May 27, 2017. All current and past student alumni and staff are
welcome to attend. Check out the interactive website at