HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Council Update 2017/04/28 - #30School Council Newsletter
April 28, 2017
WHAT'S NEW...
May 1-5 is Education Week
May 1st -5th is Education Week in Ontario. It is a time for students, teachers and parents to
celebrate teaching excellence and student achievement. This year's theme is "Ontario 150".
We encourage everyone to take a few minutes to visit a neighbourhood school to witne ss first-
hand the amazing things happening in OCDSB schools. To learn more about Education Week
events please click here.
Speaking of great things happening...this week across the district our OCDSB students shone.
There were so many amazing student stories, it is hard to know what to share. Here are just a
few highlights:
Student Trustee Kayvon Mihan was a guest on TVO's The Agenda this
week. Kayvon, a grade 12 student at AY Jackson Secondary School is the
President of the Ontario Student Trustees' Association. Take a few minutes to
watch Kayvon's interview with Steve Paikin - Giving a Voice to
Students. Kayvon is a true role model of the characteristics and skills we want
for our graduates - an innovative, critical thinker who is globally aware and a
really effective communicator. Congratulations Kayvon!
Another exceptional graduating student was profiled in this Ottawa Citizen
article last weekend.
Katie Clarke, grade 12 student at Glebe Collegiate was one of 33 Canadian
students to receive the prestigious Loran Scholarship this year.
Congratulations Katie - you are a demonstration of what it means to be goal
oriented and academically diverse!
Congratulations also goes out to students at Hillcrest High School. The "Hawks" held their
annual cancer drive this week and raised an amazing $14,500 for the Canadian Cancer
Society. If you want to support their great commitment to community, there is still time to
contribute - donate now.
Finally, several OCDSB students, including grade 4 student Roman from Roberta Bondar
Public School recently entered the Mayor's Poetry Contest. The Ottawa Public Library has
chosen Roman's poem as one of the winners of the Mayor's Poetry Contest. Roman and
several other lucky winners will be recognized at a special ceremony at the Ottawa Public
Librar y next week.
Information for Families about 13 Reasons Why
There was a lot of media coverage this week about a television series called 13 Reasons Why.
The series depicts the story of a high school student who dies by suicide, leaving behind 13
cassette recordings that share the events that she perceives led to her death. Many parents
have expressed concern that the series is graphic and sensationalizes the act of suicide, which
may lead to vulnerable students misinterpreting its message. The OCDSB, like several school
districts in Ontario, has posted Information for families about how to speak to your child about
the complex issues in this type of show.
Speaker Series: Gender Identity and Gender Expression
Presentation - May 4
Thursday, May 4 from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sir Robert Borden High School - Auditorium, 131 Greenbank Road
Please join Beck Hood of Family Services Ottawa and Carol Ann Burrow Instructional Coach
with OCDSB's Inclusive Safe and Caring Programs for a conversation about the diversity of
gender identity and gender expression. Find out about community resources supporting
gender diverse children and youth. For more information please visit our website.
Speaker Series/Annual OCDSB Parent Conference - Is there something you want to
learn more about?
We are starting to plan for next year's Speaker Series events and for our annual Parent
Conference and School Council Training Day. If there are topics that you would like to learn
more about, please send us your ideas. Email pic@ocdsb.ca with your suggestions!
Date with Diversity: Lessons from Canada and Ontario's 150th for
the Next Generation - May 9
Tuesday May 9 from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Confederation Education Centre - Cafetorium - 1645 Woodroffe Avenue
Parents/guardians, staff, students, and general public are invited to come together and explore
how we can foster a more equitable and inclusive culture to support learning, well-being and a
sense of belonging for the entire OCDSB community. In this community conversation about
diversity, there will be an opportunity to ask colleagues and community guests any questions
you may have about their experiences and insights. Join this timely conversation! Free
parking. Light refreshments. Registerhere and visit our website for more information.
Regina Street Alternative Program Open House - May 10
Wednesday, May 10 at 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Regina Street Public School - 2599 Regina Street.
Regina Street Public School will offer the Alternative Program for elementary students
beginning this September 2017. Parents/guardians are invited to learn more about the
program. Can't make it to the event? Visit our website for more information on the Alternative
Program.
Community Awards and Volunteer Appreciation Reception - May 31
Wednesday, May 31 at 6:30 p.m.
Confederation Education Centre - 1645 Woodroffe Avenue
There are so many people who make an incredible difference in our school communities. The
District has several awards to recognize the work of parent and community
volunteers. Register here to attend the 2017 Community Awards and Volunteer Appreciation
Event. And learn more about the award categories here.
School Climate Survey
Starting next week, students in grades 4 to 12 will have an opportunity to complete the
"OurSCHOOL" Survey about school climate. The purpose of the survey is to better
understand students' perceptions about bullying, safety at school, and student engagement.
We know that when students feel safe and welcomed at school that they are more likely to
achieve at higher levels and have a stronger sense of well-being. Many students will be
familiar with the OurSCHOOL survey as it has been in use at the OCDSB for several years.
The survey is voluntary, confidential, and takes approximately thirty to forty minutes to
complete. Students are asked to answer questions related to school climate and safety,
bullying, perception of school, sense of belonging, and their background, including age,
gender, and ethnicity. The data from this survey will be used to help school staff develop
strategies to prevent bullying and to promote safe and inclusive schools. The survey will be
conducted between April 24th and May 12th, 2017. More information was sent home by
schools and is also on our website
Managing School Closures, Transitions and Changes
Many parents have asked questions related to school closures and transitions as a result of
the accommodation review decisions. Transition planning committees comprised of parents
and staff have been established and all of the committees have had at least one meeting. As
these committees continue to meet over the next few months, regular updates will be provided
through school newsletters and at school council meetings. Every transition plan is unique to
the school situation, however, there are transition planning guidelines which inform the work of
the these committees.
Here are some additional questions and answers. The questions about school council
finances have been repeated in the school council tips section below.
Q - Where can I get more information about supporting my child through transitions?
A. - The OCDSB has a Transition Guide designed to help navigate the transition for students
from elementary to secondary school. However, the guide has helpful information to assist with
any transition.
Q - When will the new walk zones be done for students who have been redirected to other
schools?
A. - The Ottawa Student Transport Authority (OSTA) hopes to have established the new walk zones
by the first week in May. These zones will outline who is eligible for transportation. Schools will
have the new detailed maps in early May.
Q - When will parents meet the teachers at their new home schools?
A. - The staffing process for the next school year is usually finished at the beginning of
May. Principals in each of the receiving schools will decide how best to arrange a meeting where
parents are able to meet the new teachers.
Q - How do I find out about the Extended Day Program (EDP) at the new school?
A. - An individualized letter from the EDP department will be going home with every student in each
school to describe the program in their new receiving school.
Q - When will my child's school records be moved to the new school? Will that include
information regarding life threatening conditions such as anaphylaxis?
A. - Your children's school records and all information pertinent to your child's health will be at the
new home school by the time that the school year starts in September.
Q - If my child is in a specialized program class, when will those decisions be made?
A. - The Board's accommodation review decision redirected the location for a number of specialized
program classes (insert link here). Every year Learning Support Services reviews referrals for
specialized program classes and makes final placements based on the students' needs and home
locations. Those decisions will be made by the end of May. .
Q - When will I be able to apply for the International Baccalaureate Program at Merivale High
School?
A. - The application process for certification for this program will begin in the near future but it
could take up to two years to achieve final certification. It is hoped that the Grade
9 pre IB program would be implemented in September, 2019.
Q - Will there be any changes to the location of Continuing Education courses and
programs?
A. - Every year the Continuing Education advertises its programs and locations. Any changes
would be identified in these annual publications. For example, when students register for summer
school, the locations are indicated on the registration form.
If you have additional school council transition questions which you would like addressed,
please send them to me so that we can capture them all. We will include some questions and
answers in the newsletter and posting them to the district website. Questions that are unique
to your school should be directed to the school principal.
Math Facts - Doing Mathematics with Your Child (Kindergarten to
Grade 6)
Today, critical thinking, problem solving, reasoning ability and ability to communicate
mathematically are essential skills. These processes are the foundation of mathematics
instruction in Ontario schools. "Doing Mathematics with Your Child" is a guide available for
parents of students in Kindergarten to Grade 6. This guide offers ways to engage their child in
thinking and talking about mathematics around the four strands: number sense and
numeration, measurement, patterning and algebra, and data management and probability.
Please use this link to access the guide in English and 13 other languages!
Parents Reaching Out (PRO) Grants 2017-2018 - Deadline May
25th
Great news, the Ministry has announced the 2017-2018 Parents Reaching Out (PRO) grants
program. This year, special consideration will be given to proposals that promote increased
access and awareness of math strategies and resources for parents to support their children's
learning at home and at school. Special consideration will be given to eligible projects from
school councils that promote increased access to and awareness of math strategies and
resources for parents to support their children's learning at home and at school, or support the
engagement of parents from Indigenous or racialized communities, or encourage parent
engagement in promoting the value of arts, in support of student success. The deadline for the
2017-2018 PRO grant submissions is May 25, 2017. Applications must be submitted online.
For more information, please visit the Ministry website.
School Council - Insurance Coverage for Bouncy Castles
The District has purchased school council insurance on behalf of all OCDSB school councils.
However, if your school council is planning to use a bouncy castle, you must ensure the
vendor has liability insurance and that they are Technical Safety Standards Authority (TSSA)
certified. The vendor should be the only persons responsible for installing and running the
bouncy castle. Principals and school council representatives are cautioned not to sign any
agreement accepting all liability. Dunk tanks should not be used.
School Council Business
This week, the district completed a review of issues relating to the loss of school council funds.
While much of this information applies to the schools directly involved in the review, all school
councils will be interested in the lessons learned from this review and the next steps. The
following things were identified:
There is a need for more training, resources and supports for school administrators
and school councils, including chairs and treasurers, on overseeing school council
financial practices;
The district should consider strategies to reduce cash handling in schools;
The current school council finance policy assigns an oversight responsibilities to
principals, which is difficult if the school council banks separate from the
district. This could be addressed through a review of the current school council
financial policy to consider a requirement that all schools bank through the district;
There is a need for more consistent practice in how suspected thefts are investigated
once reported. This could be addressed by the developm ent of a procedure on the
steps to be taken when a loss of school council funds is reported - this would
include process, roles, responsibilities, communications, conditions for restitution,
etcetera;
Over the next few months as we consider next steps, more details will be provided.
School Council Finance Transition Questions
What happens to the school council in a school that is scheduled to close?
A school council is associated with a particular school. When a school is scheduled to close, the
school council plays a role in planning for the transition to the new school. Once the school closes,
the school council ceases to exist. The council will need to document their decisions about closure
related items by way of motion, close off their finances, and consolidate their records. The school
council records can be consolidated with the school records and managed in accordance with the
district retention schedule.
What happens with School Council Funds?
Generally speaking, school council funds follow students. For example, if school a is closing and all
students are being redirected to school b, the school council funds would go from school a to school
b. This becomes more complicated if students are being redirected to more than one school or if
only some students are being redirected. In these cases, the school council funds
follow the students on a proportionate basis. The Finance Department is working on a
new section of the School Council Finance Guide which will bring greater clarity to these issue s.
Watch for more information about this in the next two weeks.
Are there limitations on what school councils can spend money on if the school is closing?
Funds are supposed to be used for the purpose for which they were collected. If this is no longer
possible because of a pending closure, the council will need to have a school council discussion
about how to use the funds and will need to document any decisions made. Decisions about
spending or redirecting funds should be made by motion, documented in the minutes, and clearly
accounted for in financial records.
BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Meetings that Matter....
The next Committee of Whole Meeting will be on Tuesday, May 2nd at 7:30 p.m. at 133
Greenbank Road in the Boardroom. Read the full agenda here. Watch the meeting live here.
Board and Committee of the Whole Meetings
Please note there have been changes to the schedule for the Committee of the Whole Budget
meetings. The new schedule is as follows:
30 May 2017 - Presentation of the staff recommended budget (new date)
05 June 2017 - Public delegations and committee questions
12 June 2017 - Budget debate commences
19 June 2017 - Budget debate (if required) and recommendation to the Board Staff anticipates
the 2017-2018 Budget will be approved at the Board meeting of 26 June 2017.
* The timelines for registering as a delegation (4 minutes) at Budget Commitee have been
extended to noon Monday, June 4, 2017. To register in advance, please
contact nicole.guthrie@ocdsb.ca. Anyone can register just prior to the start of the meeting as
a 2 minute delegation.
Questions and comments relating to the Budget can be sent by email
to budgetinfo@ocdsb.ca.
Upcoming Meetings:
4/27/2017
6:00 PM Advisory Committee on Equity
5/2/2017
7:30 PM Committee of the Whole, Public
5/3/2017
7:00 PM Tentative: Advisory Committee for Extended Day & Child Care Program
5/4/2017
6:30 PM Student Senate
5/9/2017
6:00 PM A Date with Diversity
Boardroom Highlights can be found here.
EVENTS AND REMINDERS
Places to Go...Things to Remember
Clifford Bowey Public School: Parent and Caregiver Well-Being
Presentation - May 2
Tuesday, May 2 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Clifford Bowey Public School -1300 Kitchener Avenue
Parent and caregiver well-being will be the featured topic by Donna Thomson on Tuesday May
2ndat Clifford Bowey Public School. Donna is an author, consultant and disability activist. She
has presented at both the Skoll World Forum and the International Centre for Evidence in
Disability. To attend the presentation please RSVP to: cbpsschoolcouncil@gmail.com .
Social Networking and Online Security Talk with Paul Davis –
May 2
Tuesday May 2 from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Adrienne Clarkson Elementary School - 170 Stoneway Drive, Nepean
Topics include: Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Smartphones and Digital Trails,
Cyberbullying, Texting/Sexting, Online Gaming, Online Security. This information session is
brought to you by the ACES Parent Council. Registration: To register and get your FREE ticket
please click here: https://acespauldavispresentation.eventbrite.ca
Should you need childcare, a limited number of childcare spots will be provided for school
aged children free of charge during the event.
If you have any questions about the presentation or ticket ordering, please
contact acesschoolcouncil@gmail.com
Free Webinar - Recognizing and Supporting Anxiety in Students
with LDs - May 3
Wednesday, May 3 from 3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Online Webinar
This webinar will provide educators with an understanding of the relationship between anxiety
and LDs. Practical strategies for supporting the student with anxiety and LDs in primary,
elementary, and secondary school settings will be shared. Click here for more information and
to register for this webinar.
Ridgemont's Mental Health Symposium and Multicultural Pot-luck
Dinner - May 5
Friday, May 5 from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Ridgemont High School - 2597 Alta Vista Drive
Ridgemont's School Council presents, "Happy Minds...Happy Families" - a Mental Health
Symposium and Multicultural Pot-luck Dinner. Guest speakers include Mariam Meade (RN and
Relationship Counsellor) and Caroline Alince (student). There will be student performers and
student art exhibits will be on display.
Centennial Public School 50th Anniversary - May 6
Saturday, May 6 from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Centennial Public School - 376 Gloucester Street
Join the celebration!
10:00 a.m. Open House
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Welcome address; Refreshments
Rideau High School's 60th Reunion - May 5 and 6
Friday May 5 and Saturday May 6
Rideau High School's 60th Reunion Committee (RHS60RC) would like to invite everyone to
celebrate this milestone. On May 5th, we will be hosting a Pub and Memorabilia Night at
Rideau High School to remember the good times that were shared within the Rideau High
School community and have an opportunity for former students, teachers, support staff, and
community members to remember and reconnect with one another. On May 6th, we will be
hosting a Last Rideau Reunion Prom Night theme to celebrate and recognize Rideau High
School's graduation from its current stage in its lifecycle and give a formal celebratory farewell.
Learn more here. Join the Facebook group: Rideau High School 60th Anniversary
Le Phare Elementary School - Everyday Math Workshop - May 10
Wednesday, May 10 at 7:00 p.m.
Le Phare Elementary School - 1965 Naskapi Drive
Math is a big part of our everyday lives, and because of that, "sneaking" Math into our
children's lives is easy to do. This workshop will give you tips and tricks to incorporating Math
into your daily routines.
Interested in attending? Please RSVP at speakerlephare@gmail.com. Babysitting services
are available. Please be sure to include number and age of children in RSVP.
CHEO Workshops on MindMasters 2 at Alta Vista P.S. - May 11
Thursday, May 11 from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Alta Vista Public School - Main Gym - 1349 Randall Avenue
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. Attend any or all workshops. Child minding is available.
These tools can be modified for all ages. More information can be found here.
Fairy Godmother: Prom Attire - May 13
Saturday May 13 from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Confederation Education Centre - 1645 Woodroffe Avenue
Graduating high school students who are unable to purchase their own prom attire are eligible
to attend Fairy Godmother's Boutique Days. 1 Day Only - Saturday, May 13th. You must have
an appointment to attend a fitting. Book a fitting by calling 613.232.PROM or online
at http://fairygodmotherottawa.com/. More information here.
Henry Larsen Elementary School Annual Fun Fair - May 13
Saturday, May 13 from 10 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Henry Larsen Elementary School - 1750 Sunview Drive
Everyone is welcome to attend our annual fun fair. We have activities planned for everyone in the
family! There will be a BBQ, an ice cream truck, games, bouncy castles, a book sale, cake raffle
and a silent auction. All proceeds from the fun fair are going to our ongoing school yard
redevelopment project "Henry's Cool Yard". If you know any high school students looking for
volunteer hours, please have them contact us at henrylarsensc@gmail.com.
Brookfield High School: Talking Mental Health and Addictions in
Children and Youth - May 16
Tuesday, May 16 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Brookfield High School - 824 Brookfield Road
Brookfield High School's School Council invites you to attend an expert speaker's presentation
on children and youth mental health and addictions. Speakers are Mary Alexandrou, CHEO,
YouthNet and Natalie Markoff, PLEO. The event is free and open to all interested.
Free Webinar - Strategies to Support the Success of Students with
LDs on Exams and Standardized Tests - May 25
Thursday, May 25 from 3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Online Webinar
Exams and standardized tests can be stressful for students and staff in general, and in
particular, for students with learning disabilities (LDs). This webinar will focus on how
educators can prepare students with LDs to write exams or standardized tests and assist
educators in creating exams with content and formatting that is "necessary for some, and good
for all". Click here for more information and to register for this webinar.
Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School: 25 Year Anniversary and
Reunion - May 27
Saturday May 27 from 7:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School - 1515 Tenth Line Rd
All current and past student alumni and staff are welcome to attend. Check out the interactive
website at http://www.swl25.com/ Tickets for the event are on sale now.
Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School: Thriving in High School:
Dealing with Anxiety, Stress and Depression - May 31
Wednesday, May 31 from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School - 1515 Tenth Line Rd
A mental health seminar for parents/guardians and students will take place on Wednesday,
May 31st. The seminar is focused on teen anxiety and depression. Psychologist Dr. Jennifer
Karp will discuss understanding challenges faced by teens, including school avoidance,
bullying, and managing the demands of technology and social media. Please register for this
free seminar on Eventbrite at thrivinginhighschooltalk.eventbrite.ca
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