HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Council Update 2017/05/26 - #34School Council Newsletter
May 26, 2017
WHAT'S NEW...
Congratulations to the Ottawa Senators on their amazing playoff run! Across the district,
students and staff were actively showing their support for the Sens and connecting community
events to character building and to the curriculum. Take a look at a this CTV news story and
video of students at Roberta Bondar Public School.
Physical activity is an important part of our well-being. Many students and staff will be
participating in the Ottawa Race Weekend. If you are a runner, watch for our student
volunteers at water stations. If you are a participant - cheer on all those kids. A special shout-
out to the 61 students from Chapman Mills Public School who are competing in the 1 km run
on Sunday morning. Go Comets!
Alta Vista/ Hunt Club Review - Community Meeting - May 29
Ridgemont High School - 2597 Alta Vista Drive - Cafeteria
Monday, May 29, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Note Change in Time)
Childcare will be available
A reminder that the school district will be hosting a Community Input Meeting on May 29th for
families and community members in the Alta Vista Hunt Club Accommodation Review
area. The meeting is an opportunity to learn more about the review process and to share
thoughts about the schools and community. This input will be important in developing the
options presented in the staff report planned for September. You can see the agenda and
learn more on our website and through our Frequently Asked Questions.
Community Recognition Awards and Volunteer Appreciation
Reception
Wednesday, May 31 at 6:30 p.m.
Confederation Education Centre - 1645 Woodroffe Avenue
I hope to see you this week at the Community Recognition Awards and Volunteer Appreciation
Reception. This is a chance to recognize all of the 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.
Ministry of Education Accessibility Consultation
The Ministry of Education is surveying parents, students and educators about how to support
special education needs and accessible education. This survey will help to inform the
implementation of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, and its goal of an
accessible Ontario by 2025. This accessibility standard will help us address barriers in
education that prevent children and students from reaching their full potential. Please consider
completing and sharing this survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/EducationSurveyEN
Drug Use
The school district is actively working with Ottawa Public Health and Ottawa Police Services to
raise awareness about drug use in our community. We all need to be concerned about the
recent rapid increase in opioid use in Ottawa. This week, Ottawa Public Health began a
focused campaign about the importance of securing prescription drugs to avoid illicit use.
Parents are a child's best defense against drug use. The top two things that a parent or
guardian can do is to be informed about drug issues and talk to your kids about drugs. Make
sure that you secure prescription medications in your home - two-thirds of Ottawa students
who used prescription drugs got the drug from someone they live with. For more information,
please visit our website.
Curriculum and Ministry Documents for Parents - Multiple
Languages
The Ministry of Education has many curriculum (K-12) and other documents on its website that
parents might be interested in. Translations are available in multiple languages. Take a look.
25 ideas to increase diversity of your school council
OCISO has been working with schools for many years to increase the involvement of parents,
especially diverse parents, in the school. They have compiled a list of suggestions for effective
ways for School Councils to use the $500 grant to increase the involvement of diverse parents
in your school and School Council. These initiatives will also go a long way towards increasing
the participation of all parents in your School Council. Click here to view the poster.
Parents Reaching Out (PRO) Grants 2017-2018 - Deadline
EXTENDED - June 15
The 2017-2018 Parents Reaching Out (PRO) grants program deadline is approaching. 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 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 June 15, 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.
Facts for Garage Sale Vendors
Spring is a popular time for schools to hold fund raising activities. One activity that has
attracted the attention of Health Canada from a safety perspective is garage sale s. Health
Canada has released a memorandum entitled "Facts for Garage Sale Vendors" which clearly
states the following: "Everyone holding a garage sale is legally responsible for ensuring that
products sold, whether new or used, are safe and meet current safety standards. Damaged
articles should be discarded." In addition, the Hazardous Products Act places safety
requirements on certain products, particularly those intended for use by children - it is against
the law to import, sell, give away or lend products that do not meet this Act. Some of the most
common products that often appear in garage sales that must meet the Hazardous Products
Act include (but are not limited to) the following:
Baby Gates - certain designs can result in strangulation hazards
Baby Walkers (these devices have been illegal to sell in Canada since April 2004)
Child Car Seats - seats must meet the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
Children's Jewelry - lead is often used in the decorative paint or the materials used to
manufacture inexpensive jewelry
Children's Sleepwear - loose fitting cotton fabrics may not meet flammability
requirements.
Baby Cribs - cribs made before September 1986 are illegal to sell under the law.
Lawn darts - illegal to sell if they have elongated
tips.
Playpens, Baby Carriages/Strollers made before 1985
Toys - may present choking hazards, sharp protrusions, disrepair - beware of recalled
toy
Toys or Science kits with magnets - can create intestinal blockage if swallowed
Bicycle, rollerblading, equestrian helmets - designed for a single impact and should not
be re-sold
BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Meetings that Matter....
The next Committee of Whole - Budget Meeting will be on Tuesday, May 30 at 7:00 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 Committee have been
extended to noon Monday, June 4, 2017. To register in advance, please
contactnicole.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:
5/29/2017 6:30
PM Public Meeting re Alta Vista/Hunt Club Accommodation
Review
5/29/2017 7:00
PM Advisory Committee on the Arts
5/30/2017 7:00
PM Committee of the Whole, Budget
5/31/2017 7:00
PM Alternative Schools Advisory Committee
6/1/2017 6:30
PM Student Senate
6/5/2017 7:00
PM Committee of the Whole, Budget
Boardroom Highlights can be found here.
EVENTS AND REMINDERS
Places to Go...Things to Remember
Robert Hopkins Public School Annual Fun Fair - May 27
Saturday, May 27 from 10 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Robert Hopkins Public School - 2011 Glenfern Ave.
Join us for our fantastic annual Fun Fair - it's less than 2 weeks away! We have a few new
surprises including Princesses, professional face painters, and Menchie's Frozen Yogurt, as
well as lots of old favourites. So mark Sat. May 27th from 10-2 on your calendar. You won't
want to miss it!!! This will be the last year for the beloved pony rides so come early and head
there first. Then enjoy our bouncy castle, activity tables, games, and BBQ. And be sure to
check out all the fabulous items we have up for Silent Auction! All proceeds from the fun fair &
silent auction are going to our Kinder yard improvement project. For more information, contact
us at roberthopkinsparentcouncil@gmail.com .
Ottawa Community Forum: Let's Talk Better Schools - May 30
Tuesday May 30 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Marconi Centre - 1026 Baseline Rd
The Elementary Teachers' Federation is hosting a meeting about how public schools can
better serve our children, families and communities. Discussion will be open to many topics
including class size, standardized testing, supporting our special needs students as well as
concerns that you bring to this event.
Join parents, community groups and others to share ideas with us on how to build better public
schools in Ontario. Learn more here. This Community Forum is being organized by Ottawa-
Carleton ETFO/FEEO and OCEOTA.
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
Indigenous Youth Symposium - June 1
Thursday, June 1 from 9:15 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Confederation Education Centre - 1645 Woodroffe Avenue
The First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Team at the OCDSB is pleased to present the first
Indigenous Youth Symposium! We hope to instill Pride in Indigenous Identity & Collect
Student Voice to drive instruction District-wide.
Digital Mathematics: Bringing Google g(Math) into the Classroom -
June 1
Thursday, June 1 from 3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Online Webinar
Math is often seen as a subject which has little compatibility with our digital age, and is best
completed using pen and page. The main barrier is the lack of an efficient way to input
mathematical nomenclature, which leads many teachers and students to take a more
antiquated approach, creating a massive accessibility gap. Presented by: Keirsten Pugh, OCT,
LEARNstyle Ltd.
Summerside Summerfest - June 3
Saturday, June 3 from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Summerside Public School - 2350 Portobello Boulevard, Orleans
In celebration of a successful first year of operation, the Summerside Public School Parent
Council is organizing a year-end community event. There will be various activities for the
community to enjoy at the event: magician, balloon artist, inflatable obstacle course, bouncy
castle, video game truck, radical science, summer camp demonstrations, high school musical
bands, Sir Wilfred Laurier robotics, broadcasting and other program demonstrations, food truck
and dessert cart. There will also be basket raffles, photo booth and a fire truck visit. The entire
OCDSB and surrounding communities are invited to attend and help us celebrate the
achievements of the kids, school and community. We're looking forward to see you all there.
Century Public School 50th Anniversary Celebration- June 7
Wednesday, June 7, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Century Public School - 8 Redpine Drive
Enjoy the talent show and displays showcasing Century's 50 years. Ray's Reptiles and Grill
Master Food truck will also be at the school.
Coping Skills for Parents and Guardians - June 7
Tuesday, June 7 from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Merivale High School - 1755 Merivale Rd. at Viewmount
Featuring speakers: Shontelle Prokipcak, Social Worker, Mental Health and Addiction Services
of Ottawa. This workshop is supported by a Parent Reaching Out (PRO) Grant via the Ministry
of Ontario.
Half Moon Bay PS Fun Day! - June 8
Thursday, June 8 from 5:00 - 7:00pm
Half Moon Bay Public School - 3525 River Run Drive
You are invited to join us as Half Moon Bay Public School hosts its first annual end of year Fun
Day! There will be games galore: inflatable obstacle course, bouncy truck, Kids Fitness
League Body Zorbs and Hamster Ball, Teacher Sponge Throw, Egg & Spoon Race, Three-
Legged Race, Potato Sack Race, Obstacle Course, Face Painting, Raffle Table, and Fun
Photo Booth! You and your family can also enjoy a variety of food from Nando's, Big D's,
Pizza e Panini and The Merry Dairy. So grab your picnic blanket and get ready for some fun
while we celebrate the completion of a fantastic inaugural year! (*The event will be held
indoors if it rains.)
Admission fee and all proceeds go to Half Moon Bay School Council.
Goulbourn Middle School 50th Anniversary - June 14
Wednesday, June 14 from 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Goulbourn Middle School - 2176 Huntley Road.
We invite all former and current students, parents, staff, and volunteers of Goulbourn Middle
School to come out and celebrate with us. We look forward to opening the school and sharing
in your memories. Join for party games, school tours and cake and ice cream!
RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/mhrnfym
D. Aubrey Moodie Intermediate School Closing Ceremony –
June 16
Friday, June 16 from 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
D.Aubrey Moodie Intermediate School - 595 Moodie Drive
Current and former parents/guardians, staff, students and community members are invited to
celebrate the amazing years of memories.
National Aboriginal Day - June 21
June 21st is a nationally recognized day that gives people a chance to learn more about
Indigenous people and their contributions towards the country's development and progress. It
is a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and
outstanding contributions of First Nations, Métis and Inuit. Celebrations are scheduled across
the country. This link can be used to find events in Ottawa - http://aboriginaldaylive.ca/ottawa/
Glashan Public School 125th Year Anniversary - June 22
Thursday, June 22 from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Glashan Public School - 28 Arlington Avenue
Glashan is celebrating it's 125th anniversary on Thursday, June 22, 2017. Former and current
students, staff and families are invited to attend this important event at Glashan School (28
Arlington Avenue) from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. followed by a post celebration at the Ottawa
Curling Club (440 O'Connor St.) from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Elizabeth Park Public School Closing Ceremony - June 27
Tuesday, June 27, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Elizabeth Park Public School - 15 De Niverville Drive
Current and former parents/guardians, staff, students and community members are invited to
enjoy outdoor games and food.
Continuing Education Newsletter - May/June 2017
Check out the Continuing Education Newsletter for May/June 2017. We invite you to take a
look at what is coming up in our department for 2017! It is totally interactive, so please click
anywhere to be linked to our website for more information on all of our programs.
Summer Language Programs and Camps - Fun with Languages!
Give your child the opportunity to have an enriching and fun language learning experience this
summer! The OCDSB offers various International Language classes over the summer. These
language classes are free for students currently enrolled in Ontario schools.
Classes run from July 24-28th in the mornings (9:30 a.m. to 12 noon). Please call 613-239-
2703 or check here for details on both of these programs.
Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB) Mobile Eye Clinic program for
school children.
The CCB Mobile Eye Clinic program gives school children an opportunity to have a
comprehensive eye examination performed by an optometrist in school, eliminating the need
for parents to take time off work, and ensuring that all children receive appropriate vision care.
The CCB has operated successful clinics in a number of elementary schools in Ottawa,
Cornwall, Pembroke, and surrounding areas of Eastern Ontario. Eventually, it hopes to bring
Mobile Eye Clinics to schools across Canada. Watch the video
at https://youtu.be/d3Zvg2upaOI to better understand how the program works and how it has
helped children and their parents.
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.
Have a good weekend. Ramadan Mubarak!
Thanks,
Michele
About this Newsletter
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Michele Giroux
Executive Officer, Corporate Services
Ottawa-Carleton District School Board
613-596-8211 ext. 8607
michele.giroux@ocdsb.ca