HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Council Update 2018/10/26 - # 8School Council Update #8 - October 26th, 2018
Many school councils have been in touch about the status of the Parents Reaching
Out Grants. Upon reading media reports that they were "paused", the OCDSB
asked for clarification from the Ministry. We have not yet received a response to our
inquiry, but will share that information as soon as we are informed.
This week I participated in the Ministry of Education Telephone Town Hall. It was
interesting to hear the feedback from participants and to share thoughts as both a
parent and an education administrator. I took the opportunity to express concern
about the uncertainty of funding for PRO Grants and reiterated how important that
funding is to support the work of schools councils and parent involvement
committees.
I encourage all parents to participate in the Ministry Consultation. There are three
ways to participate:
Register for the town hall here.
Complete the Ministry online submission form
Complete the recently released survey.
Additional details can be found here.
Important Information
Municipal Elections 2018 Results
Municipal and School Board Elections took place in Ottawa on Monday, October 22nd, 2018.
The following individuals have been elected for a four-year term beginning December
1st, 2018 and ending on November 14th, 2022.*
Zone 1 - Lynn Scott
Zone 2 - Christine Boothby
Zone 3 - Donna Blackburn
Zone 4 - Wendy Hough
Zone 5 - Rob Campbell
Zone 6 - Chris Ellis
Zone 7 - Jennifer Jennekens
Zone 8 - Keith Penny
Zone 9 - Lyra Evans
Zone 10 - Erica Braunovan
Zone 11 - Mark Fisher
Zone 12 - Sandra Schwartz
*Unofficial results to be confirmed by the City of Ottawa.
Congratulations to the trustees elect and to everyone who was a candidate for the office of
OCDSB trustee. The new Board of Trustees will be sworn in on December 3rd, 2018. In the
interim, the current Board of Trustees will continue in office.
Members of the community are invited to join us to celebrate the work of the current Board of
Trustees at their last official Board meeting on November 20th, 2018 and to celebrate the
inauguration of the newly elected Board on December 3rd, 2018.
Voila Live Virtual Campus
Every evening from Monday to Thursday, students have online access to live teachers to
practice their French, and to get homework help in French, English and Math.
The Virtual Immersion Campus will be open Monday to Thursday (October 1st, 2018, to May
31st, 2019, excluding school breaks) from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (EST) for homework help and
French practice. You can send your child’s homework to homework@voilalearning.combefore
accessing the platform.
Your child can also practice their French and play live, communicative games in French on the
platform, all while earning points.
Registering for Voilà Live is easy! All you have to do is:
1. Visit http://voilalearning.com/en/free-online-tutoring/
2. Click on ‘My school board is registered’
3. Complete the form and use the code: OCDSB0
4. You will receive an email with the link to download the platform on your computer.
Reminders
Provincial Consultations: Education in Ontario
The Ministry of Education's consultation on reform includes a series of 90 minute telephone
town halls across Ontario.
Register for the town hall here. Additional details can be found here.We encourage all
interested parents and/or school councils to provide input into this consultation. Please
complete the Ministry online submission form and/or participate in the telephone town hall
meetings.
OCDSB International Certificate Program Information Session
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board’s International Certificate Program (ICP) gives
students direct access to intercultural opportunities at the local, national, and international
levels. Join us at our upcoming information session on Thursday, November 15th from 6:30
p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Confederation Education Centre Cafetorium - 1645 Woodroffe Avenue.
Visit our website to learn more.
Eastern Ontario FASD Symposium:
Mental Health through the FASD Lifespan
The 2nd Annual Eastern Ontario FASD Symposium: Mental Health through the FASD
Lifespan, will be held on Saturday November 3rd, 2018 at Wabano Centre for Aboriginal
Health, and will feature keynote speaker Dr. Brenda M. Knight. Register today to reserve your
spot. A special event with Dr. Knight, Care for the Caregiver: An Evening for Caregivers of
Individuals with FASD and/or other Brain-Based Disabilities is also taking place, on Friday
November 2nd, 2018 at the Children's Aid Society of Ottawa. Further information can be
found here.
School Ground Greening Workshops 2018-2019
Join us for a free series of inspiring workshops designed to help you plan a successful and
sustainable school ground greening project. Workshops are run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
at Immaculata High School - 140 Main Street. These workshops are co-presented with
OCDSB School Ground Design Consultant, Jeff Kaster.
To Register
Email your name, school and contact details to Andrew Harvey, aharvey@evergreen.ca. For
more information, call Andrew Harvey, Evergreen School Ground Design Consultant at 613-
894-2540. Visit our website for more information of these workshops.
Did you know about the Canada Learning Bond?
The Canada Learning Bond offered by the Government of Canada helps parents get a head start
in saving for their child's education after high school. This could be as much as $2,000 for your
child's Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP). After high school, your child can withdraw the
money to help pay for either full-time or part-time studies. Learn more here.
RBC's Hackers, Hipsters, and Hustlers Workshop
If you're between the ages of 15-29 and considering a career in technology, join RBC & Invest
Ottawa for a free workshop! The Hackers, Hipsters and Hustlers workshop is being held on
October 27th at Bayview Yards from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. You will learn about the app
development and design process using FluidUI in tech teams, for a chance to win an RBC
VISA gift card. No coding experience necessary! For more information and to register
now click here.
Ottawa Public Health (OPH) Immunization
All children attending school between ages 4 to 17 need to be immunized according
to Ontario's Immunization Schedule. Learn more here.
School Council Information
Annual Report - Due October 30th, 2018
School Councils are required to submit an annual report to the District on its activities,
including fundraising. The school council annual report is a requirement included in the
"School Opening Documentation" process conducted by the principal.
On or before October 30th, 2018, please submit your school council annual report to your
school principal and forward a copy to Policy Analyst Engy Abdel Masieh either by e-mail
at engy.abdel.masieh@ocdsb.ca, or by mail to 133 Greenbank Road, Ottawa, ON K2H 6L3.
Important Information for School Councils
School Council Resource Guide
School Council Funds Management Guide
School Council Insurance
School News
There are a lot of amazing events going on in our district. Check out our
new School News section of the website to learn about the great things happening
in our schools!
Knoxdale Ski and Skate Swap
Knoxdale Public School is hosting their annual Ski and Skate Swap on Saturday,
October 27th, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. It will be taking place at the school - 170
Greenbank Rd. This is a community event and is open to everyone to buy or sell
equipment. Come on out to sell your old equipment or to buy some ‘new to you’
skis, snowboards, boots or skates. We look forward to helping outfit your family for
another Ottawa winter! The Knoxdale Community School Council is still looki ng for
volunteers to help at the event, for equipment sorting, sales, and clean-up. If
you're interested you can sign up here.
Want to spread the word about your event? Send us an email
at: schoolnewslettersinfo@ocdsb.ca. We will help publicize your events on our
website.
Dates to Remember
School Year Calendar
The 2018-2019 school year elementary and secondary calendars are available on
our website, and a hard copy was distributed to students and staff. The highlights
include School Holidays, PA Days, and District-wide Secondary Testing.
2018 Parent Conference and
School Council Training Day -
November 3, 2018
The 2018 Parent Conference and School Council Training Day will take place on Saturday,
November 3rd, 2018 at Gloucester High School.
We're very excited to announce Dr. Peg Dawson Ed. D, Co-author of Smart but Scattered, as
our Featured Keynote Speaker.
At the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board we have identified a set of 10 characteristics and
skills, called Exit Outcomes, that they believe are essential not only for school success but for
success in life beyond the classroom. Dr. Dawson has identified a set of 11 executive skills
that are critical to effective learning. In this presentation, Dr. Dawson will draw connections
between these two sets of skills and will present tips and strategies that parents can use to
help their children grow the executive skills they need, not only to navigate their educational
path successfully, but also to be prepared for life after their schooling ends. Schooling at its
best is a partnership between parents and teachers—and the students themselves. This
presentation will provide a framework for building that partnership.
The day is designed to encourage discussion, embrace new ways of doing things and
networking with your neighbours. Workshops will cover a variety of themes including Math,
Learning, Special Education. School Council Training will include Best Practices for School
Councils, Constitution Writing, School Council Finances and more.
Register Now!
OCDSB Speaker Series - Ottawa Public Health Sessions - Cannabis
Cannabis will be legal in Canada as of October 17th, 2018. This may lead to questions from
your teen. You may have questions as well.
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, in conjunction with Ottawa Public Health, is
hosting free public information sessions for parents to learn more about cannabis, the new
legislation, how to talk to your youth, as well as provide information on resources and
services available to you and your teen.
November 6th, 2018 -
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Longfields-Davidson Heights Secondary School — 149 Berrigan Drive, Nepean, ONK2J 5C6
Can't make it to one of our sessions? More sessions are available through the Ottawa
Catholic School Board, Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario and Conseil des
écoles Catholiques du Centre-Est.
Learn about additional sessions here.
Board and Committee of the Whole Meetings
The next Public Board meeting will be on October 30th, 2018. Read the full agenda here.
Watch the meeting live here.
Upcoming Committee Meetings:
10/30/2018 7:30 PM Board, Public
11/06/2018 7:30 PM Committee of the Whole
11/14/2018 7:00 PM Special Education Advisory Committee
11/15/2018 6:00 PM Indigenous Education Advisory Council
11/20/2018 7:30 PM