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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Council Update 2019/2/23 - # 23School Council Update #23 - February 22nd, 2019 In recent weeks, we have been responding to many school council questions about insurance and other school council related matters. We have updated the insurance information on our website and included more details in the School Council section of this newsletter. There are lots of good resources for school councils on our website - here are a few links you might be interested in:  School Council Resource Guide  School Council Funds Management Guide  School Council Tips This week, we are excited to host our Speaker Series "Unstoppable You" with the very dynamic Tracy Schmitt Watch this video to see Tracy in action. The session is on Thursday, February 28th from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Earl of March Secondary School. Hope to see you there! Important Information OCDSB 2019 Community Member Recognition Awards Volunteers make such an important contribution to our schools. The OCDSB Community Member Recognition Awards are a great opportunity for you to recognize that individuals in your school or community who make a difference. If you know a community member, parents, volunteer, or business partner who has made a difference please consider nominating them through our formal recognition awards program. Online nomination form should be completed no later than 4:00 p.m. Friday, March 29th, 2019. The 2019 awards will be presented at the Volunteer Appreciation Reception and Community Recognition Awards Ceremony on Thursday, June 13th, 2019, at 6:30 p.m. in the Cafetorium at the Confederation Education Centre. Learn more about our Award Categories Community Award This Award is granted in recognition of outstanding efforts of a member of the Ottawa- Carleton District School Board community in developing an initiative that directly supports the well-being of our students. Nominated by Trustees, school councils, the Ottawa-Carleton Assembly of School Councils (OCASC), Parent Involvement Committee (PIC), members of the public and OCDSB staff. Community Partnership Award Granted in recognition of outstanding partnership/support from a community agency or business over an extended period of years or through a significant initiative that has directly benefited OCDSB students. Nominated by Trustees, school councils, the Ottawa-Carleton Assembly of School Councils (OCASC), Parent Involvement Committee (PIC), members of the public and OCDSB staff. Distinguished School Council Service Award This Award is granted in recognition of the outstanding efforts of a school council or school council member for making a significant contribution to enhancing the learning experience of students at a school and/or system level. Nominated by Trustees, school councils, the Ottawa-Carleton Assembly of School Councils (OCASC), Parent Involvement Committee (PIC), members of the public and OCDSB staff. Excellence in Equity Award This award recognizes the contribution of a parent, volunteer, business community member of organization to support the alignment and integration of equity and inclusive educational principles and practice over an extended period of years or through a significant initiative that has directly benefited OCDSB students. Nominated by Trustees, school councils, the Ottawa- Carleton Assembly of School Councils (OCASC), Parent Involvement Committee (PIC), members of the public and OCDSB staff. Volunteer of the Year Award This Award is granted in recognition of the substantial contribution of a parent volunteer or community volunteer over an extended period of years or through a single significant initiative that has had a positive impact on students. OCDSB employees or those who are paid for their services are not eligible to be nominated in this category. Nominated by Trustees, school councils, the Ottawa-Carleton Assembly of School Councils (OCASC), Parent Involvement Committee (PIC), members of the public and OCDSB staff. Chair’s Award The Chair’s Award is presented annually for the substantial contribution of an Ottawa-Carleton District School Board staff member and/or a community member to the achievement of the aims and objectives of the Board over an extended period of years. **Please note, nominations for the Chair’s Award are made by the Board of Trustees. OCDSB Students Receive 2019 Global Community Alliance Youth Achievement Award Three OCDSB students are being honoured with the Youth Achievement Award presented by the Global Community Alliance. Uyanga Darkhanbaatar, Ronika Dhillon, and Samantha Lin will be receiving awards at the gala on Saturday, February 23rd at the Ottawa Marriott Hotel. Uyanga Darkhanbaatar is an accomplished Gloucester High School student. She is the President of the Interac Rotary Club, a member of the International Certificate Program, and has done volunteer work in both Canada and Mongolia. Through her role with Rotary, Uyanga has helped raise significant funds to help eradicate polio and earned the school a Rotary Citation. Ronika Dhillon is a grade 12 student at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School. She is the lead executive member of the school’s Diversity and Equity Club known as E.S.N.C.E (Evolving Spirits & Nurturing Cultural Equality). Ronika is renowned for helping those in need, fighting for what is right, correcting injustices, promoting diversity and celebrating kindness. Samantha Lin is a Colonel By Secondary School student enrolled in the prestigious IB Program who still finds time for athletics, drama and school governance. She advocates for student's voice and fosters a climate of acceptance and well-being. Her work on Student Senate and as a Student Trustee has encouraged others to get involved and make a difference. The OCDSB congratulates our students for all their hard work and accomplishments. Secondary Course Selection Educational planning is very important to success in high school. Making informed decisions will help students to choose the most appropriate courses for their strengths, interests and abilities. Our Online Secondary School Course Guide allows students to review the courses offered at their secondary school. Efficient and up-to-date, this format offers students & parents quick and easy access to:  Course descriptions and specific course offerings at all of our secondary schools;  Information about secondary pathways, programs and prerequisites;  Graduation requirements; and  General information to help students and parents navigate through secondary course selections. This article on Navigating Secondary Pathways from the People for Education website also provides a good resource for students and parents. Each school takes on this process individually in terms of deadlines, however all course selection should be completed before March Break. Specific dates by school can be found by either contacting the school directly, or by looking on their website. Reminders Math Information Session for Parents Do you know the difference between academic math and applied math for your child? Come see a free demonstration lesson of each class type on Tuesday, February 26th from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The session will be held in the library at Sir Robert Borden High School - 133 Greenbank Road, Nepean. OCDSB Speaker Series - Free Information Session UNSTOPPABLE YOU with Unstoppable Tracy Schmitt February 28th, 2019 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Earl of March Secondary School, 4 The Parkway, Kanata No matter where you are in life, sometimes you just need to be inspired. Join us and “Unstoppable Tracy” as she shares how you can use humour and motivation to crush your obstacles and soar to the top! Visit our website for additional details. Black History Month 2019 February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate Black culture and history, and to reflect on the significant contributions Black Canadians have made to building Canada. Take a look at our website to learn more about the work we are doing to implement the motion and some of the events happening in our schools this month. There are also many community events noted on the calendar of Black History Ottawa. Mayor for a Day Contest 2019 Ottawa’s Mayor Jim Watson and Youth Ottawa want to hear what high school students love about living in Ottawa, and their ideas for how to make it an even better place to live. Applicants must submit their entry online by 7 pm on Thursday February 28th, 2019. For further information, visit the website. Governor General's History Award for Excellence in Teaching Each year, Canada’s History Society recognizes 6 teachers for innovative approaches to teaching Canadian history. Applications are due April 1st, 2019. Visit CanadasHistory.ca/GGAward for more information. If you have any questions please contact Joanna Dawson at jdawson@canadashistory.ca or 204-988-9300 x.225 Smart Start Youth Summit - March 16th & 17th Smart Start Youth Summit is a free, all-expenses paid weekend leadership retreat. It equips 180 youth aged 13-24 from the National Capital Region with the tools and information they need to have a smart start into their future. For application details and FAQs visit the website. Paint it Up! - Funding Available for Mural Art Projects Funding is available for outdoor mural art projects that support graffiti prevention, youth empowerment, community safety and the beautification of Ottawa neighbourhoods. For more information, please visit crimepreventionottawa.ca for the program guidelines and application form. Applications must be received on April 2nd, 2019. Continuing Education - Winter Newsletter Check out the Continuing Education Newsletter for February 2019, and have a look at what is coming up this Winter. Ottawa Public Health (OPH) Immunization All children attending school between ages 4 to 17 need to be immunized according to Ontario's Immunization Schedule. OPH has the authority to suspend from attending school students for whom OPH does not have a record of immunization. Suspension orders were mailed to households on January 25th, 2019 (Grades 7 - 12) and are scheduled to be enforced on February 20th, 2019. Parents seeking more information can contact OPH by phoning 613-580-6744 or visit parentinginottawa.ca/immunization. Learn more here. School Council Information School Council Liability Insurance The following text serves to clarify the difference in insurance coverage between the School Council’s liability insurance, and the District’s liability insurance. The School Council Liability Insurance, paid for by the District, applies when members of School Council (as defined in the School Council Constitution) are acting within the scope of their duties, and the event is organized and controlled by the school council. Coverage exclusions, under this policy, include, but not limited to, pyrotechnics and fireworks, sports teams and all organized sport activities, skiing, fitness training, gymnastics, and stage/prop construction. If school councils engage in activities beyond the scope of their duties, e.g. running music programs, social activities, or sports clubs, they are advised to:  Not use the school name and clearly stating, in any correspondence to parents, that it is not a school sanctioned event;  Purchase an additional insurance policy, as the event is not covered the School Council Liability Insurance;  If using the school or school property, book the space through the Community  Use of Schools (CUS) department;  Consider using a consent form for persons participating in the event; and  Consider a vetting process for all volunteers. The District’s insurance policy provides liability coverage for school council members only when they are acting as volunteers to a principal-approved, organized and supervised event. For more information, please check the School Council Insurance webpage. Should you have any questions, please contact the Risk Management Team. 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! Colonel By Secondary School presents Chicago! - February 27th to March 1st, 2019 Colonel By Secondary School is proud to present their 2019 musical production, Chicago: High School Edition! The musical will be running from February 27th to March 1st, and tickets are $10. Each show will be starting at 7:00 p.m. Inquiries can be made by calling the school at (613) 745-9411. All proceeds from the musical will be going to the Colonel By Musical Theater Program. 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 Calendars The 2018-2019 school year elementary and secondary calendars are available on our website. The highlights include School Holidays, PA Days, and District-wide Secondary Testing.