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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Council Update 2019/4/5 - # 28 (2)School Council Update #28 - April 5th, 2019 This month, students who are in grades four to twelve will have the chance to complete the OurSCHOOL Survey. This is an online survey which is completed at school. The survey is confidential and anonymous. It is administered every two years and provides really valuable information about student's sense of safety and belonging at school. This informs School Learning Plans, School Bullying Prevention plans and district strategies and practices. Watch for information about the survey from your school and read more on our website. The survey will be administered between April 23rd and May 10th, 2019. Parents can advise the school if they prefer their child not to participate. Important Information PA Day - April 12th, 2019 There will be a PA day on Friday, April 12th, for all OCDSB schools. Sikh Heritage Month April is an important month for the Sikh community. In this month, Sikh Canadians celebrate Vaisakhi, which marks the creation of the Khalsa and the Sikh articles of faith. Sikh Canadians widely celebrate Vaisakhi, also known as Khalsa Day, across Ontario. Sikh Heritage Month recognizes the important contributions that Sikh Canadians have made to Ontario's social, economic, political and cultural fabric. Sikh Heritage Month provides an opportunity for staff, students and community members to learn more about Sikh traditions and history, and celebrate the many contributions of Sikh Canadians. For more information visit:  Sikh Heritage Museum of Canada: Educational Resources  Sikhs in Canada  Sikh Community Services - Ottawa  Ottawa Sikh Academy Autism Awareness Month and Speaker Series April is World Autism Awareness Month. The goal of the month is to help in the building of stronger, more inclusive communities for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). We're taking this opportunity to celebrate the diversity of our students as we continue to promote inclusion and acceptance in our schools. Autism: An Information Night for Parents - Speaker Series Event Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sir Robert Borden High School - 131 Greenbank Road Individuals with autism often struggle with managing anxiety, anger, or depression, and increasingly, interventions are being used to help address these difficulties. However, these treatments are best provided within a context of promoting thriving and positive growth more generally in people across the spectrum. In his presentation, our Keynote Speaker Dr. Jonathan A. Weiss, Ph.D., C. Psych, will look at how to promote positive outcomes in youth with autism, by focusing on indicators such as happiness, satisfaction and resilience. Breakout sessions will be held as well following Dr. Weiss' presentation. These sessions are aimed at providing information on services and supports that are available through the Autism Spectrum Disorders Team within the OCDSB. Register Now Technology Speaker Series When Technology Takes Over: Navigating Through the Teen Years Thursday, May 2nd, 2019 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sir Robert Borden High School - 131 Greenbank Road This session offers parents practical strategies to encourage healthy use of technology in teens. This free information session will be led by Liz Parsons and Matt Young, Youth Service Managers from Rideauwood Addiction & Family Services. No registration required. Everyone is welcome. Free parking is available behind the school. Due to construction, please use the front/ main entrance. To learn more about OCDSB Speaker Series, click here. School Climate Survey 2019 for Students - April 23rd to May 10th, 2019 The OCDSB is committed to creating inclusive, safe and caring environments. As part of this commitment, along with direction from the Ministry, our schools administer school climate surveys to students at least once every two years. The purpose of a school climate survey is to better understand students’ perceptions about bullying, safety at school, and student engagement. Students who are in grades four to twelve will complete the OurSCHOOL Survey online at school between April 23rd and May 10th, 2019. Parents can advise the school if they prefer their child not to participate. Please visit our School Climate Survey webpage for more information and frequently asked questions. Continuing Education Newsletter - April to June 2019 Take a look at what's coming up in the Continuing Education Department this Spring and Summer. Reminders Stay Connected with your child's school with the OCDSB App The new OCDSB mobile app makes staying connected with your children’s school(s) easy and accessible: 1. Download the app. 2. Choose the school(s) you want to follow and gain access to school calendars and school news. 3. As a bonus you get busing information, cancellations or delays, school directory, emergency alert notifications and other communications. The SchoolMessenger app is available within the OCDSB app and will give you access to your child’s attendance, school-to-parent communications and more. Get the free OCDSB app at the App Store or for Android in the Google Play Store. 2019 OCDSB International Languages Summer Programs The OCDSB International Languages Summer Programs are open for registration. They will be running from July 2nd to 26th, 2019. Reserve your spot today! Proposed 2019-2020 School Year Calendar - Subject to Ministry Approval For those looking to start planning for next year, the proposed calendar for the 2019-2020 school year is now available on our website. 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. Parents 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 the School News section of our website to learn about some of the great things happening in our schools! Ridgemont High School’s Sports Swap and Bazaar - April 13th, 2019 Ridgemont High School Council is pleased to be hosting a Sports Swap and Bazaar on Saturday, April 13th, from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm. The event will also feature a silent auction and bake sale. Come out and celebrate Spring and support community schools! Visit our website to learn more. 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. Board and Committee of the Whole Meetings The next public Committee of the Whole meeting will be on April 16th, 2019. Read the full agenda here. Watch the meeting live here. Upcoming Committee Meetings: 04/10/2019 7:00 PM Special Education Advisory Committee 04/16/2019 7:30 PM Committee of the Whole, Public 04/17/2019 6:00 PM Parent Involvement Committee 04/18/2019 8:00 PM Indigenous Education Advisory Committee 04/23/2019 7:30 PM Board, Public 04/24/2019 7:00 PM Advisory Committee on Extended Day and Child Care Programs 04/25/2019 6:00 PM Advisory Committee on Equity 04/29/2019 7:00 PM Advisory Committee on the Arts Read our Boardroom Highlights here.