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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Council Update 2019/5/5 - # 32School Council Update #32 - May 3rd, 2019 It's May and that is a busy time in schools! Next week is Education Week and Mental Health week. This newsletter is full of upcoming events that you might want to note on your calendar. A couple of other things we wanted to ensure school councils were aware of...  PRO Grants - we don't have any specific details at this point, but based on the information the province shared in the Grants for Student Nee ds, we believe that funding for PRO grants will continue. We are trying to confirm the details and will let school councils know as soon as possible.  Draft Strategic Plan - on Tuesday there will be a Report to Committee of the Whole presenting our Draft Strategic Plan. This plan was developed based on the input from the community. Over the next month, we will be inviting stakeholders to provide feedback on the draft plan. We encourage you to take a look. Important Information Flood Update There is a finally a break in what is being described as one of the worst floods in Ottawa’s history. The Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board, which controls and monitors the river, is reporting water levels have peaked in Ottawa-Gatineau. Some of the emergency measures put in place are being lifted as water levels slowly start to drop in most areas. Mayor, Jim Watson is asking volunteers to take a much-needed rest as their efforts will be needed in the coming days to help with clean operations. OCDSB students and staff are being praised for their commitment to the community. Students and staff from several schools answered the call for help and some formed human chains to help with packing and passing sandbags to soldiers and neighbours to help stop the raging river. Cairine Wilson Secondary School students were on the front-lines on the first day of the flood waters. At West Carleton High School, students demonstrated their commitment to building citizenship by packing in excess of 11,000 sandbags in one day. Hillcrest High School sent over 100 students (of which 17 students were from the Canadian International School of Egypt) to help in flood prevention activities. The Egyptian students are part of their friendship partnership with the school. Local and National Media highlighted some of the community outreach that happened in OCDSB schools: https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/extraordinary-efforts-by-volunteers-to-help-with-flood-relief- 1.4400387 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/flood-cumberland-students-cairine-wilson-1.5115403 https://www.ottawamatters.com/local-news/west-carleton-students-pitch-in-on-sandbag- efforts-1399914 Our hearts are with those directly affected by flooding and our sincere gratitude to all who have volunteered to assist with flooding or flood prevention. Education Week 2019 - May 6th to 10th Education Week takes place during the first full week in May. It's an annual event celebrated by school boards and schools across the province. This is a time for students, teachers and parents to celebrate teaching excellence and student achievement. This year’s theme is “Education that works for you". Our schools have many activities planned to celebrate student learning. These include class discussions, assemblies, guest speakers, and more. Parents should check school websites and/or newsletters for more information about events at their child's school. Mental Health Week 2019 - May 6th to 10th May 6th to 12th is Mental Health Week. This is an annual event that encourages people to learn, talk, reflect and engage with others on issues related to mental health. Mental health is about having a sense of purpose, strong relationships, feeling connected to our communities, knowing who we are, coping with stress, and enjoying life. At the OCDSB we recognize the important relationship between mental health & academic performance. We work together to promote mental health and well-being in our students and our staff. This week we encourage everyone to #haveTHATtalk about what mental health really is - a state of well-being in which we flourish and thrive. Let's think about what we are thankful for and what brings us joy. Let's spend meaningful time with friends and family. Let's practice being mindful and managing our moods. Let's recognize times of stress and use healthy coping. And, let's reach out for help when we need it. More information can be found on the OCDSB website. Later this year, the OCDSB will be releasing its new 3 year mental health strategy. OCDSB Strategic Plan - Feedback on Draft Earlier this year we asked for your input on our 2019-2023 Strategic Plan, and were delighted by the amount of responses we received. Our Strategic Plan consultation process has four stages: 1. Pre-consultation (COMPLETE) 2. Idea Exchange (COMPLETE) 3. Developing Strategies and Action (COMPLETE) 4. Feedback on Draft Plan Thanks to your comments and ideas we are now at the fourth stage. We are working on a draft plan and are looking forward to sharing it with you. Watch for an email from us asking for your feedback Learn more OCDSB-France Exchange Program The second annual OCDSB-France Exchange Program is now open for applications. The program is open to all secondary students in FSL (Core and Immersion) that are interested, and eligible. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to study abroad with the OCDSB serving as the agent, therefore offering it at a low price of $1700.00. Financial assistance may be available to some students through our district's Study Abroad Bursary. Deadline to apply is May 8th, 2019. The application, along with further information, can be found on our website under Resources on the right. A Date with Diversity: Journeying from Diversity to Equity – May 14 Tuesday, May 14, 2019 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Canterbury High School, 900 Canterbury Ave Register Now Join our students, staff and community in an evening that expands learning and understanding around diversity, equity and inclusive education. Have the opportunity to ask questions and have conversations with a variety of people representing different aspects or dimensions of diversity. Together, let's explore: how to foster a more equitable and inclusive culture to support learning, well-being and a sense of belonging for the entire OCDSB community. Register Now. There is no cost or fee to participate. Light refreshments will be provided. Free parking is available at the school. Parent Information Sessions: The Parent-Child Connection The Learning Support Services, Mental Health Team are hosting parent information nights for parents on the topic: The Parent-Child Connection. New approaches to parenting center on what we can do to build resilience and strength in our children. This is by focusing on what matters most, the parent-child connection. Attend the sessions to learn more: May 9th from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Sir Winston Churchill Public School May 28th from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Heritage Public School Ninth Annual Rainbow Spring Fling On Friday, April 26, 2019, our annual Rainbow Spring Fling dance entered its ninth year. The event started in 2010 with 50 students. Now more than 200 high school students were in attendance on the dance floor. The dance provides a safe space for LGBTIQ students and straight allies to dance, laugh, and feel free to be themselves. At the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board our vision of student success goes beyond the classroom. The Spring Fling is just one example of how the District embraces equity and diversity. OCDSB Volunteer Appreciation Reception and Community Recognition Awards June 13th, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. 1645 Woodroffe Avenue Please join us as we celebrate the valuable contributions of all our volunteers and celebrate our 2019 Community Recognition Award winners and nominees at our annual appreciation event. This is our chance to show our appreciation for the contributions our volunteers make every day in supporting students, staff and our schools. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to connect with our community and show our appreciation for the significant and valued work that our volunteers do in our schools for our students. Register Now 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. Reminders Proposed 2019-2020 School Year Calendar - Subject to Ministry Approval 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. Parents can contact OPH by phoning 613-580-6744 or visit their website. Continuing Education Newsletter - May to June 2019 Take a look at what's coming up in the Continuing Education Department this Spring and Summer. 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. Learn more. School Council Information Important Information for School Councils 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 sales. 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 Jewellery - lead is often used in the decorative paint or the materials used to manufacture inexpensive jewellery  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 Other School Council Resources: 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! West Carleton Secondary School Parent Information Night with Dr. Maggie Mamen – May 15 The West Carleton Secondary School Council will be hosting a parent information night with Dr. Maggie Mamen. Many parents have the common goal of wanting their children to feel happy, stimulated, challenged and nurtured. Despite all efforts, sometimes children become anxious, unhappy or depressed. This presentation explores ways in which parents can recognize potential problems and how they can avoid playing a role in perpetuating them. The free event runs from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the school library - West Carlton is located at3088 Dunrobin Rd, Dunrobin. 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.