Building Brighter Futures Together
at the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board
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Novel Coronavirus Information
The safety, health and well-being of our students and staff is our top priority. We appreciate that parents and guardians may have questions about the Novel Coronavirus and how this will be managed in schools.
The OCDSB is actively involved monitoring information on the Coronavirus and is engaged in ongoing communication with Ottawa Public Health and with the Office of the Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health. We take guidance on health matters from our federal, provincial and local health authorities, including our partner Ottawa Public Health (OPH). OPH has advised that currently, there are no confirmed or presumptive positive cases in Ottawa.
Latest information
Risk to residents of Ottawa
The Public Health Agency of Canada has assessed the public health risk associated with the current novel coronavirus infection in Wuhan, China as low for Canada and for Canadian travelers. Public health risk is continually reassessed as new information becomes available. (Source:
Ottawa Public Health
)
Focusing on Facts
Parents are asked to follow official sources for the latest updates on Novel Coronavirus. As a school district, we pride ourselves on our diversity and our commitment to equity. While this virus can be traced to a province in China, it is important that we do not racialize the virus and allow this issue to give rise to discrimination based on fear, perception and stereotypes. At a time like this, we must come together and focus on the facts and recommendations from our health partners about how to mitigate the risk of the spread of this and other viruses.
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The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) announced a full walkout at school boards, including the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB), on two separate days this week –
Wednesday, February 5th and Thursday, February 6th.
All OCDSB elementary schools will be closed to students in grades K-8 on
Wednesday, February 5th and Thursday, February 6th
. This includes students in grade 7 and 8 attending Bell, Earl of March, Longfields-Davidson Heights, Merivale and Sir Robert Borden High Schools. All secondary schools will be open on both days and students in grades 9-12 are expected to attend school.
This strike action will also affect students at the CHEO Treatment Centre and M.F. McHugh Education Centre. Parents of these students will be notified separately with further details. Parents should have contingency plans in place for childcare on both February 5th and February 6th. Learn more
here
.
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Free Speaker Series Event
Vaping - What is it and How to Parent it
Thursday, February 6th, 2020
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Sir Robert Borden High School
131 Greenbank Road, Nepean
E-cigarette use (vaping) among Ottawa’s youth has surpassed tobacco use. This session, presented by Krista Oswald from Ottawa Public Health, will provide parents with facts on vaping, vape products, health effects and what we are seeing every day in schools.
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February is recognized as
Black History Month
in Canada. It’s a time to celebrate Black culture and history, and to applaud the achievements and significant contributions Black Canadians have made to build Canada and to make this country the diverse, welcoming and strong nation it is today.
Visit our website
for further information including Black History Month events taking place in Ottawa.
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All OCDSB students attend a designated school based on geographic and programming considerations. In order to attend a school other than your child's designated school, an application must be made during the
application period
which is February 3rd to February 18th, 2020.
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If your child has completed the grade 3 English/Core French Program, you can choose to enter the Middle French Immersion Program. The registration period is from Monday, February 10th to Tuesday, February 18th, 2020. Learn more
here
.
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On February 26th we encourage everyone to practice kindness and wear pink to symbolize that you do not tolerate bullying. Recognition at our schools will include assemblies, in-class learning experiences, lunchtime activities, and anti-bullying video presentations.
Learn more
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As part of its Right to Read inquiry, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has
launched a survey
for students with reading disabilities and their parents and guardians. The survey will help the OHRC understand and report on the experiences of students with reading disabilities.
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Board Meeting - January 28, 2020
At the start of the meeting, a presentation was made to former trustee
Erica Braunovan
to thank her for her service to the OCDSB.
This was followed by a presentation from
John McCrae Secondary School
students. The presentation was on
Evidence of Practice – Culture of Innovation and Culture of Social Responsibility.
Public Motions
Trustees approved the following:
- Confirmation of Board Minutes – 17 December 2019 (Board) and 07 January 2020 (Special Board)
- Consultation Plan for Draft Policy P,142.SCO, Child Sexual Abuse Prevention (as amended)
- Facilities Renewal Program and School Condition Improvement 2019- 2020 Project Plan
- Updates to Policy P.137.SCO Concussion Management
- Minor Revision to Policy P.121.GOV Accessibility (As amended)
- Establishment of a selection committee for an Integrity Commissioner
- Trustee Boothby and Trustee Blackburn were appointed to this committee
- OCDSB response to Ontario 2020 Budget Consultation
Trustee Position Update
The OCDSB has received 14 applications for the position of Trustee, Zone 10 (Somerset/Kitchissippi). All applicants will be interviewed at a meeting of the Board on Tuesday, February 11th. This is a public meeting and all interested persons are welcome to attend. Each candidate will make a 5 minute presentation, followed by short trustee question and answer section. The meeting will be recorded and posted on our Youtube channel, but the livestream will be delayed.
Read full Newsbriefs on our website
here
. Watch the livestreaming of our meetings
here
.
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