Welcome Back
September has just flown by, and we missed sending a newsletter last month. It's never too late to say, "welcome back" though, and we hope parents, caregivers, students and staff have had a wonderful start to the new school year.
Be Well, Be Innovative and Be Community continue to act as a guiding light for OCSB students, staff and parents and this year we’re embracing a new three-year Spiritual Theme: “Open Doors, Build Bridges, Nourish New Beginnings.” We’ll start by focusing on “opening doors”—creating opportunities for growth, connection, and exploration. Together, we’ll encourage our students to approach new experiences with confidence and hope.
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We had a wonderful first meeting last month. We were blessed to be out in the community, welcomed at Guardian Angels School in Stittsville. Thank you everyone for joining us, both in-person and virtually. We heard updates from Cindy Owns, the Interim General Manager of the Ottawa Student Transportation Authority, Brian Robertson, Program Manager of School Zone Safety with the Ottawa Safety Council and had a presentation on the OCSB Attendance Strategy "Connect to Engage". Finally, Lisa Schimmens, Associate Director of Business Affairs, provided us with the latest Board Meeting update. We'ren't able to join us? Be sure to visit our website to watch the recording!
Our next CSPA General Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 23rd at 7pm. This meeting will be held *in-person* at Divine Infant Elementary School, with a virtual option to attend. For our October presentation we will be hearing updates from Planning & Facilities on the Board's Capital Plan (see below for more information and a copy of the plan), Outdoor Learning, and wewill also hold elections for CSPA's Executive team. We will also have an update on PIC and PRO Grants and hear our Board update from Tom D'Amico, Director of Education. All OCSB Families are welcome to attend. Be sure to register via EventBrite!
*For CSPA, OCSB and Community event updates, please scroll to the end of the newsletter.
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The Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) advocates for children with special needs within the OCSB. They make recommendations to the board about special education requirements, provides information to parents, and participates in the school board’s annual review and budget process. SEAC meets once per month. Connect with us anytime by e-mailing us at seac@ocsb.ca, and be sure to follow us on Twitter @ocsbSEAC. We look forward to hearing you, and meeting you, soon! | |
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October has arrived, and I want to say Thank You for your support at all 89 of our schools. This year is special because we are now serving over 50,000 students for the first time ever!
We’re also excited to welcome two new schools: St. Gianna and St. Veronica. Both schools are up and running and we’re excited to build strong Catholic school communities in both Riverside South and Findlay Creek.
You have heard about the new rules for cell phones in schools. The new restrictions are going well. We want our students to use technology in good ways, so they have access to tablets and Chromebooks. They can also use their phones in class with their educator’s permission. Early observations are that students are less distracted and more focused on building positive relationships without the distraction of cell phones in class.
While the province has mandated restrictions on smartphones and limited access to social media sites on school board devices and networks, we also want to ensure our students are learning the skills they need to meet with success in today’s global society. The OCSB has embraced the appropriate and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in our schools. Parents can learn more about our approach to AI by visiting the Board AI resource page at https://www.ocsb.ca/why-ocsb/humane-use-of-technology/artificial-intelligence-at-the-ocsb/. We are pleased that all of our students are receiving AI literacy instruction through the Boards Samaritan’s on the Digital Road digital citizenship learning activities.
This year the Board will complete the 7.5 million dollar investment in outdoor learning spaces. We’re excited to see more schools make use of outdoor learning as we know that connections to nature, along with Indigenous learning/teaching practices, help our students’ well-being.
Thank you to all of the school parish connections as our students continue to focus on Catholic Social Teaching as they make a difference in the lives of others and in their school communities.
Congratulations to the Catholic School Parent Association (CSPA) for their continued partnership with the Board and the many events that they organize for parents across the #OCSB.
Tom D’Amico, EdD
Director of Education
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Latest education news, updates and resources from the Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB), Ontario Ministry of Education and more... | |
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Ministry of Education & Ottawa Catholic School Board News
Parent & Family Resources
Important Dates to Remember
- October 1-31: Month of the Holy Rosary
- October 1-31: Autism Awareness Month
- October 1-31: Walk to School Month
- October 11: PD Day for all students
- October 14: Thanksgiving
- October 21-25: Media Literacy Week
- October 21-25: School Bus Safety Week
- October 23: Driver Appreciation Day
- October 23: CSPA October Meeting
- October 24: Day Care Worker & Early Childhood Educator Day
- October 31: Halloween
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Greetings from the Learning Technologies Department!
Welcome back to the 2024-2025 school year. Our goal is to support you and your family with appropriate resources that may be helpful when talking to your kids about technology and wellness in a digital world. School Mental Health Ontario came out with various Resources and Support for Student Mental Health in a September 2024 release. They also published a recent article (August 2024) about Helping Your Child Manage Digital Technology.
Media Literacy Week is right around the corner. We look forward to working alongside our Elementary and Intermediate/Secondary Student Success Departments to talk about the importance of Media Literacy in the tech-connected world we inhibit. Check out some of the resources specifically tailored for parents and guardians from MediaSmarts - Canada's Centre for Digital Media Literacy.
We look forward to continuing supporting our entire OCSB community when it comes to leveraging digital technologies across our system.
| The OCSB Learning Technologies department is looking forward to supporting our parent community in navigating the digital landscape for their children. We look forward to offering other supports throughout this school year! | |
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Driver Shortage Update
Our most recent operator survey indicates that we have made some gains from our last update in terms of cancelled routes. As of today’s date, we are currently short 10 drivers. This translates to about 40 runs. Our operators currently have approximately 12 drivers in training. As indicated in our last update, we have added a fourth route from our new service provider, Attridge.
Our next driver shortage update will be provided on October 15th.
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Driver Appreciation Day:
October 23
At the Ottawa Student Transportation Authority (OSTA), we value our dedicated school bus and van
drivers. Day in and day out, they ensure students travel safely to and from school, becoming a key part
of their educational journey. These drivers don’t just provide transportation; they help create a positive and caring environment for students, offering peace of mind to parents and caregivers.
We believe their hard work and commitment deserve to be acknowledged, and that’s where you come in.
Share Your Appreciation
Do you know a school bus or van driver who goes above and beyond for the students in your
community? Perhaps they greet students with a friendly smile every morning or have made a lasting
positive impact through their service. We’d love to hear from you!
Please take a moment to share your thoughts and feedback about a driver who has made a difference.
Your input helps us recognize their efforts and can be a meaningful way to show your appreciation.
How it Works
Take a few minutes and complete OSTA’s Driver Recognition Form. Your feedback will be shared directly with the driver’s employer and the driver themselves, giving them the recognition they deserve.
In addition, each driver mentioned will be entered into a monthly draw throughout the 2024-2025
school year. Winners of this draw will be celebrated in future communications, so stay tuned!
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Public Governance Board Meeting
OSTA will hold a virtual Public Governance Board Meeting on Monday, November 4, 2024, at 5:30 p.m.
The OSTA Board of Directors welcomes all members of the public to attend and welcomes constructive
public input into its deliberations from delegates. To register as an observer or a delegate, please visit
us online. The deadline for registration is 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 30, 2024.
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October is International Walk to School Month and schools across Ottawa are celebrating!
There is still time to host an iWalk event!
- Celebrate students and families that already use active transportation.
- Encourage students and families to try walking or wheeling for the first time.
- Reduce traffic congestion and improve safety around your school.
- Enjoy a fun and active event!
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School Bus Safety Week
School Bus Safety Week takes place from October 21-25 and is an opportunity to pause and recognize the importance of safe practices as a community. School bus safety is crucial for protecting our children as they travel to and from school. We all have a role to place in enhancing safety around student transportation.
How can you help?
Parents and guardians play a pivotal role by teaching children to wait at a safe distance from the road and to board the bus in an orderly fashion. Practicing proper bus-riding behaviour at home can be an effective way to prepare young students for the bus.
Be alert and aware of the rules surrounding school buses, such as stopping when the lights are flashing, and the arm is activated. The law requires motorists to stop in both directions for a school bus with the red lights flashing.
Did you know?
RED LIGHTS FLASHING – NO PASSING! We need the support of all motorists while buses perform their daily routes. Flashing overhead amber lights mean that the bus is slowing down and is about to stop to pick up or drop off students. When you see a school bus with its overhead amber lights flashing:
• Slow down
• Be prepared to stop
• Watch out for children
Once the bus comes to a complete stop, the upper flashing red lights will appear, and a stop arm will be activated. When drivers see this, the bus is loading students; they must stop and cannot move until the lights have stopped flashing and the stop arm is no longer out. Drivers in front or behind the bus must stop. However, only vehicles coming from behind the bus must stop on a road with a median strip. Drivers from behind the bus must stop at least 20 metres away.
Schools, operators and OSTA host awareness campaigns such as School Bus Safety Week, School Bus and Pedestrian Safety Day, School Bus Evacuation Drills and more, to remind everyone of the importance of being vigilant and respectful around school buses.
By working together, we can create a safer environment for students, parents and drivers alike that prioritizes the well-being of our youngest community members.
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Multi-Year Capital Plan 2024
The Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB) has prepared a comprehensive multi-year Capital Plan.
This plan provides long-term enrolment projections for all of our schools, and a planning framework for our capital needs by area, including timelines for new schools, additions, portable classrooms, and attendance boundary revisions.
On June 25, 2024, the Board of Trustees received the 2024 Capital Plan document. This document will form the basis for the receipt of input as part of a public consultation process that will run until November 15, 2024. We invite you to participate.
The Capital Plan document can be found here: OCSB 2024 Capital Plan.
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Planning & Facilities staff have also prepared an overview of the plan which can be found here: Capital Plan story map.
Feedback or requests for further information can be directed to capitalplan@ocsb.ca until November 15, 2024.
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OCSB Math at Home
As part of our ongoing effort to support student learning, we are pleased to offer OCSB Math at Home — a website of curated math resources that families can access for free. The site contains online math tools accessible year-round at home and tips to make math a fun part of daily life. We hope this site helps you support math learning at home in partnership with teachers at your child's school.
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OCSB Social Entrepreneurs Program (SEP) | |
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The OCSB Social Entrepreneurs Program (SEP) is an exciting Deep Learning opportunity for K-12 students to participate in an enriching, business oriented, and student-led initiative where they gain entrepreneurial experience, develop innovative mindsets and Global Competencies.
Paired with a community business partner, students and educators research social issues, choose a charity and/or community partner to support and work on building a social enterprise.
Students gain an understanding that they are global citizens and changemakers who have an impact on the world around them.
Interested in knowing more or signing up for the Kinder - Grade 12 Social Entrepreneurs opportunity as a Mentor for this school year? Learn more about Mentor opportunities here: https://sep.ocsb.ca/home/mentors.
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Be sure to follow CSPA on Eventbrite to be notified
of all our upcoming meetings and events!
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Don’t miss this chance to hear from award-winning educator and author Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe as she shares practical, game-changing strategies to help your child thrive.
The OCSB Leadership and Parent Engagement team invites all parents to this free virtual parent event on Thursday, October 10, from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm. Learn how to build resilience and nurture well-being —skills that will benefit your child in the long run.
Dr. Hanley-Dafoe is the author of “Stress Wisely: How to Be Well in an Unwell World”. She believes everyone can do hard things with the right tools, intentions, and support. Dr. Hanley-Dafoe’s relatable, real-world approach makes it easy to apply these tips right away. You’ll leave feeling inspired and equipped with tools that can truly make a difference.
We can’t wait for you to join us for this impactful session!
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Transition planning to adult life is very important and it is best to start early!
Youth aged 14 to 21 with developmental disabilities and their caregivers are invited to participate in our upcoming TAG event on October 23rd from 6-8 PM.
Register here.
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Drop-In Virtual Parent Support Group 13-25 for parents and caregivers of children (ages 13-25) facing mental health or addiction challenges. | |  |
Smart Recovery Family and Friends Virtual Drop-In Support Group for friends and family of those struggling with addictions or addictive behaviors. | | | | |
