School Council Update #11 - November 16th, 2018
It's hard to believe it is mid November already! The cooler weather and snow are important reminders about road safety and dressing students for safe outdoor play.

There are many things happening in the district in the next few weeks. For many elementary schools, Parent Teacher interviews are this week - check your school website for details. Read this tip sheet to help prepare.
Here are a few other highlights:
  • November 20th - Join us for the last meeting of the current Board of Trustees - a chance to celebrate those trustees and the Director who are moving on;
  • November 21st - launch of our Building Brighter Futures Together@OCDSB consultation;
  • November 23rd - PA Day;
  • December 3rd - Inauguration of the incoming Board of Trustees;
Have a great weekend.
Important Information
OCDSB Strategic Planning - Building Brighter Futures Together@OCDSB
  Next week, the district will be launching a community wide consultation for the OCDSB Strategic Plan 2018-2022. We are looking for your thoughts about what we do well, where we can improve, and what students need to be successful both in learning and in life. This information will be used to help develop the top priorities for the OCDSB over the next four years. The consultation will be held from November 21st to December 12th. An announcement email was sent to all parents on November 16th and an invitation email will be sent out next week. In next week's newsletter, we will share some ideas about how school councils can support and encourage participation.
PA Day - Elementary and Secondary Schools - Friday, November 23rd
A reminder that Friday, November 23rd is a PA Day for all OCDSB Elementary and Secondary schools.
Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week 2018
Bullying Prevention Week is November 18-24,  2 018. It is designed to encourage students, school staff and parents to learn more about how bullying impacts student learning and well-being. The goal is to start the conversation and create a movement of positive change.

 Bullying comes in many forms – physical, verbal and social.  During this annual week students are challenged to think before they speak – walk away before they harm and promote inclusion.  OCDSB schools will be taking part in Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week activities throughout the District. Students will be creating posters, participating in workshops and showcasing their ideas on how to stop bullying in its tracks. Learn more about this week on the  Ministry website , and read about the OCDSB's  policies and procedures .
Reminders
Parent Conference and School Council Training Day 2018
Thank you to everyone who joined us on Saturday, November 3rd for our OCDSB Parent Conference and School Council Training Day. Please  visit our website   for electronic copies of the presentations, and be sure to check out our  video recording  of keynote speaker Dr. Peg Dawson. 
Colonel By Secondary School -
International Baccalaureate Open House
We invite you to register for our upcoming IB Information Evening, Wednesday, November 28th at 7:00 p.m. . This session is intended to introduce families of prospective students to our program and the application process for the 2019-2020 academic year. This session will take place at Colonel By Secondary School - 2381 Ogilvie Road.
Municipal Elections 2018
Municipal and School Board Elections took place in Ottawa on Monday, October 22nd, 2018. Members of the community are invited to join us to celebrate the work of the current Board of Trustees at their last official Board meeting on November 20th, 2018 and to celebrate the inauguration of the newly elected Board on December 3rd, 2018.
Voila Live Virtual Campus
Every evening from Monday to Thursday, students have online access to live teachers to practice their French, and to get homework help in French, English and Math. Learn more on their website .
School Ground Greening Workshops 2018-2019
Join us for a free series of inspiring workshops designed to help you plan a successful and sustainable school ground greening project. Workshops are run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Immaculata High School - 140 Main Street.
Did you know about the Canada Learning Bond? 
 The Canada Learning Bond offered by the Government of Canada helps parents get a head start in saving for their child's education after high school. This could be as much as $2,000 for your child's  Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP). Learn more  here .
 Ottawa Public Health (OPH) Immunization
All children attending school between ages 4 to 17 need to be immunized according to  Ontario's Immunization Schedule . Learn more  here
School Council Information
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!


Cairine Wilson Secondary School Craft Fair -
Saturday, November 17th, 2018

The annual Cairine Wilson Secondary School Craft Fair is taking place on Saturday, November 17th, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This fundraiser features over 100 unique and noteworthy vendors selling a wide variety of crafts, holiday decor, jewellery, bath products, pet items, baked goods, and much more! Free childcare is also available while you shop. Please come out and support your local high school this Saturday. Cairine Wilson SS is located in Orleans at 975 Orleans Blvd. All proceeds from the event will be used towards equipment and experiences that enrich the students' learning environments.

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 Calendar
The 2018-2019 school year  elementary   and  secondary   calendars are available on our website, and a hard copy was distributed to students and staff. The highlights include School Holidays, PA Days, and District-wide Secondary Testing. 
Board and Committee of the Whole Meetings
The next Board meeting will be on November 20th, 2018. Read the full agenda here . Watch the meeting live here .

Upcoming Committee Meetings:   
11/20/2018 7:30 PM Board, Public
11/21/2018 6:00 PM Parent Involvement Committee
11/26/2018 7:00 PM Advisory Committee on the Arts
11/29/2018 6:00 PM Advisory Committee on Equity

Read our Boardroom Highlights here .
Stay Connected
OCDSB staff, students and community members can view the District's  website . Keep in touch by following us on  Twitter , visiting our  Facebook  and  LinkedIn  pages, and watching our videos on  YouTube .

About the Newsletter
If you forward this message, please delete all of the text from the "forward e-mail" link at the bottom left of the newsletter (just outside of the border). Otherwise, anyone who receives the message can click the opt-out button at the bottom of the newsletter and unsubscribe your name from our distribution list. If you are not on our distribution list feel free to subscribe or email  communications@ocdsb.ca .