This was an unusual week for schools and families as we navigated a one day walkout by OSSTF. The number of possible strike scenarios was complex and we did our best to try and ensure parents and guardians had a good understanding of the possible impacts before Wednesday. Knowing that bargaining decisions can come quite late, we made a commitment to keep you informed as soon as possible. OSSTF held a press conference at midnight on Tuesday/Wednesday and confirmed the one day walk-out would proceed. Once confirmation was received, the OCDSB sent an update to all parents, as promised. That update was sent via email and phone call on Tuesday night/Wednesday between 12:30 and 12:45 am.

We have received both criticism and appreciation for that phone call. Without question a late night phone call is unusual and we apologize for any disruption. The district was aware of how important this message was for many families and wanted to maintain our commitment to notify the community as quickly as possible after OSSTF made its decision known. We are listening to the feedback and this will help to inform future actions.

This was also a good reminder about the email and phone numbers that are on file at the school. Please ensure the school has up to date contact information.  

We continue in a period of labour action and we remain committed to keeping you informed as we receive new information from the central bargaining table.

Thanks for your ongoing support.
Earlier today, OSSTF announced that there will be a one-day full withdrawal of services of its members at nine district school boards on Wednesday, December 11th, 2019. The OCDSB is not one of the nine targeted districts. 


On Wednesday, December 11th, all OCDSB schools will be open.
 
It is anticipated that OSSTF members may be holding “information pickets” outside of OCDSB secondary schools before and after school and during the lunch hour. Local union officials have advised that these pickets are intended to be friendly and meant to provide general information, and access to schools will not be impeded. However, it is recommended that parents and students prepare for potential delays and possible traffic or pedestrian issues at school sites.
 
More information can be found on the OSSTF  website
Important Information
OCDSB Trustee Erica Braunovan Submits Resignation
Trustee Braunovan has announced her resignation as Trustee of Somerset-Kitchissippi. Her resignation will be effective December 31, 2019. The board will undertake to appoint a replacement trustee for Zone 10 within 90 days.
We have recently launched the 2019 Student Survey . The response so far has been very positive and we would like to thank everyone for participating.

Should you have issues completing the survey please contact us . In order to make it easier for parents with multiple children to complete the survey, updated links were distributed to parents on November 27th. Please use the new link to access the survey; the original link has been deactivated.
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.
From December 9th to 15th, the OCDSB will once again be celebrating coding activities during this year’s Hour of Code. The Hour of Code has become a worldwide effort to celebrate computer science, starting with 1-hour coding activities but expanding to all sorts of community efforts.
Check out the interactive Continuing Education Newsletter  for December 2019/January 2020, and have a look at what's taking place this Winter.

Click anywhere to be linked to our website for more information on all of our programs.
Reminders
Come out and support of the Education Foundation o n Saturday, December 7th, at Greenfield's Gastro Public House, join The Lads for a night of great music and fun.
To enhance our existing absence-check procedure, we have introduced a new student absence reporting system in select schools called  SchoolMessenger SafeArrival .
All children attending school between ages 4 to 17 need to be immunized according to   Ontario's Immunization Schedule Learn more .
School Council Information
Board and Committee of the Whole Meetings
The next public Committee of the Whole meeting will be held on December 10th, 2019, in the boardroom at 133 Greenbank Road at 7:30 p.m.

 Watch the meeting  live here .

Upcoming Committee Meetings: 

For a summary of our board meetings, read our Boardroom Newsbriefs here .
Stay Connected
Follow us on  Twitter , Instagram , visit our Facebook  and  LinkedIn  pages, and watching our videos on  YouTube. Download our app for info on the go through the Apple Store or Google Play Store.
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 .