School Council Update #21 - February 8th, 2019
Many of you have participated in our strategic planning consultation. We have had such great input from the community in our pre-consultation, our Idea Exchange and our focus group sessions. Over 6400 people participated in the process. All of that input has been extremely helpful in bringing your perspective into the development of our next strategic plan. If you want to learn more about what we heard, there is a wealth of information on our website. Here are a few things you might want to take a look at:
This weekend, the Board and senior staff meet to reflect on your input, our success on the current plan, and opportunities and challenges for the future - all of that information will help us to develop our next strategic plan.

Thanks to all of you for your participation - we are building brighter futures at the OCDSB!

Important Information
Smart Start Youth Summit - March 16th & 17th

Smart Start Youth Summit is a free, all-expenses paid weekend leadership retreat. It equips 180 youth aged 13-24 from the National Capital Region with the tools and information they need to have a smart start into their future. The Summit engages young people of African and Indigenous ancestry; and youth in need of societal support, including newcomers.

The event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and will be taking place at Ashbury College - 362 Mariposa Avenue, Ottawa. For application details and FAQs visit the website .
Math Information Session for Parents

Do you know the difference between academic math and applied math for your child?

Come see a free demonstration lesson of each class type and try out our useful resources! A Q&A period will also take place. The evening is hosted by the Sir Robert Borden School Council.

Where: Sir Robert Borden High School (library on first floor) - 133 Greenbank road, Nepean
When: Tuesday, February 12th, 2019, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Paint it Up! - Funding Available for Mural Art Projects

Funding is available for outdoor mural art projects that support graffiti prevention, youth empowerment, community safety and the beautification of Ottawa neighbourhoods. Projects must contribute to a clean, safe and beautiful city by engaging neighbourhoods and youth in a constructive learning process to create murals to prevent or deter graffiti.

For more information about funding, please visit  crimepreventionottawa.ca  for the program  guidelines   and  application form . 
 
Applications must be postmarked, e-mailed, or received by 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 2nd, 2019. 
 
Information sessions will also be held:

Monday, February 25th, 2019
1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
City Hall
110 Laurier Avenue West
2nd floor - Councillor’s Lounge

Monday, February 25th, 2019
5:30 – 7 p.m.
Overbrook Community Centre
33 Quill Street
Meeting Room 

To confirm your attendance, please RSVP by e-mail:  [email protected]  or leave a message at 613-580-2424 ext. 25393.
Black History Month 2019

February is Black History Month , a time to celebrate Black culture and history, and to reflect on the significant contributions Black Canadians have made to building Canada . Every February, Canadians are invited to participate in learning opportunities, festivities and events that honour the legacy of Black Canadians, past and present. 

Last year, the OCDSB adopted a motion to endorse the United Nations Declaration for the Decade for People of African Descent. This was an important commitment to recognizing our history and taking action to effect change. A t the Ottawa Black History Month launch event, " Our Canadian Story: Nothing About Us, Without Us ", the OCDSB was recognized for this work. 

Take a look at our website to learn more about the work we are doing to implement the motion and some of the events happening in our schools this month. There are also many community events noted on the calendar of Black History Ottawa . See information below about the upcoming event held by Parents for Diversity.
OCDSB Speaker Series -
Free Information Session

UNSTOPPABLE YOU with Unstoppable Tracy Schmitt
February 28th, 2019 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. 
Earl of March Secondary School, 4 The Parkway, Kanata

No matter where you are in life, sometimes you just need to be inspired. Join us and “Unstoppable Tracy” as she shares how you can use humour and motivation to crush your obstacles and soar to the top!

Visit our website for additional details.
Reminders
CBC Trailblazers Returns for 2019 Awards

Do you know someone in your community who is leading change, breaking down barriers and creating new possibilities? Nominate them now to be a CBC Trailblazer.

CBC Ottawa is shining the spotlight on inspiring individuals who embody the fabric of what makes the Ottawa region great with the CBC Trailblazer Awards. They are looking for the unsung heroes who stand out in your community and make it a better place to live. Those, who through determination, challenge and triumph, make an unforgettable impact.

This year’s nominations will be accepted online until Sunday, Feb. 10 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Visit cbc.ca/trailblazers for more information and to place a nomination. It only takes less than fifteen minutes to share a story that Ottawa needs to hear.

The top ten nominees may receive a profile on cbc.ca/ottawa , a CBC Trailblazer award, cool CBC swag (of course!), and an invitation to an exclusive awards and networking event in March 2019. They will also be featured in a special digital documentary series produced by CBC Ottawa.
Mayor for a Day Contest 2019

Ottawa’s Mayor Jim Watson and Youth Ottawa want to hear what high school students love about living in Ottawa, and their ideas for how to make it an even better place to live.

Students in grades 9 to 12 are invited to submit either an essay (max. 500 words) or a 5-minute video with their response to the following question: "What do you love about the City of Ottawa and what two ideas would you propose to improve it?"

The two selected applicants will be named "Mayor for a Day" and have the opportunity to spend time with Mayor Watson and City of Ottawa staff, learn about the Mayor's office, and discuss their ideas.

Applicants must submit their entry online by 7 pm on Thursday February 28th, 2019.

For further information including contest rules, visit the website .
Black History Month 2019 Workshop -
February 16th, 2019

As part of Black History Month activities next month, Parents for Diversity will be putting on a workshop entitled "Addressing Anti-Black Racism in Schools". It will be held on February 16th, 2019, at 2:00 P.M.

This workshop will explore different actors in children's education, forms of anti-black racism and bias, human rights aspects of discrimination, as well as practical ways to address discrimination when it arises. While the workshop is free, they will be accepting donations at the door. Visit the registration website for further details. 
Kindergarten Registration 2019

If your child will be 4 years old before December 31st, 2019, then they are ready to start kindergarten in September 2019. Call or stop by your child’s new school to pick up a registration package or register  online. To find your local school, try our helpful  School Locator .

Take a look at our  Welcome To Kindergarten  video and see some of the many new experiences your child will enjoy. If you know someone with a child who is ready to start kindergarten, encourage them to take a look. Registration in advance helps us to better plan for September . However, we welcome parents for registration at anytime in one of our schools or  online .

Have questions about Kindergarten? Visit our  Kindergarten Information Nights page  for dates and times by school.
High School Information Nights

Making decisions about high school? Come to an OCDSB information night to help you make an informed decision. OCDSB schools host information nights for parents and grade 8 students. Learn everything you need to know about our incredible variety of schools, programs and courses.

Upcoming sessions:
  • Hillcrest High School - February 11th
  • Osgoode Township High School - February 12th

Visit our website for a complete list of Information Nights by school.
Continuing Education - Winter Newsletter

Check out the   Continuing Education Newsletter  for February 2019, and have a look at what is coming up this Winter. 
 Ottawa Public Health (OPH) Immunization

All children attending school between ages 4 to 17 need to be immunized according to  Ontario's Immunization Schedule . St udents attending school in Ontario are required to be vaccinated against nine (9) diseases or have a valid exemption. Parents are required to report all immunizations done at the doctor's office to OPH. Under this Act, OPH has the authority to suspend from attending school students for whom OPH does not have a record of immunization.
 
Parents/guardians of these intermediate and secondary students received written notice from OPH in the mail by  November 21st . Suspension orders were mailed to households on  January 25th, 2019  (Grades 7 - 12) and are scheduled to be enforced on  February 20th, 2019 . 

Parents seeking more information can contact OPH by phoning 613-580-6744 or visit  parentinginottawa.ca/immunization . Learn more   here . 
School Council Information
 2018-2019 PRO Grant Recipients

The Ministry of Education’s list of  2018-2019 PRO Grant recipients  and the granted funds is now available. Congratulations to the many successful PRO Grant recipients in our District! 

You will receive the cheque in the mail in the coming days. 

Remember, your project must be completed and the funds expended by June 30th, 2019. The last day to submit your final report to the Ministry is July 15th, 2019. A copy of your report, along with original invoices and expenditure records, must be sent to the attention of the Policy Analyst at Board Services.

Should you have any questions, please contact Engy Masieh at  [email protected] .
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!


Jockvale Elementary School's Trivia Night - February 25th, 2019
 
The Kiwanis Club and the Jockvale Elementary School Council are proud to present Trivia Night! The event will be taking place on February 25th at the Heart and Crown Irish Pub on 3161 Strandherd Drive. The game will involve teams competing against each other, with 4-6 people per team. Team registration begins at 6:15 p.m. and trivia will be starting at 7:00 p.m. There are prizes for the winning team, and there will also be a 50/50 draw.

50% of the proceeds from the evening will be going towards the Help Fight Hidden Hunger initiative at Jockvale E S. This includes providing each classroom with bowls of fruit and healthy snacks every morning, providing holiday hampers to families at Christmas, and subsidizing many students for lunch programs to ensure no one goes hungry. The other 50% will be given to St. Mother Teresa High School.

All are welcome to attend! Please send an email to [email protected] if you will be submitting a team.


Want to spread the word about your event? Send us an email at:  [email protected] . We will help publicize your events on our website.
Dates to Remember
Elementary Report Cards - February 14th
Elementary reports cards will be heading home next week. Keep an eye out for them in your child's backpack.

Elementary P.A. Day - February 15th
 Reminder that there is a P.A Day for all OCDSB Elementary Students on February 15th, 2019.

Family Day - February 18th
All OCDSB schools will be closed for Family Day on February 18th, 2019.

School Year Calendars
The 2018-2019 school year   elementary  and  secondary   calendars are available on our website. The highlights include School Holidays, PA Days, and District-wide Secondary Testing. 
Board and Committee of the Whole Meetings
The next public Committee of the Whole meeting will be on February 19th, 2019. Read the full agenda here . Watch the meeting live here .

Upcoming Committee Meetings:   
02/19/2019 7:30 PM Committee of the Whole, Public
02/20/2019 6:00 PM Parent Involvement Committee
02/25/2019 7:00 PM Advisory Committee on the Arts
02/26/2019 7:30 PM Board, Public

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 , and downloading our new app, visiting our  Facebook  and  LinkedIn  pages, and watching our videos on  YouTube .

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