School Council Update #39 - June 21st, 2019
It's hard to believe that we are heading into the last week of school. A reminder to all parents to check school websites and newsletters for details about leaving ceremonies and graduations and other school based special events.

This newsletter is filled with important end of year reminders for school councils. Next Friday will be our last newsletter of the school year. Have a great weekend.
Important Information
National Indigenous Peoples Day -
June 21st 

June 21st, is National Indigenous Peoples Day . On this day, at the OCDSB, we celebrate the contributions and cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and reflect on our ongoing commitment to learning truths and actioning reconciliation.
Summer School Programs Registration

Registration is open for all Summer School Programs. The following is a brief outline of the schedule:

  • HS credit in-class Summer Programs run from July 3rd to July 25th
  • e-Learning Summer Program runs from July 2nd to July 25th.
  • Summer Programs for Grade 6, 7 & 8 run from July 3rd to 25th.
  • French, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese Camps run from July 2 - July 26
  • International Languages classes run from July 2 - July 26

Visit our website to learn more and to register. 
School Bus and Pedestrian Safety Day - August 25th

Join the Ottawa Student Transportation Authority on Sunday, August 25th for School Bus and Pedestrian Safety Day. Future little scholars can check out a school bus and learn the do's and don'ts of bus and pedestrian safety. There's even an interactive crosswalk too!

This is a great event for first time riders who will leave with their very own Bus Safety Certificate. The event will be taking place from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 7 different locations. Visit the website to find the location closest to you, and to register.
2019-2020 Approved Budget

The OCDSB approved a $980.25 million operating budget for the school year 2019-2020 and capital investments of $82.8 million. The largest operating budget investment is in the area of instruction and special education where $713.4 million is allocated representing almost 73% of the total annual budget.

For a full overview of the recommended budget please  visit our website .  
Reminders
Pride Month 2019

Our OCDSB community has a rich culture and history of celebrating diversity and our 2SLGBTQ+ community every day. Join us at the Capital Pride Parade  on Sunday, August 25th, 2019.
2019 OCDSB Volunteer Appreciation Reception and Community Recognition Awards

Thank you to everyone who came out to our our 2019 Volunteer Appreciation Reception and Community Recognition Awards . Congratulations to all  our nominees !
OCDSB Outdoor Education Centre's Spring Newsletter

Check out the Outdoor Education Centre's Spring Newsletter to see what's happening at the Bill Mason & MacSkimming Centres.
2019-2020 School Year Calendar
Approved by the Ministry
 
The  2019-2020 School Year Calendar has been approved by the Ministry.
Continuing Education Newsletter -
June 2019
 
Take a look at what's coming up in the Continuing Education Department this Summer.
Stay Connected with your child's school with the OCDSB App

The new OCDSB  mobile app makes staying connected with your children’s school(s) easy and accessible. Learn more .
 Ottawa Public Health (OPH) Immunization

All children attending school between ages 4 to 17 need to be immunized according to  Ontario's Immunization Schedule .  Parents can contact OPH by phoning 613-580-6744 or visit their website .
School Council Information
 School Council Annual Report - Due 30 October 2019

School councils are required to submit to the District an annual report on their activities for the past year. The report has to include information on 2018-2019 activities and may include information on the goals and composition of the council, and a note from the Chair or Co-Chairs. On or before October 30, 2019, please ensure to submit your school council annual report to the school principal and forward a copy to Engy Masieh, 133 Greenbank Road, Ottawa, ON K2H 6L3 or by email at  [email protected] .

Elections of 2019-2020 School Council Members

The election of school council members must be held within 30 days of the start of the school year. The details about the election process are outlined in the School Council policy  and in the  school council elections procedure . The election of officers (Chair, Co-chair, Secretary, and Treasurer) happens after the members of council have been duly elected. Don't forget to review your school council constitution for specific provisions with respect to your school.

Please send us an updated list of school council contact information after your
elections.

School Council Records and End of School Year Tasks

As the school year closes, many school councils are asking about how to manage their records. Records that contain financial information, such as those that pertain to School Generated Funds, are kept for the current year, plus 6 years. As such, financial records from the 2012/2013 school year can be destroyed. School Council meeting minutes are required to be maintained for the current school year, plus 5 years. Thus, the 2012/2013 minutes can be destroyed. When destroying records, please be sure to shred anything which contains personal or sensitive information.  If you have records for destruction, you can bring them to the school boxed and clearly marked school council records for shredding.

Corporate Records welcomes questions with regard to document maintenance
and can be reached through email at  [email protected] .

School Council Year-End Financial Reporting

All school councils must prepare and submit to the Board an annual report on their activities (including fundraising activities). To make the exercise easier the Finance Department has produced a template that school councils can fill in. A memo with this information was sent to school principals this week.

Please note that individual school councils will not be identified in the District's financial statements as the amounts are consolidated with those from all other school councils for financial reporting purposes. The amounts reported will not affect the budget allocated to the school as the school's budget is based on school enrollment.

The outline below assumes that your school council's financial reporting year will end on 31 July. If your school council has a June or August year-end please provide the information based on your year-end and amend the dates shown in the table. Please ensure your opening balance for this year matches your closing balance from the previous year's report. Your opening balance plus your funds raised less your funds spent should equal your closing balance.

School Name
School Council Chair

Opening balance of all reconciled bank accounts,                          $
investments and cash on hand on August 1, 2018
The amount raised by school council during the year
August 1, 2018 and July 31, 2019                                                   $
The amount spent by school council during the year
August 1, 2018 and July 31, 2019                                                   $
Closing balance of all reconciled bank accounts,
investments and cash on hand on July 31, 2019                            $
Portion of above amount raised which was collected $
through the school’s School Cash Online program

Please send the information by email to  [email protected]  by 20 September 2019.

In cases where your school council's banking arrangements are administered by the school, the school council is not required to provide this.


Other School Council Resources:

School News
There are a lot of amazing events going on in our district. Check out the School News section of our website to learn about some of the great things happening in our schools!


Orleans Wood Elementary School's Annual Summer Celebration -
June 22nd

On Saturday, June 22nd, Orleans Wood Elementary School will be holding their annual Summer Celebration! Come out from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and enjoy games, a bake sale, face painting, an M&M BBQ, raffle table, and a chance to win exciting prizes. Learn more .

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
School Year Calendars
The 2018-2019 school year   elementary  and  secondary   calendars are available on our website. Highlights include School Holidays, PA Days, and District-wide Secondary Testing. 
Board and Committee of the Whole Meetings
The next public Board meeting will be on June 24th, 2019. Read the full agenda here . Watch the meeting live here .

Upcoming Committee Meetings:
06/24/2019 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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