Newsbrief from the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board
April 24, 2012
This news brief is meant to provide the highlights of the decisions made at today's Board meeting for the benefit of our community; the notes do not serve as the official record of the meeting (Board or Committee minutes).
Director’s Report
Education Week
Education Week this year is from May 7 to 11. The theme is "Public Education — It all starts here." Schools throughout the District will be holding open houses, special displays, and events that showcase the wide variety of programs and activities that students are involved in. Parents and guardians are invited into their child's school to see some advanced and exciting new programs that are being offered by our schools. Wednesday, May 9 is recognized in our District as Support Staff Appreciation Day. A memo will be sent to all staff acknowledging the contributions of all staff.
Environmental Education Youth Summit
Students with a keen interest in environmental education will be participating in a youth summit at Confederation Education Centre on Friday, May 11. It will be an opportunity to share their ideas and learn new ways to conserve energy and protect the environment. The majority of our students are well on their way to earning certification through the Eco-Schools program. The program's key areas of achievement are Teamwork and Leadership, Energy Conservation, Waste Minimization, School Ground Greening, and Curriculum and Environmental Stewardship.
Edu Gala
Recipients of Capital Educators’ Award will be celebrated at the Edu Gala event on May 17, at Algonquin College. Trustees and senior staff are invited to contact Kim Young, by May 1st, if they would like to attend. A call will be issued from the Director’s office as a reminder to indicate interest.
Chair’s Report
Canterbury Winners
Congratulations to Canterbury High School students Ben Reyes and Zach Spence for winning the Grand Prize in the 2012 Ottawa Public Library's Book Video Competition.
Students were challenged to create a one-minute video on Youtube about a favourite book in the format of a book trailer, a parody, or dramatization of a favourite scene. Ben, with his assistant Zach chose The Butter Battle Book by Dr. Seuss for a book trailer. These same students just won another video competition organized by the Office of the Privacy Commission last month. Congratulations to Ben and Zach.
OCDSB's Canadian Olympic Athlete
Michael Tayler, just 20, and one of our alumni, is heading to the 2012 Olympics in London. Michael had to compete in~four demanding runs down a canoe slalom course this month in Charlotte, North Carolina to win his position on Canada's Olympic team. Michael defeated 5 time Canadian Olympic Champion David Ford by 11/100th of a second to earn a berth on the Canadian team.~~ He will be aiming for gold on the men’s K1 canoe slalom event at the Olympic Games. We wish you all the best Michael, and the Canadian Olympic Team.
PUBLIC MOTIONS
Report from Committee of the Whole (In Camera)
Staff were directed to deal with a financial issue and to negotiate an agreement.
Property Item
The Chair and Director were given authority to award the contract to construct the new Chapman Mills elementary school to the successful bidder, Frecon Construction Ltd., in the amount of $10,297,000 plus HST.
Approval of the 2012-2013 Extended Day Program Fee
The Board approved the 2012-2013 Board provided Extended Day Program fee at the basic rate of $20 per day for before-and-after school and $32 per day for a full- day of care. Staff will also develop a communications plan.
Recommendation re regular report of Section J data (Special Education) from the Ontario School Information System (OnSIS) to SEAC
A. THAT Learning Support Services regularly report to the Special Education Advisory Committee the Ontario School information System (Section J) data as submitted to the Ministry of Education for each reporting period (November, March and June) at a Special Education Advisory Committee meeting following the report submission (December, April and September); and
B. THAT Learning Support Services provide the Ontario School information System (Section J) data for June 2011, June 2010 and June 2009 to the Special Education Advisory Committee.
THIS MOTION WILL BE DEALT WITH AT A LATER DATE
Staff Report 12-101, Ottawa Student Transportation Authority – Harmonization of Transportation Policies
The Board approved revisions to the following sections of OCDSB Policy P.068.TRA Student Transportation to align with OSTA Policy T14 Transportation Services. This will result in the harmonization of transportation policies with our coterminous Catholic board. http://www.ocdsb.ca/calendar/AGENDA%20DOCS/2012%20DOCS/APRIL%202012/24%20April%202012%20Board/17%20Staff%20Report%2012-101%20OSTA%20transportation%20REVISED.pdf
2.4 The wording be amended to reflect 3.2:
"Transportation for transfer elementary school students K-8 is governed by 3.2 (p) of this policy. Transportation for secondary students is not necessarily provided when a Student Transfer is granted. For example, transportation will not be provided in the case of a Student Transfer granted to attend a school offering a delivery option not provided in the student's designated school. A transfer to attend a school outside the designated group of schools would not qualify for transportation.
See also Board Policy P.077.PLG: Designated Schools/Student Transfers.";
3.1(b)Change the distance criteria from "3" to "1.6" km;
3.1(c) Add: "Grades 7-8 1.6 km or more";
3.1(k)Change: "one hour" to" forty-five minutes";
3.1(p)Add: "Students enrolled in Grades K-8 who have obtained an approved transfer to a school other than their designated school may be transported to and from a childcare provider within their catchment area, provided it meets all other eligibility criteria."; and
3.2(c) The wording be amended to reflect:
"Monthly student bus passes, tickets or paid access to public transportation as determined by OSTA will be provided to financially disadvantaged students in Grades 7-8 who meet the distance criterion of 1.6 km or students in Grades 9-12 who would meet the distance criterion of 3.0 km from their designated schools or from the schools they are attending, and who are not being transported by yellow bus."
Kanata North Accommodation
Moved by Trustee Curry, seconded by Trustee Shea,
For September 2012:
A THAT a new elementary school for Kanata North be made a capital priority and information be sent to the Ministry of Education immediately to inform them that the Kanata North Accommodation review process has resulted in a decision for the area;
B. THAT an 8 classroom addition to South March Public School be made a capital priority;
C. THAT an addition to Earl of March Secondary School be made a capital priority; and
For September 2015:
D. THAT the program and grade structure at Roland Michener Public School be JK-6 ENG/EFI;
E. THAT the program and grade structure at Stephen Leacock Public School be JK-6 ENG/EFI;
F. THAT the program and grade structure at W. Erskine Johnston Public School be JK-6 ENG, 4-6 MFI;
G. THAT the attendance boundaries for elementary schools in Kanata North be reviewed and finalized in a separate process involving community input and consultation prior to the completion of the addition at Earl of March Secondary School or 2015, whichever comes first;
H. THAT Earl of March Secondary School be configured as a 7-12 school;
I. THAT a transition team comprised of students, parents, community members, Earl of March specialty room teaching staff and principal, area elementary principals from Stephen Leacock Elementary School, Roland Michener Public School and W Erskine Johnston Public School, Facilities staff (when required), Planning staff (when required) and the Superintendent of Schools be set up immediately to work together to do three things:
i. to ensure a smooth transition for all students at the Earl of March;
ii. to consider the different construction options for the addition to the Earl of March and
iii. to review and consider the "conditions" put forward by the ARC, on behalf of the community, regarding the change to a grade 7-12 configuration at the Earl of March Secondary School and
J. THAT the enrolment numbers and site conditions at Jack Donohue Public School and West Carleton Secondary School continue to be monitored with a view to the next capital construction projects or reviews that will be required to alleviate further overcrowding at the two schools.
Kanata South Accommodation
Trustee Curry Motion map 2 EFI April 24 
Trustee Curry Motion map 2 ENG April 24
Trustee Curry Motion map 4 MFI April 24
Moved by Trustee Curry, seconded by Trustee Shea,
For September 2012:
A. THAT JK students from Katimavik Elementary School attendance area be directed to Castlefrank Elementary School;
B. THAT the MFI program at Katimavik Elementary School continue to be phased out (grades 6-8 MFI accommodated at the school for 2012-2013; grades 7-8 MFI in 2013-2014; grade 8 MFI in 2014-2015);
C. THAT an SK EFI program be created at Castlefrank Elementary School in an effort to minimize disruption for impacted students; and
For September 2013:
D. THAT the program and grade structure at Bridlewood Community Elementary School be JK-6 ENG/EFI and grades 4-6 MFI, and the attendance boundary be in accordance with Map 2 attached;
E. THAT the attendance boundary for Roch Carrier Elementary School be in accordance with Map 2 attached;
F. THAT the program and grade structure at W.O.Mitchell Elementary School be JK-8 ENG/EFI and the attendance boundary be in accordance with Map 2 attached;
G. THAT the attendance boundary for John Young Elementary School be in accordance with Map 2 attached;
H. THAT the programs and grade structures at Castlefrank Elementary School and Katimavik Elementary School become JK-3 ENG/EFI and grades 4-8 ENG/EFI and the attendance boundary be in accordance with Map 2 attached;
I. THAT Glen Cairn Public School become an intermediate school offering grades 7 and 8 ENG/EFI/MFI and the attendance boundary be in accordance with Map 2 attached;
J. THAT in an effort to minimize disruption for impacted students, students who under these recommendations would be required to attend three schools in three years, be permitted to remain at their current school in lieu of having to move back and forth.
K THAT a grade 3 EFI program be created at Katimavik Elementary School (for 2013-2014 only), in an effort to minimize disruption for impacted students;
L. THAT principals at W.O. Mitchell Public School, Bridlewood Community Elementary School and Roch Carrier Elementary School be given the data regarding which students currently access Roch Carrier Elementary School childcare (but will be now out-of-boundary) to consider in dealing with transfer requests;
M THAT students residing on Palomino Drive, Apaloosa Drive and Chickasaw Crescent who were impacted by the opening of Roch Carrier Elementary School, and their younger siblings already attending school as of September 2012, be given a one-time option to attend W.O. Mitchell Elementary School or remain at their current school (Roch Carrier Elementary School for SK-6 or Bridlewood Community Elementary School for SK-6);
N. THAT a port-a pack be given consideration for Glen Cairn Public School;
O. THAT a transition team or teams be set up to ensure a smooth transition for all students;
P. THAT OCDSB Learning Support Services Department be directed to examine the area's intermediate gifted program to determine the best location for the program going forward;
Q. THAT staff be directed to report back to the Board with a plan that would include the utilization of Glen Cairn Public School building and the Castlefrank Elementary School building as growth continues in the Fernbank and Kanata West/Northwest areas and additional school space is required for the students from those areas; and
R. THAT the Hope Lands residential development be directed to Bridlewood Community Elementary School (west half of the development) and W.O. Mitchell Elementary School (east half of the development).
MEETING ENDED AT 11:25