September 12, 2025 - News, Upcoming Events, Resources, and Helpful Links.

Dear Families, 

I am very excited to welcome (and welcome back!) all members of our school communities and central buildings to a new school year! I trust that the first few weeks have started as smoothly and seamlessly as possible for our students... and I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere appreciation to all staff for their care and commitment in the preparation of our start up of the 2025-2026 school year. Of importance to note, I have resumed weekly school visits as they represent some of the most insightful, inspirational learning for me as Director of Education. Most specifically, earlier this week, as part of the new SWIFT (Schools Within Innovative & Future Technologies) Program, I toured the new teaching and learning space at the official launch of SkillsHub Ottawa, an innovative partnership between Earl of March Secondary School, the Skills Council of Canada, and the Kanata North Business Association. The program is a shining example of the evolving suite of programs and/or services offered, system-wide, at the OCDSB! 

In addition, last week, Supervisor Bob Plamondon and I met with Chief Stubbs and members of his Community Youth Unit (CYU) team from the Ottawa Police Service to continue our positive, productive deliberations on the partnership between our school board and the police service in regard to local protocols in place for safety, as well as proactive educational programming on subjects such as cyber-bullying, human trafficking and road safety. The Chief emphasized that they see this as working with schools, demonstrating a greater partnership between local police and school communities. 

Wishing all members of our organizational community a wonderful new school year!

News

• Register for Fall Virtual Night School by September 15th
• Have a baby who will be 2-4 months old in October? Volunteer for the Roots of Empathy Program!
• Reminder: Important Update to Blue Bin Recycling Program.
• Read incredible achievements and celebrations of OCDSB students and staff on the Spotlight page. 

Upcoming Events:

• September 17th (6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.): OCDSB Speaker Series – Executive Function Skills: Why They Matter for Mental Wellness, and How to Support Them with Dr. Michael Cheng.
• September 20th (9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.): Open Trails Day at MacSkimming Outdoor Education Centre.
• September 27th (10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.): In-Person Information Session on Individualized Education Plans.
• September 27th (11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.): Join us for Family Connection Day 
• October 9th (7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.): OCDSB Speaker Series - Navigating Post-Secondary Education. 
• Starred Date: Rosh Hashanah is on September 23rd and 24th (commences at sundown on September 22nd).
• Professional Activity (PA) Day: September 29th – No school for elementary and secondary students.

Resources:

• School Council Elections
• Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships: What Teens Need to Know
• Mental Health in Action: Tip sheets, videos, community and crisis resources, and more. 

Helpful Links: 

• Explore OCDSB Career Opportunities
• Parents’ Guide to Ontario’s Education System
• Want To Make A Difference In The Lives Of OCDSB Students? Donate To The Education Foundation Of Ottawa!
• OCDSB Safe Schools Reporting Tool
• Elementary Calendar 
• Secondary Calendar 
• Religious/Creed-Based Days Of Observance 
• Days and Months of Significance
• Multifaith Calendar

Thank You,

Pino Buffone
Director of Education