October 10, 2025 - News, Upcoming Events, Resources, and Helpful Links.

Dear Families, 

It was terrific to visit two sites over this past two-week period… Kars on the Rideau Public School and North Gower/Marlborough Public School. These back-to-back visits were so inspiring.. seeing the thoughtfulness of our staff as they engaged students in authentic learning experiences, including an overview of the three-day orientation session focused on ‘Coyote Values’ - accountability, empathy, integrity, respect and self-discipline - to start the school year (at Kars) and the ‘Rubber Duckling’ initiative that builds critical thinking and digital literacy through community-based projects (at North Gower/Marlborough), respectively.

I also had the opportunity to visit our Adult High School and Family Reception Centre with Supervisor Plamondon… a wonderful experience in witnessing the impact we’re having with young adults as they build their knowledge and skills for application in society, as well as our coordination efforts in helping newcomers with language/literacy and numeracy assessments for their children and supports for families as they settle into their new environments. 

As a final point on the Elementary Program Review (EPR), we are moving forward with a new, less disruptive approach. Streamlining elementary programming to offer English with Core French and French Immersion system-wide is a necessary measure to ensure the effective support of student learning across the organization. This approach, which avoids compelling students to change schools, also provides critical stability and to allow us to focus on strengthening every school.  

News

• MacSkimming's Open Trails Day Sets New Record
• Recording available: Executive Function Skills: Why They Matter for Mental Wellness, and How to Support Them

Upcoming Events:

• October 23rd (5:00. - 7:00 p.m.): We invite families in Ottawa's downtown area for an informative and engaging in-person Community Connection event.
• November 8th (9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.): Family Conference 2025
• November 4th and 6th (7:00 - 9:00 p.m.): Arts Canterbury Open Houses (In-person)
• November 20th (6:15 – 8:00 p.m.): Save the Date - Speaker Series: Exploring the IB Program
• Starred Dates: October 20th is Diwali.

Resources:

• Concussion Management Resources
• New AI Resources for Students 
• Cyber security resources from the Government of Canada and Cyber Security Ontario (for students)
• Media literacy resources from MediaSmarts
• School Council Resources
• 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