Boardroom Newsbrief - December 17, 2019

The Newsbrief is meant to provide the highlights of the decisions made at the Board meeting for the benefit of our community. The notes do not serve as the official record of the meeting. Please refer to Board or Committee minutes.

For full PDF agenda package prepared ahead of this meeting, visit: https://pub-ocdsb.escribemeetings.com/FileStream.ashx?DocumentId=5994

Presentation to Olga Grigoriev, Superintendent of Instruction

Presentation to Olga Grigoriev, Superintendent of Instruction
A presentation was made to Olga Grigoriev, who will be retiring from the OCDSB. Throughout her career Superintendent Grigoriev has been an advocate for students and creating learning environments that encourage creativity and help each child realize their potential.  She is passionate about ensuring that all students are enabled to learn at high levels.

Superintendent Grigoriev has had an impressive career in education as a classroom teacher, special education teacher and school administrator at both the elementary and secondary levels.  She joined the OCDSB in 2012 and has served in many capacities with the District, as a Superintendent of Instruction and Superintendent of Learning Support Services. 


Presentation on Evidence of Practice – Culture of Innovation and Social Responsibility

Presentation on Evidence of Practice – Culture of Innovation and Social ResponsibilityA presentation was made from students and staff from Sir Guy Carleton Secondary School showcasing how the school is working to promote a Culture of Innovation and Social Responsibility.

Students in multiple programs and courses at Sir Guy Carleton are engaged in experiential, relevant and authentic learning that was initiated by a group of teachers who received a “farm to cafeteria” grant. Learning is demonstrated and expanding in the areas of food planting, fertilizing harvesting, preparation, and food security. Students and staff in the Urban Farming Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) and the Advanced Culinary Education SHSM programs, as well as students and staff from the General Learning Program (GLP) specialized classes, and the Woodworking and Construction courses, are engaged in the diverse learning experiences connected to this initiative. In addition to the cross curricular collaboration, community partners are engaged in supporting this learning with expertise and resources.

This program has had a real impact on students and staff. The cafeteria services staff have introduced healthy and tasty options for lunch that appeal to the whole school population. There has been a marked increase in the number of students and staff purchasing healthy meals in the cafeteria. The cafeteria menu includes weekly fresh salads and a monthly salad bar that is 80% grown in house through the outdoor gardens, herb gardens, aquaponic powered greenhouse and hydroponic tower plants. Parents and guardians are promoting the cafeteria menu with students as a healthier and less expensive option than nearby fast food outlets. The breakfast and lunch program options, funded by ONFE, and prepared and served by students at Sir Guy Carleton are now more varied and appealing.

As a further benefit, increased staff collaboration between school departments and central department leads has resulted in improved educator practices and increased innovation in learning opportunities and engagement for students and staff.

Student Trustee Report

Student Trustees Ganaaboute Gagne and Prasith Wijeweera presented their bi-annual report. The report addressed issues of environmental concerns, student transportation, mental health services, along with reflections from the Rainbow Youth Forum, Indigenous Youth Symposium, Student Senate, Presidents Council and OSTA-AECO. Read the full report

Briefing from the Chair of the Board

Labour Update

Last Friday, the OSSTF announced it will hold another full-day withdrawal of service at select school boards. This will not include the OCDSB. All of our schools will be open tomorrow.

Canada Homestay Network

The OCDSB is working with Canada Homestay Network to arrange and support homestay hosts for international students. We’re currently looking for families in our community who would be willing to host a student. Information can be found on the OCDSB website.

Kindergarten Registration

Starting in January, schools across the District will be hosting Kindergarten registration information sessions for the 2020-2021 school year. Dates and times will be posted in front of local schools and on their websites.

Briefing from the Director

Relay for Life

In 2019, secondary students organized 14 events in support of the Canadian Cancer Society Relay for Life. I am proud to announce that together, they have raised more than $650,000 for cancer research.

The funds will help support research on all cancers, advocate to make healthy living easier, and provide essential support services for people living with cancer and their families.

Congratulations to students at AY Jackson, Bell, Cairine Wilson, Colonel By, Gloucester, John McCrae, Lisgar, Longfields-Davidson Heights, Merivale, Nepean Osgoode Township, SRB, Sir Wilfred Laurier and Woodroffe.

Holiday Closures

A reminder that students will finish classes at the end of the day on Friday, December 20th and will return to school on Monday, January 6th, 2020.

Administration will also be closed on December 25th and re-open on January 2, 2020.

We hope all enjoy a safe, happy and restful holiday break, and wish you a happy New Year!

In Camera Motions

Trustees approved the following:

  • Personnel Matter – moved that staff proceed, as directed in Board in camera, with respect to the Director Evaluation
  • Approval of Evaluation of the Regional Internal Audit Team Performance

    Public Motions

    Trustees approved the following:

  • Confirmation of Board Minutes, 26 November 2019 (as amended)
    • Notice of Motion to Amend a Previous Motion to Appoint a Member to the Special Education Advisory Committee
  • Confirmation of Board Minutes, 02 December 2019 Board Organizational Meeting
  • Receipt of Committee of the Whole Budget Report, 26 November 2019
  • Receipt of Committee of the Whole Report, 10 December 2019 (as amended)
    • Policy P.017.GOV Student Trustees
    • Chapman Mills Public School Area – Intermediate & Secondary School Attendance Boundary Redirection
    • Rideau-Gloucester Transition Monitoring Report
  • Report 19-131, Trustee Resignation and Appointment Process, Zone 10 (as amended)
    • The Board accepted, with regret and appreciation for her years of dedicated service, the resignation of Erica Braunovan, Trustee Zone 10, Somerset/Kitchissippi, effective 31 December 2019; and
    • The Board will proceed with the appointment process to fill the vacancy for the position of Trustee, Zone 10 as outlined in Report 19-131
    • Interviews were agreed to be held on February 11, 2020, with the swearing in ceremony to be held on February 18, 2020
  • Policy P.141.GOV Integrity Commissioner (as amended)
  • Appointment of Association Representatives to the Special Education Advisory Committee
    • Safina Dewshi, to be appointed as the primary member, and Michelle Berry be appointed as the alternate member representing Ottawa-Carleton Assembly of School Councils to the Special Education Advisory Committee for the term ending 14 November 2022.

Meeting ended at 9:50 pm


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