Ottawa Carleton District School Board

We are pleased to share the winners of the 2021-2022 Community Recognition Awards. Each year, these awards recognize the valuable contributions of community members, parents, and businesses

As the school year comes to a close, we would like to say Thank You! to all School Councils for your dedication to supporting OCDSB students, families, and communities.

School Councils who participated in this year’s PRO Grant Parent Information sessions are asked to complete the organizer feedback form and share the feedback survey with the participants.

The online booking system, eBASE, is now open for School Councils to submit permit requests for school activities for the 2022-2023 school year. Permit requests must be submitted by June 30, 2022, after that time the software will be open to community users

Learn about managing school council records, including retention and disposal of records.

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board is seeking to appoint up to three community representatives, who have an interest in issues related to exceptional children, to sit on the Board’s Special Education Advisory Committee. Online applications must be received by 4:00 p.m. Friday, July 8, 2022.

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

It is never too early to start drafting your year-end report. Board Policy P.014.SCO School Councils requires school councils to prepare an annual report on the school council activities, including fundraising. Please submit your report by 31 October of each school year.

The School Council at Riverview Alternative School supported an innovative tool to share books about equity and diversity with the school community.

With the arrival of spring, many school councils find themselves with lots of things on the go and only a few meetings until the end of the school year. Here’s a quick list of action items that might help with your planning.

Your council may want to start drafting their financial report that is required to be completed via the School Council Year-End Financial Reporting Google Form by September 16, 2022.

Do you know a community member, parent, volunteer, or business partner whose hard work as a volunteer has had a positive impact on their school? Nominate them through our formal recognition awards program by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 22nd, 2022.

We have a diverse selection of speakers and topics that schools can choose from for this year’s PRO Grant Parent Information Sessions.

In April 2022, the OCDSB will be conducting a School Climate Survey for students in grades 4-12.

This update provides additional information and timelines to support School Councils in their planning for the 2021-2022 PRO Grant Parent Information Sessions.

This year the district will again be launching the second annual School Council Virtual Speaker Nights. This initiative helps School Councils to get parents engaged with the school community. Funding has been provided from the Ministry of Education - Parents Reaching Out (PRO) funding.

The Broadview Public School Council and community organized a heartwarming initiative to provide warm winter gear to students and families in need in their community and donate over $2,000 to the Snowsuit Fund!

The Education Foundation of Ottawa (EFO) needs your support on Toonie Tuesday, February 22, 2022! The EFO provides OCDSB students with appropriate access to food, clothing, school supplies, healthcare supports, and opportunities for learning and recreation.

Each year schools/school councils receive $500.00 to be spent at their discretion on activities that support and enhance parent involvement and communication in their school community.

Did you hear? The OCDSB has launched a new podcast! Each episode of "In Conversation with OCDSB" brings listeners into a friendly discussion, sharing information and resources for K-12 families.

In January and February 2022, schools across the District are hosting Kindergarten and High School Virtual Parent Information Nights for families. Spread the word with your local community using our tips and template social media posts.

Students, staff, and families are invited to share their thoughts about the placement of the Winter Break in the 2022-2023 School Year Calendar. Help spread the word to your School Council! Survey closes Wednesday, January 26, 2022.

We’re pleased to launch a new look for our school council newsletter and webpages. Supporting School Councils is a one-stop destination for the latest school council information, news, tips, resources and reminders.

In January and February, OCDSB schools will once again be hosting live, online sessions to support families of students entering kindergarten and high school. We invite councils to promote these events in their communities and share suggestions on new ways to engage prospective families.

Vimy Ridge Public School brought together their school community to create a Remembrance Garden with over 1,000 hand-painted rocks in honour of Remembrance Day and the 100th anniversary of the poppy in Canada.

Insurance coverage for school councils is paid for by the District and is provided through the Ontario School Boards’ Insurance Exchange (OSBIE) and Arthur J. Gallagher Canada Limited Brokers for the policy period November 1, 2021 to November 1, 2022

Good news - we are in the process of sending every school council, including OCV councils, $500 to assist with parent engagement activities. The Ministry provides these funds specifically for parent involvement activities in your school for 2021-2022.

Answering questions from school councils about in-person volunteering, police checks for volunteers, and breakfast programs.

School Cash Online offers a safe and convenient way to pay for school activity fees. Find out what’s new in School Cash Online this year.

School council meetings are being hosted virtually this year. Read the OCDSB Guide to Google Meet for School Council Attendees and Tips for Hosting School Council Meetings using Google Meet.

The success of a school council often rests with the partnership they form with the Principal. Parents Engaged in Education has shared 9 helpful tips to help build a positive partnership.