January 28, 2022 - Elementary and Secondary Transfer Application Period: January 31st - February 11th, Registration for the Middle French Immersion Program: February 7th - 11th, and more.

January 28, 2022 - Elementary and Secondary Transfer Application Period: January 31st - February 11th, Registration for the Middle French Immersion Program: February 7th - 11th, and more.
Posted on 01/28/2022

Dear OCDSB Families, 

Elementary and Secondary Transfer Application Period: January 31st - February 11th 

The student transfer application period (elementary and secondary) runs from January 31st until February 11th. If you wish to have your child attend a school other than their designated school, you must complete a student transfer application. Learn more on our website

Registration for the Middle French Immersion Program: February 7th - 11th

Interested in the OCDSB’s Middle French Immersion Program? If your child has completed the grade 3 English/Core French Program, they can choose to enter Middle French Immersion. Registration runs from February 7th to February 11th, 2022. Learn more on our website

Scholarships 

It’s that time of year for secondary students to complete scholarship applications. Here are a few of note:

  • 2022 Ontario Public Student Trustee Leadership Scholarship: Deadline May 20, 2022: This scholarship recognizes outstanding achievement in a leadership role and provides financial support to a graduating public board student trustee to assist with their post-secondary education plans. Two scholarships, in the amount of $500 each, will be awarded. Learn more and view deadlines on OPSBA’s website
  • Black Foundation of Community Networks (BFCN) Scholarship Application Workshop: Friday, February 4th, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m: The Black Foundation of Community Networks (BFCN) is hosting a BFCN Scholarship Application Workshop for Black students and their families on Friday, February 4th from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. If you know of a Black youth who is currently in Grade 8 or high school, save the date and attend! The workshop is free and BFCN’s Scholarship Program Coordinator will be answering questions. Limited space is available, so please register on Eventbrite as soon as possible. 

2022 Prime Minister’s Awards: Nominations Close February 8th 

The Prime Minister’s Awards honour outstanding and innovative elementary and secondary school teachers, along with early childhood educators. Parents, guardians, students, and staff members are all welcome to submit a nomination for a teacher or early childhood educator who has demonstrated innovation and leadership. Nominate a teacher or early childhood educator before February 8th, 2022. 

Addressing Antisemitism in Schools

We welcome the recent provincial announcement to provide resources to combat antisemitism in schools. The OCDSB is committed to preventing and addressing all forms of antisemitism and hate in our schools and communities. Read the full announcement on the Ontario government’s website

Board of Trustees Approves OCDSB Human Rights Policy for Students and Families

Every person has the right to be treated equally, with dignity and respect. This week the Board of Trustees approved OCDSB’s first ever human rights policy for students and families. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and contributed to the process. If you or your child experience discrimination or harassment, tell a trusted staff member at school. You can also raise your concern directly with the Office of the Human RIghts and Equity Advisor.

COVID-19 UPDATES AND PUBLIC HEALTH INFORMATION 

Voluntary COVID-19 Disclosure

The OCDSB has created a Voluntary COVID-19 Disclosure Form and Dashboard to help inform families of COVID-19 cases in schools. Students and staff who have tested positive for COVID-19 can fill out a voluntary disclosure form, which will be matched to our internal records and then posted anonymously on the dashboard. To learn more about how this tool works, submit a case, or read frequently asked questions, please visit our website. Use this link to submit a form and this link to view the dashboard.

Understanding Absence Reporting

On January 24th, the Ontario government began tracking school absences across the province through the Ontario COVID-19: school closures and absenteeism report. For each school, the table shows a combined percentage of students and staff who are reported as absent for multiple reasons, not just illness or absences related to COVID-19. In providing this information, OCDSB schools submit daily absence reports regarding how many students and staff were physically present in a school on a given day. We continue to work with Ottawa Public Health to monitor absence data and in particular when absences exceed 30% of the school population.

In response to your questions, we have included more information on our website. It is important to note that the first week of reporting on the Ontario website was severely disrupted by weather, transportation cancellations and a PA Day for all OCDSB elementary schools. To learn more about absence reporting visit our website

Rapid Antigen Tests

Most elementary students should have received two rapid antigen tests (RATs) from their school. In addition, this week we began distribution of test kits to secondary students. These tests are intended to be used when a student becomes symptomatic, or is required to self-isolate as a household contact of someone who is symptomatic. If a student receives two negative RAT results taken at least 24 hours apart, they may end isolation early and return to school, if they are feeling well enough to do so. More information on the tests can be found on our website, and frequently asked questions are answered on Ottawa Public Health’s website.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Secondary Student Success Day: Wednesday, February 2nd

A reminder that Wednesday, February 2nd is a Student Success Day for all secondary students. There will be no classes held on this day. This will allow secondary teachers time to consolidate student assessments and evaluations, and to support student success activities, and provides students additional time to submit or catch up on assignments. On February 3rd, students will begin semester two and return to a schedule of four classes per day. Watch for more information from your school.

Black Excellence Day: Thursday, February 3rd

On Thursday, February 3rd, OCDSB students and staff will be participating in Black Excellence Day. On February 3rd, 2021 the province of Nova Scotia repaid the fine and court costs associated with Viola Desmond’s 1946 court case to Viola's sister, Wanda Robson. Viola had been found guilty of tax evasion in 1946, after challenging racial segregation at the Roseland Theatre in New Glasgow.

Black Excellence Day reminds us that despite these intentional inequities, People of Black African descent continue to excel in all areas of life. Black Excellence Day is a new opportunity for us to come together to repair the harm and damage caused by racism's past and present oppressive practices. Students and staff members are welcome to wear black on this day, and to post on social media using the hashtags #BlackExcellenceDay and #OCDSBBlackExcellenceDay.

“Why Do You Have to File Taxes?” Webinar for Students: Tuesday, February 8th 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

If your child is in high school, they are welcome to join representatives from the Canada Revenue Agency for an introduction to financial literacy, to learn more about taxes, credits, and the benefits that may be relevant to them. The webinar will take place Tuesday, February 8th from 4:00 p.m until 5:30 p.m. Join the webinar via Zoom. 

**NEW DATE: 2SLGBTQ+ Interfaith Panel Discussion: Wednesday, February 9th 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Students, staff and families are invited to a 2SLGBTQ+ Interfaith Panel Discussion webinar on Wednesday, February 9th from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This information session will help you know more about gender, sexuality and faith. Please note, this date has been updated from the original date of February 10th. If you registered before the date change, you can use the same link to join the webinar on February 9th and do not need to register again. If you haven’t signed up yet, register now on our website

Student-led Discussion on Black Excellence: Thursday, February 10th 7:00 p.m.

The OCDSB is hosting a student-led discussion on Black Excellence on Thursday, February 10th at 7:00 p.m. The event will feature current and former OCDSB students who will explore topics, such as what it takes to achieve excellence as Black youth. Learn more on our website

DATES OF SIGNIFICANCE 

January 29th is the National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia. The OCDSB remembers the victims and their families and stands with the Muslim community against Islamophobia and all forms of hatred.

February is Black History Month and the OCDSB will host a number of events and activities for students, staff and families to take part in to learn more and celebrate Black culture and history.

February is also School Crossing Guard Appreciation Month, an opportunity to recognize the important work of our school crossing guards. In addition, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean New Year celebrations begin on February 1st. Winter Walk Day encourages active transportation, and is recognized on February 2nd. 

Please remember to follow us on social media and visit our website for additional resources and to learn more about the important dates of significance we recognize throughout the year. We will be sharing more February dates in our upcoming updates. 

SCHOOL NEWS

Our School News page features stories of how school communities are creating a culture of caring, innovation and social responsibility. Here are some highlights from January:

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…

Kindergarten and Secondary Registration: A reminder that registration is open for both Kindergarten and High School at the OCDSB. 

Virtual Parent Information Nights: Elementary and secondary schools are offering Virtual Parent Information Nights for families ready to register their child for Kindergarten or high school. Visit our website to learn more, and to attend or view a recording of our Kindergarten Virtual Parent Information Nights and Secondary Virtual Parent Information Nights.

OCDSB Podcast: The first episode of our new podcast, In Conversation with OCDSB, is all about “The Big Day” - the first day of Kindergarten! Learn more and listen on our website

Thank you, 

Camille Williams-Taylor

Director of Education

 


Website by SchoolMessenger Presence. © 2024 SchoolMessenger Corporation. All rights reserved.