Ottawa Carleton District School Board

Hello Students, Congratulations - we have reached the end of the school year. The past few weeks have been filled with leaving ceremonies, commencements, and celebrations. We have consistently been inspired by our community of curious, creative, and compassionate students – by their motivation to learn and their support for one another.

Hello Students, It’s hard to believe we are just days away from the end of the school year! The last day of school for secondary students is Tuesday, June 27. Have a safe and happy summer. To those who are graduating, congratulations and good luck in your future endeavors!

Hello Students, Summer Jobs at the OCDSB Are you looking for summer employment? Are you interested in working as a casual custodian? The OCDSB is hiring for summer positions. Learn more and apply.

Hello Students, Last Wednesday, I had the opportunity to attend the Black Youth Forum. My sincere congratulations to the students who organized this fantastic event and to the staff who supported that work. I learned very much in conversation with students and colleagues, and will continue to reflect on how I might carry forward the celebration of Black Joy in my work. I have heard wonderful feedback about the event from many parents, caregivers, students, and staff who participated, and look forward to seeing these conversations continue.

Hello Students, Celebrating the Winners of our Community Recognition Awards At this week’s Board Meeting, the winners of the 2022-2023 Community Recognition Awards were announced and celebrated. Please visit our website to learn more about their hard work and dedication. We are grateful to all our nominees and winners, and to all our volunteers for the incredible work they have done this year!

Hello Students, Student Success Days/Exam Days for Secondary Students Secondary schools will again be having Student Success Days/Exam Days at the end of June. These days provide an opportunity for students to consolidate their learning and improve their achievement. More details are available below and on our website.

Hello Students, A reminder that Monday, May 22nd is Victoria Day. There will be no classes on this day, and all OCDSB schools and administrative sites will be closed.

Save the Date: Black Youth Forum - Wednesday, June 7 - Join the OCDSB for our annual Black Youth Forum! This year, our theme is Black Joy, and we're excited to explore different aspects of this theme with you. The forum will feature multiple groups, each with their own unique perspective on Black Joy. Through presentations, interactive activities, and discussions, these groups will examine topics such as Black representation, community, influence, and self-worth.

Hello Students, Thanks to everyone who was able to attend school based events for Education Week. There have been many exceptional open houses, performances, activities, and events to celebrate student learning and well-being.

Hello Students, At Glebe Collegiate Institute, young historians have been participating in Project True North, shedding light on individuals whose voices, stories, and contributions have been missing from common narratives about Canadian history - see how these students are uncovering untold stories from WWI.

Hello Students, It is always fantastic to hear about the success of former OCDSB students! This week, CBC radio interviewed a local musician known as TALK who has just released a new song called “Afraid of the Dark”. TALK, otherwise known as Nicholas Durocher is a graduate of South Carleton High School.

Hello Students, With the change in weather, many of you have started walking or biking to school. Whichever type of transportation you use, please remember to watch carefully for walkers, cyclists, and vehicles on the way to and from school.

Hello Students, Thank you for your patience and understanding as we have worked to communicate information about power outages, school closures, and changes to programming over the past few days.

Hello Students, Public meetings have always been an important part of culture at the OCDSB. We encourage community engagement and the healthy and respective debate of issues and ideas.

Hello Students, We hope you had a wonderful March Break, and that you have enjoyed this first week back at school. Here are a few things to note for the week ahead.

Hello Students, Wishing you all a safe and happy March Break. A reminder that Daylight Savings begins on Sunday, March 12th, so don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour!

Hello Students, There is just one week left until March Break! Whatever your plans are, we hope you’ll be able to enjoy some restful time away from school. Please remember that if you are finding this time of year to be stressful, you are not alone. Talking about your concerns can help, and there are many local groups available to help.

Hello Students, Thank you to everyone who brought $2 or more to school in support of Toonie Tuesday this week.

Mental Health Matters - Understanding mental health and how to get support when you need it is so important. The OCDSB’s Youth Action Committee on Mental Health (Y.A.C) has created a poster to share information about local organizations that are here to support you. Our mental health professionals have also compiled this resource list to support families looking for information and support.

Hello Students, A reminder that next Friday, February 17th, will be a Professional Activity Day at all our schools. Monday, February 20th is Family Day. There will be no classes for students on either of these days.

Hello Students, Thank you to everyone who has participated in the OCDSB 2023-2027 strategic plan consultation process. It has been so energizing to connect with you and have a chance to hear your stories, thoughts and ideas. It is critical that our staff listen carefully to the experiences and ideas of students as we consider this path forward, in order to ensure we can shape a future for the OCDSB that is meaningful to you.

Hello Students, Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which honours and remembers the over six million Jews murdered and countless other victims of the Holocaust. At the OCDSB, it is our obligation to educate, prevent, challenge and address antisemitism in all its forms.

Dear Students, Resources to Help You Take Care of your Mental Health Knowing this can be a stressful time of year for many students, the OCDSB’s Youth Action Committee on Mental Health (Y.A.C) has compiled a few resources to help students find support.

Hello Students, A Reminder about Post Secondary Scholarships If you have plans to attend college or university, remember to visit our website to explore the scholarships and bursaries that are available.

Hello Students,  I hope you had a nice Winter Break. On behalf of everyone at the school district, I wish you a very Happy New Year. The start of a new calendar year is often a time for reflection, renewal and new beginnings. 

Hello Students,  As we head into the winter break, we hope you are able to enjoy some much needed rest and relaxation. Please remember that all OCDSB schools and administrative buildings are closed on Friday, December 23 due to the incoming winter storm. We look forward to seeing all our students back at school on Monday, January 9, 2023.

In the coming weeks many families in our OCDSB community will be celebrating holidays or marking important occasions together. We would like to send our warmest wishes to all who will be observing these and other celebrations throughout the winter holiday season.

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board stands against antisemitism. We are aware of the vile, antisemitic statements and messages targeted at Trustee Nili Kaplan-Myrth. Many of these statements have included antisemitic slurs, epithets, threats of harm, aggression, and in some cases, illegal activity. This is unacceptable and inexcusable.

Hello Students, This was a challenging week for the OCDSB community. The Board of Trustees considered whether to mandate masking for students and staff, and our student trustees provided an important voice at the table as well. These meetings generated a lot of discussion, both inside and outside of the Boardroom. After much debate, the motion did not pass. This means that wearing a mask in OCDSB schools and buildings is not mandatory, but it continues to be strongly encouraged.

Hello Students,  On Tuesday, trustees were officially sworn in as members of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board for a four-year term during the Inaugural meeting. Congratulations to Trustee Lyra Evans, who was elected Chair of the Board and Trustee Justine Bell, elected Vice-Chair. To learn more about Trustees and how to contact them, visit our website.  

National Indigenous Veterans Day. and Remembrance Day As a District, we honour the commitment and sacrifices of all who have served and continue to serve in times of war, conflict, and peace. In recognition of National Indigenous Veterans Day and Remembrance Day, this week students and staff members have been taking time to pause, remember and reflect.

Hello Students, A reminder that tomorrow, Friday, November 4th, is a regular school day for secondary students. The OCDSB will not be directly affected by any CUPE strike action tomorrow. Next week will be a regular week for all OCDSB schools.

Hello Students, A Fun and Safe Halloween Monday, October 31st is Halloween. Your school might choose to mark this date in a variety of ways, though students are not required to wear a costume or participate in Halloween activities.

Hello Students, October 24-28: Media Literacy Week. Media Literacy Week (MLW) is a chance to learn more about how to stay safe online, think critically about what we see and read in the media, learn what types of websites we can trust, and more.

Hello Students, Free menstrual pads Thanks to the advocacy of students and student trustees, OCDSB students will have access to free menstrual products. Watch for more details from your school about location and availability. No need to ask, just take what you need. Learn more about the OCDSB Menstrual Equity Initiative.

Hello Students, We hope you enjoyed a restful long weekend. Here are a few reminders for the week ahead.

Hello Students, Today is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. This is a day of mourning and remembrance for Indigenous people, and an opportunity for all to reflect and honour survivors, their families, and their communities. It is also an opportunity to ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.⁠ Please remember that mental health resources are available for those who may need them.

We hope you’ve been enjoying your first few weeks back at school. Here is some information we wanted to share with you for the week ahead.

September 19th - Powley Day. Métis communities celebrate Powley Day each year on September 19th, marking the anniversary of the landmark Métis rights victory at the Supreme Court of Canada. Powley Day commemorates the most important Métis Rights recognition since the days of Louis Riel. Learn more on our website.

Hello Students, We hope you have been settling into your new routines this week and enjoying the beginning of a new school year.

Hello Students, We’re looking forward to welcoming you back next week! Here’s some information to get you started on the new school year.