October 14, 2022 - OCDSB Parent Conference - November 5th: 2022 (In-Person), OCDSB Menstrual Equity initiative, and more.
Dear Families,
OCDSB Parent Conference - November 5th: 2022 (In-Person)
Register Now! for our in-person Parent Conference planned for Saturday, November 5th from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Ridgemont High School. Dr. Michael Cheng from CHEO will share strategies on building resilience in children and youth in a world of uncertainty. There will also be multiple workshops led by experts on:
- Welcoming and supporting newcomer families and navigating the school system;
- Reading and language development;
- English proficiency for multilingual learners;
- Addiction and problematic behaviours related to gaming and tech use;
- Transforming culture and curriculum to affirm identities;
- Recognizing and responding to signs of stress and anxiety in children;
- Engaging in conversations about mental health;
- How to access special education services offered in our schools to support your child (English and Arabic);
- How to identify risk factors to educational stagnation and how to make an action plan for student success (Somali).
For a full list of our workshops visit our website.
OCDSB Menstrual Equity initiative
The OCDSB will be providing free menstrual products in our schools for students starting in grade 4 and above. Anyone who needs a pad can take one. More information on where sanitary pads will be located will be shared by the school. Learn more.
Working Together to Prevent COVID-19 Transmission
Information provided in Ottawa Public Health’s most recent COVID-19 Snapshot shows that levels of COVID-19 in Ottawa remain high. With cold and flu season upon us as well, it is important that we all continue screening for symptoms of COVID-19, stay up-to-date on vaccines, and stay home when sick. The OCDSB also continues to recommend that students and staff wear well-fitting masks while indoors. This week we posted information in multiple languages in each school to encourage staff, students, and families to wear a mask while at school.
The OCDSB’s Indigenous, Equity, and Human Rights Road Trip, November 9, 2022
We have been on a journey with the 2020-23 Indigenous, Equity and Human Rights Roadmap to identify and address systemic barriers that impact students, staff and families. We want to hear stories about the journey so far: students are invited to share their stories through videos, slide shows, creative expression (spoken word, poetry, art pieces), visual displays (photos, artwork, etc.) that show equity in action in their classrooms, student groups, or schools. Students can fill out this form by Wednesday, October 26th to share their story about equity in action at the OCDSB. Selected submissions will be shared during the launch of the OCDSB’s Indigenous, Equity and Human Rights Road Trip on November 9, 2022 at Woodroffe High School. More information will be shared in the coming weeks.
Applications for Ontario Colleges and Universities
For families with students considering postsecondary education, applications for Ontario colleges and universities are now open. There are important deadlines coming up throughout the fall. Check out ontariocolleges.ca and the Ontario Universities Application Centre online to learn how and when to apply.
Polling Stations for the Upcoming Election
The 2022 Municipal and School Board Elections will take place on Monday, October 24th. Fifty-six OCDSB schools will be used as polling locations on election day, and five are designated as advance polling locations today. The safety and security of staff and students is always the primary concern when schools are used as polling sites. We work closely with Municipal Elections staff to ensure that contact between the public and students and staff is avoided (in most cases, polling stations are located in the gym with designated entry and exit points for the exclusive use of election staff and voters). If you have questions about the use of your child’s school in the municipal election, please reach out to your school directly.
School Ventilation Upgrades
The OCDSB ventilation page offers an overview of the improvements made to ventilation and air quality in OCDSB schools since 2020. Approximately $26 million has been spent on these upgrades, with a further $13.7 million planned for this year. The OCDSB has also created a Standardized School Ventilation Measures Report (Excel file), which provides a snapshot of school ventilation and filtration measures taken at each school. Stay tuned for more information.
School News
York Street Public School invites families, staff, alumni, and community members to join their 100th anniversary celebration this Saturday, October 15, from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. The event will include a free barbecue and activities for all ages. Learn more.
In case you missed it…
OCDSB Speaker Series Presents “Explore Digital Parenting” with Media Smarts: On Tuesday, October 25th at 7:30 p.m., the OCDSB and MediaSmarts will host a virtual speaker series event for parents and guardians. “Explore Digital Parenting” provides information about managing kids’ screen time, helping to keep children safe online, and setting household internet rules. Learn more on our website.
OCDSB Seeking Community Member to Join Audit Committee: Do you have financial expertise and business knowledge that could add value to the OCDSB’s Audit Committee? Qualified candidates are invited to submit a letter of interest and résumé by 1:00 p.m. on October 31, 2022. Learn more on our website.
Looking for More Information on Upcoming Events or Dates?
Remember to consult the OCDSB’s elementary and/or secondary calendars for PA Days, holidays, exam dates, and more. Board Meetings, committee meetings, and dates of significance can be found on the OCDSB’s board calendar. In addition, religious and/or cultural dates can be found in our MultiFaith calendar.
Thank you,
Camille Williams-Taylor
Director of Education