November 17, 2023 - 2023-2024 Chair and Vice-Chair of Board of Trustees, Student Transportation Update, and more.
Hello Students,
I had the pleasure and privilege to visit Half Moon Bay Public School earlier this week… and watched a number of students engaged in enriching learning tasks, including the development of sight vocabulary in both English and French in the bilingual kindergarten program, for instance. My heartfelt thanks to all staff on site for their efforts and energy in creating such exciting teaching and learning environments in the early years and elsewhere on site.
2023-2024 Chair and Vice-Chair of Board of Trustees
On Tuesday, the Board of Trustees elected Lynn Scott, Trustee Zone 1, and Cathryne Milburn, Trustee Zone 12 to the offices of Chair and Vice-Chair. Chair Scott and Vice-Chair Milburn welcomed the opportunity to serve in these important roles and extended deep appreciation to former Chair, Trustee Lyra, as well as former Vice-Chair, Trustee Bell for their work over the past year. For more information, visit our website.
Student Transportation Update
The Ottawa Student Transportation Authority (OSTA) is actively working with operators to cover a shortage of approximately 30 drivers, down from 40 on October 30th. This driver shortage results in the long-term cancellation of 2% (118 runs) of all transportation services managed by OSTA. For more information, visit the OSTA website
November 21st: Report Cards will be emailed
Secondary report cards will be sent to eligible students and families via email on Tuesday, November 21st. You will need your Ontario Education Number (OEN) to access the report card. For more information, please visit our website.
November 24 - PA Day
Friday, November 24, 2023, is a Professional Activity Day for OCDSB elementary and secondary school staff. There will be no classes for students on this day. The secondary PA Day focuses on key Ministry priorities: Literacy, numeracy, cybersecurity and online privacy awareness.
November 20 - Transgender Day of Remembrance
Each year, Transgender Day of Remembrance is recognized on November 20th. On this day and every day, we honour and remember transgender people who have been lost to violence.
November 19-25 is Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week
Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week is an opportunity for us all to reaffirm that bullying is not acceptable in our schools and communities. Next week, we will be working to raise awareness and provide helpful information for how we can all work together to prevent and respond to bullying. The OCDSB Safe Schools Reporting Tool is one way for students to share information about bullying and other concerns they might have at school. Learn more about bullying prevention.
Classroom Chronicles
Last week, OCDSB schools marked Remembrance Week. Glebe Collegiate Institute created a walking memorial in the community; Cairine Wilson Secondary School staged the play Where the Poppies Blow; Lisgar Collegiate Institute shared banners honouring alumni who served; and Osgoode Township High School joined schools across Canada for Operation Remembrance.
At Ottawa Technical Secondary School, a group of students turned t-shirts into a canvas for their creativity, voices, and imagination. Check out their one-of-a-kind wearable art.
This week, we are bidding au revoir to 39 exchange students from Provence, France, who joined schools across the OCDSB for five weeks of learning, connection, and cross-cultural experiences. Read about their journey!
Calendars and Planning for Important Dates
Please consult the OCDSB’s Elementary and Secondary calendars for PA Days, holidays, exam dates, and more during the 2023-2024 School Year. In addition, schools avoid scheduling activities like evaluations and field trips on certain religious/creed-based days of significance. Additional dates of significance can be found in our MultiFaith calendar (located on our home page) and on this webpage.
Upcoming Board and Advisory Committee Meetings
November 21st, 7:00 p.m. - Committee of the Whole
November 22nd, 6:00 p.m. - Parent Involvement Committee (PIC)
November 23rd, 6:00 p.m. - Advisory Committee on Equity (ACE)
Agendas, locations, minutes, livestreams and recordings of meetings are available for public viewing using the Board and Advisory Committees' meeting calendar.
In case you missed it:
Events:
Helpful Links
Thank you,
Pino Buffone
Director of Education