Ottawa Carleton District School Board

Ottawa Public Health encourages using the General Self-Assessment Tool to screen yourself and your family daily. OPH has also outlined some information and resources related to measures that you can take to continue keeping yourself and your families safe during this respiratory season.

OCDSB and Carleton University are partnering to introduce a pilot project called SWAU: School Within A University. This would be the second SWAU in Ontario, and the first of its kind with an identified target audience.

Each year, the OCDSB provides a report to the community in order to celebrate accomplishments from the previous school year, report progress on our strategic priorities, provide student achievement data, and much more.

The Ministry of Education is pleased to share helpful information sheets on financial literacy and anti-bullying for parents and caregivers. These one-pagers are designed to highlight important issues or initiatives to keep parents and caregivers informed and help to support their children reach their full potential.

Calling all Indigenous community members residing in the City of Ottawa! The Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) at the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) is seeking dedicated individuals to join the committee.

On behalf of the OCDSB Board of Trustees, a letter was issued to Minister of Education Stephen Lecce on November 13, 2023 requesting to authorize the OCDSB to appoint an Indigenous representative to sit as a Board member.

World Children's Day/National Child Day celebrates the rights of children, aims to improve children's wellbeing, and commemorates the date the United Nations adopted the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

We invite Grade 8-11 students, and their parents and guardians, to attend this virtual information session and learn more about the International Certificate Program, international exchanges and studying abroad

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.

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.

At its annual organizational meeting on Tuesday, the OCDSB elected a chair and vice chair of the Board of Trustees for the 2023-2024 year.

Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week is an opportunity for us all to reaffirm that bullying is not acceptable in our schools and communities. We all have a role to play in preventing and responding to bullying.

Members of Indigenous communities, now is your chance to share your voice and support Indigenous students within the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB).

In Ontario Louis Riel Day is recognized on November 16th, the anniversary of Louis Riel’s execution in 1885.

Hindu Heritage Month is recognized each November in Ontario.

Albanian Heritage Month is recognized each November in Ontario.

Lebanese Heritage Month is recognized each November in Ontario.

Also known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali is associated with a story about the destruction of evil by Lord Vishnu in one of his many manifestations.

On Saturday, November 25, local signatories to the United Nations Declaration for People of African Descent (UNDPAD), 2015-2024 will join together for a symposium to reflect and learn on commitments made and future actions.

Join staff from the OCDSB Learning Support Services (LSS) team on Tuesday, December 5th for a virtual information session about the OCDSB’s Secondary Gifted Program.

International Inuit Day is an opportunity to celebrate Inuit communities, learn more about their culture and history, and amplify their voices.

Each November, Treaties Recognition Week provides an opportunity for everyone in Ontario to learn more about and recognize the importance of treaty rights and relationships.

This virtual conference, organized by OCDSB’s Program Learning and Innovation team, will provide details about subjects, programs, and other exciting aspects of high school.

Indigenous Veterans Day is a time to remember and commemorate the stories and contributions of Indigenous veterans in wars and conflict past and present.

National School Psychology Week is recognized during the week of November 6-10, 2023 to highlight the important work school psychologists and other educators do to help all students thrive.

Recognized each year in November, Holocaust Education Month provides an important opportunity for students, staff, and families to learn more about the history and legacy of the Holocaust.

The OCDSB would like to congratulate Xuan Pham as the top scholar in our district for the 2022-2023 school year.

In recognition of Remembrance Day on November 11th, OCDSB staff and students will be participating in Remembrance Day ceremonies on Friday, November 10th.

This summer, secondary students have the opportunity to spend 3-5 weeks immersed in a French language environment to build language skills, enjoy French cultural activities, and connect with other French as a Second Language (FSL) students from across Canada.

Every October, Children’s Aid Societies across Ontario raise awareness about how individuals and communities can support vulnerable children, youth, and families through Dress Purple Day.

Staff learning will focus on key Ministry Priorities including Student Mental Health and Well-being, Literacy, and Numeracy.

Join us on Saturday, November 4, 2023, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for the OCDSB Family Conference at Brookfield High School. This year’s theme is Educate, Engage, Empower - Enhancing Learning Together.

Jordan River Anderson was born on October 22, 1999. Jordan’s Principle aims to ensure First Nations children can access public services without experiencing denials, delays or disruptions because they are First Nations.

Dussehra is observed on October 24th.

On October 19, 2023 students, staff, and families are invited to take part in Spirit Day, an annual campaign led by GLAAD, which provides an opportunity for everyone to show solidarity with 2SLGBTQ+ youth.

Media Literacy Week is a chance to learn more about how to stay safe online, analyze what we see in the media, evaluate sources of information, be responsible digital citizens, and more.

Cyber Security Awareness Month aims to help us learn more about cyber security and staying safe online.

This week, in one of our virtual classes, students were asked not to use political symbols as their avatar image. Upon reflection and thanks to the thoughtful feedback received from students and parents, the following day the principal acknowledged that for many students, a flag may be an important part of their identity.

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, along with our partners at the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA), is working to raise civic awareness among our students by observing Local Government Week.

The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) has released board and school level results for provincial assessments conducted during the 2022-2023 school year.

To learn more about OCDSB’s IB Diploma Programme, and to learn about application procedures for the 2024-25 school year, we encourage OCDSB families to attend the IB Programme Virtual Open House on November 22, 2023, from 6:15 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

This weekend, we have been following the tragic reports of terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians which quickly escalated to a war between Israel and Hamas. While this news affects all of us, it is especially difficult for Jewish, Palestinian and Israeli students, staff, and families.

Occupational Therapy Month is an opportunity to share resources with students and families, and to raise awareness about the purpose of Occupational Therapy.

This month aims to raise awareness to reduce stigma in order to allow people of all ages to get the services and supports they need to reach their potential.

Are you looking for a new career or a way to earn extra income? Do you want to make a real difference in supporting students? The OCDSB is hosting job fairs the first week of October for office assistants, custodians, educational assistants, early childhood educators and early learning assistants.

Every fall, as part of our regular staffing process, we are required to confirm the actual number of students attending schools across the District. OCDSB planning and human resources departments then compare this number to what was projected when classes and staffing plans were prepared the previous spring.

This is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the heritage, culture, achievements, and contributions of Latin American and Hispanic communities across Canada.

The OCDSB is currently looking into revising its 2001 Policy P 107 SCO - Naming of Schools and Facilities and Opening Ceremonies.

The OCDSB is currently looking to amalgamate the two standing policies regarding Extended Day Programs and Child Care Programs in Schools into one.

Staff learning will focus on key Ministry Priorities including Student Mental Health and Well-being, Literacy, and Numeracy

Islamic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate, inform and engage with Islamic history and culture and learn about the many contributions that Muslim people have made in Canada and beyond.

Rowan’s Law Day honours Rowan Stringer’s memory while raising awareness about concussion safety.

On Wednesday, September 20, 2023, rallies were held across the country and on Parliament Hill “against how schools teach gender ideology”. This has become very divisive and commonly pits claims for parental rights, protection of children, and indoctrination against claims of hate, transphobia, and safety. These demonstrations foster a culture of hate and fear.

Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, will begin the evening of September 24th.

This year, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation falls on Saturday, September 30. OCDSB students and staff will mark this date at school on Friday, September 29.

We are aware there will be demonstrations held in cities this week, including Ottawa, regarding discussions of gender in schools and rights for 2SLGBTQ+ students and families. At this time we are unaware of any planned demonstrations taking place at our schools or if students or their parents are participating.

Are you an OCDSB parent or guardian interested in education, student achievement, and well-being? Applications are now open for Parent Involvement Applications for the 2023-2024 school year will be open until Friday, October 13, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.(PIC) Membership for the 2023-2024 school year!

Powley Day recognizes the landmark Métis rights victory at the Supreme Court of Canada.

Rosh Hashanah begins the evening of September 15th, and will continue until September 17th.

Classes will run on Thursday evenings from September 28 to December 21, 2023.

On Monday, September 11th, 2023, the OCDSB held a Special Board Meeting to consider a complaint made under the Code of Conduct. After deliberation, the motion was defeated.

The OCDSB Board of Trustees is holding a Special Meeting on Monday, September 11, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.

At a special meeting of the Board, Lynn Scott, was elected as the new vice chair.

New this school year, the OCDSB has created the Safe Schools Reporting Tool. It’s a private and anonymous way for students to share their concerns.

As we prepare for the start of a new school year, I share the excitement and energy of students, families, and educators across the District. For me, this is a homecoming of sorts - I am a graduate of Bell High School; I was a teacher when the OCDSB was newly amalgamated; I was a vice-principal, principal and superintendent in this District; and now, after seven years with the Renfrew County District School Board, I am honoured to serve as your Director of Education.

The Ottawa Student Transportation Authority (OSTA) is experiencing significant driver shortages and some service contract issues. While OSTA has secured transportation for almost 95% of students, there are approximately 221 routes across 47 OCDSB schools where service will be affected. While the direct impact on individual schools varies considerably, you are receiving this letter because your child’s school is impacted.

OCDSB students, staff members, families, Trustees, and friends led the parade and carried the giant parade pride flag.

Join the OCDSB and guest speaker Ann Douglas on Monday, September 19th for Journeying Together: Parenting Through the Storm, a virtual OCDSB Speaker Series event.

The MacSkimming Outdoor Education Centre is having its annual Open Trails Day on Saturday, September 23, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For one day only, this 425-acre classroom will be open for the public to explore!

Staff learning will focus on key Ministry Priorities including Student Well-being, School Safety and Violence Prevention, and Literacy.

The OCDSB is excited to once again participate in the Capital Pride Parade on Sunday, August 27th. Students, staff and families are encouraged to join us! To keep the experience safe and enjoyable for all our participants, we wanted to share some information.

Here is everything parents, guardians, and students need to know for the upcoming school year.

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board is hiring for the 2023-24 school year! Join our Job Fair to explore career opportunities for Occasional Teachers, Educational Assistants, Early Childhood Educators, Early Learning Assistants and Office Assistants across the Ottawa area.

The OCDSB is proud to announce that the new elementary school in the Half Moon Bay community in Barrhaven will be officially named Wazoson Public School.

Please join us in celebrating this year's recipients of the OCDSB Student Recognition Awards.

Recognized every year on June 23, the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism is observed in memory of all who have been harmed or who have lost their lives to acts of terrorism.

National Indigenous History Month is a time to learn about and celebrate the brilliance of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.

There have been many questions and some misinformation about the work in schools to create inclusive classrooms. We wanted to share more information about what is actually happening in schools.

June 15, 2023, Ottawa, ON – The Board of Trustees is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Pino Buffone as the Director of Education for the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board. Dr. Pino Buffone has over 29 years of experience in education including provincial and public education leadership roles. He has been Director of Education with the Renfrew County District School Board since 2017. He will officially assume the role of OCDSB Director of Education on August 1, 2023.

Last Friday and Tuesday afternoon, protests were held outside of OCDSB schools and the Administration Building. In both cases, the protesters were expressing concern about how the school district is recognizing and protecting gender identity and gender expression rights in schools.

The program will run twice over the summer and is open to students going into grades 7, 8, and 9.

At a Board meeting on June 12, 2023, Trustees approved the OCDSB 2023-2024 operating budget of $1.1 billion and capital budget of $140.3 million.

Today, schools on Broadview Avenue were disrupted by an individual who travels around the world targeting schools and disrupting student learning. Schools are places of learning and should not be the target of political protests.

Schools are places of learning and should not be the targets of political protests. Adults should never make children and youth feel threatened or intimidated. Protests that are intended to provoke students, staff, families and/or community members to generate attention or social media traffic are completely unacceptable.

Results from the 2023 School Climate Survey for Parents/Caregivers and the 2023 School Climate Survey for Educators are now available.

The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) for Ottawa remains in the high-risk category according to Environment Canada’s Special Air Quality Statement. Children, elders and those at risk have been asked to continue to avoid strenuous outdoor activities.

Environment Canada has issued a Special Air Quality Statement for the City of Ottawa, with the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) being in the high-risk category.

Learn more about this year’s nominees and award recipients for the OCDSB Community Recognition Awards.

We are pleased to announce the winners of the 2022-2023 Director’s Citation and Employee Recognition Awards.

Pride Month is an opportunity to learn, celebrate diversity, and stand in support of rights of 2SLGBTQ+ individuals and communities.

On Wednesday, May 31, 2023, the OCDSB presented the staff recommended budget for the 2023-2024 school year. The total operating budget is approximately $1.1 billion and the capital budget is $140.3 million.

National Accessibility Week raises awareness about the importance of accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities.