Ottawa Carleton District School Board

It’s time to start drafting your year-end report! Board Policy P.014.SCO School Councils requires School Councils to prepare an annual report on the School Council activities, including fundraising.

Your council may want to start drafting their financial report that is required to be completed via the School Council Year-End Financial Reporting Google Form by September 15, 2023.

In April, Principals received a memo that outlines provisions for anyone allowing the use of an amusement inflatable on the District property

Funds raised during the school year would normally be spent during the school year to benefit existing students. Unspent funds for continuing/recurring initiatives are to be carried forward to the following year for that purpose.

The OCDSB’s Facilities department works collaboratively with school Principals, staff, Chief Custodians and School Councils to offer a wide range of outdoor features to schools. Learn about the process, funding, and how to get started.

Half Moon Bay Public School held a successful Dance-a-Thon in February, made possible by the tireless efforts of School Council members, school staff, grade 6 students, and parent volunteers.

Each spring, the OCDSB is required to develop an annual budget for the next school year. The first step in the budget process is the approval of the 2023-2024 academic staffing plan.

When creating social media profiles, what kind of profile (public or private) can School Councils use?

Looking to learn more about the management of School Council funds? Our website provides resources on practices that allow funds to be managed in a consistent, transparent, and appropriate manner.

Our team is here to support you in navigating the Parents Reaching Out (PRO) Grant process and ensuring that your parent engagement initiatives are effective and legitimate.

Every month at our Board of Trustees meeting, OCDSB trustees discuss key items and hold final votes on decisions that impact the school district.

On Tuesday, March 28, 2023, OCDSB Trustees approved revisions made to the Field Trips Policy after gathering internal feedback and consulting with the public.

Do you know an outstanding volunteer whose hard work and dedication has had a positive impact on your school, and/or on the OCDSB community as a whole? Nominate them for the OCDSB Community Recognition Awards!

Hosting a virtual meeting or session for your school council? These tip sheets provide helpful information for hosts and attendees.

Over 70 parents and caregivers joined our session on Creating An Atmosphere Of Belonging At The School Council Table. Watch a recording of the session.

Each year schools/School Councils receive $500.00 to be spent at their discretion on activities that support and enhance parent involvement and communication in their school community.

The City of Ottawa is now accepting applications for the 2023 Community Environmental Projects Grant Program (CEPGP). The application deadline is Friday, March 31 at 4:00 p.m.

Our Engaging Families page has information, tip sheets, and templates on topics including event planning, communications strategies, connecting with families, and more.

Help us spread the word about the OCDSB’s Parent/Caregiver School Climate Survey! This voluntary and anonymous online survey is a great opportunity for parents, guardians, and caregivers to help have a positive impact on their child’s school.

Staff have undertaken a review of Policy P.029.SCO Field Trips, Excursions, Educational Tours, and Student Exchanges and associated procedures. Share your feedback by February 24, 2023.

OCDSB’s Family and Community Engagement (FACE) department is organizing a School Council Professional Development Training Session titled Creating An Atmosphere Of Belonging At The School Council Table. This event takes place February 8, 2023, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Throughout January and February, OCDSB schools are hosting in-person kindergarten and high school information nights to help families prepare, learn how to register, and more. Help spread the word to families in your community!

If a School Council wishes to offer babysitting services to members of the council during School Council meetings, the following recommendations should be considered.

We want to hear from you – what topics is your School Council interested in learning about? Fill out this short survey by February 27th, 2023.

The Education Foundation of Ottawa (EFO) needs your support on Toonie Tuesday – February 21, 2023 – to help provide OCDSB students with appropriate access to food, clothing, school supplies, healthcare supports, and opportunities for learning and recreation.

Bayview Public School celebrated the return of their winter fair with a new name and lots of fun. The Polar Bear Fair was an opportunity for the school community to freely visit the school, see friends, and redeem their “Fair Passports” for fun activities.

School Councils can apply to receive Parents Reaching Out (PRO) Grant funding of up to $750 per council, provided by the Ministry of Education. The purpose of this grant is to support innovative projects/activities that engage parents/caregivers and build their capability in anti-racism, equity/anti-oppression, and food sovereignty.

We want to hear about your priorities for OCDSB’s future. To create a Strategic Plan that is meaningful to students, families, staff and community members, we need to hear from you about your experiences and what is important to you.

The OCDSB School Council website has been refreshed to help council members and parents easily access up-to-date information about School Council operations.

We will be holding a School Council Members’ Professional Development Session on Wednesday, February 8th, 6-8 p.m.

The OCDSB provides school council liability insurance. This is an annual policy, effective November 1st of each year.

We are pleased to launch a collection of short videos providing training on key School Council operations and best practices.

Is your School Council looking for tips to work together more effectively or deal with conflicts when they arise? Check out these tip sheets.

The Ministry of Education has announced that each school board will receive funding to support the parent engagement activities of its school councils and Parent Involvement Committee (PIC). More information will be shared in the coming months.

“Our school council would like to host a movie night. Is there a database of films we can screen?”

Did you know? These grants are currently open for applications.

Rockcliffe Park Public School celebrated the successful in-person return of its annual Book Fair, a fundraiser run by a committee of parent volunteers and supported by community volunteers, students, and staff.

November 25, 2022, is a Ministry of Education Professional Activity (PA) Day designated for secondary educators that will allow educators to engage in learning focused on provincial priorities.

November 4, 2022 is a Ministry of Education Professional Activity (PA) day designated for elementary educators that will allow educators to engage in learning focused on provincial priorities.

The OCDSB Family and Community Engagement (FACE) department will provide resources and in-person and virtual training opportunities to support School Councils. What topics is your School Council interested in learning about? Please fill out this survey by November 21, 2022.

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. The event includes a keynote talk with Dr. Michael Cheng from CHEO and multiple workshops led by experts.

Every school council has an OCDSB email address ([email protected]). School Council chairs shall use these OCDSB accounts during their one-year term.

The Family and Community Engagement department is looking for volunteers to participate in two working groups to develop district documentation supporting school councils across the OCDSB. The topics are fundraising and best practices.

See out tip sheets on “10 Ways to Get Your Council Off to a Flying Start,” “How to Plan a Successful Event,” “Event Planning Checklist,” and “Top 10 Fundraising Tips.”

Could a local business sponsor a School Council event, if we show their logo or otherwise give them credit?

The OCDSB is committed to making its schools a healthier place in order for students to reach their full potential. Learn about the Ministry’s School Food and Beverages Policy (PPM 150) and see the approved lists of food and dairy providers for 2022-2023.

The OCDSB is seeking a community member with financial expertise and business knowledge to volunteer to serve on its Audit Committee. The appointment to the three-year term will begin December 1, 2022.

We were pleased to welcome students back to school this month, and we look forward to collaborating with our dedicated community of School Councils this year. Find out how to connect with us.

The election of school council members is held in the first 30 days of the school year. Any parent can be elected to the School Council.

School Council year-end financial reports were due September 16, 2022. If your Council has not yet submitted the report, please do so using this School Council Year-End Financial Reporting Google Form.

It’s time to start drafting your year-end report! Board Policy P.014.SCO School Councils requires school councils to prepare an annual report on the school council activities, including fundraising. Please submit your report by October 31.

Learn about information and timelines for managing school council records.

Are you an OCDSB parent or guardian interested in education, student achievement, and well-being? Applications are now open for Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) Membership for the 2022-2023 school year!

Read this welcome message from the Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) to learn about the duties of PIC, upcoming PIC meetings, the Parent Conference, Speaker Series and more.

The School Council at Riverview Alternative School supported an innovative tool to share books about equity and diversity with the school community.

The Broadview Public School Council and community organized a heartwarming initiative to provide warm winter gear to students and families in need in their community and donate over $2,000 to the Snowsuit Fund!

Vimy Ridge Public School brought together their school community to create a Remembrance Garden with over 1,000 hand-painted rocks in honour of Remembrance Day and the 100th anniversary of the poppy in Canada.

Tree planting projects on school property within the City of Ottawa are eligible to apply for the Schoolyard Tree Planting Grant Program.