February 23, 2024 - February 24: Black History Showcase: Honouring Black Excellence, April 8, 2024 - Solar Eclipse: Schools will be closed, and more.
Hello Students,
Did you know Student Senate is the official committee representing student voice at the OCDSB? These students from secondary schools across the district meet once a month to provide the student perspective on board issues and to voice the questions and concerns of OCDSB students. The Student Trustees then relay these perspectives to the Board of Trustees to ensure that students are being represented.
In this month’s meeting, the Student Senate covered topics such as the upcoming Student Trustee Elections, the upcoming Identity-Based Data Collection and the Co-Presidents’ Council Wellness Project. Student Senate has also just launched a new monthly newsletter to keep you updated on the topics discussed. If you have any questions or feedback, you can email the committee at [email protected] or talk to your school Senators. Not sure who they are? You can find them in this list of student senate members on our website.
February 24: Black History Showcase: Honouring Black Excellence
This month we have been celebrating Black excellence. Join us this Saturday, February 24th, 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Longfields-Davidson Heights Secondary School as we host the Black History Showcase: Honouring Black Excellence. This event is sponsored by the OCDSB’s Family and Community Engagement (FACE) team, in collaboration with Future Paths Network, V2V Project, and the Somali Centre for Family Services. Register Now!
Need a free prom dress?
Fairy Godmother of Ottawa, a non-profit organization, is offering free, gently-used prom dresses, shoes and accessories to high school students. The dresses and accessories will be distributed at their two-day pop-up shop at the Confederation Education Centre (1645 Woodroffe Avenue) on these dates:
Monday, April 8th, 12:00 p.m. ‐ 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 9th, 12:00 p.m. ‐ 7:00 p.m.
Interested students can book an appointment. For more information, visit their website.
April 8, 2024 - Solar Eclipse: Schools will be closed
Last week, we announced that schools would be closed to students on April 8, 2024, due to the solar eclipse. This was a local operational decision, made in the interests of student safety. Like other school districts, our biggest concern is that the timing of the eclipse overlaps with dismissal time, meaning many young children would be travelling home from school during the highest risk period for eye damage. Most school districts in the path of the eclipse will not have school on that day; many were able to reschedule a PA Day. Unfortunately, the OCDSB does not have a PA Day that can be rescheduled. Most of our PA Days were planned in the first half of the school year to maximize the learning opportunities for staff. The remaining PA Days are used for contractual obligations, such as parent-teacher conferences and report card writing. Staff will be working on April 8, 2024, but schools will be closed to students, transportation will be cancelled, and OCDSB Extended Day Programs will not operate. For more information, visit our website.
2024-2025 Budget
Every spring, the OCDSB develops the annual operating budget for the next school year. Guided by the commitments in our strategic plan, the budget outlines how funds will be spent to support students across the district in reaching their full potential. The first step in the budget process is determining our annual staffing for the next academic year. That process is underway and academic staffing will be approved by the end of March. This represents approximately 60% of operating costs in our budget. To learn more about the 2024-2025 budget process, visit Engage OCDSB.
Events:
March 5 & 7: Inuktitut, Algonquin Anishinaabe Community Discussions About Language
The OCDSB Indigenous Education team will be hosting two community discussion sessions focusing on Indigenous language revitalization. These conversations will be an opportunity for students, parents/caregivers and community members to share their advice and perspectives as the OCDSB looks to expand its language programming. The events will be held at Ottawa Technical Secondary School on March 5 (Inuktitut) and March 7 (Algonquin Anishinaabe). Dinner and refreshments will be served. Visit our website to RSVP as space is limited.
Reminders:
New Indigenous Student Trustee
We are seeking a new OCDSB Indigenous Student Trustee to represent First Nations, Metis and Inuit students as part of the OCDSB Board of Trustees. Elections are on February 28, 2024. First Nations, Metis and Inuit students who will be in Grades 11 - 12 in September 2024 are eligible.
Post-Secondary Scholarships
If you will be attending college or university next year, there are a number of scholarships and bursaries that can help. Explore local and national scholarship opportunities.
Toonie Tuesday is February 27, 2024
A donation of $2 can be the difference between nothing and something. This Toonie Tuesday, February 27th, we can all come together to support students in need within the OCDSB. But you don’t have to wait until then. You can donate right here, right now!
From the Boardroom:
Upcoming Board and Advisory Committee Meetings
February 26th, 7:00 p.m. - Arts Advisory Committee
February 27th, 8:00 p.m. - Board Meeting
February 29th, 6:00 p.m. - Advisory Committee on Equity
Agendas, locations, minutes, livestreams and recordings of meetings are available for public viewing using the Board and Advisory Committees' meeting calendar.
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 observance. Additional dates of significance can be found on the MultiFaith Calendar (located on our home page), Dates of Significance webpage, and on the Government of Canada, Ontario Government, and United Nations websites.
In case you missed it:
Helpful Links
Thank you,
Pino Buffone
Director of Education