Ottawa Carleton District School Board

Grade 4 students at W. Erskine Johnston Public School are using experiential learning to help others in their community and beyond. The students launched Made2Help, a social enterprise that designs, produces, and sells masks to donate proceeds to community partners.

Two grade 10 students at Earl of March Secondary School have launched a series of online concerts for seniors at long-term care homes, retirement residences, and hospitals.

Every February is recognized as Black History Month in Canada. Throughout the past month, students across the OCDSB have been participating in learning opportunities to celebrate Black culture and history and learn about the achievements and significant contributions of Black Canadians.

The winter season has provided OCDSB students with many opportunities to learn outdoors. Here are just a few examples of how students are exploring the outdoors, participating in winter sports, and using the snow as a canvas for their creativity.

Students at OCV Elementary took virtual learning to new heights as they spoke with a NASA astronaut aboard the International Space Station.

Ryan Rodrigs, a student at Colonel By Secondary School, decided to harness technology to help people stay safe and stay informed during the COVID-19 pandemic. In May 2020, Ryan launched the YUNAL COVID-19 app, which provides safety alerts, resources and updates related to COVID-19.

Students across the OCDSB used their creativity to bring holiday cheer to senior citizens in our community. Through an initiative led by iGenOttawa and The Good Companions, classes at several schools have created holiday cards, letters, artwork, and ornaments to be shared with seniors who will be spending the holiday season on their own this year.

Last month, students, staff and families at Hillcrest High School once again participated in the Movember high school challenge to raise awareness and funds in support of men’s health. The school raised $6,143 for the initiative ⁠–⁠ ranking 8th in Canada out of 252 participating schools!

The halls of Merivale High School are home to a new mural that shares a powerful message of belonging and equity. In November, students in the Social Changemakers club, in partnership with Youth Ottawa and community artist Hasina Kamanzi, installed a mural entitled “Representation Matters.”

The Diverse Student Union at Nepean High School is a student club where Black, Asian, Indigenous, and people of colour (BIPOC) work together to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion along with their fellow white allies. The club offers a safe space for students to learn from one another, share their stories and cultures, and promote social justice and equity.

A Goulbourn Middle School student’s illustration graced the pages of J.K. Rowling's new book, The Ickabog. Maya V.’s drawing was one of 34 illustrations by children that were selected to be included in the book.

This month, we welcomed students back to back to school. Although this school year looks different than usual, our staff and students are finding creative ways to safely learn, collaborate and connect with each other. From outdoor learning initiatives to online field trips, here are a few highlights from our classrooms – both in person and virtual – over the past few weeks.

From inspirational messages to music videos, OCDSB schools have found innovative ways to celebrate the Class of 2020 this spring. Watch the creative videos in our Capping Off 2020 playlist!

The Lisgar Collegiate Institute Flute Ensemble has kept the music going – virtually. The students recorded and edited a performance video that earned them three awards at the virtual Kiwanis Music Festival!

OCDSB Student Trustee Prasith Wijeweera has won the first ever Ontario Public Student Trustee Scholarship.

Through their generosity, the Half Moon Bay PS School Council and families raised $13,829 to support the Barrhaven Food Cupboard, which provides food assistance to families in need in the local community.

"To the Class of 2020: It'll all be okay again, you'll see," sings Grade 12 student Ana-Paola Solano Mejías. The Earl of March Secondary School student wrote an original song for fellow graduating students, which looks to brighter days ahead and reminds students that they will get through this together.

Whether it’s celebrating frontline workers, sharing messages of support for students, or joining in virtual dance parties – our OCDSB community is keeping connected by making creative videos. Watch them in our #OCDSBCares playlist.

Lisgar Collegiate teacher Emmanuelle Deaton has won a 2020 EdTech Digest Award for her work as co-founder of the company, Hatch Coding.

Woodroffe High School staff are working to help residents and staff of Ottawa long-term care home Carlingview Manor, which has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Families and staff at Fallingbrook Community Elementary School are stepping up to the challenge. Every week, the school invites participants to get involved in a fun challenge, such as staying active, sharing favourite books, and showing creativity. The submissions are turned into creative videos that keep the school community connected.

This month, the OCDSB has been helping students continue with their learning by distributing computers and Internet to families. For students in the English Literacy Development (ELD) program at Sawmill Creek Elementary School, these devices provide opportunities to connect with their school community in this challenging time.