Ottawa Carleton District School Board

Dear OCDSB Families, as our final week of June comes to a close, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere gratitude to all students, staff and school communities for such an amazing 2023-2024 school year! It has been a most memorable one for me in my return to this dynamic district - a true honour for me!

Dear OCDSB Families, today is National Indigenous Peoples Day and an opportunity to learn more about the rich and diverse cultures, voices, experiences and histories of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. I'd like to acknowledge members of our Indigenous community and extend my appreciation for the knowledge they share with us. I would also like to express my gratitude to the OCDSB Indigenous Education Team who do such important work supporting Indigenous students and families and sharing their knowledge and experience with colleagues. This summer, the OCDSB is offering an Indigenous Summer Learning Program for First Nation, Inuit, and Metis students going into grades 9-12

Dear OCDSB Families, it was terrific to meet with 'Student Ambassadors' from Gloucester High School earlier this week. These amazing student leaders spoke so passionately and proudly about the diverse array of programs and services offered as they toured me so graciously through the site... and how staff were working in such a determined and diligent way to meet their interests, their readiness, and their needs. It was such an inspiring model of rich, engaging teaching and learning environments throughout our organization!

Dear OCDSB Families, it was superb to take part in the celebration of students who have completed the International Certificate Program (ICP) coordinated by the Ottawa-Carleton Education Network (OCENET) at 440 Albert Street on Thursday night... a terrific accomplishment tied to our District's 'Exit Outcomes', including 'global awareness'. Congratulations to the 138 students who achieved this impressive credential... the largest-ever cohort for the ICP to date!

Dear OCDSB Families, over the past two weeks, I had the honour of taking part in the Rainbow Youth Forum and the Black Youth Forum. Both events were inspirational in that they showcased the strength of diversity and power of potential in each and every one of our students. We also celebrated our winners of the 2023-2024 Community Recognition Awards! Learn more about the recipients’ and their contributions and dedication. We are so grateful to the nominees and winners, and to all our volunteers for the incredible work they have done this year!

Dear OCDSB Families, although it was a shortened work week, it has been a very busy one. I dropped in on one of our elementary program review parent consultations on Wednesday night at Glashan Public School. This program review is an opportunity for us to think about what programming we offer, how and where it is offered, whose needs are served, and how schools may be redesigned to better meet the needs of current and future generations. Parents had a lot to say about their experiences with the current model and ideas on how to improve our current model. I’m grateful for the time our community is putting into this review.

Dear OCDSB Families, it was a treat this week to attend Castor Valley Elementary School during their 'Outdoor Athletics Day'... a wonderful opportunity to see our talented student-athletes in competition. And, the weather held up quite nicely for the day too! Congratulations to the caring and committed staff for coordinating such a fine event on-site.

Dear OCDSB Families, this week I had the opportunity to join the students and staff of North Gower Marlborough Public School on a 'guided walking tour' of the historic sites in their immediate vicinity. Students proudly explained the significance of each site as we toured this beautiful area of our District. My congratulations to the entire school community on such a terrific initiative!

Dear OCDSB Families, this week I visited Woodroffe High School and spent some time in classes, speaking with students about the strength of our diversity as school communities and an entire system… as well as their future aspirations. It was so insightful to hear the perspectives of a number of our senior students, as they prepare for their post-secondary pathways, and reflect upon the strengths of their experiences in public education, as well as areas for growth and reflection.

Dear OCDSB Families, this week, I had the privilege of visiting Crystal Bay Centre for Special Education. It was a superb opportunity to witness the dedication and diligence of our staff as they provided differentiated support in learning and wellness to some of our most complex learners. It was inspiring to see the care wrapped around these students... and the commitment to their dignity and their progress.

Dear Colleagues, over the past week, I have had the opportunity to meet with many members of our community through our engaging, insightful committee structures - Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) and Advisory Committee on Equity (ACE) - in regards to the Elementary Program Review that our District has recently launched.

Dear OCDSB Families, late last week, I had the opportunity to visit Pinecrest Public School. Led by a team of talented staff, it was so inspiring to see the experiential learning taking place with engaged students... baking cookies and playing instruments, for instance, along with authentic tasks related to the core skills of literacy and numeracy. The site truly represents the richness of community and strength of diversity of our District.

Dear OCDSB Families, earlier this week, I had the opportunity to visit Lady Evelyn Alternative School. My sincere thanks to the amazing Student Ambassadors, Alex and Caleb, who took the time to provide such a grand tour of the site.

Dear OCDSB Families, this week I had the pleasure and privilege of taking part in two exceptional community-based events that reflect the richness and strength of our diversity as an organization and as a city. On Wednesday evening, our District was recognized with a 'Community Partnership Award' by the Assunnah Muslim Association at their Annual Community Iftar.

Dear OCDSB Families, late this week, our community was shocked by the tragic events in Barrhaven involving the deaths of six people. On behalf of the OCDSB, I would like to extend our deepest condolences to all who may be affected by this loss.

Dear OCDSB Families, this week, I had the opportunity to take part in professional learning with colleagues - locally and internationally - on the integration of artificial intelligence in teaching and learning environments.

Dear OCDSB Families, this week I had the opportunity to visit three of our amazing sites - a wonderful walk through Hawthorne Public School, such a multi-culturally diverse and vibrant place where I once had the privilege to serve as Vice-Principal many years ago; a drop-in to the Capital Region Music Festival at Earl of March Secondary School to see (and hear!) the incredible talent of our student-musicians from across the system and elsewhere; and an inspirational tour of Centennial Public School along with Trustee Justine Bell.

Dear OCDSB Families, I had the privilege of attending two of our sites this week… to participate in a ‘learning walk’ with colleagues at Chapman Mills Public School on Monday… and a scheduled visit at Manordale Public School on Thursday. I could see the intentional focus on learning and well-being in both places… through explicit instruction in structured literacy - tied to curriculum expectations in the context of the classroom, and, an adjustment to the schedule to ensure student safety concerning slippery ice conditions on the schoolyard, respectively.

Dear OCDSB Families, this week’s site visit to West Carleton Secondary School was particularly unique… as it took place during a power outage! Although class visits weren’t possible this time, I did have the amazing opportunity to speak with students about their future post-secondary aspirations… in the foyer, the student lounge area, the cafeteria and outdoors.

Dear OCDSB Families, I had the opportunity to visit York Street Public School this week... in the heart of our beautiful city. I was so inspired as I listened to, and saw for myself, the ingenuity and resourcefulness of staff in meeting the diverse needs of the students and their families.

Dear OCDSB Families, as part of my commitment to lifelong learning, personally and professionally, I am very excited to share with you all the first edition of a ‘Thought Leadership Series’ this week. As a reflection upon my first one hundred days in office as Director of Education, the topic for this first publication is Context-Responsive Leadership in Increasingly Unpredictable Times… a theme that has emerged most prominently during the initial period of my return to the District.

Dear OCDSB Families, I had a great visit to Brookfield High School this week… a dynamic, multi-purposed site that provides a rich array of programs and services from daycare to adult education… truly reflecting the spirit of the school as a community hub! It was wonderful to meet staff and speak to students, including newcomers to our country, about their learner journeys through our system. My sincere gratitude to all of the amazing professionals who lead the learning there.

Dear OCDSB Families, did you know that registration season is now underway at the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board? If a child turns four in 2024, they can now register for kindergarten at OCDSB schools for September. This is an exciting time, and we know that families have lots of questions.

Dear OCDSB Families, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our students, staff and school communities of the District a wonderful new year. I hope that the calendar year of 2024 brings happiness and health, peace and prosperity to each and every one of you! A reminder that all students will return to class on Monday, January 8, 2024.

Dear OCDSB Families, this week, I had the pleasure of participating in my final school visit of the calendar year at Roland Michener Public School. As always, the visit was an inspiring example of our engaging places and spaces of learning! As we approach the two-week break, many families within our communities will be joyously celebrating various holidays this season.

Dear OCDSB Families, I had the honour of visiting Bell High School this week… a special visit for me as I graduated from this wonderful school and so did my daughter, albeit many, many years apart. My sincere thanks to the students and staff for their passion and professionalism in serving our school community… and for making us alumni feel so welcome upon our return!

Dear OCDSB Families, At our System Leaders' meeting on Wednesday of this week, I had the opportunity to thank our incredibly talented principals and vice-principals, general managers and senior staff for their extraordinary leadership and management of our schools and central departments.

Dear OCDSB Families, It was so inspiring for me to visit the Youville Centre this week… a vibrant, innovative centre that nurtures the education and wellness of young mothers and their children. As is the case with all of our schools, this Centretown site represents the value-add our organization brings to society at large.

Dear OCDSB Families, This week, I had the pleasure of visiting two of our amazing sites, Hilson Avenue Public School and Ottawa Technical Secondary School, and I was so inspired by the incredible dedication and diligence of our staff as they interacted with our students.

Dear OCDSB Families, 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. 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.

Dear OCDSB Families, Last Saturday, I had the opportunity to attend the 2023 OCDSB Family Conference. It was so inspiring to meet and learn with approximately 160 parents, caregivers, students and staff at Brookfield High School. A huge thank you to everyone who attended, and of course to all of our presenters, community partners and the volunteers for taking the time out and making this event possible. I am happy to share that the presentation slides for select workshops are available on our website. For those who attended, please also check your email for a brief post-event survey. Your feedback helps us with our planning for next year!

Dear OCDSB Families, This week, I was fortunate to spend some time with our student leaders at the first Student Senate Meeting of the school year. It was inspiring to hear and see the extraordinary voice and leadership as students envisioned their priorities for the current school year. My gratitude to Student Trustees, Emma Hong and Malaika Kamanzi, for their coordination of this important work.

Dear OCDSB Families, Over the last week, OCDSB educators and administrators have enjoyed many opportunities for professional learning. School principals gathered to review provincial assessment data and to develop strategies to close achievement gaps.

Dear OCDSB Families, Every week, I try to visit at least one school in our District, spending time in a classroom, connecting with students and learning from staff. This week, I visited W. Erskine Johnston Public School - an amazing place.

Dear OCDSB Families, This week, school staff have been vigilant in their effort to ensure that students and staff feel safe, respected and comfortable in their working and learning environments. Continuity in routine and in learning, along with supportive resources is important to student well-being.

As we head into the long weekend, I wanted to share some news about the formal recognition of two of our very own teachers. Yesterday, top educators in Canada were honoured with the Prime Minister’s Awards for teaching excellence in recognition of their unwavering dedication and commitment to students

As we head into the long weekend, I wanted to share some news about the formal recognition of two of our very own teachers. Yesterday, top educators in Canada were honoured with the Prime Minister’s Awards for teaching excellence in recognition of their unwavering dedication and commitment to students.

Dear OCDSB Families, Today, OCDSB students and staff marked the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. This is a day of mourning and remembrance for Indigenous Peoples, and offers an opportunity to reflect and honour survivors, their families, and their communities.

Dear OCDSB Families, Earlier this week, 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.

Dear OCDSB Families, This weekend is the annual Terry Fox Run. Many families have made a tradition of participating in this event, honouring a truly great Canadian who embodied hope, courage and determination. I recently learned that OCDSB schools have raised over $3M for the Terry Fox Foundations through school based events over the past 20 years. I am constantly amazed by the positive impact that our schools make and the generosity of families, students and staff.

Dear OCDSB Families, On behalf of all of the staff and the trustees at the OCDSB, welcome to the 2023-2024 school year. Thank you for everything that you did to help the return to school go safely and smoothly. We know that the unseasonable weather and transportation issues added to the challenges of the first week back, and we appreciate your patience and support.

Dear OCDSB Families, Whether your child is just entering Kindergarten, starting their graduating year or enjoying the exciting years in between, OCDSB staff is looking forward to welcoming them to school on Tuesday, September 5th, 2023. You will find a few helpful links to support you and your child as you prepare for the upcoming school year on our website.