December 21, 2023 - 2023-2024 Winter Break Timelines, OCDSB Indigenous Languages Survey, OCDSB Gratitude and Giving Campaign, and more.

Posted on 12/21/2023

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.

As we move towards the end of the school week, I would like to extend my heartfelt wishes to you and your family. Whether you observe the Winter Solstice, Yule, Yalda, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Zarathushti, Orthodox Christmas, or the Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, please enjoy these festive occasions. Take good care… and I look forward to seeing you in the new year!

2023-2024 Winter Break Timelines

All elementary and secondary schools (including school offices), EarlyON Child and Family Centres, and OCDSB administrative sites will be closed as of the end of regular hours on Friday, December 22.
Secondary school offices and OCDSB administrative sites will reopen on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.
Elementary school offices and EarlyON Child and Family Centres will reopen on Monday, January 8, 2024.
All students will return to class on Monday, January 8, 2024.

OCDSB Indigenous Languages Survey

We want to preserve and celebrate the languages of First Nation, Inuit, and Métis students in OCDSB. To do so, we will be asking Indigenous students (grades 7-12) and parents/caregivers to participate in our Indigenous Languages Survey. Your answers will help us create effective plans to support language revitalization actions in the OCDSB. The survey will be shared with Indigenous students and families on January 8th, 2024.

OCDSB Gratitude and Giving Campaign

We thank everyone who donated generously to our Gratitude and Giving campaign which brought together the annual fundraising we do for the United Way of Eastern Ontario (UWEO) and for the Education Foundation of Ottawa (EFO). The OCDSB has a strong commitment to community, caring, and social responsibility. The campaign provided us with a way to give back or pay forward in the service of others.

If you are able, we ask that you continue to support the Education Foundation of Ottawa as they help support OCDSB students in need. A little helps a lot!

Graduating OCDSB Students - Education Foundation of Ottawa - S.T.E.M. Financial Award

The deadline for this application is Friday, February 16th, 2024. For eligibility, application details and more information, visit the EFO website.

Share Your Thoughts:

Employee Conflict of Interest Policy Consultation

The OCDSB is currently reviewing its Policy P.024.HR Employee Conflict of Interest to streamline the language and clarify direction to employees. We welcome your feedback on the draft policy by emailing [email protected] by January 5th, 2024. For more details, visit our website.

Risk Management Policy Consultation

The OCDSB aims to minimize the risk exposure, reduce uncertainty, and maximize opportunities for staff and students. We value your input and encourage you to provide your feedback by emailing [email protected] by January 5th, 2024. For more details, visit our website.

School Council News

This month, on our School Council News page, we’ve shared a speaker list for Parents Reaching Out (PRO) Grant events, insurance information, tips for effective communication, and more. A reminder that the deadline for School Councils to apply for the PRO Grant is January 12, 2024.

Events:

High School Information Sessions

Secondary schools across the OCDSB are now hosting high school information sessions for students and parents/guardians. Visit our high school information sessions page for the schedule and links to helpful tips and resources.

All About High School: Watch the Session Recordings

The All About High School virtual information session provided Grades 7-12 students and their families, and staff details about subjects, programs, and other exciting aspects of high school. Recordings of selected sessions are available on this YouTube playlist.

From the Boardroom:

Board Confirms Breach of Code of Conduct

On Tuesday, December 19, the OCDSB Board of Trustees considered the findings and recommendations of the Integrity Commissioner into complaints related to contravention of the Board Member Code of Conduct policy P.073.GOV. In a unanimous vote, the Board determined that Trustee Nili Kaplan-Myrth breached sections of the Board Member Code of Conduct and imposed sanctions. At this time, we would like to reassure the community that all trustees are available to provide support to students and families, regardless of electoral zone. Read more on our website.

Board and Advisory Committee Meetings

There are no meetings for the next two weeks. Meetings will resume in the second week of January. We will share details in our January update. For more information, including recordings of previous meetings visit 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.

We Are Hiring

We are currently hiring for several opportunities, including Indigenous Student Support Coordinator (4 positions), Early Childhood Educators and Early Learning Assistants. Visit our careers page to see job opportunities at the OCDSB and find out how you can make a real difference supporting our students and staff.

Ottawa Carleton District School Board