School Council Newsletter

March 13, 2015

WHAT'S NEW...

March Break is here! There is something so appealing about March Break! It marks the end of a long winter and start of spring. It is an important break in the cycle of school, lesson planning, homework, lunch making, meetings and all those things that are important part of our regular pattern of life. Many people use March Break as family time - whether you travel or plan a "staycation", I hope you enjoy the week away from the regular routine and come back recharged.

Relaxation is "Celestial" Here is a great story about student success! Sir Robert Borden student Abdou Sarr has developed a relaxation app to help fellow students relax and sleep better. Sarr recorded the sounds and developed the app called "Celestial". He first submitted it to the App Store on February 23 and it went on sale Sunday - it is currently at number 38. Read about it in the Ottawa Citizen or listen to his interview on CBC Radio. Listen here and click on Ottawa Teen's Relaxation App

Understanding the Teenage Brain - Hillcrest High School - March 24th - 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) in partnership with Hillcrest High School Council and the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, will be presenting a free public session for parents, caregivers, service providers and educators at Hillcrest High School on Tuesday March 24th from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.

CHEO psychologists will present a variety of relevant topics ranging from concussions, to anxiety, to understanding the development of the teenage brain. Following a brief introduction those in attendance will be able to participate in a series of workshops, including:

 Teenage behaviour and the developing brain. (Dr. Simone Kortstee)  Mood and anxiety in children and youth: When is it a problem and what to do (Dr. Phil Ritchie)  Concussions 101 (Dr. Peter Anderson)  Understanding the childhood brain: How to help your child thrive (Dr. Anne-Lise Holahan)  Fostering positive body image and attitudes toward healthy active learning (Dr. Corien Peeters and Dr. Laurie Clark)

Register here.

Bullying... What can parents do? Let's talk about it March 30th 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. Bullying impacts the victim, their family, the bully and the community at large. Parents have so many questions. What can they do? How can they help? Who can they turn to? On Monday,March 30, 2015 from 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. at Ben Franklin Place - 101 Centrepointe Dr. - Let the conversation begin. This community outreach is brought to you by the Ottawa Bullying Prevention Coalition and hosted by Ottawa Public Health. Speakers include: Dr. Phil Ritchie (CHEO); DR. Tracy Vallincourt (University of Ottawa); Representatives from Ottawa School Boards; and from Ottawa Police.

Redirecting Children's Behaviour - Parent Workshop Adrienne Clarkson Elementary School Council welcomes Marion Balla from Adlerian Counselling and Consulting Group to host a parent workshop. Children learn from an early age that negative behaviour guarantees attention and involvement by adults. As parents and teachers, we need to monitor our reactions to ensure that cooperative behaviours are being encouraged on a daily basis. This workshop, Redirecting Children's Behaviour, will offer strategies to re-channel challenging behaviours toward life skills training and new options for children to consider. Methods of encouragement to increase positive experiences between children and adults will be highlighted. When: Thursday, April 16, 2015 Where: Adrienne Clarkson Elementary School Gym 170 Stoneway Drive, Barrhaven Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm

FREE Childcare, please RSVP at [email protected] to reserve your childcare spot, space is limited.

Take the Time to Recognize Someone through the Community Member Recognition Awards There are so many people who make an incredible difference in our school communities. The district has several awards which recognize the work of parent and community volunteers. Consider nominating someone you know for one of these five awards: 1. Community Award - recognizes the outstanding efforts of a member of the OCDSB community in developing a community initiative that directly supports the well-being of our students. 2. Distinguished School Council Service Award - recognizes the outstanding efforts of a school council or school council member for making a significant contribution to enhancing the learning experience of students at a school and/or system level. 3. Community Partnership Award- recognizes the of outstanding partnership/support from a community agency or business over an extended period of years or through a significant initiative that has directly benefited OCDSB students. 4. Volunteer of the Year Award - recognizes the substantial contribution of a parent volunteer or community volunteer over an extended period of years or through a single significant initiative that has had a positive impact on students. 5. Excellence in Equity, Isis Officer Community Award- recognizes the substantial contribution of a parent, volunteer, business community member of organization to support the alignment and integration of equity and inclusive educational principles and practices over an extended period of years or through a significant initiative that has directly benefited OCDSB students.

This year we have a new and improved online nomination process. Nominations must be submitted no later than 4:00 p.m. Thursday, 02 April 2015. For further information, please refer to Procedure PR.636.GOVÂ Community Member Recognition Awards.

The 2015 awards will be presented at a the Volunteer Appreciation Reception and Community Awards Ceremony on May 20th at Algonquin College. Everyone is welcome to attend!

Our Speaker Series Continues... The OCDSB Speaker Series provides parents with access to leading experts on educational issues. Our next speakers are:

Talking to Kids About Money - April 15th Money matters! Kids need to develop financial literacy skills. That's why we have invited Kevin Maynard, Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of the Canadian Foundation for Economic Education (CFEE) to speak to parents about how to "Talk With Kids About Money". The CFEE has an excellent "Parents Guide to Financial Literacy",Money Q&A's, and other resources on their website. Join us on April 15th at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium of Sir Robert Borden High School located at 131 Greenbank Rd. Learn more on our website.

The Qualities of Engagement: The difference between work and play - April 29th John Antonetti is an exceptional educator, author and leading expert in engaging students in learning. The OCDSB has been fortunate to work with John for several years. His presentations receive rave reviews from parents and educators. Join us on April 29th at Sir Robert Borden High School, 131 Greenbank Road to hear John talk about The Qualities of Engagement: The difference between work and play". Take a look at this interview John Antonetti did with an American high school student. Learn more about John on our website.

Math Facts - About PI Our recent math facts video links have inspired many great suggestions. This is a combined contribution from Stan Blackey and Anne Teutsch - a math lover's holiday tribute for March Break!

This Saturday is PI Day. PI Day is just about the geekiest holiday of the year and it falls on March 14 which is also known as 3/14, just like 3.14 for PI. But this year, 2015, PI Day is 3/14/15 (March 14, 2015), and PI is 3.1415. So at 9:26:53 am it is 3/14/15 9:26:53 or 3.141592653 - the first 10 digits of PI, or the PI Second. As the internet says, it's the PI Day of a lifetime on Saturday. A day not to be missed! A couple of fun links:  http://www.piday.org/  http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/world/pi-day  http://www.timeanddate.com/countdown/generic?iso=20150314T092653&p0=%3A&m sg=Once-in-a-century+Pi+%28%CF%80%29+Second&csz=1

BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS Meetings that Matter....

Board and Committee of the Whole Meetings The next Committee of the Whole meeting will be on March 24th in the Boardroom at 133 Greenbank Rd. The Public session begins at 7:30 p.m. This is an important meeting as the Committee will be considering academic staffing recommendations. There was a discussion report on academic staffing at the last COW meeting. Since then, staff has continued to look for budget efficiencies as part of our commitment to introduce a balanced budget. There are recommendations for reductions to academic staffing for the 2015-2016 school year. For more information please read the agenda.

Budget Committee Schedule Wednesday, 01 April 2015 - Memo regarding GSNs announcement Tuesday, 12 May 2015 - Presentation of staff's recommended budget Monday, 25 May 2015 - Delegations Monday, 01 June 2015 - Delegations (if required)/Budget debate Monday, 08 June 2015 - Budget debate (if required) Monday, 15 June 2015 - Budget debate (if required) Monday, 22 June 2015 - Budget approval (Board meeting)

In addition to the Budget Committee meeting schedule, academic staffing decisions will be made at the March 24th meeting of the Committee of the Whole.

Upcoming Committee Meetings: Alternative Schools Advisory Committee - Summit Alternative - March 23rd 7:00 p.m. Special Education Advisory Committee - TCR 133 Greenbank Rd - March 25th 7:00 p.m. Advisory Committee on Equity - Mezzanine 133 Greenbank Rd - March 26th 6:00 p.m. Ottawa-Carleton Assembly of School Councils - Fisher Park P.S. - March 26th 7:00 p.m.

EVENTS AND REMINDERS

Places to Go...Things to Remember Walk to School Wednesdays Dunlop Public School will encourage students and their families to participate in Walk to School Wednesdays as part of their continued efforts to encourage an active lifestyle among their students, Dunlop Public School, in partnership with Ottawa Public Health, will be hosting monthly Walk to School Wednesdays (WTSW). The first WTSW will be Wednesday, March 25th. It is very easy to participate - just walk to school! If you would like your school to join this program - talk to your school administrator about joining forces with OPH.

Glashan Gr. 7 Canadian Heritage Fair Glashan's Grade 7's will be hosting their Annual Glashan Heritage Fair on Wednesday, March 25th, from 9-11:30s.m. This is a national program which encourages students from grades 4 to 9 to explore Canadian history and heritage in a dynamic, inquiry-based bilingual environment. Choosing an area of inquiry, students ask questions and explore Canadian perspectives and stories about any historical topic.

Students can work individually or in small groups and present their findings on display boards along with any other medium of their choice (like dioramas, dressing in role, maps, artifacts real or recreated, videos). The results are presented in a public forum as parents, feeder schools and other students are invited to wander through Glashan halls as students talk to the visiting public about their findings.

You will be able to vote for the People's Choice Award for each class. As well, about 20 top projects from across the Grade 7 division will be invited to attend the Regional Heritage Fair held on April 22 at the Canadian War Museum.

For information about Heritage Fairs, check out the Ontario Heritage Fairs Association.

Longfields Davidson Heights Secondary School - Production ofZombie Prom Rocks - April 9-12th 7:00 p.m. Jonny is heartbroken when the love of his life, Toffee, is forced by her parents to leave him. Despondent, he hurls himself into the main waste treatment silo of the local nuclear power plant. But love conquers all ... including, in this case, Death. Jonny returns to Enrico Fermi High as a ZOMBIE. But will Toffee still love him? Will the community accept him? And most importantly, will he be allowed to attend his senior prom? Come on out and enjoy an exceptional show.Over 100 students, teachers, and community members are involved. Admission: $15 Adults / $10 Students A special three course, pre-show dinner is available on April 10th at 5:30 p. m. Admission: $22.

REMINDERS

Parents Reaching Out (PRO) Grants 2015-2016 - Deadline May 9th Great news, the Ministry has announced the 2015-16 Parents Reaching Out (PRO) grants program for school councils and regional/provincial projects. This year, special consideration will be given to proposals that promote increased access and awareness of math strategies and resources for parents to support their children's learning at home and at school. Grants are available to school councils for a maximum of $1,000 for school-based initiatives.

The PRO grants for school councils are intended to support school-based initiatives to reach parents who face barriers that prevent them from becoming involved in their children's learning at home and at school. School councils may develop proposals individually, with other school councils in the same board, or with other groups in the school or in the community.

Eligible projects must align with at least one of the following four strategies of the ministry's parent engagement policy: Parents as Partners; Welcoming School Board and School Environment for all Parents; Skill Building Opportunities for Parents; and Enhancing Communication between School and Parents.

The deadline for the 2015-16 PRO grant submissions is Tuesday, May 19, 2015. Applications must be submitted electronically. For more information, please visit the ministry website.

The Ministry will host a teleconferences for interested school council chairs or principals in April to address any questions you may have. Tentative dates are Wednesday, April 1 at 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. and Wednesday, April 15th at 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Parents/principals can call 1-866-633-0848, with the participant code 2675234# to access the teleconferences.

OCENET's 2nd Annual International Education Info-Fair -April 25th Are you interested in international education? Come out to the International Education Information Fair where you will learn about student and/or teacher exchanges, summers abroad, global citizenship at the local level and more! Students, parents are educators are all welcome. For more information about this event please visit the OCENET website. To register click here.

Canada Day Challenge 2015 What Makes You Proud to be Canadian? Canadian youth from 8 to 18 years old across Canada are being asked to explain what makes them proud to be Canadian by submitting their best, most dynamic drawings, photos or pieces of creative writing that represents everything that Canada is as a strong, proud and free nation. Enter the 2015 Canada Day Challenge for a chance to win great prizes, including all-expenses paid trip for two to Ottawa to celebrate Canada Day on Parliament Hill: go backstage, meet some of Canada's most inspiring people, tour museums, galleries, the iconic Parliament Buildings and be part of a special summer exhibit at the Canadian Museum of History!

Winners will also receive the opportunity to work with the amazingly talented team of education specialists from the National Film Board of Canada to create their very own short films about their adventures in Ottawa. The deadline is March 20, 2015.

Call for Nominations for OPSBA Awards Program Nominations are now being accepted for the Ontario Public School Boards' Association's Awards Program. OPSBA's Awards strive to recognize the outstanding contributions to the public education system made by individuals across Ontario. The nomination deadline for all the awards, except for the Bernardine Yackman Memorial Award, is: Friday, April 10, 2015 at 5:00 p.m.. The nomination deadline for the Bernardine Yackman Memorial Award is Friday, June 12, 2015 at 5:00 p.m.

Art and Essay Contest - "The Language of Art and the Art of Living Together" OCDSB students in Grade 9 through 12 are encouraged and welcomed to enter the Intercultural Dialogue Institute Art and Essay Contest! All entries must be received by your school by April 21st, 2015. Winners will be notified during the week of May 4th 2015. Award ceremony will be on Tuesday, May 12, 2015. Prizes include new laptops and tablets. More information on the contest or rules here.

Physical Education and Health Curriculum The Ministry of Education released the revised curriculum for Health and Physical Education. The new curriculum is K-12 and it comes into effect in September 2015. The revised curriculum promotes the healthy development - physical, social, emotional and cognitive - of all students. The curriculum continues to address issues of general health and physical literacy. It also contains new material related to important issues such as healthy relationships, consent, mental health, online safety and the risks of sexting - and is more inclusive of Ontario's diverse population.

Take a minute to read the Director of Education's webpage and review the list of excellent resources and documents which the Ministry has prepared for parents, including:

 A Parent's Guide to the Revised Health and Physical Education Curriculum, Grades 1 to 12  A Parent's Guide: Human Development and Sexual health in the Health and Physical Education Curriculum, Grades 1-6  A Parent's Guide: Human Development and Sexual health in the Health and Physical Education Curriculum, Grades 7-12  Quick Facts for Parents: Learning about Online Safety, Including Risks of Sexting  Quick Facts for Parents: Learning about Healthy Relationships and Consent

EVERYSCHOOL_EVERYVOICE CONSULTATION Thanks to everyone who participated in the EverySchool_EveryVoice consultation. We had an absolutely tremendous response - 13,494 people participated in the process; 42,026 thoughts were shared; and 649,026 stars were assigned! The third and final step in the consultation is the Discover stage where results are shared with the community. We had hoped that we would be able to complete the analysis and share the results by the end of February, but we are victims of our own success! Because of the volume of feedback, we are still working with Thoughtexchange to sort the data and generate the reports. We are working as quickly as possible, but we anticipate another 3 weeks before we can release the reports. Watch for more information in this newsletter and a Discover stage e-mail in late March.

Final Bell Times and Walk Zone Maps The Board of Trustees recently approved the bell time changes for the 2015 school year. The Board's decision comes after more than two years of policy harmonization, preparation, consultation and approvals by the Ottawa Student Transportation Authority (OSTA). OSTA has announced the final outcomes for the Bell Time and Walk Zone Map reviews. All final walk zone maps have been posted on OSTA's website. Summaries describing the safety concerns expressed during consultation and how OSTA has addressed the concerns are also included on their website.

Stephen Leacock Public School - Hearts for the Homeless Do you have any gently used jeans or clothing for children, men and or women? If you do the students at Stephen Leacock Public School would appreciate you stopping by their school and dropping off your donations in the bins located in the front foyer. This is a student-led fundraiser designed to help those in our community who are struggling with poverty and homelessness.Stephen Leacock is located at 25 Leacock Dr. Kanata, Ontario

2014-2015 Tell Them From Me Survey TTFM is an online survey tool that the district uses to collect anonymous and reliable data about school climate, bullying,school safety and student engagement. The TTFM survey was first implemented during the 2012-13 school year for students, and repeated again during the 2013-14 school year for students and parents. This year, we will be surveying students in Grades 4-12.

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Have a wonderful March Break! Michele