This week we welcomed new members to our Parent Involvement Committee (PIC). It was a great opportunity to meet with parents and to share ideas and strategies about parent involvement in education. There are so many ways for parents to get involved - whether it's supporting your child's learning at home, volunteering at school, helping out on a field trip, sitting on school council, or coaching a sports team or leading club; there is something for everyone. Every one of these activities makes a difference in our schools and in helping your child to understand that school is important and valued in your home. The Parent Involvement Committee will be updating our publication "It's Your Child's Education - Be a Part of it!" We always welcome your ideas and if you have any thoughts or suggestions on this publication or other resources that you think would be helpful, please send me a message at [email protected]. Director's Update This week, the Director attend the PIC meeting and had the opportunity to participate in a great discussion about math. This was timely because the Director has just recently posted a new web update with a focus on mathematics. One of the resources that was shared at the meeting and is included in the web update is the Framework for Balanced Mathematics Instruction, K-12. This framework was designed for educators, but many parents have expressed interest in it as a way to better understand how math is taught at school. The framework emphasizes the importance of both operation skills (e.g., the much talked about multiplication tables) and problem-solving skills (i.e., the ability to know how and when to apply operational skills and mathematical concepts to solve complex problems). This approach is congruent with the current Ontario mathematics curriculum and is what is being instructed in our classrooms. This month we distributed our new Numeracy Guide for Parents/Guardians to all schools. Take a few minutes to read this publication. Math Facts - Upcoming Presentations for Parents Interested in what research tells us about the role of parents in children’s early mathematical learning? Plan to attend the upcoming workshop hosted by Huntley Centennial School Council. Dr. Jo-Anne Lefevre from Carleton University will talk about research and share some insights into current views of where challenges exist for our children in early math learning. Specific suggestions for how parents can support children’s math learning will be provided and there will be plenty of time for questions. Huntley Centennial, Wednesday, January 22, 2014 – 7 p.m. by Dr. Jo-Anne LeFevre 118 Langstaff Drive in Carp WO Mitchell Elementary School is also welcoming its students and staff to celebrate mathematics with the WOM Amazing Math Race on February 20, at 6 pm. Students, parents and educators are invited to attend the school to take part in number of fun Math activities in a race format around the school. This is a great opportunity for staff, students and parents to gather and learn more about Math while doing some fun activities. WO Mitchell is located at 80 Steeple Chase Drive, Kanata, ON Kindergarten Registration - Monday, January 27 to Friday, January 31, 2014 Just a reminder that the Kindergarten Registration Period is fast approaching – Monday, January 27 to Friday, January 31, 2014. If you want to see what happens in a kindergarten classroom, take a minute to look at this incredible video that the staff at Sir Winston Churchill Public School put together. It's a great demonstration of inquiry based learning. If your child will be age four or five by December 31, 2014, he or she will be ready for junior or senior kindergarten starting September 2014.Students already in junior kindergarten do not have to re-register for senior kindergarten. Documents can be transferred as needed. In September 2014, the OCDSB will be in its fifth and final year of implementing full-day learning for four and five-year-old kindergarten students. One hundred elementary schools with Kindergarten programs will offer the Full-Day Early Learning Kindergarten (FDK) Program in September 2014.These classrooms will all be led by an Educator Team consisting of both a registered Early Childhood Educator and Teacher. Steps to Register: To register, please bring proof of age in the form of a birth certificate, baptismal certificate, registration of birth card, or passport to your local school. Registration cannot be completed without one of these forms of identification. Also bring your child's proof of address (minimum of two of the following: property tax bill, assessment notice, purchase of sale agreement, or rental agreement for a separately assessed unit,~utility bills,~or a driver’s license). Please note that utility bills and~licenses must be accompanied by one of the other pieces, such as a rental agreement. You will also need to bring your child’s Ontario health card and immunization record. Ottawa Public Health requires proof that your child has all immunization required for his or her age. Boardroom News – Committee of the Whole Tuesday, 21 January 2014 Board Room -7:30 pm (Public) Matters of Action will include such topics as: [Link]Near West Accommodation Review Recommendation and Debate Approval of Short-Term Borrowing Resolution Notice of Motion Re Introduction of Early French Immersion Program at W.E. Gowling Public School [Link]Differentiated Resource Allocation: Addressing the Impact of Socio-economic Status and Poverty on Student Achievement and Well-Being Interested in EQAO? The EQAO School Support and Outreach Team will provide a regional parent forum in Ottawa on Saturday, March 1, 2014. The forum will take place 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. at the Westin Ottawa. The forum is composed of two sessions. The first session will include information about EQAO’s province- wide assessment program. Then, author and renowned educator from Queen’s University Dr. Lynda Colgan will talk about the importance of mathematics and how parents can encourage their children to see the value of mathematics in everyday life. EQAO is pleased to cover fees for participants and will reimburse all eligible expenses as outlined in the Reimbursement Guidelines. To register please email [email protected]. Include your name, your child's school, your position on your school council (if applicable) and your phone number. Education Development Charges, Public Meeting On February 18, 2014, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board will conduct a public meeting to review the current education development charge policies of the Board and to request public input. Any person who attends the meeting may make a representation to the Board in respect of the policies. The Board will also consider any written submissions. A Policy Review Document setting out the Board’s policies for the current education development charge by-law will be available on or before February 3, 2014, at the Board’s administration offices, during regular office hours. This will be immediately followed by second meeting — Successor By-law Public Meeting. The purpose of the second public meeting is to consider the continued imposition of education development charges as set out in Section 257.63 of the Education Act, and to inform the public generally about the education development charge proposal. Any person who attends the meeting may make a representation to the Board in respect of the proposal. The Board will also consider any written submissions. All submissions received in writing and those expressed at the public meeting will be considered prior to the enactment of an education development charge by-law. The Board of trustees will consider adoption of a Board by-law for imposing education development charges in the City of Ottawa on Tuesday, March 25, 2014. Any comments or requests for further information regarding this matter may be directed to Michael Clarke, Superintendent of Facilities, at 613-596-8211 ext.8818 (telephone) or 613-820-5210 (fax) or may be sent via e-mail to [email protected]. Events There are lots of exciting events happening in our schools! Robert E. Wilson Public School School Council will present an Internet and Social Media Safety Workshop on Thursday, January 23, 2014, at 6pm. Cyber-Security Expert, Jean-Francois Sauriol from Phirelight Security Solutions will discuss Cyber Security and specifically give practical ways to help parents protect their households and their children. Topics will include what children should and should not put on the Internet; how to keep information, for examples photos stored safely on your home computer and how to protect your home computer from viruses. Jack Donahue Public School Fax: 613-820-6968 Jack Donahue Public School will celebrate musical history with a Beatles Extravaganza. On Wednesday, February 5, 2014, students will hold two performances – one in the afternoon and one in the evening to mark the 50th anniversary of the Beatles British Invasion. This event will bring the community together to listen to students sing, perform and celebrate the vibrant Arts and Music curriculum in the school. Elmdale Public School It’s almost time for the fourth annual Winter Walk to School Day at Elmdale Public School. The annual event takes place on Wednesday, February 5, 2014, and encourages students to walk and parents to park their cars in solidarity as they make the trek with their children to the community school. The goal is to promote exercise and reduce dependency on automobiles. The students will be greeted by volunteers offering hot chocolate for their efforts. Pinecrest Public School Pinecrest Public School will host its annual Heritage Market on Friday, February 7, 2014. Students will be buying and selling ancestral food, experiencing their peers culture, history and music.