The OCDSB releases an
annual report in the fall of each year. The report is a summary of
accomplishments from the previous school year and details progress on our
strategic priorities, student achievement data, budget facts and figures,
enrollment information and much more.
Director's Annual Report to the Community
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
Dr. Jennifer Adams
One of the nice things about producing an annual report is the opportunity to reflect on the previous year — our accomplishments, our challenges, and most importantly what did we learn? Looking back on the 2016-2017 school year, we accomplished many things and the Board made some made some very important decisions related to student learning. In the following pages, you’ll read about the many noteworthy accomplishments of our schools, evidence of progress in student achievement, and our thinking about next steps in each area of our strategic plan. But I would like to take a moment to reflect on what we learned.
In 2016–2017, the District undertook two large scale accommodation reviews. In the west end of the district, the review involved 22 elementary and 4 secondary sites. In the eastern part of the District, the review involved 3 secondary schools. Student Learning and School Accommodation Reviews look at student learning needs in the context of programming, enrolment, building infrastructure, and growth projections to ensure that quality learning continues to happen in all schools in the District both in the near and not too distant future. The reviews began in September and involved stakeholders in a consultation process throughout the fall and winter. The Board made their decisions in March; transition activities began immediately after the decisions were made.
There is no question that the decision-making process was challenging for everyone involved — parents, students, staff, trustees and community members. Our communities stood together to remind us how much they care about their schools. Our work with the advisory committees demonstrated the importance of having really fulsome processes to inform decision-making. We learned that difficult conversations can be had in respectful ways and that when we work together, we can do better things for student learning.
Perhaps the best lesson came at the end, when we came together to start planning to ensure successful transitions for everyone. By June, students moving to a new location had the opportunity to visit their school and get to know more about the people and the place through BBQs, fun days, joint field trips and new timetables. Student Councils and leadership teams met each other and began sharing ideas. School Councils planned celebrations for school closures and built relationships with new schools. The schools were staffed and some members of staff started meeting to discuss support for students with special needs. Our Facilities staff began renovations in schools, in the review areas and across the District, that would continue over the summer months and in some cases into the fall — a remarkable investment of approximately $60 million into school renovation/renewal.
Dr. Jennifer Adams
Director of Education/Secretary of the Board