Ottawa Carleton District School Board

Dear Families, Over the past year, we have undertaken an Elementary Program Review to look at our elementary program delivery and consider how we can better support students today and in the future. During our consultations last spring, many of you shared your feedback and ideas on elementary programming. We also reviewed our internal district data and external relevant research.

Dear Families, last week, I visited A. Lorne Cassidy Elementary School and participated in their "duck families activity," which focused on empathy and character development. I also had the chance to pop into Riverview and was impressed by the staff's dedication to student learning and wellness particularly in terms of the utilization of rooms as productive safe spaces. And this week, I attended the 'Fisher & The Chocolate Company' event at Fisher Park/Summit where our intermediate students baked treats as a fundraiser for site-based activities.

Dear Families, last week, I thoroughly enjoyed a visit to Regina Street Alternative School. I was so inspired by the patience and poise of the student ambassadors who walked me through the site to engage with both students and staff.

Dear Families, this week, I had a fantastic visit to Forest Valley Elementary, a dynamic dual-track school in our east end. The students and staff did a wonderful job showcasing their focus on authentic learning through song in both English and French!

Dear Families, it was an honour to provide opening remarks at the 'Post-Secondary Pathways Launch 2024' event, held virtually across the province, earlier this week. Over 36,000 secondary students took part in an on-line day of exploration and awareness related to career possibilities... with over 80+ presentations and 60+ exhibitor booths! The virtual event allowed secondary students to gain a deeper understanding of different industries, professions and vocational paths... allowing for informed decisions about their futures!

Dear Families, recently, I participated in a fall barbecue at our central administration office with the proceeds going to support the Education Foundation of Ottawa. The requests for support to the EFO have increased by 40% year over year since 2020. The EFO helps support the critical needs of OCDSB students. If you are able to, please support the EFO by making a donation today. Your donation lifts an OCDSB student up — closer to a brighter future.

Dear Families, over the past two weeks, I have had the wonderful opportunity to visit a number of school sites and school-related events. Last week, for instance, I took part in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Regional Conservation Forum at the Museum of Nature... a collaboration of governmental and non-governmental agencies, as well as Indigenous peoples' organizations... to discuss projects for environmental sustainability in the education sector. It was so inspiring to hear our student leaders speak to the importance of these promising practices for the benefit of our planet... harnessing innovation, while enabling conservation.

Dear Families, over the past two weeks, I had the pleasure of attending the Ottawa-Carleton Virtual (OCV) Spirit Day on Friday, September 13th, where I was able to engage with a diverse array of students who are experiencing their learning journey in a predominantly online teaching and learning environment. It was wonderful to hear their perspectives regarding the virtual setting, and how it intersects with their experiences in person.