Do you know of someone who deserves an award for the work they have done as a community volunteer for the OCDSB?    Or, more specifically, do you know someone who should be recognized for their “outstanding efforts . . .  in developing a community initiative that directly supports the well-being” of the students of the OCDSB?  There are lots of those people in our community.  Let’s make sure we recognize their efforts!

Please take the time to nominate someone deserving for the Community Award. Nominations are due by March 12.  Please find the nomination form here.

Do any of the following topics sound like something you would like some advice on?

• Autism

• Body Image in Children and Youth

• Why Won’t My Child Do As I Say?

• Anxiety in Children and Youth

• Stress Management for Parents

• The Importance of Sleep for Children and Adolescents

If so, book the evening of Monday, March 29 on your calendar. CHEO Psychologists will be at Hillcrest High School to share information with parents.  For complete information, and to register, please view the flyer for the event.

Cathy Dempsey, Assistant Treasurer for the OCDSB, gave us an excellent overview of the budget issues at the OCDSB at our February Assembly meeting.  Cathy has been kind enough to provide us with a copy of her PowerPoint presentation so that we can make it available to anyone who missed it or wants to pass it on to others.  Please click below to access the presentation:

Download Power Point Presentation

View PDF of Presentation

At an earlier OCASC Assembly meeting there was some discussion about trustees having Zone meetings, and OCASC informing people about Zone meeting dates on the website.

Riley Brockington, trustee for Zone 11, River Ward will be hosting a River Ward Council meeting on Thursday, April 8 at Brookfield High School.  For more information please contact Riley.

The February 18 OCASC meeting featured a presentation by Cathy Dempsey, assistant treasurer for the OCDSB, on next year’s budget.  As we have heard before, there are cuts to be made and it won’t be easy either making them or deciding where to make them.  Many thanks to Cathy for taking the time to talk with the OCASC membership.

We had a good discussion about consultation practices at the OCDSB.  One of OCASC’s priorities this year is to work with the school board on Consultation, Communications and Collaboration.   Talks have been happening throughout the year and will continue.  The recently completed Alternative Education Program review is being used as an example when looking for ways to move forward and improve practices.   In addition to the meetings that have been taking place with school board officials, OCASC will write a letter to the trustees indicating the desire to work with the school board to improve the consultation process, and also pointing out the negative perception that the recent Alternative Education Program review has left with parents.

There is a new Food and Beverage Policy for schools in Ontario.  By September, 2011 schools will be required to comply with guidelines indicating the types of food to be available to students at schools. This may affect things like pizza days, bake sales, vending machines and cafeterias. The OCDSB will be addressing this new policy in the near future.  We will hear more about it in the coming months.  OCASC will keep you updated on it.

The March OCASC meeting will be after the March Break – Thursday March 25 at Fisher Park School.  Hope to see you then!