When OCASC hosted an evening for parents on IEPs (Individual Education Plans) earlier this year it was so successful that our Special Education team decided there and then to host a second, similar evening.   That meeting is now scheduled for Thursday, Februray 25.  It will be held at Fisher Park School, in the library, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.   All parents are welcome to attend.  If you have a student with special learning needs, this will be a great opportunity to gain useful knowledge and strategies.   Lamar Mason, a past Chair of the Special Education Advisory Committee to the OCDSB (SEAC) will be the guest speaker.  For more information about the evening please view the flyer or contact OCASC’s SEAC rep, Beth Doubt.

Is Arts Education important to your child?  Absolutely!  Can you help support the arts program at your child’s school?  Once again, absolutely!

The Advisory Committee on the Arts (ACA) is an independent committee made up of parents, teachers, school trustees, and representatives of many of Ottawa’s arts organizations.  The ACA plays an advisory role with the OCDSB on arts education.

Its members share a passion for the arts and a commitment to ensure that all OCDSB students have good programs in dance, drama, music and visual arts.

For the second year, members of the ACA are visiting elementary school councils across the district, giving presentations about the importance of arts education and providing parents with ideas of how to support arts programs in their schools.

For more information, or to book a presentation, contact ACA Chair, Katherine Stauble.

As parents, community members and volunteers we know that our efforts make a difference to our children, the students in our school, and to the school board.  The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board wants to recognize community members who make a difference.  Each year the OCDSB presents a Community Award

in recognition of outstanding efforts of a member of the OCDSB community in developing a community initiative that directly supports the well-being of our students.

The OCDSB is now looking for nominations.  If you know someone deserving of this award, please take the time to complete a nomination form and send it in by March 12, 2010.  A link to a nomination forms will be available here shortly.

The January OCASC meeting was held at Confederation Education Centre on Thursday, January 21.

There was an excellent 45 minute presentation and discussion by our PRO Grant committee.  The joint OCASC / OCISO project  Parent Engagement:  Strategies and Resources for Parents and Schools was introduced to the group, with a discussion to get feedback on some of the questions surrounding parent engagement on local schools.  The powerpoint slide show and an accompanying questionnaire will be available on the OCASC website shortly.  It is hoped that OCASC reps will share this presentation with their school councils and get feedback to share with the project committee.

From Chalk It Up:

• There was a discussion about the Alternative Education Review that has been taking place over the past few months.
• Lakeview PS is wanting to get a new stage and is looking for schools that have done the same and can share information with them.
• Stephen Leacock PS  is asking about school council websites and where one can obtain assistance about setting one up.

If anyone has information to share on any Chalk It Up items, please contact the OCASC Chair who will forward your e-mails to the appropriate person.

Registration for Kindergarten in the OCDSB starts February 1, 2010 for the 2010-2011 school year.  Visit the OCDSB’s website for complete details about how to register your child, or view the Kindergarten Registration Flyer.