More than a summer job with Focus on Youth
Focus on Youth (FOY) is a Ministry of Education funded summer youth employment program. The goal is to provide at-risk students with the opportunity to earn money, gain marketable skills and complete health and safety training modules. It does do that and so much more.
At the September 24 Board meeting, the Board of Trustees met with participant Liam Connelly, a proud graduate of the FOY program in 2019. This summer, through FOY, his confidence grew, his abilities multiplied, and his belief in himself was restored. Liam expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the program. He believes it helped prepare him to enter the world of work and pursue his dream of working in the trades one day.
Photo above (from left to right): Superintendent of Continuing and Community Education, Ben Vallati; FOY Monitor, Mark Pomfret; FOY Program Coordinator, Dean Mariani; FOY Participant Liam Connelly; and Chairperson Mark D. Mullan.
Policy review process for the public
The OCSB reviews Board policies on a five-year cycle. The goal is to seek public input before making changes. At the beginning of this school year, the Ministry of Education released the following Policy/Program memorandums:
- PPM 128 – The Provincial Code of Conduct and School Board Codes of Conduct (to be implemented by November 4, 2019)
- PPM 162 – Exemption from Instruction related to the Human Development and Sexual Health Expectations (to be implemented by November 30, 2019)
- PPM 163 – School Board Policies on Service Animals (to be implemented by January 1, 2020)
The OCSB has established a policy review process to allow students, parents, staff, and members of the OCSB community to submit feedback regarding Board policies currently under review. There are currently four (4) policies under review. Once all feedback has been received, it will be reviewed and considered by the Board’s Executive Committee. Recommended revisions to the policy will then be submitted to the Board of Trustees for final approval.
- Safe, Inclusive and Accepting Schools Code of Conduct – General (deadline for input is 5:00 pm on October 22, 2019)
- Safe, Inclusive and Accepting Schools Code of Conduct – Student Expulsion (deadline for input is 5:00 pm on October 22, 2019)
- Catholic Curriculum – Family Life Programs (deadline for input is 5:00 pm on November 26, 2019). This policy respects the rights of parents to withdraw their children from the current Theme 3, “Created Sexual,” of the Fully Alive family life education program in Grades 1 to 8.
- Use of Service Animals for Students (deadline for input is 5:00 pm on December 17, 2019). The OCSB approved this policy in May 2018. Staff will review the policy, along with input from interested stakeholders, including the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC).
Two new school Superintendents
The OCSB welcomed two new Superintendents over the summer of 2019: Geoff Edwards as the new Superintendent of Learning Technologies; and Miro Vala as the new Superintendent of Planning and Facilities.
Superintendent Edwards has served as Teacher, Principal, and Principal within the OCSB. He is the recipient of the Director’s Commendation award for his work in improving numeracy and for enhancing his schools’ protocols for tracking and planning for at-risk students. Geoff has his Master’s in Educational Leadership from Memorial University. He is passionate about the role of technology to accelerate academic growth and to increase engagement. For students with learning challenges, learning technologies can be the vehicle through which these students can equitably access the curriculum and thus thrive as students.
Superintendent Vala joins the OCSB from as the former Manager of Facilities with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB). He has 20 years of school board experience with the OCDSB and the CDSBEO, along with construction industry experience in Project Management and Engineering. His focus moving forward will continue to exemplify the six C’s of 21st century learning, especially; collaboration, community and critical thinking as the Board strives to find economical and environmental solutions that align with the needs of our students, staff and the community.
They join the others to make up the 2019-2020 Senior Administration team at the OCSB. Get to know them and follow them on Twitter.
News from the Boardroom Summary
This September 24, 2019 blog post covers the following topics:
- More than a summer job with Focus on Youth
- Policy review process for the public
- Two new school Superintendents
- The OCSB is growing! Student enrolment exceeds projections
- Secondary Indicators of Success
- Love Kindness and Mercy infused with Deep Learning
Briefs from the Boardroom
The OCSB is growing! Student enrolment exceeds projections
There are 1,432 more students enrolled in OCSB schools than last year. Just over 44,000 students actively learning in our OCSB schools. That includes:
- 11 new Kindergarten classes across the system
- 7 new primary classes across the system
- 3 new junior classes across the system
- 5.83 intermediate/secondary teachers
Secondary Indicators of Success
Data drives action. It helps set a course for reflection, improvement and engagement. The Secondary Indicators Success Report looks at credit accumulation, credit recovery, course pass rates, cooperative education and graduation rates. The report helps schools determine areas of focus and improvement.
Love Kindness and Mercy infused with Deep Learning
Our Spiritual Theme unites all members of the OCSB community as a people of faith. This year we will focus on Love Kindness and Mercy. The second year of Spiritual Theme relates to social justice and the passion for kindness and mercy. With an emphasis on Deep Learning, we will encourage all members of our community to think globally and act locally. Please take a look at how through Deep Learning, we are engaging our school communities.