Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) at the OCSB
Manon Séguin, Superintendent of Special Education and Student Services
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) continues to evolve in OCSB staffrooms and classrooms. Educators are developing inter-departmental partnerships to support personal and professional development, allowing teachers to purposefully link academics with student well-being.
We know there is a strong correlation between mental health and student achievement. When your child feels welcomed, included, understood and supported, they better engage with classroom learning. Our educators work together to ensure your child has a safe and secure foundation to learn.
We focus on the five core competencies of social-emotional learning in our classrooms as this fosters caring learning environments that are centred in Catholic values and promote positive mental health and well-being. Those competencies are Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Responsible Decision Making, and Relationship Skills.Healthy staff lead healthy schools
OCSB educators need to be well to support your child’s well-being. That’s why we provide OCSB staff with professional learning opportunities and training. One of the resources used is The Third Path. The Third Path focuses on caring, intentional and responsive relationships. We also provide materials dealing with Trauma, ADHD, Learning Disability, and Anxiety resources. OCSB hosts Summer Institutes and Professional Learning Communities in schools. This training helps our staff navigate mental health resources and supports they can access for both themselves and your child. Our hallways are extensions of our classrooms and students will find supportive, encouraging, and reminder messages to be their best selves. Social emotional learning is both a Board and school wide-focus. Dr. Elizabeth Paquette, Mental Health Lead, and Leanne Stanton, Itinerant Resource SEL Teacher, Special Education and Student Services Department, shared a presentation highlighting SEL initiatives in our schools. These initiatives build capacity and support our students as they develop well-being strategies.OCSB Board Improvement Plan 2018-2020 (BIP)
Denise Andre, Director of Education
Our OCSB’s Strategic Commitments provide the foundation for our Board Improvement Plan (BIP). We are in the second year of a two year plan for improvement.
Our staff will monitor and make adjustments to their strategies if required. Each goal has an interdisciplinary team, led by a Superintendent, that looks at the evidence, determines targeted strategies and monitors progress.“Be Well” goal update
Manon Séguin, Superintendent, Special Education and Student Services and Steve McCabe, Superintendent, Human ResourcesAs a Board, we are learning the conditions that support Deep Learning are also good for our mental well-being. We will continue to provide students with learning environments that feel safe so they can optimize their full potential. Students need to feel safe: emotionally, physically, socially, and mentally. We will listen to the students’ voices so they know their contributions matter. Our commitment to students and staff is that we will honour their dignity and support their well-being.
BIP Goal: We will strengthen organizational conditions that promote positive mental health and wellbeing for staff and students.
BIP Goal: We will deepen the focus on evidence-based practices and capacity-building in the area of mental health, incorporating student and staff voice, and community engagement.
Kindergarten Registration 2020
Mary Donaghy, Superintendent of Student Success, ElementaryKindergarten registration for the 2020-2021 school year is scheduled for the week of January 13 – 17, 2020. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3! The OCSB welcomes families of all faiths. Our schools offer innovative programming; engaging learning spaces and dedicated educators. We look forward to this exciting time in welcoming new families and children to our Board. Here is what you need to register:
- registration forms
- proof of age examples: birth certificate, passport, immigration documents (health card not accepted)
- proof of address: examples: rental or purchase agreement, utility bill, bank or credit card statement (driver’s licence not accepted)
News from the Boardroom Summary
This November 12, 2019 blog post covers the following topics:
- Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) at the OCSB
- OCSB Board Improvement Plan 2018-2020 (BIP)
- “Be Well” goal update
- Kindergarten Registration 2020
- Trying a profession on for size with SHSMs
- SEAC nomination of alternate
Trying a profession on for size with SHSMs
Debbie Frendo, Superintendent of Student Success, Intermediate/SecondaryThe Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program allows students in Grades 11 and 12 to focus their learning on a specific economic sector while meeting the requirements of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). The OCSB offered its first SHSM program in the 2007-2008 school year and currently offers 35 programs in 12 sectors across the system. Every OCSB high school now offers at least one SHSM.
Within these sectors are a world of opportunities. The Health and Wellness sector can include working alongside a doctor or a nurse, but it also includes kinesiologists, veterinary technicians, hospital porter, fitness instructor, or childcare worker. SHSM programs are available for all student pathways, be it the workplace, apprenticeship, college, or university.
The SHSM program exemplifies Deep Learning. It allows a student to dive deeper into the real world of their sector program including job shadowing, job twinning, work experience, and virtual work experience. Students also have the opportunity to earn certifications such as WHMIS training, CPR, and First Aid. Students gain the confidence to be successful, refine skills and make informed choices about future careers and or next steps.
Strong sector partnerships and Ministry funding sustain SHSM programs. We hope to expand the number of students currently taking a SHSM. As these programs grow, the opportunities for students grow.