Sometimes, knowing where to turn for support is the hardest part of being a parent.
Whether navigating a child’s learning, exploring high school pathways, looking for community resources or simply hoping to feel more connected to a school, finding the right information can take time.
That’s what made the OCSB Parent Expo on September 26 so special. It brought together the people, resources, and conversations that families needed in one welcoming space.
The event welcomed approximately 200 parents and caregivers, supported by nearly 100 staff members, volunteers, and community partners, as well as 20 student volunteers. With more than 40 community partners and six informative workshops, the Expo offered families an opportunity to ask questions, discover resources and make meaningful connections.
But beyond the numbers, the day was about something much bigger: reminding families that they didn’t have to navigate their child’s educational journey alone.
One Place. So Many Possibilities.
Every family has different questions, challenges and experiences. Sometimes, the answers are found at school. Other times, they come from a community organization, a specialist or another parent who has been through something similar.
The Parent Expo was designed to bring all those connections together.
At the heart of the event was the Community Resource Café, where more than 40 community partners shared information, answered questions and helped families discover services available to them.
Organizations such as Autism Ontario, Scouts Canada and the Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall were among those connecting with families, highlighting the many ways community organizations can support children and parents beyond the classroom.
Rather than spending hours searching for resources or wondering whom to contact, parents could speak directly with the people who could help.
And there was no need to rush.
The event was thoughtfully organized to give families time to explore, attend workshops, visit community partners and connect at their own pace. Child-minding services also meant younger children could stay engaged while parents focused on learning and finding the information they needed.
It was a simple idea with a meaningful impact: make support easier to find, understand, and access.
Conversations That Mattered to Families
Throughout the day, six workshops explored topics that reflected the real questions parents and caregivers faced as their children grew and learned.
From helping newcomers find their place in Ottawa’s school communities to exploring the OCSB’s Spiritual Theme, We Are Called to Nourish New Beginnings, the sessions encouraged connection, belonging, and a stronger relationship among home, school, and parish.
Other workshops focused on helping parents advocate for their children’s learning, understand report cards and grading, explore high school pathways and future careers, and support students experiencing challenges with school attendance.
Each session offered practical guidance and an opportunity for families to feel more informed and confident in supporting their children.
What made the experience especially valuable was the connection between the workshops and the Community Resource Café. Parents could leave a session with new information and immediately connect with an organization or community partner offering additional support.
The workshops started conversations, and the Community Resource Café helped families take the next step.
It Takes a Community
Behind the success of the Parent Expo was a community of people who believed in its purpose.
The event was made possible through the dedication of OCSB staff, the Catholic School Parents’ Association (CSPA), community partners and volunteers who generously shared their time, knowledge and expertise.
A special thank you to the 20 student volunteers who helped make the day welcoming and accessible for families.
For those who attended, the Expo offered more than information. It offered reassurance, encouragement and a reminder that a whole community was ready to support them.
Because at the OCSB, supporting student success means supporting the families and communities around them, too.
Keeping the Connections Going
The September 26 Parent Expo was a wonderful reminder of what happens when schools, families and community organizations come together with a shared purpose.
Together, we’re building stronger connections between home, school and community, one conversation at a time.
