Monday 29 February 2016

School Calendar 2016-17 Update

CSPA Logo

Last December we asked for input from parents and guardians regarding vacation preferences for Christmas 2016.  Thank you to everyone who completed our survey and the schools, councils and individuals who helped to share this survey with others.  We received over 6700 responses!  WOW!!
As you can see below, there was an overwhelming preference for Option 2: vacation from Saturday, December 24 to Sunday, January 8
In January, we provided these results to the OCSB Calendar Committee which collected feedback from all OCSB stakeholder groups.  There was also consultation with our co-terminus board, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, with whom we share school bus transportation.

Last Tuesday, the Board of Trustees approved the proposed OCSB school calendar for 2016-17.  This proposed calendar features a later Christmas break, as preferred by parents/guardians and has the OCSB elementary and secondary PA days all occurring on the same days. 

The calendar dates cannot be considered final until they have been approved by the Ministry of Education.  A response from the MOE is expected in the spring.

Learn more about the specific calendar dates at http://www.ocsb.ca/calendar

Again, thank you to everyone for your interest and participation.

CSPA Communications

Sunday 28 February 2016

All Saints Blog Week of February 29th, 2016

Dominican Experience arrives in the DR
Our Dominican group students and staff arrived at their destination this weekend and will be working at supporting those in the community.  The group attended mass in Spanish this weekend and met their family hosts.  They will be involved in several activities this week as they get to know the local residents.  If you are wondering, the weather indicates sunny with a high of 28 degrees in the Dominican . . . all week!

All Saints Boys Basketball team wins City Championship
Congratulations to our Boys Basketball team for clinching the City finals against AY Jackson this past week.  The boys won against Bell high school earlier in the week for a spot in the final.  Special congratulations and thanks to Mr. Podgorski for coaching the boys this season.  Thank you to all the parents who came out to cheer on the boys at both games.

School Council Funding supports School Groups
At the All Saints School Council meeting this past week over $3000 from fundraising efforts was approved to support school programs.  The council supported initiatives by the All Saints Robotics group, our Outdoor Education course, our grade 8 “Investigate, Invent and Innovate” initiative, school greening ideas and student mentorship activities.  All Saints students and staff continue to appreciate the support of our active School Council.  A special thank you to the fundraising sub-committee and our council Treasurer, Ms. Rink.

Upcoming Grade 10 Literacy Test

To all parents of Grade 10 students - the Ontario Secondary Schools Literacy Test (OSSLT) will be taking place this year on March 31, 2016. This week’s literacy information focuses on reading strategies for graphic texts:

What is a graphic text?
  • A graphic text uses words AND pictures to communicate information.
What are some examples of graphic texts?
  • Posters, pamphlets, comic books, diagrams, instruction manuals, maps


Before reading:
  • Look at the whole graphic text. Locate the title, headings, captions, legends and pictures.
    • The title tells you what the graphic is about.
    • Headings organize the information into sub-topics.
    • Captions provide extra information.
    • Legends help you to understand how to read the graphic text.

During reading:
  • Read all the headings and examine how they are related to the graphic. Each heading has a purpose. The most important headings may be in capital letters, bold type, or a larger font.
  • Follow the arrows and lines. They may be used to show movement or direction, or connect to the things they name.
  • Look for the use of symbols to emphasize important words and information.


  • Understanding EQAO Assessments
Every year, Ontario students in Grades 3, 6, 9 and 10 write province-wide tests to assess their reading, writing and math skills.
This presentation will provide parents an opportunity to gain an understanding of the EQAO assessments.
Register Now:  http://bit.ly/CSPAEQAO

Tuesday, March 1, 2016; 6:45 - 8:45 PM
Saint Joseph Catholic High School; 3333 Greenbank Road, Barrhaven


Communications

Check out our blog – allsaintschs.blogspot.ca and our twitter @AllSaintsCHS as well as our website ash.ocsb.ca for all that is happening at All Saints!

Sunday 21 February 2016

All Saints Blog Week of February 22nd, 2016


Grade 7&8 Parent Teacher Conferences
Our grade 7&8 parent-teacher interviews will take place on Thursday, February 25th.
There will be an early dismissal at 1:30 pm on February 25th for all students grades 7-12. The times for interviews are 2:00 to 4:00 and again from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Booking interviews will be done online through the You Can Book Me site, https://allsaintshigh1.youcanbook.me/.  The link on our website will become active at 5:00 pm on Friday, February 19th.  Please note interviews are 10 minutes in length and parents are asked to request a maximum of one interview slot per teacher (even if the teacher teaches your child more than one subject).

Our Continuing Journey through Lent
We are continuing our dialogue around our Lenten journey at All Saints.  Students and staff are encouraged to become “active” participants in the Lenten liturgical season.  This includes recognizing the expectations during Lent and working these into our daily lives.  You can access a video here that explains the reality of fasting in student friendly language.  

All Saints Spectator


Congratulations to all who were involved in the publication of the “All Saints Spectator”, - the student and staff produced insert in the Kanata Kourier-Standard this past week.  If you don’t have the paper delivered to your home, you can access it here.  Thank you to our Writer’s Craft students and their “editor” Ms. Pignat for their work in putting these stories and photos together.










Paint it Up!
Funding is available for outdoor mural art projects that support graffiti prevention, youth empowerment, community safety and the beautification of Ottawa neighbourhoods.  For more information about funding, please visit www.crimepreventionottawa.ca, for the program guidelines and application form.  Projects must contribute to a clean, safe and beautiful city by engaging neighbourhoods and youth in a constructive learning process to create murals to prevent or deter graffiti.
Applications must be postmarked, e-mailed, or received by 4 p.m. Monday, April 4th, 2016.
Please join us for one of our information sessions:
Wednesday, March 2
1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
City Hall
110 Laurier Avenue West
2nd  floor Colonel By room
Thursday, March 3
5:30 – 7 p.m.
Ottawa Library- North Gloucester Branch
2036 Ogilvie Rd- Room B
To confirm your attendance, please RSVP by e-mail: cpo@ottawa.ca  or leave a message at 613-580-2424 ext. 25393. If you require special needs accommodation, please advise upon registration.

Upcoming Grade 10 Literacy Test
To all parents of Grade 10 students, and previously eligible Grade 11 and 12 students, the Ontario Secondary Schools Literacy Test (OSSLT) will be taking place this year on March 31, 2016.

This week’s literacy information focuses on strategies for answering multiple choice questions.

Before reading:
  • Read the multiple-choice questions before you read the passage so you know what information you are looking for.  
  • Underline the information in the reading when you find the answers to questions.

After reading:
  • Circle words like “not” or “always” or “never”.  These will trick you.
  • Come up with the answer in your head before looking at the possible answers. This way, the choices given on the test won't throw you off or trick you.
  • Eliminate answers you know aren't right.
  • Read all the choices before choosing your answer.
  • Don't change your answer unless you have found details in the reading to support the change. Usually your first choice is the right one, unless you misread the question.
  • In a question with an "All of the above" choice, if you see that at least two correct statements, then "All of the above" is probably the answer.
  • Once you’ve made a choice, go back to the reading to see if you can find supporting facts to justify your answer.
  • Record all answers in the answer booklet.

Anxiety Prevention Group - Opportunity for Youth
The Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre is offering a program for youth around anxiety prevention.  Please review the information below if you are interested.


Parent/Guardian Sessions -

  • Parents Information Forum on French Second Language
February 27th, 2016

  • Understanding EQAO Assessments
Every year, Ontario students in Grades 3, 6, 9 and 10 write province-wide tests to assess their reading, writing and math skills.
This presentation will provide parents an opportunity to gain an understanding of the EQAO assessments.
Register Now:  http://bit.ly/CSPAEQAO

**TWO sessions to choose from**

Monday, February 29, 2016; 6:45 - 8:45 PM
Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School; 2072 Jasmine Crescent, Gloucester
OR
Tuesday, March 1, 2016; 6:45 - 8:45 PM
Saint Joseph Catholic High School; 3333 Greenbank Road, Barrhaven


Communications
Check out our blog – allsaintschs.blogspot.ca and our twitter @AllSaintsCHS as well as our website ash.ocsb.ca for all that is happening at All Saints!

Tuesday 16 February 2016

Council of Ontario Directors of Education - Math Resource

The Council of Ontario Directors of Education has published a Mathematics resource for students in elementary and intermediate schools entitled "Insipring Your Child to Learn and Love Math".
When students understand mathematics, they are equipped with knowledge they can bring to every aspect of their lives. Inspiring Your Child to Learn and Love Math is a tool kit for parents. It provides modules with simple, but effective methods and materials for parents.
This Parent Tool Kit was created specifically for parents of children in the elementary grades in Ontario (Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8). The goal of this resource is to provide parents with the most significant research-based information to help them be the best, most knowledgeable and most confident supporters for their child's mathematics education.
This Parent Tool Kit consists of five modules, each with its own set of resources, support materials and videos: Module five focuses on Intermediate students (Grades 7 and 8).

To access the resources, please click on this link.

Sunday 7 February 2016

All Saints Blog Week of February 8th, 2016

Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent
Ash Wednesday this week marks the beginning of the Catholic liturgical season of Lent.  Ash Wednesday is a day of fast and abstinence that begins our process of prayer and preparation as we journey toward the celebration of Easter.  Many different religions observe periods of penance and prayer and even non-Christians are invited to take part in liturgies as we form community around the observance.  We will lead a prayer ceremony for all of our school on Wednesday and more intimate presentations will take place in classes.
Charlie Brown Musical
Thank you to all of our students and staff involved with our production of Charlie Brown, The Musical!  We were able to share the play with many of our elementary students in our family of schools this past Thursday.  We appreciate the support of the community over the presentation days.


Upcoming Grade 10 Literacy Test
The Ontario Secondary Schools Literacy Test (OSSLT) will be taking place this year on March 31, 2016. We will be sharing information regarding the test over the next several weeks in this Blog.  Some information regarding the test:

  • There are two booklets students must complete, each featuring a variety of questions testing reading and writing skills.
  • Students must read the following types of information:
    • Information paragraph
    • A news report
    • A dialogue
    • A real-life narrative
    • A graphic text (e.g., a map or schedule)
  • Students must write a number of responses in clear writing with proper writing conventions (grammar, spelling and punctuation).
  • Students must write the following types of answers:
    • A news report (one page in length)
    • A series of paragraphs (at least three paragraphs, two pages in length)
    • A summary of a piece of text
    • A short opinion piece
    • A short response to a question
  • Students will also be asked to complete multiple choice questions on reading and writing skills.

Anxiety Prevention Group - Opportunity for Youth
The Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre is offering a program for youth around anxiety prevention.  Please review the information below if you are interested.


Parent/Guardian Sessions -

  • Strong Not Tough
The healthy family step plan to manage anxiety & prevent depression
As adults, we experience many life changes; workplace transitions, entering & ending relationships, financial difficulties, the loss of a loved one, supporting friends or family members with mental illness or substance / alcohol abuse.  Feeling overwhelmed or anxious is natural.
Gain the know-how and confidence to navigate everyday life challenges!
This workshop will provide you with positive coping skills and coping step plans to help you navigate experiences, effectively manage feelings and be resilient.  Come and participate in creating a family that can bend, not break. We all need a community that is strong, not tough.
Register Now:  http://bit.ly/1OrKcyG
Monday, February 8, 2016
7:00 - 9:00 PM
St. Matthew Catholic High School
6550 Bilberry Dr, Orléans





Thursday, February 18
6:45-8:45 p.m.
St. Paul Catholic High School

Presented by the OCSB Student Success Department, in collaboration with CSPA and OCSB PIC.

Find out more about the OCSB approach to learning French to make informed decisions regarding the French program that best suits your child.

For more info & registration, visit:

  • Parents Information Forum on French Second Language
February 27th, 2016

  • Understanding EQAO Assessments
Every year, Ontario students in Grades 3, 6, 9 and 10 write province-wide tests to assess their reading, writing and math skills.
This presentation will provide parents an opportunity to gain an understanding of the EQAO assessments.
Register Now:  http://bit.ly/CSPAEQAO

**TWO sessions to choose from**

Monday, February 29, 2016; 6:45 - 8:45 PM
Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School; 2072 Jasmine Crescent, Gloucester
OR
Tuesday, March 1, 2016; 6:45 - 8:45 PM
Saint Joseph Catholic High School; 3333 Greenbank Road, Barrhaven


Communications
Check out our blog – allsaintschs.blogspot.ca and our twitter @AllSaintsCHS as well as our website ash.ocsb.ca for all that is happening at All Saints!