Sunday 31 January 2016

All Saints Blog Week of February 1st, 2016


Professional Activity Day
A reminder that Monday, February 1st is a professional activity day for staff and there is no school for students.  Regular classes resume on Tuesday, February 2nd.

Grade 9-12 Exams
We had a very successful exam session this past week.  Students were well organized and benefited from preparation beforehand.  Semester one report cards will be distributed to students on February 10th.  High School students begin their second semester on Tuesday, February 2nd.  

Grade 7 Teaching Mass
On Tuesday, January 26th, all of our grade 7 students were involved in a teaching mass presided over by Fr. Virgil at St. Isidore Parish.  It was an opportunity for students to learn some of the specifics of the mass tradition while participating in this important faith development opportunity.  A special thank you to Fr. Virgil, our Chaplaincy Leader Ms. Moore-Chung and our grade 7&8 staff for managing the organization for this event.

Grade 8 Technology, Arts and Business Schedule
Last Friday, all of our grade 8’s took part in our Technology, Arts and Business schedule; providing students with an opportunity to explore these high school areas.  Students learned about computer programming classes, automotive work, different business classes and our Arts offerings.  This is a great way to provide grade 8’s with some ideas for their elective classes as they enter high school.  We will be following up with additional transition information as our 8’s travel to grade 9.

Student Community Involvement
Congratulations to Emily Farrell, who was invited to sing the National Anthem at the grand opening of the Walmart at Bayshore this past week in front of many dignitaries, the CHEO Bear and dozens of guests. Emily continues to share her talent as one of the many students who sing O Canada for us as we begin our day at All Saints.  Great job Emily!

Upcoming 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:

  • The test is mandatory for all students to write and pass , as one of the requirements of the Ontario Secondary Schools Diploma.
  • The test covers reading and writing skills all students should have acquired by the end of Grade 9, as per the Ontario Curriculum.
  • The test requires students to complete a number of activities in reading and writing.
  • The test takes 2 hours and 30 minutes.  It will require a full morning of testing.
  • If a student has an Individual Education Plan, accommodations are made available for the test.

All Saints School Production: Charlie Brown - The Musical
The All Saints Drama Dept is presenting Charlie Brown- The Musical during the first week of February.
Show Dates:
February 4 & 5- public shows- 7pm
February 6 - matinee show- 2pm
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door

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

  • 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!

Wednesday 27 January 2016

Invitation to CSPA meeting - Join us for our CSPA Meeting ONLINE tonight

New CSPA Logo
Wed. January 27: Join us for our CSPA Meeting ONLINE tonight
At our CSPA meeting tonight we will be welcoming Tom D'Amico, OCSB Associate Director of Education, who will be presenting "Communication Tips - Managing Conflict"; tips and strategies for school council members navigating conflict.

Our construction zone will focus on the role of councils.

The meeting begins at 7:30 PM.

For those unable to join us at the meeting, here is the link to participate from home:

  • Please plan to sign in 10 - 15 minutes early.
  • Choose:  Enter as a Guest
  • Provide your first name
  • School Council CSPA Reps: Please provide your name and your school, eg:  "Sara D. - St. Michael". 
If you have never attended an Adobe Connect meeting before, please test your connection: 
https://adobeconnect.ocsb.ca/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm

We won't be using web cameras. This will save bandwidth for those at home.  Participants will be able to see slide presentations and can ask questions if they wish by typing them into the "chat window".
If you run into problems while connecting and need help, please email us at OttawaCSPA@gmail.com
It's been a while since we've used the technology so please do be patient if we run into any glitches!  The best seat is always in the room, but we hope to offer you almost the same experience online!
Hope you can join us in person or online tonight!

Sunday 24 January 2016

All Saints Blog Week of January 25th, 2016

Upcoming 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. It is imperative that your child is present for this test, and if they will not be able to be present, that you inform your child’s respective Vice Principal as soon as possible.
Many online resources are available for parents and students to access to help prepare for the OSSLT. The following websites may be particularly beneficial:
www.eqao.com – The website for EQAO, the creators of the test, which offers access to previous tests, as well as practice questions, and preparation tools.
www.readwriterock.com – A fun, interactive, and free website from the Hamilton-Wentworth district school board that allows students to complete a variety of activities in preparation for the test.

Grade 9-12 Exams

Our 9-12 exam period runs from January 26th to January 29th at all Ottawa Catholic Schools.  The exam schedule has been posted on the website for a number of weeks.  You can access the schedule below.
In the event of a “snow day” where yellow school bus transportation is cancelled during the high school exam period, the missed exam will be written the following day.  All other exams will be bumped by one day and the last exam, scheduled for Friday, January 29th will be written on Tuesday, February 2nd.  Classes for Semester Two will then begin on Wednesday, February 3rd.
Monday, February 1st remains a PD day whether or not there is a 'snow day' during exam week.

All Saints School Production: Charlie Brown - The Musical
The All Saints Drama Dept is presenting Charlie Brown- The Musical during the first week of February.
Show Dates:
February 4 & 5- public shows- 7pm
February 6 - matinee show- 2pm
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door

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

  • 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!

Sunday 17 January 2016

All Saints Blog Week of January 18th, 2016

Student dress code update
Our student code of conduct for students in grades 7-12 will be available online at the beginning of second semester.  No significant changes to the code have been added, however, as part of those expectations, a clarification to the dress code has been included.  In short, it addresses the issue of ripped pants.  The clarification indicates that "any rips or holes in jeans or pants should be below appropriate short length;".  This statement was developed through consultation with a student group as well as our school council.  It is the only change to any policy regarding dress code.  The full dress code expectations are indicated below.  If you have any questions regarding this statement, please contact an administrator.

Dress Code (Reviewed with a student group and All Saints School Council 2015-2016)
Students are expected to be appropriately dressed at all times. In order to maintain the Christian atmosphere of the school, students are asked to abide by the following expectations:

  • the length of shorts and skirts should be appropriate, closer to the knee than the hip;
  • no low cut tops, pajama bottoms, clothing with vulgar, suggestive, inappropriate language or drug/alcohol messages are permitted;
  • any rips or holes in jeans or pants should be below appropriate short length;
  • no midriff revealing or “racer back” backless tops are to be worn;
  • clothing that permits exposure of the naval or undergarments is not acceptable. Tops may be sleeveless, but not spaghetti straps.

All Saints School Production: Charlie Brown - The Musical
The All Saints Drama Dept is presenting Charlie Brown- The Musical during the first week of February.
Show Dates:
February 4 & 5- public shows- 7pm
February 6 - matinee show- 2pm
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door

New Professional Activity Day added to School Calendar
A new PD is being added to the school calendars of all school boards in the province. This is part of the settlement negotiated between the Provincial Government and the four teachers’ federations in the fall of 2015.
The Board of Trustees of the Ottawa Catholic School Board have approved Friday, April 15, 2016 as the designated additional PD day in all OCSB schools. Visit http://ocsb.ca/calendar to view the newly updated 2015-16 school year calendar.

Grade 11 French Immersion Religion fundraising
The New Year started on a positive note for our Grade 11 Immersion French class as the students were able to vote on where they would donate the money they raised before Christmas.  This fund-raising is a way to show how the students are aware of others who may not be so fortunate as enjoying such things as a wonderful Christmas.  The class donated farm animals and feed which will help an overseas family improve their livelihood.  The religion class looks forward to other opportunities when they can put into practice the tenets of compassion and mercy which have been emphasized throughout the semester.

Student Support Opportunities

We have mindfulness sessions and study skills sessions available to students in the coming weeks.  Please encourage your son/daughter to make use of this opportunity if they would benefit from the support.

Grade 9-12 Exams

Our 9-12 exam period runs from January 26th to January 29th at all Ottawa Catholic Schools.  The exam schedule has been posted on the website for a number of weeks.  You can access the schedule (as well as important information regarding inclement weather days if applicable) below.

Parent/Guardian Sessions

  • Fostering Positive Self Esteem
Frank Ryan Saturday, January 23 CIS, 9:45 - 11:30am.  What is self-esteem and why is it important? Come learn positive tips for supporting the development of healthy self-esteem in children and ourselves as parents.  For parents/caregivers of children aged birth to 12 years.  Facilitator: Joanne Boyd, Connect With Kids.  Register Now: http://bit.ly/1QWBbjp

  • 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

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 10 January 2016

All Saints Blog Week of January 11th, 2016

Student Community Service
As stated in Ontario Secondary Schools, Grades 9 to 12: Program and Diploma Requirements, 1999 (OSS), every student must complete a minimum of 40 hours of community involvement activities as part of the requirements for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). The purpose of the community involvement requirement is to encourage students to develop awareness and understanding of civic responsibility and of the role they can play and the contributions they can make in supporting and strengthening their communities.  We encourage students entering grade 9 to complete this requirement as soon as they are able.  In some cases, students have left this requirement until their final year of high school.  We have contacted, by mail, the families of any students in grade 12 who have not yet fulfilled this requirement.  If you have any questions, please contact our student services department at the school.

Student Support Opportunities

We have mindfulness sessions and study skills sessions available to students in the coming weeks.  Please encourage your son/daughter to make use of this opportunity if they would benefit from the support.

Grade 9-12 Exams

Our 9-12 exam period runs from January 26th to January 29th at all Ottawa Catholic Schools.  The exam schedule has been posted on the website for a number of weeks.  You can access the schedule (as well as important information regarding inclement weather days if applicable) below.

All Saints Yearbook

Your last chance to pre-order a yearbook using cash or cheque will happen on Tuesday, January 12th and Wednesday, January 13th from 11:10-12:10 in the atrium. Yearbooks are $50. Cheques should be made payable to All Saints. Yearbooks can still be purchased online using School Cash Online (via the All Saints website) until February 5th.

All Saints School Council meeting
A reminder that the All Saints School Council will be meeting on Monday, January 11th at 7:00pm in our Learning Commons space.  You can access the School Council meeting Agenda here

Vaccination notice from Ottawa Public Health

Please review the following if you have recently received a notice from Ottawa Public Health regarding an outstanding vaccination notice:Letter to parents

Parent/Guardian Sessions -

  • Staying Connected with your Child

Learn about how your teen's body and brain is changing.  We'll discuss how to talk to your teen, how to work through problems together and how to keep your teen safe with good family rules and routines.  More information and registration: http://bit.ly/21RoDie
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
6:45 - 8:45 PM
Mother Teresa High School
440 Longfields Drive, Nepean

  • Fostering Positive Self Esteem
Frank Ryan Saturday, January 23 CIS, 9:45 - 11:30am.  What is self-esteem and why is it important? Come learn positive tips for supporting the development of healthy self-esteem in children and ourselves as parents.  For parents/caregivers of children aged birth to 12 years.  Facilitator: Joanne Boyd, Connect With Kids.  Register Now: http://bit.ly/1QWBbjp

  • 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

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!