Sunday 26 February 2017

All Saints Blog Week of February 27th, 2017

Information for Students, Staff and Families around counterfeit prescription medications
There has certainly been a great deal of attention being paid to the issue of counterfeit prescription medication in the news as of late.  Many organizations are doing their best to provide as much up to date information as possible to those who care for our young people.  The Ottawa Catholic School Board is working hard to review the information that is being provided by the Ottawa Police Service, Ottawa Public Health, as well as addiction therapy groups in the region to develop resources that can be delivered to students, staff and our families.  In addition to these stakeholders, All Saints High School is also speaking with the Ottawa Paramedic Service and Rideauwood Addiction Services to develop clear, factual information that we can present to our community.  We recognize the urgency of that this situation has presented to all schools in our region, but also understand the responsibility of ensuring the messaging that we are sharing with students, staff and families is clear, factual and helpful in dealing with this serious problem.  We will continue to keep the community updated around our efforts as we work diligently to educate those connected to our school.  More information about counterfeit pills, overdose prevention, naloxone and local treatment resources can be found at StopOverdoseOttawa.ca


Kindness Week award for our Custodians
Last week was “Kindness Week” across the Ottawa Region.  As part of this celebration, schools and other organizations were invited to nominate a group of individuals who do a great deal toward spreading the message and idea of Kindness among their community.  Last Friday, we were fortunate to have Cindy Smith, the Executive Director of the Caring and Sharing Exchange with us at All Saints to present the kindness award to our custodial staff.  Michael Bloomfield, Cathy Jensen, and Peter McLean, who work tirelessly to ensure our school is a clean, safe and comfortable place to call our home away from home.  Mike, Cathy and Peter are always happy to help, and on top of their regular duties, demonstrate initiative for ensuring potential problems are addressed before they become issues.  They carry out their duties with a positive approach each and every day.  Their attitude of kindness in our building is a model for all.  


Free Online Homework Help in French
VoilĂ  Learning - Our school board has secured funding to provide FREE Online Homework Help in French for our students. You will receive a box of letters, including the registration code, to send home to parents and guardians. (Copy of the letter). The response has been very positive. As the new semester/term begins we would ask that you remind students of this valuable resource.  The following can be posted on your school websites for accessibility to all students, parents and guardians.  The code to register is:  BonjourVoila  
Here is a video explaining how the program works: https://vimeo.com/136396791
The Online Homework Help registration page: http://voilalearning.com/en/if-your-school-board-has-registered/


Ms. Cavar’s Class of the Week
Congratulations to our class of the week, 7-07 on receiving their recognition this week.  They were nominated for their collective attention to their academics, and demonstrating a high level of responsibility for their learning. Well done!





Ottawa Catholic School Parents’ Association
There is a great deal of information on the CSPA website regarding information for parents and upcoming sessions.  You can visit the website here.


Communications:
Check out our blog – allsaintschs.blogspot.ca and our twitter @AllSaintsCHS (Mr. Kelly’s - @seankellyottawa) as well as our website ash.ocsb.ca for all that is happening at All Saints!


Coming Up:
Feb. 27th: School Council meeting (7:00 pm)
Feb. 28th: Grade 6 parent evening (6:00 pm)
March 10th: Letters of Progress - high school students

Monday 20 February 2017

All Saints Blog Week of February 21st, 2017

Memorial for All Saints’ student
I want to take an opportunity to thank our entire school community for their support and kind words over the last week as we have mourned the loss of one of our students.  While it has been a very difficult time emotionally, the support within our school including our Chaplaincy Leader Vito, our student services guidance counsellors as well as our board Psychologist and Social worker who have been on site all last week has been outstanding.  
Chloe’s family held a memorial service on Sunday with a number of family and friends having an opportunity to share their respects.  All Saints will have a memorial service this Wednesday, February 22nd at 6:00pm primarily for those who were not able to join the family on the weekend.  We are inviting all members of our school community at that time.  The family has very kindly allowed us to use some of the support material including a DVD and music that they included in their service on the weekend.  
We recognize that grieving during this time is a very personal issue.  We will continue to work with individual students who would like to speak to someone about how they are feeling.  Students should speak to their counsellor about setting up time to chat.  I would also encourage any parents/guardians to contact the school if there is some specific information you would like to share with an administrator or guidance counsellor.


7&8 Parent/Teacher Interviews
Our grade 7&8 parent teacher interviews are scheduled for this Thursday, February 23rd from 2:00 to 4:00 and from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.  A reminder that it is early dismissal for all students grades 7-12 on this date.  Parents can book interviews with their child's teacher through the You Can Book Me website. The link is currently open.  If you require a longer period of time to speak with a teacher than the 10 minute interview time period, please call the teacher and make alternate arrangements. Please note: Ms. Salvatore, Ms. Dovis and Mr. Ruest will not be available for interviews on the 23rd.

All Saints School Trips
Our staff have been busy this year planning a number of school trips.  These include our Dominican experience, Vimy trip and excursion to Costa Rica.  We understand some additional trips are being planned by organizations separate from our school staff.  These trips do not have the support, nor supervision of our staff.  If you have any questions about trips that are being organized, please contact the school.

Free Online Homework Help in French
VoilĂ  Learning - Our school board has secured funding to provide FREE Online Homework Help in French for our students. You will receive a box of letters, including the registration code, to send home to parents and guardians. (Copy of the letter). The response has been very positive. As the new semester/term begins we would ask that you remind students of this valuable resource.  The following can be posted on your school websites for accessibility to all students, parents and guardians.  The code to register is:  BonjourVoila  
Here is a video explaining how the program works: https://vimeo.com/136396791
The Online Homework Help registration page: http://voilalearning.com/en/if-your-school-board-has-registered/

Mme. Bourgeois-Prevost’s Class of the Week
Congratulations to Mme. Bourgeois-Prevost’s class of the week, 8-05 on receiving their recognition this week.  Mme. Bourgeois-Prevost nominated the group for ”being such a kind, compassionate and hard-working group of students. I can honestly say, that this group of students makes coming to work a pleasure. I'm not sure that I've ever had a more mature group of grade 8 students and I'm very proud to be their homeroom teacher”.  Great work 8-05!


All Saints student crowned Miss Teenage Ottawa
We are very proud to let our community know that student Jessica Luczaj was recently crowned Miss Teenage Ottawa.  Jessica will take part in the national Miss Teenage Canada pageant, to be held in August.

Black Canadian Scholarship Fund
The Community Foundation of Ottawa is offering Scholarships to students.  Please see the following for more information: Deadline for students is May 31st, 2017   LINK to more details


Ottawa Catholic School Parents’ Association
There is a great deal of information on the CSPA website regarding information for parents and upcoming sessions.  You can visit the website here.

Communications:
Check out our blog – allsaintschs.blogspot.ca and our twitter @AllSaintsCHS (Mr. Kelly’s - @seankellyottawa) as well as our website ash.ocsb.ca for all that is happening at All Saints!

Coming Up:
Feb. 23rd: 7&8 Parent/Teacher Interviews
Feb. 27th: School Council meeting (7:00 pm)

Sunday 5 February 2017

All Saints Blog Week of February 6th, 2017

Grade 8 Option Carousel
This past week, our grade 8 students were given the opportunity to explore elective areas within our grade 9-12 panel.  Students circulated through hands-on presentations by high school teachers demonstrating what students could expect to learn in areas such as dance, drama, music, art, construction technology, communication technology, automotive repair and business.  Students were given information about course outlines, expectations, prerequisites and the different course offerings within the departments.  Students had opportunities to ask teachers questions as they examined these areas ahead of course selection in the next few weeks.  Thank you to all of our high school teachers who arranged opportunities for our grade 8 students


Kanata Race Day - Looking for volunteers
Kanata Race Day event being held on Sunday June 11.  This race has been an annual events which raises money for the Kanata North community.  This money goes toward the enrichment of our recreation facility as well as supports our Junior Ranger Program in Kanata.  This program employs summer students to look after and give tours of Trillium Woods.
This year we will be running a 1km, 5km and 10km.
We are also looking for volunteers, if you have students 16 years of age or older who would like to volunteer they can get in touch with me at tracey.dixon@ottawa.ca
More information: http://kanataraceday.ca/

Student Immunization
Some parents/guardians will have received a notice from Ottawa Public Health (OPH) advising them that their child’s immunization records are incomplete.  If you have received such a notice, please be advised that OPH’s approach is that any child not in compliance will be suspended from school beginning on February 8th, and will be unable to return until OPH advises the school that he/she may be readmitted.   If you have any questions, please contact Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744.

Parent/Guardian Information:

Parent Focus Group on Student Well-being
YOUR input needed: Parent focus group on student well-being. What does “well-being” mean to you? How can students' well-being be supported at school?
The Ontario Ministry of Education is looking to develop a K-12 student well-being framework to help support the mental health and wellness of all students.  
CSPA is hosting this parent session with Dr. Elizabeth Paquette (OCSB Chief Psychologist & Mental Health Lead), to collect your ideas and opinions to share with the Ministry.  We know that students who have strong relationships and a positive sense of self, are in a better position to reach their full potential. Come learn more about current initiatives in OCSB schools and share your ideas to promote well-being.
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
6:45 - 8:45 PM
Holy Trinity Catholic High School
Cathy Philpott
Co-Chair, CSPA

Communications:
Check out our blog – allsaintschs.blogspot.ca and our twitter @AllSaintsCHS (Mr. Kelly’s - @seankellyottawa) as well as our website ash.ocsb.ca for all that is happening at All Saints!

Coming Up:
Feb. 9th: 7&8 Excursion to the Rideau Canal
  • 9-12 report card distribution
Feb. 16th: 7&8 report card distribution