All Saints Blog Week of May 23rd, 2017

PD Day Activity: Session on Transferable Skills

The Staff at All Saints wish to thank our School Council for their sponsorship of our PD day activity on May 19th entitled “Transferable Skills”.  Our organizers brought in a number of guest speakers to chat with staff regarding transferable skills that our students should be carrying forward to University, College, or the world of work.  The guests spoke of skills and competencies such as collaboration, creativity, perseverance and critical thinking that provide a measure of success beyond high school.  The session allowed staff to review our current approach and ensure a contemporary consideration of preparing our students for post-secondary options.

The sessions were recorded and will be made available for parents to review as part of the work of School Council.  Thank you to our staff organizers for connecting with partners in the community and structuring our carousel and Q and A session.

Graduation Retreat

This past week we organized our grade 12 student retreat at the Kinburn Community Centre.  The day began with an opening liturgy and meditation, some outdoor activities, and a keynote address by Jay Williams, the chaplain at Holy Trinity high school.  The day also included music, lunch and some additional outdoor fun.  Thank you to our school organizers and the students for their participation.

Grade 9 Amazing Race

Our grade 9 students participated in the “Grade 9 Amazing Race” activity at All Saints last week.  Students dressed in spirited themes and gathered for a pep rally in the gym.  Homebase classes then participated in various activities to challenge knowledge and stamina!  A great time was had by all - thank you to our staff facilitators.

Board Choir - Looking for interested Students

The choirs of the Ottawa Catholic School Board will be holding their annual auditions in June of this year. The choirs offer students in our board the chance to sing in award winning choirs. The OCSB Chamber Choir is for students entering grades 8 - 12 in the fall of 2017.

If your child is interested in auditioning or you would like more information, please visit the choir website at http://choirs.ocsb.ca.

Variable Transportation - Information for Parents

All requests for variable transportation in cases of joint custody  for special transportation due on May 27th.  Please visit the website above for policy information and to fill out forms if required.  Contact the school if you have any questions

Student Study Skills Session with Board Psychologist

Once again, Dr. Richard Bolduc, our school psychologist, will be providing our high school students with a student skills session in preparation for their June exams.  It will take place on Wednesday, June 7 @ lunch in room L210 (the classroom off of the LC).  Please encourage your son/daughter to participate if they require some support.

Kanata Race Day - June 11th

Kanata Race Day will be taking place on June 11th at the Richcraft Recreational Complex Kanata.  There is a 5K, 10K(timed) 1k and Tot Trot.  The event happens from 8:30 to Noon.  There are opportunities for students to participate, as well as volunteer their time to help.  Please visit the web site at kanataraceday.ca

Pedal Play Mobile Bike Rodeo

The second annual Kanata North Pedal Play Mobile Bike Rodeo will take place on June 4th, 2017.  This is a great event for both parents and students and is a great forum to learn safe cycling routes and practices here in our community. Feedback from the close to 100 parents and children that participated in last year’s event was overwhelmingly positive.  This is a great opportunity for students to gain volunteer hours as well.

About Pedal Play:

Pedal Play is a free event for participants of all ages; primary school children, teens and adults. Participants will cycle through Kanata north, using both roadways and pathways, stopping at several activity stations along the way, to learn safe cycling practices, and how bicycles are regulated under the Highway Traffic Act. The 5-7 km route is planned to demonstrate safe routes throughout the community, connecting schools and community centres. Participants will learn their hand signals, how to share multiuse paths, how to change their gears when climbing, how to safely navigate roundabouts, and busy crossovers. They will also learn how to confirm their helmet fit and how to do a basic bike maintenance check.

Pedal Play is being sponsored by the Kanata Beaverbrook Community Association, with support and assistance from Councillor Wilkinson’s advisory committee - Transportation Action Committee Kanata North (TACK), Safer Roads Ottawa, and EnviroCentre’s Sustain Kanata North project.  For more information, visit https://pedalplaymobilebikerodeo.com/

The Ottawa Catholic School Board: Keep you Connected

Check out the many different activities happening across our school board.  Read the Board’s “Keeping you Connected” newsletter here: http://bit.ly/KYCapr2017

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:

May 24th: Grad Mass

All Saints Blog Week of May 8th, 2017

Catholic Education Week

Thank you to all who participated in The Ottawa Catholic School Board’s Education Week this past week.  There were a number of activities happening at All Saints including our Cooperative Education Career Fair, Mathematics Roller Coaster competition, French RAP videos and other curriculum projects.  In addition, the board celebrated its Education Week mass at Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica last Tuesday.  Our All Saints staff were particularly proud of our own Claire Bagnell, one of our guidance counsellors, who was awarded with the distinguished Director of Education Commendation at the ceremony.  The award recognizes the outstanding achievement of staff from across the board.  

School Council Wellness Session for Parents

I would like to extend our appreciation to our All Saints School Council for sponsoring our Inner Circle Wellness interactive presentation for parents last week.  Parents had an opportunity to participate in some of the wellness activities we promote with students.  Thank you to our staff who were involved - Mr. Mastersmith reviewed some indigenous approaches to inner balance, and Ms. Tremblay spoke about respecting each others’ right to communicate and be heard.  Ms. Bagnell, the architect of our “Mindfulness Room”, spoke about our restorative approach with students.  We also participated in a great session with Ms. Jane Wharton, who modelled the anti-anxiety and calming approaches that we use with students.  Thank you to all who helped in making this a great session!

Grade 12 Dodgeball Charity Event

Last week, a group of our grade 12 students participated in a Charity Dodgeball tournament at Holy Trinity High School.  The grads from each school faced off in a spirited session that will hopefully become a tradition between the two schools.  The teams dressed in their “schools finest” uniforms and played an intense game of Dodgeball (All Saints came out the victors!).  The proceeds of the fundraising and BBQ lunch will go to support Youth Wellness initiatives in the community.  

Kanata Race Day - June 11th

Kanata Race Day will be taking place on June 11th at the Richcraft Recreational Complex Kanata.  There is a 5K, 10K (timed) 1k and Tot Trot.  The event happens from 8:30 to Noon.  There are opportunities for students to participate, as well as volunteer their time to help.  Please visit the web site at kanataraceday.ca

Pedal Play A

The second annual Kanata North Pedal Play Mobile Bike Rodeo will take place on June 4th, 2017.  This is a great event for both parents and students and is a great forum to learn safe cycling routes and practices here in our community. Feedback from the close to 100 parents and children that participated in last year’s event was overwhelmingly positive.

About Pedal Play:

Pedal Play is a free event for participants of all ages; primary school children, teens and adults. Participants will cycle through Kanata north, using both roadways and pathways, stopping at several activity stations along the way, to learn safe cycling practices, and how bicycles are regulated under the Highway Traffic Act. The 5-7 km route is planned to demonstrate safe routes throughout the community, connecting schools and community centres. Participants will learn their hand signals, how to share multiuse paths, how to change their gears when climbing, how to safely navigate roundabouts, and busy crossovers. They will also learn how to confirm their helmet fit and how to do a basic bike maintenance check.

Pedal Play is being sponsored by the Kanata Beaverbrook Community Association, with support and assistance from Councillor Wilkinson’s advisory committee - Transportation Action Committee Kanata North (TACK), Safer Roads Ottawa, and EnviroCentre’s Sustain Kanata North project.  For more information, visit https://pedalplaymobilebikerodeo.com/

The Ottawa Catholic School Board: Keep you Connected

Check out the many different activities happening across our school board.  Read the Board’s “Keeping you Connected” newsletter here: http://bit.ly/KYCapr2017

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:

May 10th: Battle of the Bands @ All Saints

How to talk to your child about 13 Reasons Why

A message from the Ottawa Catholic School Board                                     May 1, 2017

Dear parents of intermediate and secondary students, You may have heard of a Netflix series called 13 Reasons Why, which is based on a young adult novel that depicts events leading to death by suicide of a young fictional character. While the series may not pose risks for most youth, it is believed that it has the potential for harm for youth who may be struggling with a mental health problem and/or suicidal ideation. This series includes graphic content related to suicide, glamorization of suicidal behaviour, and negative portrayals of helpers (including guidance counselors) which may discourage or prevent youth from seeking help. This type of information can lead to misconceptions and misinformation about suicide, and possibly to the glorification of suicide and contagion. Awareness of this series will allow you as a Parent or Guardian to have a conversation with your youth about the content and their reactions and feelings. The attached handout from Elizabeth Paquette, the OCSB's Chief Psychologist, provides tips to help parents talk to their children about the series and its subject matter. The handout may also be viewed online at this link. If you have any questions or have individual concerns about your youth related to mental health, please feel free to talk to an Administrator or Guidance Counselor at your child’s school.