All Saints Blog Week of October 30th, 2017

Career Week at All Saints

October 30th to November 3rd is career week at the Ottawa Catholic School Board, and All Saints is participating with activities all week long.  This includes Skills Ontario Presentations, student games during lunch hour related to work skills, and Take your kid to work day on November 1st.  All homerooms will then participate in a trivia game on Friday related to careers and skills information with the winning homeroom receiving a pizza lunch.

All Saints’ Feast Day

November 1st is All Saints’ Feast Day, and we will be observing this important day at our school with an opening day prayer and homeroom liturgy.  

Students as Researchers (STAR)

The Ministry of Education is hosting the Students as Researchers (StAR) initiative again this year.  This initiative is designed to teach students about conducting their own research on a topic that is of interest to them.  Our All Saints group led by Ms. Clancy attended a three day StAR training forum last week and will then work together on their research project throughout the school year.  In the spring, our team will have the opportunity to present their research at a board forum, and possibly at a provincial conference.  Thanks to our group for their participation.

English Language Learners - Saturday Support Club

Our School Board has established a Saturday Learning Club to provide teacher assistance and Saturday supports to English Language Learners and other students requiring assistance.  Some highlights of the program:

• Every​ ​Saturday,​ ​students​ ​will​ ​receive​ ​teacher​ ​assistance.
• Saturday​ ​supports​ ​will​ ​help​ ​students​ ​develop​ ​skills​ ​for​ ​improved​ ​literacy​ ​(oral
• communication,​ ​reading​ ​and​ ​writing)​ ​and​ ​numeracy.
• Students​ ​will​ ​have​ ​opportunities​ ​to​ ​collaborate,​ ​leverage​ ​technology,​ ​develop study​ ​habits,​ ​improve​ ​learning​ ​skills​ ​and​ ​to​ ​prepare​ ​for​ ​school​ ​day​ ​projects,​ ​tests, quizzes​ ​and​ ​culminating​ ​activities,​ ​etc.
• Students​ ​will​ ​have​ ​access​ ​to​ ​technology.
• FREE​ ​to​ ​all​ ​students.

Please see the following program description for additional information

Heritage Fair - Provincial Presentation

Over the last few years, our grade 8 students have been involved with the Heritage Fair initiative.  This is an opportunity for students to review a Canadian concept, personality or historical event and present the information to their peers.  Beyond our school involvement, some students have the opportunity to present at the provincial level.  Ruby, one of our students last year, had the opportunity to participate in June at the Toronto provincial fair.  I asked her to share her experience below:

This past June I was privileged enough to represent my school in the Ontario provincial heritage fair in Toronto. What started out as a school project grew into an incredible experience that I will never forget.  I made long lasting friendships, learnt more about the rich history of the beautiful country I live in, and developed research and creative skills through developing my project. The fair was full of vibrant and informative performances and workshops. From York University's archives, the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, and even just the beautiful architecture of Union train station, my trip was packed with sights to see and history to learn. The most notable part of the trip for me was the visit to Black Creek Pioneer Village, a living museum, in which I got to be fully immersed in the different aspects of the Canadian life at the time of confederation. I would like to thank everyone involved in making this extraordinary event possible as it was an exceptional opportunity that I am proud to have been a part of. The experience has encouraged and inspired in me a desire to continue discovering Canada’s past and will certainly influence my course choices as I continue my high school career.

Student Council Halloween Week Spirit Activities

Our student council has arranged a number of Halloween related activities and spirit days this coming week:

Monday October 30th: PJ Day

• Everyone wears their PJs or comfy clothes
• Activity at HS lunch we will have an obstacle course set up for the students to partake in.

Tuesday October 31th: HALLOWEEN/ Costume Day

• Halloween Fashion Show - students are reminded to participate in culturally appropriate costumes that reflect our standing dress code (no masks)

Wednesday November 1st:  Western Day

• Students will dress up in attire of the Wild West. Wearing plaid, cowboy hats, jeans etc
• Activity at HS lunch Lip Sync Battle

Thursday November 2nd: Career Day

• Students will dress up in the attire of the profession they wish to pursue after high school or the attire of a current part time job.
• Activity at HS lunch: Career trivia will be a Kahoot. Kahoot is a trivia based game that all students can take part in by using their phones.

Friday November 3rd: Blackout Day

• Students will wear strictly black clothing. This relates to the spooky theme of halloween week.
• Activity at HS lunch  - Minute to win it. Selected students will participate in various different tasks

Sessions for Parents:

There is a great deal of information on the CSPA website regarding information for parents and upcoming sessions.  You can visit the website here.

OSAP and Financial Planning for Parents

On November 8th, the Catholic School Council at Immaculata HS is hosting an OSAP and financial planning session for post secondary schooling with Algonquin College, a topic which no doubt would be of interest to many parents of secondary school students. Please see the attached flyer for additional information

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:

November 2nd: 7&8 Report Card distribution

November 4th: All Saints Craft Fair (at the school)

November 9th: 7&8 Parent-teacher interviews

All Saints Blog Week of October 23rd, 2017

Student Pick-up and Drop Off at All Saints High School

The driveway directly in front of All Saints is used for special transportation to pick up and drop off some of our higher needs students at All Saints School.  It is also considered a Fire Route by Ottawa By-Law.  Currently there is a great deal of congestion in that area during peak periods in the morning, and at the end of the day.  We are asking parents and guardians to make some accommodations to allow our students who need to board or depart transportation in this area to have the space to do so.  We are asking our community to drop off students in our larger parking area to the east of the school.  This expectation would be in place from 8:00 to 8:30am in the morning, and from 2:15 to 2:45pm in the afternoon.  Ottawa Police have suggested that parents NOT use Kanata Avenue for drop offs or pick ups. We expect this change to make the area directly in front of the school less congested and safer for our students.  If you have any questions, please contact the school.  We thank you in advance for your cooperation with this change.

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:

November 2nd: 7&8 Report Card distribution

All Saints Blog Week of October 16th, 2017

Grade 9-12 Letters of Progress and Parent-Teacher interviews

Letters of concern for students in grades 9-12 were sent out as part of a message this past Friday from school.  All Saints wishes to remind parents of high school students (grades 9-12) that parent/teacher interviews will be held on Thursday, October 19th. There will be an early dismissal at 1:30 pm that day for all students in grades 7-12. The times for interviews are 2 pm to 4 pm and again from 5 pm until 7 pm.  We will also have a special “optional” session for parents of students in grade 10, providing information on the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test.  Test structure, strategies for preparation and other information will be highlighted in the meeting from 6:30 to 7:00pm.  
Booking interviews for October 19th will be done on-line through the You Can Book Me program. The link can be accessed on our website as of Monday afternoon.  Parents/guardians are reminded that if they are unable to schedule an interview with a particular teacher, they are welcome to contact the teacher at the school to have a telephone discussion.  
Please note interviews are 10 minutes in length and parents are asked to request a maximum of one interview slot per teacher.  7&8 Report card distribution will take place on November 2nd, and parent teacher interviews with grade 7&8 teachers will be on November 9th.  

myBlueprint Career Readiness Information

All Saints Catholic High School has partnered with myBlueprint to provide all of our students with an engaging and interactive online education and career planning program.  myBlueprint Education Planner (7-12) includes a number of beneficial resources to support your child as they progress through high school.  Students complete many of the activities as part of regular classroom work from grade 7 through to 12.  We are encouraging parents to participate in the process with their children.  You can get more information about creating a parent account at the following link.

Party Smart Activity for Grade 10 students

On Thursday, October 5th our Grade 10 students participated in the first “All Saints Party Smart” event.  This event provided our Grade 10 students with the opportunity to hear from community leaders about alcohol and drug use, overdoses, drinking and driving, distracted driving, and other related issues.  We thank our participating community volunteers who represented Ottawa Emergency Services, Ottawa Police, Public Health Unit, Rideauwood, The Ottawa Hospital, CAA and the MTO.  We are encouraged by the partnerships we have established with these groups - our students are appreciative of your support.

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:

October 16th: School Council meeting (7:00pm)

October 19th: 9-12 Parent-Teacher interviews

All Saints Blog Week of October 2nd, 2017

New All Saints School Council for 2017-2018

All Saints School Council met this past week and elected the new Council for the 2017-2018 school year.  Thank you to the following individuals who put forth their names as members:

Chairperson: Laurie Chatigny (Email: ash.pcouncil@gmail.com)

Vice-Chairperson: Cathy Stone-Brooks

Secretary: Cathy Deogrades

Treasurer: Trudy Rink

Parish representative: Carolyn Crummer

Communications representative: Cindy Lee

Parent representatives: Juanita Balaraj, Cathy Motz, Kelly Roper, Jen Dowd, Michelle Taylor, Joanne Ness, Cheryl Marron, Rachelle Brewer, Sarah Hobbins, Michele D’Addona

Teacher representatives: Cathy Gloade & Ryan Jolicoeur

School Council 2017/2018 Meeting Dates:

October 16

November 20 - Mandatory

Dec. 18

Jan. 22/2018

Feb. 26/2018 - Mandatory

Apr 16/2018

May 28/2018

June 18/2018

You are welcome to check out the School Council section of our School Website for meeting dates and minutes from our meetings.

Party Smart Activity for Grade 10 students

On Thursday, October 5th our Grade 10 students are going to participate in the first “All Saints, Party Smart” event.  This event will provide our Grade 10 students with the opportunity to hear from community leaders about alcohol and drug use, overdoses, drinking and driving, distracted driving, and other related issues.  Our community leaders are members of the Ottawa Emergency Services, Public Health Unit, Rideauwood, The Ottawa Hospital, CAA and the MTO.  We are encouraged by the partnerships we have established with these groups, and look forward to this student centred activity.

Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre Program

The Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre (WOCRC) is offering information regarding a new program available to individuals and families in the West End of Ottawa.  The program is for community members aged 12 -26 years,  concerned about alcohol and/or drug use and looking for help.  The WOCRC is pleased to partner with the Ottawa Addictions Access and  Referral Services (OAARS), and Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services to provide Youth Support groups, Parent Support groups and FREE one on one counselling for both youth and parents from their office location in Kanata!  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Katherine Morin (Capacity Developer for Youth) Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre, 2 MacNeil Court., Kanata, Ont. K2L 4H7 Phone: 613-591-3686 x 227 │ Fax: 613-591-2501 │ wocrc.ca

Welcome Masses at All Saints

Last week, Fathers Virgil and Daryold joined us to open our school year with Masses for all students and staff.  The themes for the Masses were based around our Board Spiritual Theme: Sent to Be the Good News.  Students were encouraged to make this year an opportunity to share with others and to get involved.  We appreciate the company of Father Virgil and Father Daryold, and appreciate the team of staff and students who worked to put the Masses together.  A special thank you to Lindsay Moore-Chung, our Chaplaincy Leader, who handled the organizing.

Christian Community Day

This Friday, October 6th, the entire staff at the Ottawa Catholic School Board comes together to celebrate Christian Community Day.  This is an opportunity to set academic and spiritual direction for the school year.  Friday is a Professional Development day in all OCSB schools.

 

Math Homework Help

Homework Help is a valuable math resource for students in grades 7 to 10, as it allows them to access live, anonymous tutor chat sessions with certified Ontario teachers. In these sessions, the tutors will guide students to solve math questions after school hours. The live Homework Help chat room service is available for students from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM Sundays to Thursdays.
https://homeworkhelp.ilc.org/about/index.php

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:

October 6th: Christian Community Day for Staff - PD day for students in all OCSB schools

October 9th: Thanksgiving