All Saints Blog Week of September 11th, 2017

All Saints’ First Week of School!

It had been a great opening week at All Saints.  We began the week by welcoming our grade 7 students to our opening day assembly and them ushering them to their first period class.  Our grade 8-12 students all found classes and reacquainted themselves with the school.  A special thank you to our student council reps who injected a great deal of spirit into our opening assemblies.  They reviewed some upcoming activities, and encouraged students to get involved.  

Finally on Friday we were able to process all of our students and staff through our school photos.  We use the pictures for student identification cards and our yearbook, and we hope families took the opportunity to order packages as well.

Grade Level Assemblies

Our administration, Student services staff and student council had the opportunity to meet with all students by grade this week.  It was an important chance to share direction and expectations with our students.  I explained the significance of student voice and responsibility associated with our intention of involving students in decisions.  We spoke of the evolving process of learning as well.

Our Vice-Principals reviewed dress code, bus safety and expectations, attendance procedures, lunch hour guidelines and the many opportunities available across all grade levels at All Saints.  Our Student Services Counsellors explained the extensive support options for students who may be looking for information or who may require guidance during the year.  

This Week

On Thursday, September 14th, we will be running our Grade 9 Amazing Race.  This is an orientation session for our new “high school” students, allowing them to explore the new opportunities outside the senior elementary panel.  Students will rotate through information sessions and activities,  allowing them to become more comfortable with the resources in high school.

On Friday of this week we will run our Celebrating 7 orientation program for our grade 7 students.  This is a further opportunity to make our newest students feel comfortable at All Saints, while providing them with the resources to be successful in their first year.

Purchasing Options for Student Technology

As we continue the implementation of Deep Learning across the Board, and increasingly seek out opportunities to leverage digital to support learning, access to enough devices in each classroom is sometimes an issue. Our Board has been investing in technology for many years and will continue to do so, but the demand is rapidly increasing as students are starting to do more and more of their schoolwork online using the collaborative tools available.

BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) is a strategy that has been successfully implemented in many of our schools to help support student access to technology. Many families are seeking advice as they consider purchasing a device for their child to use both at home and at school over the next few years. As a result, we have been working with Staples Canada to provide OCSB families with access to an online portal where they can find information and pricing on a few models of Chromebooks that have been specifically recommended by our Learning Technologies Department. These recommended devices are the same durable machines we are using in classrooms, with full keyboards, cameras and touchscreens that also flip over to act as a tablet and were not previously available from Staples.

Please see the parent letter outlining the program here.

All Saints Catholic School Council

The first general meeting of the All Saints School Council will take place on Monday, September 25th at 7:00pm in the school learning commons (library).  We hope to see many new parents at our meeting at the end of the month.  If you are interested in running for a position on the council, you may review the information required in the following forms and send the information required in an email to All Saints High School (AllSaints.High@ocsb.ca)

School Council Parent Nomination Form

School Council Parent Self-Nomination Form

Reminders:

A verification sheet was sent home with each student last Tuesday - it needs to be carefully checked over and signed by parents and returned immediately.  This is vital for collecting parent/guardian contact information.

Parents are asked to create an on-line payment account for each of their children at All Saints.  The option to use credit cards is now available at https://ocsb.schoolcashonline.com/   You will get a receipt for all payments made.  The student fee ($30 per student with a maximum of $60 per family) is due on the first day and may be paid online. If you have two or more students you just choose one child at a time and choose the option for (first, second, third...child).  

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:

September 21st: 4:30 to 6:30 - Meet the Staff BBQ (details to follow)

Monday, September 25th: All Saints School Council meeting (7:00 Learning Commons)

All Saints Blog Week of September 5th, 2017

First Week of School!

I would personally like to welcome back our entire All Saints School Community to the 2017-2018 school year.  There have been a number of new staff who have joined our ranks, and you are welcome to meet them at our “Meet the Staff” evening on September 21st, from 4:30 to 6:30pm.  I would also like to introduce you to our two new Vice-Principals: Mr. Mark O’Connor, who joined us from St. Peter School, and Ms. Tanya Noble-Moore who was recently a Department Head at Holy Trinity School.  They are both anxious to meet and serve our school community.  Our staff spent last week preparing for our start, focusing on a review of our School Innovation Plan and looking at priorities for the year.  Our Board theme, Sent to Be the Good News provides us with a challenge as we interact with those in our wider community.  I am looking forward to sharing my own goals in person with you, however, I will let our students know that I am focusing on the following areas this year:

1. Facilitate innovative student and staff learning and opportunity.
2. Participate in staff/student faith development, wellness and safety initiatives.
3. Network with other educators and share our All Saints learning approaches

During our grade level assemblies scheduled for this week, our school administration team and student services personnel will review common expectations and provide direction for support if students need assistance.  I wish all of our students, staff, parents and guardians a great school year!

First Day of School Procedures

Grade 7 students will go to the Cafetorium and their teacher will call their names and bring the class to their room.  Grade 8 students will go down towards the 7/8 wing on the first floor and their names and homerooms will be posted on the wall on the right side of the hall just before entering the 7/8 wing.  Student peer helpers will be on hand to help direct students.

Grade 9 & 10 students will check the lists posted in the atrium for the room number of their homeroom.  They will go to their homeroom where they will receive their schedule.  

Grade 11 students will check the lists posted on the windows in the hall on the second floor (front and back of school) for the room number of their homeroom.  They will go to their homeroom where they will receive their schedule.  

Grade 12 students will check the lists posted on the windows in the hall on the third floor (front and back of school) for the room number of their homeroom.  They will go to their homeroom where they will receive their schedule.

Peer Helpers will be on hand to help students find their homerooms.

A verification sheet, including home contact information, will be sent home with each student on Tuesday - it needs to be carefully checked over and signed by parents and returned on Wednesday.

If your child has asthma please note the Ministry requires you to complete a medical form for your child.  You can find the form on our School Website.

Parents are asked to create an online payment account for each of their children at All Saints.  The option to use credit cards is now available at https://ocsb.schoolcashonline.com/   You will get a receipt for all payments made.  The student fee ($30 per student with a maximum of $60 per family) is due as soon as possible this week and may be paid online. If you have two or more students you just choose one child at a time and choose the option for (first, second, third…) child.  

Students eligible for Presto cards who did not pick them up prior to school starting will be called to the office, however, will need to make their own way to school on Tuesday.  

Information regarding Technology use from Our Board:

At the Ottawa Catholic School Board, we believe that it is our shared responsibility as educators and parents/guardians to ensure that students are equipped to behave as responsible Digital Citizens in an increasingly complex digital world. It is likely that starting in their elementary years, many children have already gained access to the internet, perhaps even outside of the home or the classroom, in an unsupervised environment, such as through a friend’s phone.

Staff at OCSB work diligently with students each year to ensure that they are using digital tools in appropriate, productive and responsible ways to support their learning. Our Board has developed a series of age-appropriate lessons for each grade level from Kindergarten to Grade 12 through the Samaritans on the Digital Road program. This curriculum is designed to develop students’ understanding that their citizenship and efforts to live gospel values extends to their presence in the digital world.

Please take the time to visit the Samaritans on the Digital Road website at samaritans.ocsb.ca where you can find the curriculum as well as additional resources for parents/guardians to support their journey along the “Digital Road.” Look for an Acceptable Use of Technology Agreement to be sent home before the end of September. Please review it carefully with your son/daughter before signing it and returning it to school.

Student Fee

At All Saints High School, we collect a student fee to augment some of the program, club and activity costs that support student involvement outside of the classroom.  Our School Council manages a portion of this fee, and last year they were able to support school greening and recycling, drama activities, professional learning opportunities for staff, student leadership initiatives and many others.  In addition, the school uses the funds for

• school clubs
• school teams
• Academic and Athletic Awards
• Leadership Camp
• social justice initiatives
• guest speakers and school-wide presentations

School Photo Day

Friday, September 8th is our school photo day.  Information for ordering pictures will come home ahead of this date.  Students are reminded that even if you aren’t ordering pictures, your photo is required for student identification as well as our yearbook. Edge Imaging provides a variety of photo options to capture your child's true personality, preserving all their school day memories. Photo day flyers will be sent home with students this week. Please return the order form and payment to the school on or before photo day. For more information on photo day, please visit www.edgeimaging.ca for answers to frequently asked questions.

Firefighters’ National Memorial Day - September 10th, 2017

Flags will be flown at half-mast from sunrise to sunset at schools next weekend to mark the first Firefighters’ National Memorial Day.  We acknowledge the exceptional work performed by these men and women in our community on a regular basis.  For more information on the Memorial day, please visit the link here.

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!

Coming Up:

Thursday, September 21st: Meet the staff BBQ (4:30 to 6:30 more details to follow)

Monday, September 25th: All Saints School Council meeting (7:00 Learning Commons)

Kanata North Picnic - Looking for Student Volunteers

Looking for some more volunteer hours? Earn some while meeting new people and getting involved in your community—sign up to volunteer for the Kanata North Picnic on July 19th by filling out the form at tinyurl.com/knpvolunteer!

All Saints Blog Week of June 12th, 2017

The Spirit of the Capital Youth Awards were handed out this past week at City Hall.  Since 1997, Youth Ottawa (formerly Child and Youth Friendly Ottawa) has been the proud host of the Spirit of the Capital Youth Awards. The Spirit Awards Night is an annual event that celebrates the extraordinary accomplishments of youth who are making our community, and the world, a better place. We have the honour and privilege of sharing their incredible stories, passion and dedication with our guests, in hopes of inspiring others to step up and make a difference in their own communities. Awards are presented in seven categories to reflect many different areas of interest, and to promote a more positive image of youth within the community (http://spiritawards.ca/about/).

All Saints is extremely proud of the fact that we had two individuals recognized at the awards.  Ryan Coyte won the Academic Perseverance Award; presented to an individual who “has shown a passion and demonstrated perseverance for their academics, has gone above and beyond to succeed in academics and who has overcome obstacles to persist in education”.  Ryan Rodrigs won the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Award for his smartphone app that regulates texting while students are behind the wheel.  The award goes to an individual “who has utilized his or her talents and efforts to make a difference in society, locally, nationally or globally and demonstrates innovation and initiative in working towards an entrepreneurial or social change goal”.  Congratulations to our two worthy recipients!

Transportation Information

The Ottawa Student Transportation Authority has released some information for our parent and student population regarding transportation for the Fall.  Please visit OSTA’s website here to get additional information.

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:

June 12th: 7:00 - All Saints School Council meeting

June 21st: 9-12 exam period begins

New Specialist High Skills Major program at All Saints (see Ministry press release)

Ontario Preparing Students for Jobs of Tomorrow June 5, 2017 Province Helping 50,000 Students Gain Valuable Work Experience Ontario is helping more young people prepare for successful careers with hands-on work experience and career counselling. Mitzie Hunter, Minister of Education, was at the Economic Club today to talk about investments that Ontario is making in financial literacy and on-the-job learning. Starting in September, more than 50,000 students will be enrolled in almost 1,900 Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) programs that allow them to focus on a career path that matches their skills and interests, while meeting the requirements of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. This represents 2,000 additional students and 108 new programs for the 2017-18 school year. Students can choose from 19 different sectors, including agriculture, health and wellness, and transportation to help them prepare for apprenticeship training, college, university or the workplace. Over the next three years Ontario will introduce 17,000 more Grade 11 and 12 students to career options while obtaining their high school diploma, through the expansion of the SHSM program. As part of the 2017 budget, Ontario will invest nearly $190 million over three years to create 40,000 real world learning opportunities for students and recent graduates through the Career Kick-Start Strategy. Opening doors to new careers is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.

QUICK FACTS The expansion of the SHSM program aligns with recommendations from the Highly Skilled Workforce Expert Panel report and is part of the government’s new Career Kick-Start Strategy. The Career Kick-Start Strategy will help more students gain real world experience during their studies, build their resumes and develop job relevant skills. In 2016, the five-year graduation rate increased to 86.5 per cent – up more than 18 percent compared to the 2004 rate of 68 per cent. Ontario is making college and university tuition free for more than 210,000 students starting this fall through the new Ontario Student Assistance Program.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION New Specialist High Skills Major Programs for 2017-18

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Student Success programs Ontario’s Highly Skilled Workforce Strategy Career Studies Pilots

QUOTES "One of the reasons our Specialist High Skills Major program is such a success is that it complements a student’s individual learning style, interests and strengths. There is a strong demand for this program, and by expanding it, we’re helping more students gain the skills and competitive edge they will need to succeed now and in the future."  — Mitzie Hunter, Minister of Education "Ontario’s employers, educators and students agree that hands-on learning opportunities are essential for a successful career start. That’s why we are expanding work-focused learning and hands-on work placements, and improving guidance and career counselling. With Career Kick-Start, we are helping our students make smart career choices and find their place in Ontario’s economy of the future."  — Deb Matthews, Deputy Premier and Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development

All Saints Blog Week of June 5th, 2017

High School Cappies Awards

All Saints’ staff and students are very proud of our standing at the 2017 Cappies Awards.  The Cappies bring together theatre production and journalistic reviews across our Capital Region and engage several high school in the process.  Schools participate by registering plays or musicals with the organizing, as well as having students work to create reviews of other productions throughout the school year.  At the end of the year, the Cappies awards are presented over a number of different areas.  This year, All Saints dominated in the critical review area.  Four of our critics was nominated to the list of six finalists, including Marisa Boyd, Sarah McGregor and Jennifer Rasp with Evelyn Ashworth winning the lead critic award.  In addition, our All Saints Critic Team won the top prize at the awards show as well.  We are very proud of our students’ accomplishments and thankful to the incredible support from our staff at All Saints.

Hair Donations Ottawa (submitted by Jennifer Rasp)

Three teachers and one student donated a total of thirty eight inches of hair to Hair Donations Ottawa at a recent event at All Saints. Wayne Patrick and his team from Shears, a hair salon located in Stittsville, came to All Saints to donate their time and cut and style hair on Monday May 29, 2017. Mrs. Beaupre, Mrs. Jewitt, Mrs. Hopewell and Jennifer Rasp all offered to donate a minimum of six inches of hair towards making wigs for adolescents fighting cancer. The greatest contribution of hair donated was a staggering twelve inches in length.  The hair cutting was supervised by hairstyling teacher Mr. Jewitt, who planned the event. He worked with Hair Donations Ottawa founder and CEO Helene Hutchings and Algonquin College Hairstyling Professor Tara Ettinger to promote the cause and raise awareness of the special efforts that are happening in our own community.  Shears was kind enough to cut the hair free of charge and donate it as part of the Hair Donations Ottawa fundraiser, one they have supported for the past three years. Their hope is to return next year to even more participants donating inches and money that will go to great lengths to helping cancer patients.  The school is very thankful towards those that came to donate hair or support the event on Monday.

Creative Arts Evening

Our many musical groups had 2 recent opportunities to show their talent at All Saints.  We hosted a Creative Arts afternoon at the end of May for students and staff where our 7&8 Choir, award-winning high school Show Choir and dance ensembles performed at the school.  This past week, The same groups as well as some additional school bands played for a packed house of families at our last concert event of the year.  We are very proud of the effort and dedication of these talented students.  We thank our very talented staff members who oversee these groups and work with them throughout the year.  Great job!

Study Skills Session

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.

“Secure Your Meds” campaign - Ottawa Public Heath

Whether toddler or teen, Ottawa children are being harmed by medications they find in their own homes. Prescription-style opioids are misused more than most illegal drugs in Ottawa. They were involved in about 45% of drug overdose deaths between 2009 and 2011. Ottawa Public Health and the Ottawa Overdose Prevention and Response Task Force’s (OPRTF) have established the “Secure Your MEDs” campaign, targeting parents, to reach and inform our community about this risk.

The key messages of this campaign are:

• 13% of Ottawa teens used prescription drugs that weren't prescribed for them and two-thirds got the drug from a parent, sibling or someone else they live with.
• Return unused or expired medications to a pharmacy participating in the Ontario Medication Return Program.  
• If you need to have medications in your home, lock them up and check regularly to watch for missing medication.

We are encouraging families to visit: DrugDropOffOttawa.ca, which includes health promotion and overdose prevention information, as well as a listing of participating pharmacies accepting drug drop-offs.  

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

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:

June 9th: PD day