We foster innovation to create Deep Learning so that all can realize their full potential.
Together, we challenge ourselves to find innovative ways to meet our goals. Inventive programming and specialized educator roles helped nurture student engagement at all grade levels.
OCSB Hosts New Pedagogies for Deep Learning (NPDL) Gathering
The OCSB is part of the global partnership of over 3000 schools across 20 countries, building practices to develop Deep Learning. In October, we hosted the Canadian Cluster of Districts participating in NPDL. Over 140 educators from across Canada, California, Peru, Colombia, and Mexico participated in two days of meetings and school visits. Sixteen of our schools hosted visitors from the event. All the visits were student-led. Students were proud to showcase their learning and their school.
Facilitating Deep Learning through School Design
Our Planning & Facilities Department always looks for innovative ways to use our buildings’ spaces. Over the last ten years, our school designs have begun to incorporate additional learning features in our facilities to facilitate Deep Learning practices. These features don’t add square footage, and by integrating them into the design, we can make more parts of the school available as learning spaces. During 2022-23, we had two elementary schools under construction and closed tenders on two others to be built in 2023-24. Each of these four schools will have multiple large group spaces, some classrooms with folding partitions for collaborative teaching, collaboration pods in the hallways, and caves for small group and individual learning. Moveable furniture will encourage flexible use of the spaces. The buildings will be designed with certain sections of foundation, cross-bracing, and the mechanical room exposed to view to promote curiosity and learning opportunities. The school grounds will have gardens and naturalized areas as well as outdoor classrooms, providing both indoor and outdoor spaces for students to collaborate and explore.
Our Social Entrepreneurs Program (SEP) Continues to Thrive
Last year saw a surge of interest in the OCSB Social Entrepreneurs Program (SEP). The program pairs students and educators with experienced volunteer business mentors to research social issues, select a “charity” partner, develop a product or service or awareness, and build a social enterprise. All profits from selling products or services go to or support the chosen charity partner. Students learn about social issues and social entrepreneurship and that by taking action, they can have an impact on the world today.
In 2022-23, there was a 63% increase in the number of educators (59) and a 55% increase in the number of students (1400) involved, resulting in a 75% increase in the number of participating schools (35). Together, they raised over $20,000 for their chosen charities. SEP projects create meaningful work where students see how their efforts make a difference in their community. These are learning opportunities that students will remember for a lifetime.
Increasing Literacy Supports
In September 2022, to support the many recommendations in the Right to Read report regarding curriculum and instruction, early screening, and reading interventions, the OCSB introduced a new teaching role called Reading Intervention Itinerant Teacher. We dedicated 4.5 teachers to this position for grades K-6 and one for grades 7-8. The teacher’s time is split between providing intensive reading intervention to small groups of students and job-embedded professional development by co-teaching and co-planning with classroom teachers. Feedback from parents, teachers, and administrators on the support provided by the teachers in this role has been very positive.
Introducing the Elite Skilled Trades Academy
To streamline the pathway to apprenticeship for students interested in the skilled trades, our board has created the OCSB Elite Skilled Trades Academy. Opening in September 2023 at St. Paul High School, the Academy offers Level 1 Apprenticeships for Brick and Stone Masonry and Carpentry. This innovative program supports students in grades 11 and 12 who want to pursue a career in the skilled trades but feel they need more time to be ready to leave high school and join classes with adult learners. Students alternate semesters between their high school and the Academy, enabling them to maintain relationships with their peers and graduate from their home school. The Academy offers these students centralized, in-house training, courses, and certifications related to their future skilled trades careers. They can learn with peers of the same age and experience and earn high school and college credits and paid apprenticeship hours. The partnerships we have established with Algonquin College, the Carpenters Union Local 93, and the Ontario Masonry Training Centre (OMTC) are essential to successfully launching the program.
2022 Mindshare EdTech Award Winner
The Ottawa Catholic School Board was awarded the K12 District of the Year for the 2022 Mindshare EdTech Award! This prestigious award celebrates those making a difference in education by using technology to enhance the learning experience for students everywhere. Our selection was based on several factors, including the effectiveness of our teaching methods, the results achieved, and our ability to support our students. We are proud to be recognized for our dedication to providing value and potential to all learners.
Innovative Professional Development Opportunities
We strive to provide all our staff with professional development options that suit their needs. Once again, our Summer Institutes Professional Learning Series proved very popular, with a 41% increase in registrations over the previous summer. These sessions, held during the last two weeks of August, are offered to OCSB staff by OCSB staff. Sessions varied in length and format (virtual and in-person) to provide more access and flexibility. The most popular topics were language and literacy support, Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), math, and digital tool support. The feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, and participants who provided input indicated they would participate again.