Supporting ourselves and each other - Mental Health Workshops
Supporting ourselves and each other
With COVID-19 affecting every aspect of our lives, our OCSB Community is feeling the impact of the pandemic on their mental health. Small actions from recognizing stressors, to being there for a loved one can help support mental health and strengthen our communities during this difficult time. Join us January 27th for some wonderful sessions supporting our mental health and the mental health of our families.
For more information and to register: http://OttawaCSPA.eventbrite.com
What is motivation and why does it matter?
Motivation is the driving force behind our daily behaviours. Biological, emotional, social and cognitive processes all play a role. In this session we will explore what motivation is and where it comes from and how parents and caregivers can promote positive motivation throughout childhood and adolescence.
Mental Health Supports at the OCSB
Our OCSB Mental Health Lead, Chief Social Worker, and Chief Psychologist will present an overview of Mental Health services and supports offered this winter/spring. A focus on more recent initiatives used to improve student mental health and well-being in this time of return to virtual learning as well as eventual return to in person learning will be explored.
Supporting Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health
Join local Trainer / Parent Coach Joanne Boyd for a 1.5-hour workshop to explore the concept of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health and its link to optimal brain development, attachment and resilience. We will discuss how to maximize everyday moments to support your child to thrive in their relationships, health and well-being and learning for life. Suitable for parents / caregivers of children aged 3 to 10 years.
Tech Overuse & Online Addictions
This presentation will address what tech overuse is, the various levels of tech overuse and how it is used to manage mental health symptoms of anxiety and depression. We will look at gaming, social media impacts as well as compulsive sexual behaviour that youth may be presenting. Different techniques to curb the behaviour are also going to be discussed.
Equity in Mental Health
Through the lens of Mental Health as well as Equity, various members of our Mental Health Workers (MHWs) team will present on services being offered at this time in our schools. A focus on re-engagement in the classroom for elementary students will also be explored by our new Culturally Sensitive Partner (CSP) who will discuss her role through equity. Finally, a panel discussion with Dr. Prince Ehoro our Equity Diversity and Inclusion Advisor and Dr. Richard Bolduc our Mental Health Lead will be open for the remainder of the presentation.
After School Vaccination Clinics
Hello, Bonjour,
Please see the attached the information to be shared with school community regarding After School Clinics, as well as the Ministry of Health Vaccine Information sheets. Please direct any questions families may have in regards to clinics to OPH. Here are the first 10 after-school clinics is now live on our webpage and linked within the community letter:
All OCSB Schools Closed for In Person Learning - Mon. Jan. 17
IMPORTANT: Due to expected severe weather conditions, all #OCSB schools will transition to virtual learning on Monday, January 17. Schools will be closed for in-person learning for all students. Read more: https://ocsb.ca/2022/01/16/ocsb-schools-closed-to-in-person-learning-monday-january-17/… #OttNews #ocsbSchools
Self Isolation Infographic for all
Here is Ottawa Public Health's Infographic to help you determine if you and your family should self isolate and for how long.
Ottawa Public Health's vaccine website
Ottawa Public Health is holding Vaccine Clinics across the City all this week and wanted us to share this important information with you. The appointments are available to eligible Ottawa residents who require a first, second, or booster dose. For more booking information, please visit Ottawa Public Health’s vaccine website.
St. Monica Parish - Sacramental Preparation Program
Sept. 27, 2021
As the purpose of celebrating First Communion and Confirmation for school-age children is to allow them to participate more fully in the Sunday Eucharist, there is no urgency about having these celebrations while the children are unable to attend Mass during the Covid crisis. You may hear of some parishes doing so; you will find that, unlike us, these are dealing with very small groups of children.
While the ‘remote’ or school-based component of the preparation for these sacraments can continue as long as the elementary schools are operating, the ‘family and parish’ component depends upon the parents being able to bring the children to the church (or St. Joseph High School gym) regularly for Sunday Mass.
Therefore the Sacramental Preparation program will not begin until there are no restrictions on Mass attendance and St. Andrew Parish resumes Masses at St. Joseph High School. The process will begin with a parent meeting of one hour at St. Monica church hall, followed by registration and the distribution of materials. Since the meeting will not be optional, it will be repeated several times to better accommodate parent schedules.
The actual celebration of First Communion will take place over several Sundays, at different regular parish Masses, in small groups, and not by school. The candidates will be given a date for the celebration only after all requirements have been met. Whether this will be during the Easter season or the summer will depend on the timing of the end of the crisis.
The celebration of Confirmation has been held at the Cathedral on Sussex Drive on a weekday evening in the September following the school year of preparation. This has worked very well, and we hope to be able to do the same this time.
As always, if your circumstances make it too difficult to participate in the preparation this time, you are welcome to wait until next year. Grade Two is simply the minimum age for First Communion; the ‘typical’ age for Confirmation is set by the local Bishop and varies from age seven to fifteen. In Ottawa the typical age is eleven.
The dates of the parent meetings will be posted in our parish bulletin. If you wish to be sent a notice about the meeting, please reply to the Sacramental Coordinator, Milva Calla. She will send you information about registering as parishioners (if you have not done so already). When we have dates, she will invite you to attend the registration meeting. The registration must be in person, at the parent meeting.
May the Lord bless you and your family and keep you safe.
Welcome to our 2021-2022 Catholic School Council
I am pleased to introduce and welcome our new St. Emily Catholic School Council. This is a hard working and dedicated team and we are blessed to have them step forward on behalf of all of the parents in our community. We look forward to another awesome year together.
Please join me in welcoming:
St Emily Catholic School Council 2021-22
Kelly Fry
Chairperson
Janice Vanderwel
Vice - Chairperson
Emalie Ujjainwalla
Treasurer
Carolina Cieniak
Assistant Treasurer
Renee Cooper
Secretary
Helen (Nicky) Svoboda Dorner
CSPA representative
Megan Pettit
Fundraising Chair
Selvan Assiskumar
Parish representative
Sarah Nazarenko
Lunch Program representative
Fidelia Addison
Member at large
Monica Jagdev
Member at large
Ana Bustamante
Member at large
Melissa Alexander
Member at Large
Kristjan
Teacher Representative
COVID 19 Vaccine Information
Attached is a letter outlining the after-school COVID-19 vaccination clinics near your school. After-school clinics are open to anyone born in 2016 or earlier who lives in a neighbourhood near the school and does not need to be students at that school. Parent or guardian consent is required for children ages 5 to 11.
There are many options families can access. The latest information is on OPH webpage. It is important to remind families that they can also book at a community clinic or pharmacy if this is a convenient option for them as some after school clinics may have limited capacity.
Communications for families
OPH is preparing a number of communications products to assist parents, guardians and students in preparing for the COVID vaccine. Please continue to provide the OPH website Ottawapublichealth.ca/ChildCovid19Vaccine which includes safety information, frequently asked questions, a virtual tour COVID-19 vaccination clinics for kids 5-11 and Info session on the COVID-19 Vaccine for Kids 5-11.
Vaccination process at after-school clinics
Drop-in appointments are available on a first come first served basis during clinic hours. If the clinic is very busy, appointment cards may be given with a return time. In collaboration with our community partners, in some specific neighbourhoods the promotion and handing out of appointment cards for some clinics will begin a few days before those clinics. If you have suggestions of specific sites that may be helpful to reach your families, please let me know and we will do our best to accommodate these suggestions based on staff capacity.
If an after-school clinic becomes full, OPH staff on-site will assist individuals in finding an alternative option to receive the COVID vaccine. If a clinic does become full OPH will note this on the OPH website.
Thank you for your continued support in building community immunity!