My apologies for the lengthy update; please read carefully for the sections that apply to you/your child. I would encourage you to discuss this information with your child prior to their return to school.
COVID/Safety Protocol Reminders
The OCDSB/SRB is a mask-friendly environment and we will continue to follow local/provincial guidance around COVID-safety protocols.
All students must complete the daily Daily Screening Tool for Schools before coming to school each day. Students cannot come to school if they do not pass the screening tool.
If a student develops primary COVID symptoms while at school, parents will be contacted for student pickup.
Hand sanitizer remains available at entrances and in classrooms.
The school does have some Rapid Antigen Tests available in the main office.
We will continue to adapt to any changes in provincial and local health directives.
Secondary ASD Program
For students in our ASD Program, teachers will reach out ahead of the September 6, 2022 start date with additional information.
Grade 7-8 Only
School runs from 8:50am - 3:20pm daily.
8:35 - 8:50 Supervision Duty
8:50 - 10:50 First Learning Block
10:50 - 11:40 Nutrition break
11:40 -1:40 Second Learning Block
1:40 - 2:20 Nutrition break
2:20 – 3:20 Third Learning Block
Grade 7-8 Homeroom Teachers will be in contact before the first day of school with specific information about the first day to introduce themselves, welcome students, indicate class locations, designated entry/exit in the school.
On the first day, students will line up outside on the basketball courts between the portables and the main building (back of the school). Staff will be present and eager to help your child find their appropriate line.
There is no supervision for students before 8:35 am. We encourage students to arrive between 8:35-8:50 so that they are in time for class.
We encourage you over the coming days to walk your child to school to help them navigate if you feel your child would benefit from this, instead of accompanying your child on the first day. If you do need to drop your child off at school, please walk-a-block to avoid traffic congestion and we encourage you to drop your child off in nearby neighbourhoods.
Grade 7-8 students will have an orientation with their classrooms to tour the intermediate student spaces, do icebreaker activities and get to know other students in the class on the first day. Grade 7-8 students will also get their subject schedules from the homeroom teacher and explain how class rotation works.
What to bring on the first day: Backpack, litterless lunch, three ring binder, paper, pencil or pen. By the end of the week and ongoing teachers will request additional items as needed. Returning students will bring their SRB locks for their lockers.
Students eat lunch/snacks in the cafeteria, supervised by staff.
Students should be prepared for all weather conditions as we do go outside rain or shine.
Students should come to school with lunch/snacks, and a water bottle each day.
Lockers for intermediate students will be assigned by their homeroom teacher. Grade 7 students will receive a new SRB lock as part of voluntary school fees. Returning Grade 8 students should bring their lock from last year to school on the first day; replacement locks are available for 5$.
Presto passes for eligible students will be distributed by homeroom teachers. They must be registered for ease of replacement if lost.
SRB Intermediate 7-8 is a cell phone free zone for students during the instructional day (8:50-3:20). There is a dedicated phone for students in the office to call home in case of emergency. We have lots of chromebooks available for student learning during the day.
Grade 9-12 Only
School runs from 9:00am-3:08pm daily.
8:45-9:00 Student arrival
9:00-10:15 Block A Class
10:15-10:23 transition
10:23-11:38 Block B class
11:38-12:30 Lunch
12:30-1:45 Block C clas
1:45-1:53 transition
1:53-3:08 Block D class
3:08 - High School Dismissal
High school students have a Day1/Day 2 schedule.
Day 1: Odd calendar days (A, B, C, D)
Day 2: Even calendar days (B, A, D, C)
We will be following a special schedule for Tuesday September 6 - all students will follow their Day 1 schedule.
Grade 9 students will spend the morning on Tues Sept 6 doing Link crew activities, and attend their Block C and D class after lunch. Grade 9 students should come to the main foyer at 8:45 am to be greeted by Link Crew leaders. Grade 9 students will receive their timetables from their link leaders and do tours, icebreakers and orientation activities in the morning.
Timetables: Grade 10-12 students should receive an e-mail from their Period 1 homeroom teacher indicating the room to go to on the first day. There will also be alphabetical lists with the period 1 room location in the foyer and outside the main office. There will be staff available on the first day of school to help direct students to class.Grade 10-12 students will get their timetables from their period 1 teacher. Grade 9’s will get their timetable from their link leaders.
Timetable Changes: Students are expected to attend all classes on their timetable. There will be no timetable changes on the first day of school. The timetable change request process will be communicated by Student Services to students next week. Priority will be on changes from summer school, pathway changes for post-secondary, and any errors.
Lockers: Grade 9 lockers have been pre-assigned by the school to facilitate link crew transition activities. Grade 10-12 locker signup is online and was communicated this summer. Signup can still occur through the online booking system by visiting https://srb.lockerassignment.com. To log in, you will need your OCDSB student number. THis number may be found on a previous time table, report card, or credit counselling summary. Passwords have been automatically created and formatted as follows: first letter of first name, first letter last name, OCDSB student Number. For example: Tweedy Bird TB123456789. For additional assistance, please come to the main office during lunch/after school. Bring your SRB lock to school.
Students on spare/e-learning: Senior students who have a spare or e-learning course should work in the library or lower foyer on their course work.
Lunch: Grade 9-12 may eat their lunch in the cafeteria, foyers, locker bays or they are welcome to go off property at lunch. Students must return to school property in time for their afternoon class. A reminder that students must also extend respectful and kind behaviour off of school property as well as within the school. Students are expected to clean up after themselves.
Cafeteria Services: Chartwells will be resuming services later this September. We will announce to students once it is open!
Student Arrival/Drop-Off
We encourage students to walk or bike to school where possible. We ask that parents/guardians limit dropping off their children to school and use nearby neighbourhood drop off/pickup locations to avoid congestion where possible especially during the beginning/end of the school day.
For students that bike to school, students should lock up their bike on the bike racks at the front of the school. There are cameras for security however the school cannot be responsible for any bikes that are lost/stolen.
Pick-up at the end of the school day is at the back of the school. The front circle is reserved for OSTA/School Bus and Van transportation. We encourage you to make alternative arrangements at the end of the day for your child to walk a block; otherwise please head to the back parking lot for pickup.
Student attendance leads to success
Every instructional day is important for student learning. We have a collective responsibility as staff, parents, and students to help ensure that students attend regularly and arrive to class on time to promote student success.
A copy of the elementary and secondary school year calendars are linked. Please avoid booking holidays during school instructional days. High school students will also see the return of the exam period which are used for summative assessments - these are also regular school days and attendance is required.
For any prolonged/extended absences beyond your control, parents are asked to discuss this with their school vice-principal in advance.
Student Absences
When students are away from school because of an illness, they may work on school work if they are able to by checking their teacher’s Google Classroom/Learning Management System for the posted work/topics/tasks. This does not replace in-person teaching and is meant to help organize assigned work for all students.
If your child will be away from school, please e-mail [email protected] to report the absence (name of your child, grade and the reason for the absence)
Late Arrivals and Sign Out’s
If a student is late to school and arrives before 9:15am, they can go directly to their homeroom. Their teacher will record the late arrival. After 9:15am, students should sign in at the main office.
Should you need to pick up your child early, please make arrangements ahead of time. We want to prioritize learning time and avoid calling into classrooms. Please send a note to [email protected] and copy the appropriate teachers. You may arrange to pickup your child out front at the prearranged time. Please phone when you arrive so we may release your child once you are here.
School Resource Drop Off
Please check to see If you have any SRB or OCDSB resources at home (books, chromebooks, etc.) Please bring them to school on the first days of school where you can drop them off in the main office. Chromebooks and chargers should be returned to the main office or library.
School Cash Online/Voluntary Student activity fees
SRB uses cashless payment for school sports, field trips, voluntary student activity fees, etc. Please sign up if you have not already done so here. The SRB voluntary student activity fee is $20 for 2022-2023. This helps student clubs run extra-curricular activities school wide, student council events, intramurals and athletics, LINK crew, school provided lock, and the library commons. These activities contribute to our school climate and student well being.
Construction
This summer our SRB hallways have been upgraded to LED Lighting. Some windows were also replaced on the north side of the building; there will be some exterior construction occurring outside in order to complete the window project over the next few weeks, and should have minimal impact to school operations.
Transportation/OSTA Update
The parent portal is now open. Please visit ottawaschoolbus.ca for families that will be using student transportation. Families using OC Transpo should also look for any possible bus route changes.
*** Important Forms to Complete ***
A reminder that parents/guardians need to complete these forms each school year for each child in OCDSB schools.
Media/School Website Permission Form
Student Science Lab Safety Agreement
Appropriate Use of Technology Agreement - grade 7 and 9 only
Plan of Care for students with Life-Threatening-Medical-Conditions - only as needed
SRB School Council
Across Ontario, School Councils provide an opportunity for parents and guardians to consult on matters related to their respective schools. School Councils advise the Principal and District School Board on specific issues of school operations. The SRB School Council will reconvene on Tuesday, September 20th. At the September 20th SRB School Council meeting, elections will be held for positions on the 2022-2023 NHS School Council. More information on the SRB School Council will be communicated in the upcoming weeks.
School Accident Insurance:
Please see the following message from the OCDSB regarding student accident insurance:
Creating a caring and safe environment for our students is our top priority. Unfortunately, despite all reasonable precautions being taken, accidents can still happen. Some injuries may result in medical, dental or other expenses that are not covered by provincial health care or employer group plans. As a parent/guardian, you become responsible for these expenses.
The OCDSB does not provide student accident insurance coverage for student injuries. Student accident insurance is available for purchase, on a voluntary basis. Parents may apply online at Insure My Kids or call 1-800-463-5437.
The OCDSB encourages all parents/guardians to consider purchasing accident insurance or student accident insurance for incidents that may not be covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) or any additional medical plans they have. The accident insurance coverage options range from $17.00/year to $33.00/year. This coverage is for the entire calendar year and also applies to accidents that occur outside of school hours. If you have any questions, please call Binks Insurance Brokers directly at 613-226-1350.
SRB Admin Team and Student Support Team
This year we welcome Karl Carey as a new member of the admin team as we wish Trevor Grills well at his new school.
Vice-Principal - Grade 7-8 - John Ioannou
Vice-Principal - Grade 9-12 A-K - Karl Carey
Vice Principal - Grade 9-12 L-Z - Christine Rankin Guidance - Grade 9-12 A-K Susan Griffin
Grade 9-12 L-Z Mark Mullins
Learning Support Teacher -
Grade 7-8 Valerie Steed
Grade 9-12 A-K, Michael Hull
Grade 9-12 L-Z Paul Behne
Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the school main office in the interim at 613-829-5320.
Finally, as a learning community, we are committed to continuing our work on equity and inclusion during the new school year. We will be exploring the data from the OCDSB’s school climate survey from the Spring of 2022, and this fall SRB will be introducing OCDSB Cares, an anonymous reporting tool for students looking to share concerns about health, well-being and safety. More information will be communicated in the weeks ahead.
We look forward to welcoming all our students back to school safely on Tuesday September 6.
Sincerely,
Matt Gagnier
Principal of SRB