In the event of a severe snow or ice storm, parents are reminded that local radio and T.V. stations will begin broadcasting cancellation of transportation starting at 6:00 am. Generally the schools remain open. Parents who drop off their children are reminded that they must make arrangements to pick them up as well once buses have been cancelled in the morning due to the weather they do not run for that entire day. One can visit OSTA website for the latest updates on bus cancellations, current late buses, etc. ( http://www.ottawaschoolbus.ca )

Head Lice

Today, we were notified of a few cases of Head Lice at our school. Please continue to be vigilant with weekly head checks and for more information, please see the information below.

Ottawa Public Health Head Lice

Head lice are common in school-aged children, but anyone can get them. These small insects can crawl from person to person by direct head to head contact and most commonly cause itching. Parents should check their children’s hair weekly for head lice. Look for nits (eggs) of head lice. Nits look like dandruff, but they cannot be shaken or flicked off the hair. They are found on the hair very close to the scalp. If you see lice or nits, notify the school and treat your child. Ottawa Public Health recommends that the first of the two required treatments be done before your child returns to school. Daily nit/lice removal is important between treatments. Teach your child to protect himself or herself from getting head lice:

Avoid sharing combs, brushes, hair accessories or helmets.

Tie back long hair in a braid or ponytail.

Keep hats, mittens, and scarves in the sleeve of your child’s coat.

For more information on the prevention and treatment of head lice visit https://www.parentinginottawa.ca/en/children/Head-Lice.aspx.

PD Day

Just a reminder that Friday, January 27th is a PD Day.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Happy New Year to all! Our staff hopes that everyone had a “wonderfilled” Christmas and that 2023 brings many happy and cherished moments in the lives of your families. At this time, let us be reminded of our spiritual theme, “Rooted in Joy” shall guide us in our many celebrations, liturgies and Lenten season that shall soon be upon us. As always, we welcome your input and in this New Year, look forward to you being our continuing partner in Education.

Blessings,

Sean Crookshank

Principal

WEATHER

With the upcoming cold weather in mind, please be aware that Board policy dictates that students will be outside for recess unless the windchill is –25° or greater. Please take special care in ensuring your children are properly dressed for the weather. The expectation is that all students will be wearing snow pants at recess during winter weather!

WINTER CLOTHING AVAILABLE

We have received a donation of jackets from the Knights of Columbus and do have extra snow pants and gloves if need be. Please contact the school if your child requires some winter clothing.

LOST AND FOUND

We have more lost than found clothing at our school right now. Last week of school in December and this first week back in January the lost and found has been spread out in the hallway for students to look over. On Friday, the clothing will be packed up to be donated.

SCHOOL COUNCIL

Stay tuned for information about our School Council starting up after a two year hiatus. This information will be shared at the end of January.

The Ottawa Safety Council is hiring Crossing Guards!

Know someone that likes to give back to their community, work with kids and be active? Perhaps a grandparent, neighbour or friend? The OSC is looking for more community members to join our Crossing Guard team!

Crossing Guards play an important role in their community keeping kids safe on their way to and from schools.

Crossing Guards typically work 5-10 hour/week. It is a great way to earn some extra income, no weekends or evenings. The OSC offers a competitive wage, bonuses and Crossing Guards get various perks such as discounts on City of Ottawa recreation facilities & CAA memberships and retail/dining and travel, monthly coffee socials and special recognition events.

Being a crossing guard is a great way to stay active, earn some extra income and help your community!

To learn more and apply to be a Crossing Guard, visit: www.crossing-guard.ca

As we enter the Holy Season of Advent the children and teachers are busy preparing to make this season a very spiritual and meaningful time for all of us. Advent is a time to prepare our hearts for the arrival of Jesus. One of the symbols of Advent is a wreath with four candles (three purple, one pink). We look forward to our weekly Advent celebrations and the fellowship that is shared at these events as we light each of our Advent Candles. On behalf of the staff and students of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and a safe and enjoyable holiday season.

Blessings,

Sean Crookshank

Principal

November 4, 2022:

OLMC School Community,

Thank you for your communication today and support during a transitional time for our school community.

A couple of items for your information moving forward should the strike continue on Monday November 7, 2022.

• If you have any questions about passwords/login information/Google Meets please direct that to your child’s classroom teacher.

• If you have requested a chromebook for your child on Friday November 4 2022 they will be ready for pickup on November 7 2022 between the hours of 12:00 noon and 2:00 pm.

• Please note that our Office Administrator is part of the CUPE union and she will not be in the school during the time of the CUPE union strike. I will do my best to respond to your messages and answer phones based on my availability in the school during the day. Please be patient as there could be a delay in response time.

• Beginning Monday, if the strike continues, synchronous learning will begin. The remote learning schedule will follow the in-school schedule as much as possible. Please note that the kindergarten schedule will be different from the schedule for the students in grades 1-6. Once again should you have any questions please reach out to your child’s classroom teacher.

• We understand and appreciate that online learning does not work for everyone. Please know that your child will not be penalized if he/she does not take part in remote learning. If your child will not be taking part in remote learning or if your child will only participate for part of the day, please communicate this information to your child’s classroom teacher.

• Please find here a Remote Learning Checklist for Families. This checklist will help ensure that the move to remote learning goes as smoothly as possible.

The transition to remote learning is going to be challenging for everyone. Please know that we are here to support you and your child(ren), and we are doing our very best to ensure that everything runs smoothly. This time during remote learning will pass and we are all eager to have the students in the building as soon as possible.

Thank you for your continued support,

Sean Crookshank