Parent Resources

WHAT TO EXPECT at school:

The Ontario curriculum for elementary students outlines learning expectations by subject matter and by grade.
The Framework for Student Well Being serves as a guide for the district and its schools in promoting student-well being, to support learning and achievement.
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board has developed a common list of recommended personal use items for students in grades JK-3 and grades 4-8. Students in need of assistance with school supplies can contact 211 for support. A 211 operator will provide you with information about the community organization closest to your home which can help you access school supplies through their school supplies program.

People for Education (P4E) has a information for parents about getting involved in their child’s education. Four key suggestions:

Have high expectations for your child
Talk About School
Help your children develop a positive attitude toward learning and good work habits
Read with your child

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Stepping Stones is a resource on youth development that includes some really useful information about youth and developmental stages between the ages of 12 to 25. All parents might find the following excerpt helpful:

Be Supportive: Guide, don’t dictate. Youth want information so they can make their own decisions. You don’t need to provide all the answers – ask thought-provoking questions and support students to develop their own answers.
Be patient and available. Don’t be discouraged if your first offer of support is turned down as youth will often come around when they feel up to it and the time is right. Offers of support can make a difference.
Be open. When they come to you, listen, listen, listen! Listen to what they say and to what they may not be saying.
Be understanding. Youth learn and grow through failure and mistakes – the important issue is how youth and their support systems respond to setbacks.
Be empathetic. Don’t belittle the feelings of youth or be patronizing – “my feelings are real and important, even if whatever I’m going through doesn’t seem like a big deal to you, it is to me right now.”

HOMEWORK HELP

TVO Mathify is a practical, interactive digital learning tool that is live and provides free 1:1 online afterschool math tutoring with an Ontario Certified Teacher for Grades 7-10.

mathies offers Ontario Ministry of Education developed resources to support mathematics learning from Kindergarten to Grade 12.

Voila Learning is a virtual immersion campus providing an opportunity for K-12 students to practice their French and to access free on-line homework help in French, English and Math.

For additional Kindergarten to grade 12 curricular resources visit the Ontario Educational Resource Bank.