Elgin Street Public School
310 Elgin St Ottawa, ON, Canada

Want to know the most direct way to speak to the trustees and senior staff? Open to parents/councils who plan to ask to speak at an upcoming OCDSB meeting.

Today's A Mighty Girl Community Pick: "The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read" by Rita Lorraine Hubbard. Imagine learning to read at the age of 116...! When Mary Walker was born into slavery in 1848, she wasn't allowed to learn to read and even once she was freed at the age of 15, there was always too much work to do to learn... or so she thought. At the age of 114, she was still healthy and had outlived her family. It was time, perhaps, to follow that long-held dream: "Could someone her age learn to read? She didn’t know, but by God, she was going to try." Walker was certified the nation's oldest student twice over, and at 116, she learned! This inspiring picture book about a remarkable woman whose life spanned from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement shows that, with perseverance and dedication, there's nothing you can't achieve! Highly recommended for ages 5 to 9. "The Oldest Student" is available at https://www.amightygirl.com/the-oldest-student For more books for children and teens about pioneering African American women throughout history, visit our blog post "99 Books about Extraordinary Black Mighty Girls and Women" at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=14276 To learn about our favorite Mighty Girl books for children and teens that celebrate the joy of reading, visit our blog post on "35 Mighty Girl Stories about Books, Libraries, and Literacy," visit https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=11656 For toys and games that encourage children’s literacy, visit our Reading & Literacy section at https://www.amightygirl.com/toys/toys-games/reading-literacy

SCHOOOLLLS OUT -- NOT SO FAST, ALICE COOPER! So, schools are opening. Is this a good thing or a risky thing? Short answer: Yes. Long answer: read this ridiculo...usly long post (sorry) Schools aren't opening because "things are great". Literally nothing about this is cause to relax. It’s quite the opposite, actually. Simply put: schools are opening because the risks and impacts of keeping schools closed far outweigh those of opening them. Remember: just as peace is more than the absence of war, good public health is more than the absence of disease. Make no mistake: there is no such thing as a risk-free activity. We once sprained a finger whilst typing a tweet (true story). But like we've said before, public health is about harm reduction. It's a pillar of our work. Our role is to help you identify and balance risks. Are there risks in opening schools? Yes. But it's about reducing harms. Schools aren't risk-free, but they're a better option for kids than a playdate at home. There's also harms with keeping schools closed. Be it families whose routines are in chaos, parents trying to help children with online learning while working from home, people supporting coworkers who need to take time off, children missing out on much-needed social interaction, homes that may not offer a safe space, or the incredible teachers who have worked tirelessly to educate our children remotely...many members of our community are far from ok right now. And getting our children back into school is a necessary step towards easing the strain as we continue our community's journey through this pandemic. Will this one step solve all our community's mental health needs? No, but it’s progress. And it’s needed. The timing of posting this thread on Bell Let's Talk day is not lost on us. And yes, we just shamelessly used this post to promote Bell Let's Talk day. Twice. But, and this is a massive BUT...absolutely nothing about this should make you think we are anywhere near being in the clear and that we can open everything back up. We are NOT saying that we need to ease any of the other restrictions currently in place under the Provincial stay-at-home order. Why? Because we need them. Now more than ever. This is the time to be more vigilant than we've ever been before. It’s still #StayHome, just now with schools opening. Our children need this. This is THEIR essential work. Parents need this. Teachers need this. And we owe it to everyone to make sure schools stay open. We need to do this for our kids, together. Now, as with all things, there are risks we can control and risks we cannot. We'd be remiss if we didn't acknowledge those of you who are asking about paid sick days. Indeed, that is something which would likely minimize risks, but the decisions about that are out of our properly washed hands. But let's focus on the things we CAN do. We must continue being wise. Parents must screen their kids daily and keep them home (except to get tested) if they have ANY symptoms of COVID-19. It is vital that our kids only socialize w/those they live with outside of school, and that adults also seek testing immediately if experiencing symptoms. The stakes are just too high to do it any other way. The only way this works is if we keep community transmission as low as possible. December & January showed us how quickly things can turn. But we were able to lower the level of COVID-19 in the community in the fall, so we know it’s possible. We just need to do our part. For us, we’re working to up our school health team’s capacity, we’re coordinating w/testing partners to increase capacity to test kids & we're increasing communications to schools/families so that everyone is reminded of the best ways to limit transmission & support one another. We'll keep doing what works. We’ll keep contact tracing. We'll keep answering your questions when you reach out. And yes, we'll keep writing Facebook posts (sorry). Nothing lasts forever. Not shutdowns, not COVID & not the Bernie memes or the Tiger King (thank goodness). -OPH out

Local workshop offered by Parents for Diversity - P4D Event Brite link in comments below. As parents and caregivers of Black children, you have the power to be your child’s most effective advocate. Knowing your rights, who can support you, and what actions to take can make the difference. Join us to share ideas, stories, and community with us this Saturday, January 23rd 10:30am-12:30pm EST.

Stay safe, stay home, take care and we will get through this together!

Sign up for free at home kits for your kids shipped to your home for the Big Bang Festival with the NAC in February.

Ontario Support for Learners: Apply now until until Jan 15, 2021 for provincial support for each child aged 0-12. Parents or guardians residing in Ontario can complete one application per child to receive a one-time payment of $200 for each child aged 0 to 12; or $250 if their child or youth is aged 0 to 21 with special needs. To learn more and complete the simple application, visit the web page. https://www.ontario.ca/page/get-support-learners

Write and mail your Santa letter soon so you’ll get a letter back from Santa’s workshop! No postage needed. Mail to: Santa Claus North Pole... HOH OHO See more

We’re working on some Spiritwear! Though we can’t get together for movie nights or fundraisers we can show our school pride and raise a little extra by sporting our Elgin Eagles logo! Tshirts, hoodies and toques will be available to order this week and only for a limited time. Look for more info in your school emails soon! #WeAreTheElginEagles #schoolpride #elginstreetpublicschool

So much gratitude to James & Chantal from the White Cross Dispensary. Their incredible unsolicited donation of two reusable masks for every Elgin Student helps to keep our families and staff healthy and safe. What a generous way to support our community. We know there’s Big smiles all around behind these masks everyday. Ottawa Public Health #becovidkind #ottawapublichealth #maskselfies #masksforkids

From Ottawa StoryTellers We are gearing up for our FREE Children's Storytelling Festival with special partner Ottawa Public Library! Stay tuned to get the whole story... / We are preparing for our Children's Story Festival completely FREE with our special partner, the Ottawa Public Library! Keep an eye out for the whole story...

Today is Orange Shirt Day! Let’s take a moment today, On September 30, to mark this day through the following activities: Start the day by reading an inspirin...g blog written by Albert Dumont, a poet, storyteller and writer from Kitigan Zibi, on Algonquin territory. Children ages 6 to 10 are invited to join the Orange Shirt Day online storytime with incredible storyteller and speaker Daniel Richer, at 9 am in English and 10:30 am in French. Teens and young adults will enjoy an exciting live musical performance at 6 pm with rapper Samian, born in Pikogan, a small Indigenous community in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. Near sunset, at 7 pm, join in the conversation with experts from the Legacy of Hope Foundation at a virtual round table. To register or for more info, visit http://ow.ly/zzkQ50BCpbg #orangeshirtday #everychildmatters *** Le 30 septembre, prenez part à la Journée du chandail orange par le biais de ces différentes activités : Commencez cette belle journée en lisant le blogue inspirant d’Albert Dumont, poète, conteur et écrivain, originaire de Kitigan Zibi, en territoire Algonquin. Les enfants de 6 à 10 ans sont invités à écouter en direct les formidables histoires du conteur et orateur Daniel Richer, à 9h en anglais et à 10h30 en français. Les adolescents et jeunes adultes sont conviés à une performance musicale en direct du rappeur Samian, originaire de Pikogan, petite communauté autochtone en Abitibi-Témiscamingue à 18h00. Finalement, participez à une table ronde avec des experts de la fondation Legacy of Hope à 19h. Pour vous inscrire, ou plus d'informations, consultez http://ow.ly/e5Cf50BCpbh #journéeduchandailorange #chaqueenfantcompte

Virtual International Languages classes begin online tomorrow for elementary students! Theres still time to register if you havent already. For more information and for a full list of the languages offered please visit: http://internationallanguagesinottawa.com

This cold and flu season will not be like the others. Every day we need to consider symptoms as possible covid symptoms and be #COVIDkind. Lets keep each other safe.

Each familys decision about school is personal and may involve many different considerations. Heres a guide from Ottawa Public health to help. https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca//covid-19-and-schools.as

Check out this fun summer water adventure! Sign up by Sunday June 19th

Wow! Virtual dance this Thursday with Luca Lazylegz Patuelli. Council had plans to have him visit ESPS this year. Until we can do that in real life set your reminders for this Thursday at 11:00! Learn some skills from this awesome pro and hear more about what he does and how he got here! #IllAbilities #BBoy #Breaking... #noexcuses #nolimits See more

Licence-Free Fishing Starts TODAY!! Get outside and hit the waters this weekend with your family and catch some fish Now through July 19, 2020 Canadian reside...nts are able to fish Licence-FREE all across Ontario! Visit our website to find an event near you or go out on your own - www.ontariofamilyfishing.com **Please make sure to stay 2m apart from other families - thats ONE fishing rod apart! Happy Fishing!

Time to let your trustee, Justine Bell, know your thoughts on the Education Ministers plans for schools in the fall. OCDSB is planning a meeting and she wants to hear from you.

Shared from Parents for Diversity - P4D Thank you Stephanie Roethlisberger and Kayla Pangos for this PHENOMENAL resource of picture books in English and French that embrace a diversity of lived experiences. When you open the document, clicking on any book in the image will take you to a read-aloud of the book on YouTube! https://docs.google.com//1PrOZYMFoQSjmsg9vdJbqYharua/edit

Even if you cant print the #NishWOTD its a great chance to open up learning with your kids. Check out the Algonquin Picture Dictionary app.

Because kittens. And perseverance

Education Days Coming this June 1-21 Teachers, #parents and #students are invited to participate in Education Days presented by BMO Financial Group... Celebrate National Indigenous History Month by learning more about Canadas diverse Indigenous cultures through engaging online content. Join us June 1 21 for fascinating programming such as Inuit Games with Aalla Metcalfe My Heart Fills With Happiness & We Are Kind - Author Reading The Orange Shirt Story - Author Reading with Phyllis Webstad Natural Art Project with Emily Hoefler-Brascoup Feel the Heartbeat Stomp & Make your own Rattle Workshop Cultural showcase / Metis Cultural Dance Teachings Registrations for #teachers open now at https://summersolsticefestivals.ca/education-days/ First 50 teachers to register receive a free book/teachers resource for their classroom and all registered teachers entered into draws for classroom prize packages. #SSIF20 thanks our generous sponsors: NIPD Committee Indigenous Experiencess Canadian Heritage Ontario Travel Indigenous Tourism Ontario City of Ottawa CBC #Rogers #indigenouseducation #indigenouslearning #onlinelearning #familyfriendly #familylearning #thingstodoinottawa #virtuallearning #ontariolearning #613education #ontarioteachers

BMO Financial Group presents: Education Days at Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival. Join us for this free, family friendly event Inuit Games with Aalla Metcal...fe on June 2nd. Born in St. Johns, Newfoundland and Labrador and raised in Ottawa, Ontario Aalla (Stranger) has spent more than a decade demonstrating and teaching traditional #Inuit games. If your child attends school in Ottawa, its more than likely that Stranger has taught their class about the Inuit culture. Stranger will be joined by his 14yr old son, who has inherited Aallas passion for teaching games to anyone who is willing to learn. The boys will be teaching and demonstrating some traditional Inuit games that can be practiced during these times of social distancing. #SSIF20 thanks our generous sponsors: NIPD Committee Indigenous Experiences Indigenous Experiences Canadian Heritage Ontario Travel Indigenous Tourism Ontario City of Ottawa CBC News #Rogers

The power of story. Neil Gaiman recounts his cousin reading and secretly retelling Gone With The Wind in the ghetto where books for forbidden. Why? Why would you risk death for a story? And she said, Because for an hour every day, those girls werent in the ghetto they were in the American South; they were having adventures; they got away.... I think four out of those twenty girls survived the war. And she told me how, when she was an old woman, she found one of them, who was also an old woman. And they got together and called each other by names from Gone with the Wind https://www.brainpickings.org//neil-gaiman-how-stories-la/

Leading the way. #WomeninSTEM

This is a great read with helpful perspectives.

Science Odyssey is on right now! Check this out.

Wow. Things are certainly opening in many ways we wouldnt have been able to see before. Please share below any other positives you are experiencing right now or interesting things to see or do while distancing or at home.

CONTEST - Science Odyssey starts today! Like or comment on this post for a chance to win a one-year subscription to one of these three magazines: Chirp (10 mag...azines per year, for 3-6 year olds), Chickadee (10 magazines per year, for 6-9 year olds), OWL Magazine (10 print magazines, plus 26 eMags per year for 9-13 year olds)! The winner will be announced tomorrow. During Science Odyssey (May 2 to 17), do three science activities at home for a chance to win amazing prizes. Details this way https://www.owlkids.com/contest/sciencefun/ This contest is organized by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC / CRSNG) and Bayard Canada as part of Science Odyssey. Stay connected, like our Facebook page.#OdySci #Contest @OwlKids

Harry Potter Month means the first book in the series is completely available as E-book and E-audio with no wait lists! Great news

Beautiful downloadable Colouring books from Ontario artist Patrick Hunter Art & Design. Enjoy with your kids or on your own

The message for kids from our Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last week, now in LEGO form. Great way to make it even more accessible. Credit to Tyler Walsh. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zBBjz16J-nU

Dolly Partons bedtime stories to share some love,comfort and reassurance. A woman who has been fiercely committed to providing books for children without them, we applaud you. Also, we may cuddle up for bedtime and just be as comforted to hear you read to us as they are.

Free audiobooks for your kids! Go to stories.audible.com I know I will definitely be using this when I need time for myself (thats important too). Reading aloud yesterday while my kids had some sensory fun with putty was great, calm, but it can be hard to find time for all the little things parents need to do. Even if thats just to step away for some time for yourself. Its tough to be facilitating or playing all day. You and your kids need time and space for yourself. ... Let us know if you try this out! See more

Supporting each other and our community right now is what will get us through. Local love to Low Poly Crafts for creating free print at home paper crafts that will keep your kids busy Very cute with 9 options so far. Go to lowpolycrafts.com and theyre all in the shop. They also have kits to buy without needing to print at home. Lets keep this community love going-fill up the comments with appreciation for your neighbourhood and local businesses! Stay well and be gentle with yourselves! #keepitup613 #wegotthis #inittogether #ottfamily #centretown #613

Dont have a Library card? Contact us to get a temporary one...and get access to all of our online content (eBooks, eAudiobooks, movies, tv, music streaming, ma...gazines and newspapers, online tools, etc)! Call Infoservice: 613 580-2940 (Share the good news! ) *** Vous navez pas de carte de biblio? Communiquez avec nous pour obtenir une carte temporaire...qui vous donne accs notre vaste collection de ressources en ligne (comme les livres numriques et audionumriques, films, tv, et musique en continu, revues, journaux, outils dapprentissage, et plus). Communiquez avec Infoservice au InfoService 613 580-2940 (Partagez la nouvelle! :)) See more

A message from our Prime Minister for all the kids. Stay safe and stay well everyone.

Its a must watch! Visuals really help understanding of how 20 seconds of hand washing breaks down the virus. Show your kids!

This is great. Were seeing so many helpful and fun resources being shared. Information created for kids from a world leader is a really fantastic idea.

More helpful approaches. The principal also sent out some tips and resources from ESPS staff in todays email. Your kids may want to hear that their teachers thought they might like these while school was paused and they couldnt learn with classmates and their educators.

Sending a message of care to our ESPS Community. These social distancing measures will get us through.

This idea that girls should just be nice and put up with things, he explodes that but into a million shards of light, rather than into something violent." It was the 40th anniversary of the classic, The Paper Bag Princess, celebrated the same weekend as International Womens Day and the Ottawa Womens March. #stronggirlsstrongworld #classics #munsch #paperbagprincess #feminist #genderroles #raiseareader

Ramona loves the world with ferocity; she does not so much want to disturb it as she yearns to discover, to turn it over, examine every piece and crook and marvel at why each creature, commodity, and substance exists the way it does. She was a girl who could not wait. Life was so interesting she had to find out what happened next, explains Cleary. Have you found some of the Ramona books at our book fair to reread for yourself or share with your kids? #ramonaforever #ramonaquimby #pippilongstocking #raiseareader #stronggirlsstrongworld #TooMuch

Im going to get to that teetering stack of books someday, really. And if the Japanese have a poetic word for it, it must be alright.