International Metropolis Conference Study Tours

The Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB) is one of four school Boards in the Ottawa area funded by the Ontario provincial government. The Board has a wrap-around approach to working with newcomer and refugee families. It is also the largest provider of Adult English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) classes in Eastern Ontario. The morning will be Language and Settlement Information with displays, speakers, student demonstrations and mini presentations. Some service areas to learn about:
Introduction to the OCSB Family Welcome Centre and information about how the staff support newcomer families accessing schools, programs and community supports:

• Adult Pre-employment language programs for Specific occupations and sectors for immigrants and Refugees
• International and Indigenous Language Program for Elementary and High School Students offering free 24 Heritage Language for students
• Overview of the Equity Plan for OCSB
• Decade of African Heritage Proclamation information
• Exhibits and demonstrations by learners and staff in various programs highlighting various skills learned in these programs e.g. sewing, home support, child care, Custodial, Retail Skills, Academic Upgrading, LINC for Deaf Newcomers, etc.
• Adult High School and PLAR (Prior Learning and Assessment) process
• Settlement Service/Community supports offered to support immigrant learners attending language classes or literacy/numeracy classes