Get Involved in Your Child’s Education
There are many ways to play an active role in your child’s school community. Whether you have a little time to give or are looking for a larger role, parent and guardian involvement helps strengthen our schools and supports student success and well-being.
Become a Volunteer at OCSB
Volunteering is a great way to contribute directly to your school community. Parents and guardians may help with activities, events, field trips, and other opportunities throughout the school year.
Join Our School Council
Every OCSB school has a Catholic School Council that provides parents and guardians with an opportunity to contribute to school life and share their perspectives with the Principal. School councils bring together parents, school staff, and community representatives to support student learning and strengthen the school community.
Serving on your School Council is also a great way to connect with other families, learn more about your school, and help build bridges between families and the school community.
School Council elections are held in the fall, and council meetings are open to all parents/guardians throughout the year. Check your school website or contact your Principal for more information.
Get Involved Across the OCSB
Catholic School Parents’ Association (CSPA)
The Catholic School Parents’ Association (CSPA) represents OCSB parents and elected school council members in local, regional, and provincial educational activities. CSPA also works with partners like PIC and SEAC to support the OCSB in hearing all parent voices. CSPA truly values the impact parent involvement has in a child’s school career and hosts regular monthly meetings and free events, and offers resources for all OCSB families and school councils. These meetings and events are open to all OCSB parents and guardians!
To attend an event, please follow their Eventbrite. Keep up with all things CSPA by signing up for their newsletter and following them on social media using their handle @OttawaCSPA: Facebook – Instagram – X.
You can also get in touch with them by email:
General contact for CSPA – info@ottawacspa.ca
CSPA Chair, Erinn Ladouceur – chair@ottawacspa.ca
Parent Involvement Committee (PIC)
The Parent Involvement Committee is a Ministry-mandated committee that each Ontario school board has. At the OCSB, PIC operates as a sub-committee under CSPA. Its primary responsibility is to allocate the Ministry of Education’s PIC and PRO (Parents Reaching Out) Funding to schools, school councils, and the school board to foster parent engagement.
PIC meetings are held virtually 4 times a year during the school year. All meetings are open to the public. If you would like to attend any meeting, please email the OCSB’s PIC Contact at picchair.ocsb@gmail.com and review the PIC By-Laws before attending. You can find a list of PIC meeting dates, agendas and minutes following the PIC Members list.
PIC Members
- Erinn Ladouceur, PIC Chair (CSPA Chair)
- Steven Boucher, Parent Member (CSPA Vice-Chair)
- Traci Clarke, Community Member (SEAC Chair)
- Taihisa Hill, Parent Member (PIC)
- Andrea Mackasey, Parent Member (CSPA Exec)
- Virginia Andrades, Parent Member (CSPA Exec)
- Adrienne Charleton, Parent Member (CSPA Exec)
- Shannon Reidel, Parent Member (CSPA Exec)
- Stephanie Dunne, Recording Secretary
- Louise Vincent, Treasurer
- Jody Prevost, Elementary Principal Rep
- Marline Al Koura, Secondary Principal Rep
- Student Senate Representatives (2)
- Mary Donaghy, Director of Education
- Michelle McGarry, Principal – Leadership & Parent Engagement
- Trustee Eugene Milito, Zone 6
- Trustee Scott Phelan, Zone 1 (Alternate)
Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)
A Ministry-mandated advisory committee that provides important advice on matters regarding special education programs to the Board. They meet on the third Wednesday of each month from September to June.
