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 & Parent Involvement Committee (CSPA-PIC)
The Ottawa Catholic School Parents’ Association and Parent Involvement Committee (Ottawa CSPA-PIC) represents OCSB parents, caregivers and elected school council representatives in local, regional and provincial educational activities. As the OCSB’s parent involvement organization, we work to strengthen parent engagement, support school councils and ensure parent and caregiver voices are heard in educational decision-making. We also work closely with the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) and community partners to support OCSB families.
Ottawa CSPA-PIC hosts regular monthly general meetings, free events and workshops, and provides resources for OCSB families and school councils. Our general meetings and events are open to all OCSB parents and caregivers.
As part of our responsibilities under the Ontario Ministry of Education’s Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) mandate, we support parent engagement and oversee the allocation of PIC and PRO (Parents Reaching Out) funding to support parent engagement initiatives involving schools, school councils and the Board.
In addition to our monthly general meetings, Ottawa CSPA-PIC holds four virtual executive working meetings each school year with OCSB Board staff to discuss parent engagement priorities, including funding allocations. Current meeting dates, agendas and minutes for our regular monthly Ottawa CSPA-PIC general meetings can be found on our Meetings, Agendas & Minutes page.
For further information about Ottawa CSPA-PIC’s governance and operations, please refer to our Ottawa CSPA Constitution & PIC By-Laws.
Stay connected with Ottawa CSPA-PIC:
Website: www.ottawacspa.ca
Email: info@ottawacspa.ca
Chair: chair@ottawacspa.ca
Events: EventBrite
Newsletter: Sign up Here
Social media: Facebook | Instagram
Follow @OttawaCSPA to stay informed about meetings, events, resources, and opportunities to get involved.
Ottawa CSPA-PIC Executive Membership & Meetings
- Erinn Ladouceur, Chair
- Andrea Mackasey, Co-Chair (PIC)
- Virginia Andrades, Co-Chair (CSPA)
- Steven Boucher, Past Chair
- Nicole Wallace, Recording Secretary
- Claudia Wubs, Treasurer
- Jennifer Perras, Communications Officer
- Shannon Reidel, Communications Officer
- Phyllis Tran, Liaison Officer
- Taihisa Hill, Parent Volunteer
- Traci Clarke, Community Member (SEAC Chair)
- Erica Thrift Caird, Community Member (SEAC Vice-Chair)
- Michelle McGarry, Principal – Leadership & Parent Engagement
Executive Working Group & Meetings
- Erinn Ladouceur, Chair
- Andrea Mackasey, Co-Chair (PIC)
- Virginia Andrades, Co-Chair (CSPA)
- Steven Boucher, Past Chair
- Nicole Wallace, Parent Member
- Phyllis Tran Parent Member
- Shannon Reidel, Parent Member
- Taihisa Hill, Parent Member
- Traci Clarke, Community Member (SEAC Chair)
- Erica Thrift-Caird, Community Member (SEAC Vice-Chair)
- Stephanie Dunne, Administrative Secretary — Board Staff
- Louise Vincent, Administrative Financial Representative — Board Staff
- Jody Prevost, Elementary Principal Rep
- Alanna Vandewint, Secondary Principal Rep
- Mary Donaghy, Chief Executive Officer
- 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.
