Ottawa-Carleton District School Board Family Conference (Arabic & Somali Translation Available)

Workshops (listed alphabetically)

Collaborating With School Professionals: Supporting Your Child’s Well-Being

(English with Arabic Interpretation)

OCISO MLOs: Christine Malak and Rania Baassiri.

This workshop will guide parents and caregivers on how to effectively collaborate with school professionals, such as social workers, psychologists, and special education staff, to support their child's well-being and academic success. Participants will learn about the roles of these professionals, how they work together to address students' emotional, social, and mental health needs, and the best ways to communicate and advocate for their children. The session will also provide practical tips on navigating school resources and ensuring a positive, supportive environment for every student.

How to Actively Engage in Your Child’s Learning and Why It Matters

(English with Somali Interpretation)

Parents For Diversity

Discover effective strategies to participate in your child's educational journey and understand the profound impact it has on their development. Engaging in your child's learning not only boosts their academic performance but also strengthens your bond and fosters a love of learning. In this guide, we'll explore practical tips for involvement, the benefits of being an active participant, and how your support can empower your child to thrive both in school and beyond.

Literacy Session

OCDSB Student Achievement Through Equity (SATE) Team 

Navigating The Challenges Of School Refusal And Avoidance

PLEO & OCDSB Mental Health Team

As parents and caregivers, we understand the struggles when our children find it difficult to attend school – it affects the whole family. How many of us have experienced the daunting task of dragging our kid out of the car to the school door, receiving texts from our child pleading to go home when they should be in class, taking time off work or being late because our child would not get ready for school, or having to leave work early to pick them up when they can’t make it through the day? This workshop will share strategies and insights to help you navigate these challenges while maintaining a healthy relationship with your child.

Nurturing Curiosity: Engaging Parents in Hands-On STEM Learning

Let’s Talk Science, Ottawa University 

The session will provide practical strategies to adapt science activities to suit each learner type, along with engaging, hands-on experiments that can be easily done at home. This workshop is designed to give parents and caregivers an inside look into some of the engaging science activities we offer students. In the session, we will introduce three hands-on activities that you can use to encourage STEM learning at home. Each activity will be demonstrated step by step, with clear instructions and explanations on how to carry them out effectively. We’ll also have some activity write-ups that you can take a photo of to do at home.

Raising Digitally Responsible Kids: Bullying, Online Safety, And Navigating AI 

(English with Arabic Interpretation)

Center for Resilience and Social Development 

In an increasingly digital world, raising children to be responsible, informed, and safe online is a crucial part of parenting. This workshop is designed to guide parents and caregivers through the challenges of bullying - both online and offline - and foster responsible multimedia use in the age of AI and advanced technology.

Recognizing and Responding to Stress and Anxiety

OCDSB Mental Health Team

At a time when many children are reporting higher levels of stress and anxiety, this workshop provides an opportunity for parents and caregivers to better understand the differences between stress, fear, and anxiety. Participants will be provided with practical strategies for parents and caregivers to support their children with feelings of stress and worry, and an opportunity to reflect on the stress that we ourselves are carrying so that we can be in the best position to support our children.

Special Education And Inclusion

OCDSB Learning Support Services

This workshop will educate families about special education programs, services, and resources available within the OCDSB. Presenters will share information on inclusive practices, individualized education plans (IEPs), and strategies to support children with diverse learning needs.

Supporting Kinder Success

OCDSB Mental Health Team

This workshop will support the parents and caregivers of current or future kindergarten children in gaining a deeper understanding of the factors that contribute to a successful kindergarten experience. It will include an outline of some of the goals of the kindergarten program and highlight how important the partnership between the school and home is in your child's education. The workshop will also explore self-regulation, with a particular focus on understanding co-regulation skills. Other topics include the importance of routines and expectations, the link between language and emotions, and practical strategies to support kindergarten students in developing these important areas. 

Supporting Math Learning: Strategies For Every Child’s Style

OCDSB Math Team 

Join us for an engaging workshop designed for parents and caregivers eager to support their children's mathematical journey from elementary through secondary grades. We’ll explore a progression of mathematical concepts, showing how foundational skills build on one another as students move across grade levels. Participants will enjoy hands-on activities that can be easily supported at home, empowering you to foster the joy of math and boosting your child's confidence and motivation in the math learning process.

Supporting Your Child's Mental Health And Well-Being

OCDSB Mental Health Team

The last few years have created a new parenting landscape for everyone. This workshop will help identify what mental health is, what might be signs that your child is struggling with emerging or escalating mental health concerns and how you can communicate effectively with your child about their mental health and well-being.

Presenters will provide concrete strategies to support parents and caregivers in engaging in these conversations from a place of empathy, validation, and compassion. This workshop will also provide information on mental health services available to parents and caregivers, and children both within and outside of the OCDSB.