Students: school safety starts with you!

OCSBconnect is a service that allows Grade 7 to 12 students to submit anonymous tips on incidents of bullying, student safety, and crime to school staff by phone, text, or mobile app.

This service, which was requested by our students, strives to make our schools safer and more welcoming by providing students with a tool that allows them to report bullying incidents without putting their own safety at risk.

For help or to share anonymous tips on bullying and crime, text or call:  613-604-9766

(standard text messaging rates apply)  Download the free OCSBconnect App from iTunes or the Android store.

For more information visit the OCSB website at: http://ocsb.ca/connect/

If you’re the parent of a teenager, you might have heard about the rising number of teens that are using vapour products, such as electronic cigarettes. Rates of vaping have now surpassed tobacco smoking among youth. For instance, 23% of Ottawa high school students in grades 9-12 have used an electronic cigarette at least once compared to 14% that have tried tobacco.

This growing vape culture is concerning as the long-term safety of inhaling the chemicals from vaping products are still unknown. Vaping products may also contain nicotine. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance that can alter brain development and can affect concentration and memory in youth.

For more information, please visit http://www.parentinginottawa.ca/en/youth/vaping.aspx