Our OCSB Family Welcome Centre helps newcomer families register their children for school in Grades 1-12 and settle into the Ottawa Catholic School Board community. Our registrations returned to pre-pandemic levels in 2021-2022, with 1,100 students welcomed through the centre. While most family and student meetings occurred virtually, a hybrid model was available to families.
The Ottawa Catholic School Board, in partnership with the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO), offers newcomer students and their families essential services through the Multicultural Liaison Officer Program (MLO Program). The MLO Program supports newcomer students, families and schools in establishing respectful relationships to help ensure a successful school experience. The goal is to aid students, and their families in integrating into the community. We are fortunate to have six MLOs supporting our OCSB schools.
Spotlight on MLO, Janet Torres-Rodrigues
“I have been an MLO since 2008, when the partnership with the OCSB started. It is satisfying to support students and their families to realize their full potential and overcome challenges. Working with educators, guidance counsellors, and administration, we have seen the students grow in many ways. Their commitment to supporting students new to Canada and their collaboration with me to be part of important decisions and strategies has made a world of difference.” – Janet Torres-Rodrigues
“Thank you, Ms. Janet, for supporting our family in so many ways; for helping break barriers in our integration, in our understanding of the culture and language, and for your unconditional help towards us parents and our children.” – Luis and Georgina Silva, an OCSB family supported by Janet