Ottawa's four school boards set to start the holiday break on different days
As Ottawa teachers and students count down to the two-week holiday break, students in the two French boards will have to wait a little longer to start Christmas vacation.
Students with the Conseil des ecoles Catholiques du Centre-Est (CECCE) and the Conseil des ecoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario (CEPEO) will be off from Friday, Dec. 24 to Jan. 7, with students returning to class on Jan. 10.
The Ottawa Carleton District School Board and Ottawa Catholic School Board will begin the holiday break on December 20, with students returning to class on Jan. 3.
The CECCE told CTV News Ottawa the later break would provide more quality time for staff and students after a busy holiday season.
"For the 2021-2022 calendar, the trustees took into consideration the number of working days leading to Christmas and also wanted to increase quality time for families and staff after the Christmas break," said the CECCE.
Staff consulted with other school boards, employees and staff unions, as well as its school parent councils when finalizing the calendar for the 2021-2022 school year, the board said.
"This year presents an opportunity for more quality time after the generally very busy Holiday season. This situation only occurs every 7-8 years. The 2022-2023 school year calendars will therefore likely be aligned across all school boards."
The CECCE says it always aligns its school calendar with the CEPEO and the CSDCEO.
All school boards submit their calendar to the Ministry of Education for approval in the spring for the upcoming school year.
The Conseil scolaire de district catholique de l'Est Ontarien (CSDCEO) also starts its holiday break on Dec. 24.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city, marking the first franchise in Canada
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.