The Ottawa Catholic School Board says its Parent Expo on September 26 gave about 200 parents and caregivers a one-stop chance to find help with their children's education — from decoding report cards to planning high school pathways.
According to the board, the event was supported by nearly 100 staff members, volunteers and community partners, along with 20 student volunteers who helped keep the day welcoming and accessible for families.
One space, many answers
The board described the Expo as a response to a common challenge for parents: knowing where to turn for support, whether for a child's learning, high school options, or community services.
At the centre of the event was a Community Resource Café, where more than 40 community partners shared information and answered questions directly. Organizations taking part included Autism Ontario, Scouts Canada and the Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall.
The board said the setup let parents skip hours of searching and instead speak face to face with people who could help — a school staff member, a community organization, or another parent with similar experiences.
Workshops on real parent questions
Six workshops ran through the day on topics the board said reflected the real questions families face as their children grow. Sessions covered helping newcomer families find their place in Ottawa's school communities, and explored the board's spiritual theme, We Are Called to Nourish New Beginnings.
Other workshops focused on advocating for a child's learning, understanding report cards and grading, exploring high school pathways and future careers, and supporting students struggling with school attendance.
The board said the workshops and the Community Resource Café were designed to work together: a session could start a conversation, and families could then visit a partner organization at the café to take the next step.
Built for families' realities
The event was organized so families could explore at their own pace, and child-minding services kept younger children engaged while parents attended sessions, the board said.
The board credited the day's success to its own staff, the Catholic School Parents' Association (CSPA), community partners and volunteers, with a special mention for the 20 student volunteers.
In a summary posted on its website, the board said the Expo offered families more than information — it offered reassurance that a whole community is ready to support them, part of its approach that supporting student success means supporting the families and communities around them.
