Durham Catholic District School Board

09/23/2024

Join us tonight (Monday, September 23) for the Regular Board Meeting at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will take place in person at the Catholic Education Centre (650 Rossland Rd. West, Oshawa) and virtually. Visit the link for details: https://ow.ly/vaJT50T8zor

09/21/2024

Today we celebrate the feast day of St. Matthew. While many felt he was unworthy because of his position as a tax collector, he responded immediately when called, abandoning his position to become one of Jesus’ disciples.

The patron saint of bankers, because he dealt with money, Matthew was close to Jesus and authored one of the four gospel accounts. Anyone who reads his Gospel knows that money was not important to Matthew. What was important was believing in and living as a follower of Christ.

09/20/2024

Parents and guardians with children ages 0-4 years old who have not been registered to school yet, can sign up for the DCDSB KinderClub for free!

Sign up today to receive a special birthday greeting during the month of your child's birthday and to be automatically entered to win a KinderClub monthly prize box! Learn more at our website.

(Link: https://www.dcdsb.ca/en/parents/dcdsb-kinderclub.aspx)

09/19/2024

Powley Day marks the most important Métis Rights recognition since the days of Louis Riel. It is celebrated every September 19th to acknowledge the sacrifices and contributions of the Powley family and the landmark decision in R. v. Powley [September 19, 2003].

09/18/2024

The DCDSB is delighted to introduce the Beacons of Hope recognition program. Beacons of Hope will recognize two elementary students, two secondary students, and two staff members each month. Throughout the year, themes have been assigned based on the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations and Catholic virtues. The selected nominees will be recognized at the monthly Board Meeting for a special award presentation.

Families, students, and staff are welcome to nominate a DCDSB student or staff member that exemplifies and embodies the theme for the month. Nominations will be taken via Microsoft Forms. Learn more at our website.

(Link: https://www.dcdsb.ca/en/our-board/beacons-of-hope.aspx)

09/17/2024

Today we are celebrating ICT Professionals Day! Thank you to our incredible ICT staff for the critical role they serve in managing and maintaining DCDSB's technology, essential systems and applications that power our digital world.

09/16/2024

DCDSB's Coach/Advocate for Black Students (CABS) invite families to attend Empowering Our Community Through Mathematics. This event will include an interactive networking opportunity, a panel discussion, and will feature keynote speakers Alexander Coleman and Carl E. James. Families will learn how to empower their children and youth to embrace quantitative skills that are essential for career paths that will be both relevant and lucrative in the future.

Registration is required. Please visit our website to learn more about the event, including registration, biographies for the panelists and guest speakers: https://ow.ly/LbO650TopB4

09/16/2024

A reminder there is absolutely no smoking, va**ng, e-cigarettes, or cannabis, permitted inside our schools, on school or board property, or within 20 metres of school property. If you are found to be carrying, selling, buying, giving, or using v**e or to***co products on school property, you may be subject to disciplinary action or may be charged under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act.

If a student is found in possession of one of these substances, parents/guardians/caregivers will be notified, and the item(s) must be given to an educator or administrator.

To learn more about smoke, drug and v**e-free schools, please visit our website: https://ow.ly/P8qS50To6tX

09/15/2024

Today marks the start of Safe and Accepting Schools Week; the first of our safety and well-being focused weeks here at Durham Catholic. We strive to create positive school climates where all members of the school community feel safe and accepted. This week, our schools will be focusing on school safety and will be scheduling various emergency response drills.

Each day this week will focus on a theme that corresponds with this year’s spiritual theme, Living in Hope.

-Day 1: Human dignity – we are all created in God’s image and worthy of love.
-Day 2: Caring for creation is caring for each other.
-Day 3: Responding to the poverty of loneliness.
-Day 4: Solidarity – we are in this together.
-Day 5: Peacemaking – restoring relationships.

To learn more about Safe and Accepting schools, please visit dcdsb.ca/SafeAndAcceptingSchools

09/13/2024

The September 2024 issue of the DCDSB News is now available! Visit the link to read the newsletter: https://ow.ly/zP5l50Tn9Wv

09/13/2024

The new provincial policy states that all members of the school community must not use personal mobile devices during instructional time except under the following circumstances:
For educational purposes, as directed by an educator;
For health and medical purposes; and/or
To support special education needs.

Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year:
- Kindergarten - Grade 8 students must store their cell phones/personal mobile devices out of sight for the full school day. Devices must be powered off or set to silent during school hours, which includes recess and lunch hour (i.e. any time the student is on school property). Cell phone usage is only permitted if the educator deems it necessary for educational purposes.
- Grade 9-12 students must turn off their cell phones or set to silent during instructional time, except where cell phone use is permitted by the educator for educational purposes.

All social media sites and apps, including Facebook, X, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, Tik Tok, and Discord will no longer be available on school or board Wifi. Social media platforms can only be used by students at school for educational purposes, directed by an educator.

To learn more, please visit our website (https://ow.ly/28AR50TmonI)

09/12/2024

Join us tonight (Thursday, September 12) for the Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee (DCPIC) meeting at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will take place in-person at the Catholic Education Centre (650 Rossland Rd. West, Oshawa). Visit the link to learn more: https://ow.ly/9lVc50T8zcI

09/12/2024

On Wednesday, September 11, 2024, DCDSB Catholic Education Centre and Operations, Maintenance & Administrative Centre staff gathered at the Pope Francis Centre for Mass and commissioning of new staff.

Presided over by Fr. Jim Kelly, SJ, new staff were welcomed into the DCDSB community as they committed to living in hope and sharing their unique talents and gifts with colleagues, students and families.

09/11/2024

The International Languages program offered through Archbishop Anthony Meagher Catholic Continuing Education Centre is accepting registration for fall classes for students in Year 1 Kindergarten to Grade 12. Classes begin September 21, 2024.

Visit https://ow.ly/97BM50TkZ1V for more details and to register.

09/11/2024

The Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee (DCPIC) is now accepting nominations for the 2024-2025 school year! To learn more, visit their website at dcpic.ca

09/10/2024

Join us tonight (Tuesday, September 10) for the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) meeting at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will take place at the Catholic Education Centre (650 Rossland Rd. West, Oshawa). Visit the link for details: https://ow.ly/u9UM50T8z9Z

09/10/2024

Today is World Su***de Prevention Day. Let's unite to raise awareness and support around this vital issue. This year's theme, "Changing the Narrative on Su***de," focuses on transforming our perception and addressing stigma. By shifting from a culture of silence to one of openness, understanding, and support, we can make a real difference. Start the conversation today—every chat, no matter how small, helps build a more supportive and understanding society. Together, we can ensure everyone gets the help they need.

If you or someone you know needs support, you can call or text 9-8-8, to access the Su***de Crisis Helpline. Help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

09/08/2024

Celebrate International Literacy Day by highlighting the importance of literacy for everyone! Raise awareness and encourage literacy development by visiting the library, donating books, writing creatively or joining a book club. Let’s make literacy accessible to all people, communities, and societies.

09/08/2024

The Catholic Church traditionally celebrates the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 8th, nine months after the December 8th celebration of her Immaculate Conception as the child of Saint Joachim and Saint Anne.

The Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary has become part of the tradition of the Church since the fifth century and is viewed as a time of praise and thanksgiving for the Holy Mother. The feast is a way to honour Mary’s vocation; her profound ‘yes’ to God in becoming the mother of Jesus.

09/07/2024

On Ukrainian Heritage Day, we honour the rich cultural contributions of Ukrainian to our community. This day recognizes their vibrant traditions, history and achievements, which have been integral to Canada’s multicultural tapestry for over 125 years.

09/06/2024

Some of our earliest learners at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School were excited to share how their first few days at school were going with Gerard Winn, Director of Education. Our Kindergarten students shared that they are happy to have met new friends, and to showcase their cubbies and classroom.

We hope all Durham Catholic students have had a wonderful first week of the 2024-2025 school year!

09/06/2024

Join us in celebrating Payroll, Business, Finance & Accounting Professionals Day. This day is an opportunity to acknowledge and thank all our dedicated staff including elementary School Administrative Assistants, secondary Financial Administrative Assistants, the Compensation Services, Finance, Accounting, and Purchasing teams in Business Services, and staff at OMAC and DSTS.

Thank you for all that you do! Your efforts are crucial to ensuring the success of our students, staff, and families.

09/05/2024

Students and staff at St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School were blessed to celebrate the feast of their namesake today with Gerard Winn, Director of Education, and Mrs. Paul, Principal.

09/05/2024

Today is the Feast of St. Teresa of Calcutta who devoted her life to caring for people who were unhouses on the streets of Calcutta. During her long life, Mother Teresa received many honors, one of which was the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.

When she died, her adopted country of India gave her a state funeral, which was broadcast on television around the world. In 2003, only six years after her death, Mother Teresa was declared Blessed by Pope John Paul II and on September 4, 2016, Mother Teresa was canonized a Saint by Pope Francis.

09/04/2024

We are currently hiring for the following positions:
- Certified Teachers;
- French Teachers;
- Principals; and
- Vice-Principals

If you’d like to learn more and apply, please visit dcdsb.ca/Careers.

09/04/2024

Pope Francis has announced that 2025 will be a Jubilee Year. This has become a spiritual tradition celebrated in the Church every 25 years. Pope Francis has chosen “Pilgrims of Hope” as the motto for the Jubilee.

The DCDSB Catholic learning community will be guided by the spiritual theme of “Living in Hope” during the 2024-2025 school year.

We invite you to learn more about this year’s spiritual theme and poster design on our website. dcdsb.ca/LivingInHope

09/03/2024

Throughout the month of July, the Coach/Advocate for Black Students (CABS) offered STEM camps in partnership with Queen’s University, Ontario Tech University, and McMaster University. Students in Grades 7-10 explored different facets of STEM, coding, and engineering through various activities that were led by Black facilitators, allowing youth to see themselves represented in STEM fields and experience positive mentorship.

Some of the activities included introduction to mechanical, electrical and software engineering, coding and robotics, physics, sustainability and structural design. Thank you to all the facilitators and CABS Camp leaders for your time and effort in organizing this camp!

Watch the video here to learn more:

Throughout the month of July, the Coach/Advocate for Black Students (CABS) offered STEM camps in partnership with Queen’s University, Ontario Tech University...

09/03/2024

Welcome back to school! Today is the first day of the 2024-2025 school year for our students, and for our staff! Ms. Assenza is excited to begin her first year as Principal at St. John Bosco Catholic School, pictured this morning alongside Mr. Winn, Director of Education, and Mr. Godin, Vice-Principal at St. John Bosco Catholic School.

09/03/2024

Today, we welcome back all DCDSB students! Our educators are excited to begin a year filled with learning.

09/02/2024

We hope our Durham Catholic community had a fantastic summer break! We look forward to seeing you all for the first day of school tomorrow (Tuesday, September 3)!