Upcoming Programs and Events | | |
Durham Catholic District School Board's Coach/Advocate for Black Students (CABS) program is excited to offer three different Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) camps in partnership with Queen’s University, Ontario Tech University Engineering Outreach, and McMaster University.
Through this program, students will experience a community-orientated and accessible learning environment to explore different facets of STEM, coding, and engineering design. These programs will be led by Black facilitators, allowing youth to see themselves represented in STEM fields and experience positive mentorship while participating in various activities.
DCDSB elementary students currently enrolled in Grades 7 and 8, and secondary students currently enrolled in Grades 9 and 10 are invited to register. The camps are free, and space is limited, so please only register for one of the free camps being offered. Each camp will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. at St. James Catholic School (10 Clover Ridge Dr W, Ajax).
There are three sessions available:
Please visit the CABS Summer STEM Camp webpage to register and for more information.
| | Register Now for CABS Summer Sports Camps | | |
DCDSB's Coach/Advocates for Black Students (CABS), together with DCDSB Continuing Education, presents the Multi-Sport Camp for DCDSB students who have completed Grade 6, 7, 8 or 9. Students in the Multi-Sport program will participate in a variety of recreational activities aimed at building leadership skills, fitness skills, peer relationship skills and community building. Programming will focus on the development of the whole student, including physical health. Through various games and activities, students will work on building their literacy and numeracy skills.
Details about the camp can be found below:
-
Location: Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School (Ajax)
-
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
- Dates for Summer 2025:
- Session 1: July 7 – 11
- Session 2: July 14 – 18
- Session 3: July 21- 15
- Session 4: July 28 - August 1
- Note: Students may register in the Multi-Sports Camp for more than one week.
-
Cost: Free!
Every Friday, a special guest from the world of professional sports will visit and speak to students enrolled in the CABS Multi Sports Camp.
Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis. For further details and to register, please visit our website.
| | DCDSB Student Human Rights Conference | | |
On May 8, we are excited to have Grade 9-12 students representing all DCDSB secondary schools attending our inaugural Student Human Rights Conference! The conference is titled The Strength of Us: Advancing Human Rights with Courage, Compassion, and Conviction.
Students will enjoy a day of learning, including workshops, networking and mentorship. The conference will feature two distinguished speakers:
- Lavinia Latham, a Human Rights lawyer, will discuss human rights in education with a focus on racial, disability, gender, and religious rights.
- Pardeep Nagra, the Halton District School Board’s Human Rights and Equity Advisor, will speak on the impact of Artificial Intelligence on human rights.
| | Financial Supports, Scholarships and Bursaries for Post-Secondary Pathways | | |
We invite you to visit the DCDSB’s Financial Supports & Scholarships webpage for a list of financial supports to help with the funding of post-secondary programs and pathways. We offer these resources and links as a potential starting point to help support students and families as they transition to post-secondary education.
The Ajax Shining Star Ajax Shining Stars Bursary Program is currently accepting applications. Bursaries are awarded based on proven financial need and to people who identify as an underrepresented youth - Black, Indigenous, Person of Colour, Person who identifies with an underrepresented group, have a self-identified disability, or are part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. The $10,000 bursary program is designed to provide two students from each of the five high schools in the Town of Ajax with a $1,000 Ajax Shining Star Bursary to pursue higher education at the college or university level or an accredited trades/apprenticeship program. To learn more about eligibility requirements and to apply, visit the Town of Ajax website. The application deadline has been extended to Friday, May 9, 2025.
We also encourage you to visit the Black Foundation of Community Networks (BFCN) scholarship and awards directory. The directory has been updated for 2025 and focuses on scholarships and award opportunities for Black students who are pursuing post-secondary undergraduate education in Canada.
| | Empowering Equity: Insights from the Second Session of the Equity Invitational Learning Series | | |
On April 30, the second session of the 2024-2025 Equity Invitational Learning Series took place. Shellene Drakes-Tull discussed the challenges facing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) efforts. Ms. Drakes-Tull also reinforced the significance of equity work and the need to continue to promote EDI in our board. Attendees were equipped with the knowledge and tools to champion equity within their communities.
Thank you to the Anti-Black Racism & Black Excellence Advisory Committee and board staff for organizing the Equity Invitational Learning Series for staff, students, families, and community members.
| | Black Student Unions Facilitated by Coach/Advocates for Black Students Visit Ontario Universities | | |
Mr. Mayers and Mr. Hickey, Coach/Advocates for Black Students, accompanied Black student groups from Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School and St. Mary Catholic Secondary School to Queens University where they focused on pathways in science, and opportunities in the field at the post-secondary level. Students also had an opportunity to speak with professors and staff from the university.
In April, St. Mary Catholic Secondary School and Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School students went on a trip to McMaster University where they participated in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) activities, toured the campus, and met with professors and staff from the university.
| | Anti-Black Racism & Black Excellence Advisory Committee Booth at the DCDSB Kindergarten Community Fair | | |
On April 29, over 1,000 people attended the DCDSB Kindergarten Community Fair at All Saints Catholic Secondary School. There were approximately 21 community partners in attendance, along with a number of staff and committees, including the Anti-Black Racism & Black Excellence Committee. The fair offered information and resources to support families and students in their transition to Kindergarten.
| | |
Durham Catholic District School Board
650 Rossland Road West
Oshawa, ON L1J 7C4
(905) 576-6150
www.dcdsb.ca
| | | | |
