St. Bernard Catholic School Celebrates Jubilee 2025 | | |
St. Bernard Catholic School in Whitby has created their version of the Holy Doors for Jubilee 2025!
St. Bernard Catholic School replicated the historical Holy Doors found in churches around the world including those at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The Holy Doors were opened by Pope Francis on December 24, 2024, marking the beginning of Jubilee 2025. The doors will remain open until January 6, 2026, which will end this important time for Catholics around the world.
Click here to read the article written by Cassandra A. and Emily R. from St. Bernard Catholic School.
| | St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic School Creates Jubilee Year Display | | |
Students at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic School created a school-wide display in celebration of the Jubilee Year as Pilgrims of Hope. Each class selected a scripture passage or a Saint of their choice to help guide their work.
Each class created a picture to represent a door panel for “Doors of Hope”, as pictured below.
We want to extend a special thank you to Madame Cruz and her students for putting this display up for our whole school community to enjoy. Thank you to students and staff for being beacons of hope!
| | Durham Catholic Students Attend the Youth Ordinandi Lunch | | |
On March 18, students from Catholic high schools within the Archdiocese of Toronto went to Pearson Convention Centre to attend the Youth Ordinandi Lunch. Durham Catholic District School Board students were in attendance and heard vocation stories from Deacon James Cyfko and Sister Lilia Consolata. Students then heard from His Eminence, Frank Cardinal Leo, who shared reflections on how to listen and discern God’s calling in our lives. Cardinal Leo said not be afraid because God’s will is greater than our own and he wants the best for each of us. His love is unconditional and that will never change.
| | 2025 Dominican Friars Youth Interfaith Video Contest | | Durham Catholic Children's Foundation | | April 14 is the Last Day to Purchase Tickets to the Durham Catholic Children’s Foundation Gala | | |
Monday, April 14 is the final day to purchase tickets for the 11th Annual Durham Catholic Children’s Foundation Gala. 100% of the proceeds raised will go towards supporting Durham Catholic students and families in need, to help purchase food, clothing, medical necessities, transportation passes, gift cards, and more.
The gala will be held on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at Tosca Banquet Hall (800 Champlain Ave, Oshawa). Note: a $70 charitable receipt will be provided for all Gala ticket purchases.
Bringing together staff, parents, clergy, and community partners from across the region, the gala will also recognize and celebrate our Durham Catholic Distinguished Alumni Award recipients. Tickets are still available for sale at $130 each at DurhamCatholicFoundation.ca/Gala!
| | Durham Catholic Children’s Foundation: 2024 Annual Report | | Equity Invitational Learning Series | | |
DCDSB families, staff, students and community members are invited to attend the Equity Invitational Learning Series Session Two: Advancing EDI in a Changing World – Why Inclusion Matters Now More Than Ever on Wednesday, April 30, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at the Pope Francis Centre (652 Rossland Rd. W, Oshawa) or virtually via Zoom.
In this session, Shellene Drakes-Tull will lead a discussion to address the challenges facing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) efforts today, including resistance to progress and the need to reinforce the significance of equity work. Together, we will explore practical strategies to sustain EDI initiatives and advance inclusion in an evolving world.
Click here to learn more and to register.
| | Learning Disabilities Association of Durham Region - Power to Achieve Student Scholarship Award | | |
The Learning Disabilities Association of Durham Region is providing a $500.00 Power to Achieve Scholarship Award to a graduating Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) student. This scholarship recognizes a DCDSB student who has a diagnosed Learning Disability and is continuing studies (Apprenticeship, College or University) in the upcoming academic year. Candidates must be full-time high school students during the 2024-2025 school year and be entering first year of apprenticeship, college or university in 2025-2026.
If you meet this criteria and are interested in entering a submission, speak to your Program Support Teacher at your secondary school.
Applicants are to submit the application and submission to their Program Support Teacher by April 25, 2025. Please click here to learn more and apply.
| | Submit Nominations for May Beacons of Hope | | |
Families, students and staff are invited to nominate a DCDSB student or employee that exemplifies and embodies the monthly theme for the Beacons of Hope recognition program. The theme for May is: A Responsible Citizen as a Pilgrim of Hope.
The selected nominees will be recognized during the April Board Meeting. The deadline to submit your nominations for the May theme is 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 25.
Visit our website to make your nominations and to see previous award recipients: dcdsb.ca/BeaconsOfHope.
| | Parent, Guardian, and Caregiver Resources | | |
Over the past few months, the Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee (DCPIC) and the DCDSB Literacy Team offered Family Literacy Night for parents and caregivers. The presentation covered key changes to reading and writing instruction in Ontario, the purpose of early reading screening, and ways parents and caregivers can support strong reading outcomes at home. Watch the presentation below.
Visit dcdsb.ca/Literacy for more resources.
| | Math Made Accessible: Tools for Families of Students with Special Education Needs | | |
The Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee, in partnership with the Durham Catholic District School Board, offered part two of the Parent Math Night on February 20, 2025. This presentation featured practical tools, fun games, hands-on activities, and valuable resources to make math more approachable and enjoyable for all learners. Watch the presentation below.
This session was the second session in a three-part series focused on supporting numeracy learning at home. The final session will cover number sense and spatial reasoning.
Visit dcdsb.ca/Mathematics for more resources and games.
| | National Indigenous Languages Day at Durham Catholic District School Board | | |
On March 31, DCDSB recognized National Indigenous Languages Day. To celebrate and honour Indigenous languages in Canada, DCDSB students and educators reflected on the importance of language preservation.
Students have been engaging in learning about Indigenous languages throughout our schools. Click here to read more.
Thank you to all the classes that shared their passion and ongoing commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.
| | Second Life Stage of Brook Trout Hatcheries | | DCDSB students have had the opportunity to take care of brook trout in their classrooms! Ms. Casey's Grade 4 class at St. Kateri Tekawitha Catholic School and Ms. Paul's Grade 8 class at St. Anne Catholic School share the knowledge they have gathered throughout the second life stage of the brook trout and what they look forward to in the next life stages. | | TRACKS Summer Job Opportunities for Indigenous High School Students | | |
Trent Aboriginal Cultural Knowledge and Science (TRACKS) Youth Program is hiring Indigenous high school students for summer job opportunities. Students who are interested in learning about Indigenous language, culture and traditional ecological knowledge are invited to apply for the Trailblazer Youth position. This position is part of the Oshkwazin Trailblazer Summer Employment program. In this role, students will create relationships with Elders and Knowledge Holders within the program, organize and help lead a land camp, and more!
Apply for this position at the TRACKS website and please submit your application no later than May 30, 2025.
| | CABS March Break Sports Camp | | |
During the March Break, the Coach/Advocate for Black Students (CABS) hosted CABS March Break Sports Camp at Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School. Grade 7 and 8 students participated in a variety of recreational activities designed to build leadership, fitness, peer relationships, and community spirit, while secondary students led their younger peers in the various activities. The students played sports ranging from basketball, volleyball and soccer baseball.
Visit dcdsb.ca/CABS to learn more.
| | DCDSB Student Senate hosted the 2025 Student Voice Forum, bringing Grade 9-11 students together from secondary schools across the board for a day of learning and networking. Participants had the opportunity to engage with Student Trustees, Student Senators, and Student Council Presidents. This experience provided students with valuable insights into how their student government contributes to their school community. | | St. Mary Catholic Secondary School Makes History with OFSAA Wrestling Championship Win | |
St. Mary Catholic Secondary School has made history by becoming the first team in LOSSA history to win the prestigious OFSAA Provincial Championship Team Title in wrestling! The team faced off against 215 schools and some of the best high school wrestlers in Ontario and brought home a remarkable victory after only four seasons into the program.
Click here to read more.
| | Numeracy Cooking March Break Camp | | |
Throughout the March Break, Grade 7 & 8 students improved their numeracy skills through Numeracy Cooking Camp. Students mastered fractions, measurements, and conversions while preparing delicious meals, including chocolate chip cookies and 'spaghetti aglio e olio'.
Led by DCDSB teachers, students made two snacks and a lunch each day of the week, all while participating in fun numeracy and experiential learning activities.
| | Rock Your Socks at St. Luke the Evangelist! | | St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic School celebrated World Down Syndrome Day on March 21 by rocking colourful socks! The beautiful bulletin board in the school foyer was a whole school effort and the display was created by Mrs. Stewart. Mrs. Falardeau and Mrs. Morgan's Kindergarten classes shared photos of their colourful socks to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day to raise awareness and promote acceptance and inclusion of individuals with Down Syndrome. | | Mental Health and Well-Being | | By Your Side - Free Online Resource for Parents and Caregivers | | |
Families are invited to explore School Mental Health Ontario's By Your Side, a free online resource hub for Ontario parents and caregivers, designed to support mental health learning and well-being for every family.
This resource hub was developed with input from Ontario parents, caregivers, and school mental health professionals, and features practical tools, including videos, info sheets, and webinars on topics such as managing anxiety, understanding mental health, navigating digital technology and more.
Visit the School Mental Health Ontario website to learn more about By Your Side.
| | Summer School Registration is Open for Elementary and Secondary Students! | | |
Archbishop Anthony Meagher Catholic Continuing Education Centre is pleased to offer a number of summer courses and programs for students in elementary and secondary school.
Elementary Programs and Courses
In-person camps with a focus on literacy and numeracy are filling quickly, but there are still spots available! Students who are completing Grades 6, 7 or 8 can still register for the following camps: CABS Multi-Sports, Cooking, Digital Literacy, Exploring the Trades, Recreation and Fitness, Summer Arts, and Math. Dates, times, location and registration details for each camp are available on the Continuing Education website at www.con-ed.ca. Camp enrolment will be determined on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Are you a Grade 8 student starting high school in the fall? The Head Start Program is available to all Grade 8 students going into Grade 9 at one of our Durham Catholic District School Board high schools and will run August 18 - 21, 2025. The program involves a review of literacy and numeracy skills and provides students with a preview of the Grade 9 curriculum for Mathematics and English. Study skills and health and well-being are also integrated into the program.
Students who are in Grade 8 and will be attending a DCDSB high school and wish to register for a Grade 9 summer credit can take one high school credit through the Reach Ahead Program (July 2 – 25, 2025).
Interested in learning another language? Summer Elementary International and Heritage Language classes are for students in JK to Grade 8. There are 26 different languages to choose from! The classes will run from July 2 – July 26, 2025, (Session 1) at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School (Pickering) and All Saints Catholic Secondary School (Whitby). Session 2 classes will be offered between July 28 – August 15, 2025, at Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School (Ajax). Students who are currently enrolled in Kindergarten to Grade 3 are invited to register for French language classes.
Secondary Courses
Parents and students are asked to check out the summer school program offerings and registration details on the Archbishop Anthony Meagher Catholic Continuing Education website.
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April is Sikh Heritage Month and Records and Information Management Month.
- April 6 - Fifth Sunday of Lent
- April 8 - Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) Meeting
- April 10 - Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee (DCPIC) Meeting
- April 12-20 - Passover
- April 13 - Palm Sunday
- April 14 - Finance Committee Meeting
- April 17 - Holy Thursday
- April 18 - Good Friday
- April 19 - Holy Saturday
- April 20 - Easter Sunday
- April 21 - Easter Monday
- April 22-25 - Earth Day and Beginning of Earth Week
- April 23 - Administrative Professionals Day
- April 23 - Yom-HaShoah
- April 23 - Anti-Black Racism and Black Excellence Advisory Committee
- April 24 - DCPIC Volunteer Awards
- April 27 - May 3 - National Volunteer Week
- April 28 - National Day of Mourning
- April 29 - Regular Board Meeting
- April 30 - Equity Invitational Learning Series
Click here and subscribe to our calendar to receive reminders about holidays, P.A. days, events, and recognition days.
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Durham Catholic District School Board
650 Rossland Road West
Oshawa, ON L1J 7C4
(905) 576-6150
www.dcdsb.ca
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