June is Dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus | | |
As June begins, we turn our focus to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a symbol of love and comfort in our Catholic faith. This month invites us to reflect on its deep spiritual significance and the boundless love Jesus extends to each of us.
The Sacred Heart embodies purity, selflessness, and unconditional love, urging us to reflect these virtues in our actions. Let it inspire us to nurture unity, compassion, and love in our daily lives and within our community.
| | Novena to the Holy Spirit | | |
This year, the Feast of Pentecost takes place on Sunday, June 8, 2025. Pentecost commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles as they waited together for nine days, praying for the coming of the Spirit as Jesus had told them. That is the very first nine days of prayer, the first novena.
The Institute for Catholic Education (ICE) has put together some resources for students and families, including daily prayers and videos.
Please visit the ICE website for more information.
| | DCDSB Jubilee Cross at Holy Family Catholic School | | |
On Monday, May 20, students and staff at Holy Family Catholic School in Beaverton gathered in a heartfelt outdoor liturgy to welcome the Jubilee Cross. This special cross, created by students from Archbishop Denis O’Connor Catholic High School, is journeying across the Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) as a symbol of unity, faith, and hope.
Click here to read more.
| | Durham Catholic Children's Foundation | | 10th Annual #ForeTheKids Golf Classic | | |
Mark your calendars for August 19, 2025, and get ready to tee off for a great cause! 100% of the proceeds go directly to supporting students and families in our Catholic learning community.
Sponsorship opportunities are also available, don’t miss your chance to make a meaningful impact!
The 18-hole is now sold out but is still available for 9-hole or dinner only
Learn more and register at DurhamCatholicFoundation.ca/Golf
| | Register for CABS Summer STEM Camp! | | |
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.
DCDSB elementary students currently enrolled in Grades 7 and 8, and secondary students currently enrolled in Grades 9 and 10 are invited to register. While this is a camp facilitated by the CABS program, any and all students of the DCDSB in Grades 7 to 10 are welcomed to attend.
Click here to learn more and register.
| | Durham Catholic District School Board Recognizes the 2024-2025 Distinguished Catholic Leader | | |
The Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) is pleased to recognize Jennifer Harvey, elementary principal, as the recipient of the 2024-2025 Distinguished Catholic Leader Award. The award was announced following a System-Wide Mass on Monday, May 5, 2025, which also recognized Durham Catholic Distinguished Educators from each school and department across the board, and employees who have 25 years of service in Catholic Education.
Click here to read more.
| | Good Shepherd Catholic School Celebrates 25 Years of Catholic Education | | |
On May 23, 2025, students, families, staff, government officials, and community members came together at Good Shepherd Catholic School to celebrate the school’s 25th anniversary. Good Shepherd Catholic School opened in October 1999 and was originally built to relieve Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Port Perry. In September 2016, Good Shepherd officially became the new home school for all Catholic students in Scugog.
Click here to read more.
| | Leading Through Legacy: A Tribute to Black Excellence | | |
DCDSB students and families are invited to attend Leading Through Legacy: A Tribute to Black Excellence, a powerful evening celebrating the voices, talents, and stories of Black students.
This student-led event offers a unique opportunity to collaborate, network, and learn from one another. Attendees will be inspired by keynote speakers Karl Subban and Bernice Carnegie, who will share their personal journeys and contributions to Canadian society.
- Date: Monday, June 9, 2025
- Time: 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
- Location: St. Mary Catholic Secondary School
We encourage everyone to bring their brilliance and be part of this meaningful celebration!
Click here to learn more and register.
| | June is National Indigenous History Month | | |
June is National Indigenous History Month. Throughout the year, we are dedicated to continuous learning, relationship-building, and supporting the National Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. We strive to strengthen our connections with Indigenous community partners and local organizations.
Explore resources for further learning available year-round to our staff, students, and families on our website: dcdsb.ca/NationalIndigenousHistoryMonth
| | A Day of Learning with Dr. Niigaan Sinclair | | |
On Thursday, May 15 and Friday, May 16, DCDSB staff and educators had the opportunity to gather at the Pope Francis Centre for a day of learning led by Dr. Niigaan Sinclair. Together, these sessions offered a compelling vision for education rooted in respect, relationship, and responsibility at DCDSB.
Dr. Niigaan Sinclair is Anishinaabe from Peguis First Nation. He is an award-winning writer, editor and professor of Indigenous Studies at the University of Manitoba. He is a former secondary school teacher who won the 2019 Peace Educator of the Year from the Peace and Justice Studies Association based at Georgetown University in Washington, DC.
Click here to read the full article.
| | Over the past few weeks, there have been many initiatives, activities, and programs worth celebrating. These include: | | St. Pats Pythons awarded with Math Wars team trophy. | | Elementary students at the annual Folk Dance Jamboree. | | DCDSB's Inaugural Student Human Rights Conference. | | Mental Health and Well-Being | | BWell Student Mental Health and Well-Being Leadership Team Year-End Celebration | | |
On May 6, DCDSB’s secondary student mental health and well-being leadership team, BWell, gathered at the Pope Francis Centre for a year-end celebration.
Students showcased the work they implemented in the 2024-2025 school year and participated in self-care and wellness activity stations including rock painting, creating their own slime, and a mindfulness walk.
Thank you to students and staff for their efforts in promoting mental health and well-being for all students at the Durham Catholic District School Board.
| | DCDSB Secondary Students Champion Mental Health Initiatives at Durham TAMI Summit | | |
On May 8, DCDSB secondary students gathered at Ontario Shores for the Durham Talking About Mental Illness (TAMI) summit. This event provided a platform for students to showcase the mental health and well-being initiatives they have championed throughout the year at their schools. Students heard from Kids Help Phone who spoke about the resources that they have to offer and answered questions about what reaching out to a counselor may be like. It was a day of sharing, learning, and celebrating their collective efforts in promoting mental health awareness and advocacy.
| | Archbishop Anthony Meagher Catholic Continuing Education Centre Now an Approved Canadian Red Cross Training Partner | |
The Archbishop Anthony Meagher Catholic Continuing Education Centre (CCEC) is proud to announce its new designation as an approved training partner with the Canadian Red Cross. This exciting partnership enables the school to offer certified First Aid and CPR training across the Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB).
On Tuesday, May 27, six dedicated staff members at Archbishop Anthony Meagher CCEC successfully earned their Standard First Aid and CPR certification. The training was led by the school’s own certified Red Cross instructor, who also serves as the Personal Support Worker (PSW) program teacher. This milestone marks a significant step forward in enhancing health and safety preparedness within the school community.
Looking ahead to Fall 2025, Archbishop Anthony Meagher CCEC will expand its Red Cross training offerings to include two popular youth programs: Babysitting Training and Stay Safe! Training. These courses are designed to empower young learners with essential safety skills and confidence in caring for themselves and others.
More details about these upcoming programs, including registration information, will be available in September 2025. To stay informed, visit the Red Cross Training Programs page on the Archbishop Anthony Meagher CCEC website.
| | Spots Still Available for Summer Languages Programs! | | |
The Archbishop Anthony Meagher Catholic Continuing Education Centre is offering a wide selection of 27 International and Heritage Language courses for elementary students currently enrolled in Kindergarten to Grade 8. These classes run daily from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and are free of charge.
Register here: Elementary International Languages Program (Session 1: July 2 – July 25 and/or Session 2: July 28 – August 15)
In addition, students in Kindergarten to Grade 3 are invited to register for French language classes this summer. The cost is $190 for Session 1 and $140 for Session 2.
Register here: French for Kindergarten to Grade 3 (Session 1: July 2 – July 25 or Session 2: July 28 – August 15)
For information or questions, please contact il@dcdsb.ca.
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As Catholics, we are called to love and treat everyone with dignity, compassion, and respect. In June, and throughout the year, we support 2SLGBTQ+ students, families, staff, and community members. We are committed to supporting inclusive, safe, and accepting schools, with a focus on mental health, well-being, and belonging for all.
We are all God's creation, and we are all wonderfully made. "We love because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19)
| | Community Connections: A dialogue on diversity, equity and inclusion | | |
The Region of Durham, in partnership with its Durham Region Anti-Racism Taskforce (DRART), is pleased to host the Community Connections event on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at the Audley Recreation Centre (1955 Audley Rd N, Ajax) from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Featuring keynote speaker and equity consultant Camille Dundas, the event will also include panelists talking about how together we can create the region we want to see and shape a legacy we want to leave for future generations.
Click here to register.
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June is the Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, National Indigenous History Month, Pride Month, Brain Injury Awareness Month.
June is also Italian, Filipino and Portuguese Heritage Month.
- June 6 - Elementary P.A. Day
- June 8 - Pentecost
- June 9 - Finance Committee Meeting
- June 15 - Father's Day
- June 16 - Regular Board Meeting
- June 18-24 - Secondary Exams
- June 21 - National Indigenous Peoples Day
- June 25 - Elementary Reports Go Home
- June 26 - Secondary P.A. Day
- June 27 - Elementary and Secondary P.A. Day
- June 27 - Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
- June 27 - Canadian Multiculturalism Day
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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