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Mother Mary Gardens at St. Wilfrid Catholic School
Grade 5 students at St. Wilfrid Catholic School participated in learning about our Mother Mary as well as were sowers and nourishers in the creation of the Mary Gardens. A special thank you to the St. Wilfrid students for sharing their experiences and thank you to the Grade 8 'Girls in Trades’ at Monsignor John Pereyma Catholic Secondary School for co-creating the beautiful gardens.
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June is Dedicated to the
Sacred Heart of Jesus
June is dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Our Catholic learning community is invited to reflect on the profound and consoling meaning of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in our lives and walk of faith. The Sacred Heart of Jesus is a symbol that helps us dive more deeply into the personal love that Jesus has for each one of us. The heart is often considered the universal sign of love and there is no greater love than that which Jesus has given to each one of us. The Most Reverend Francis Leo asks that we reflect on how can we imitate that love not only in the month of June but every day throughout the year?
The Sacred Heart of Jesus reminds us of our call to sacrificial, unconditional and generous love for others, for each member of the Body of Christ and the call for us to be the heart, the hands and the face of Christ to all those we encounter each day. For resources, including prayers, reflections and activities, please visit archtoronto.org.
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June is National Indigenous History Month
June is National Indigenous History Month. Throughout the entire year, we at the Durham Catholic District School Board, are committed to ongoing learning, speaking the truth, and to reconciliation. We have compiled resources for further learning as well as resources for Indigenous students and families on our website at dcdsb.ca/IndigenousHistoryMonth.
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DCDSB Students Participate in Carea Community Health Centre’s Walk to Honour MMIWG2S
On May 5, students and educators from St. Mary Catholic Secondary School in Pickering joined Oshawa's Carea Community Health Centre by participating in a walk to honour Murdered and Missing Indigenous Peoples (MMIP).
Click here to read the full story.
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Ontario Tech University Indigenous History Month Celebrations
The Indigenous Education Cultural Services department at Ontario Tech University has been planning for events, ceremonies and teachings that will be taking place during the month of June in honour of Indigenous History Month.
Please see the registration link to attend one or all the events happening in June. All programming is open to the public and registration is mandatory to help us plan effectively.
To learn more and to register, please click here: forms.ontariotechu.ca/forms/online
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Indigenous Education Circle
We want to acknowledge and thank our Indigenous Education Circle (IEC) and community partners who help to lead and guide the learning that we do across the DCDSB. The Indigenous Education Circle helps us to move forward with our commitment to reconciliation, and to always centre Indigenous voices and perspectives.
Learn more about IEC at: dcdsb.ca/en/programs-service
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Local Parish Spotlight: Father Steven Kwon | |
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Fr. Steven Kwon
Associate Pastor
St. Francis de Sales Parish
Ajax, Ontario
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How long have you been with your current Parish?
I have been named Associate Pastor since June 2022, and have been at St. Francis de Sales Parish in Ajax for almost a year.
What are you most proud of?
What I am proud of is being a priest. Serving others in need and being this wonderful community here in Ajax. The community of St. Francis de Sales Parish have accepted me with great joy and expectation.
What do you enjoy most with your partnership with the Durham Catholic School Board?
What I enjoy the most is being with the kids of the school and participating in any school events like the galas, fundraisers, and any other events at the schools, but above all the school masses and help in any of the sacraments: Holy Communion and Confirmation, confessions.
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What would you like to tell our DCDSB learning Community about your Parish?
Our parish is extremely active. We have a great and wonderful Youth Director by the name of Mr. Noah Aquino, who is very well known in our parish and Ajax community. Our youth ministries are: Edge & Life Teen. We also invite our youth to do volunteer work in the parish as well. We also have the Knights of Columbus and Catholic Women’s League which help out our youth.
This year’s Spiritual Theme is “Listening with the Ear of the Heart.” What does Listening with the Ear of the Heart mean to you and how can you use this in your everyday life?
“Listening with the Ear of the Heart”, means as a priest, I need to listen to the needs of the youth in their daily life and show them the faith that God has given to them with my example in life. Which is to be a happy priest for them when I pray and are with them at any youth functions at the parish. Listening to their needs either spiritually or morally, I am there to help. I enjoy and love being a priest.
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June is Pride Month
As Catholics, we are called to love one another. We believe every human being is created in the image and likeness of God and should always be treated with dignity, compassion, and sensitivity. During the month of June, and throughout the year, we support and acknowledge our 2SLGBTQ+ staff, students, families, and community members.
The DCDSB is committed to creating safe, welcoming and inclusive spaces for all. We are all God's creatures and we are all wonderfully made.
"We love because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19)
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Register for Kindergarten | |
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You are invited to register your child for Kindergarten at one of our Durham Catholic District School Board schools. Students eligible to attend Kindergarten in September 2023 must be turning four years of age by December 31, 2023.
For more information and to register online visit dcdsb.ca/Kindergarten.
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DCDSB Student Art Exhibit at Pickering Artfest
On Saturday, May 27, over 1,000 people came by the DCDSB Student Art Exhibit at Pickering Artfest.
Many visitors claimed that this was their favourite annual stop from the over 90 booths that were set-up in Esplanade Park on a gorgeous day. They were amazed by our talented DCDSB students. Click here to read the full story.
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Durham Catholic Athletic News: 2023 LOSSA Senior Girls Soccer AAA Championship | |
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The afternoon of Friday, May 26, 2023, was incredible in terms of the beautiful sunny skies, the cool breeze in the air, along with the competitive intensity for the title of Senior Girls Lake Ontario Secondary School Athletics (LOSSA) Soccer Championship.
The match was held at the South Courtice Arena, in Courtice, Ontario.
The championship match hosted the Senior Girls teams from both St. Mary Catholic Secondary School (Pickering) and Donald A. Wilson Secondary School (Whitby). Mr. Iozzi was the Head Official for the match and did an incredible job with his Assistant Officials for the match. Click here to read the full story.
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Miller Discovery Day Welcomes St. Mary Transportation SHSM Students
St. Mary Transportation SHSM and technology students were invited to Miller Group in Markham to attend their annual Miller Discovery Day on May 4th.
Miller Group showcased a variety of careers in trades, STEM and other field that are available within the Miller Group, a COLAS company. Click here to read the full story.
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DECA - Folk Dance Exhibition
On April 25 and 26, under the leadership and organization of Ms. Alchin, the Durham Elementary Catholics Athletics (DECA) hosted the elementary Folk Dance Exhibition at Iroquois Park Sports Centre.
During the two evenings, over 600 students from Grade 3-8 showed their coordination, agility and endurance and entertained the big crowds.
Thanks to the DCDSB staff from our elementary schools that volunteer their time to give these students this opportunity. Each evening culminated with relatives and friends coming down to the floor and dancing 'the slosh' together!
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The Future City Experience
The Future City Experience is a hands-on cross-curricular educational program that brings STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math ) to life for students in Grade 6-8.
Click here to read the full story.
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Congratulations to Our Project SEARCH Durham Region Interns
On Monday, May 8, 2023, Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) in partnership with the Region of Durham and the Abilities Centre, congratulated the successful candidates of the inaugural Project SEARCH Durham Region program. Project SEARCH is an internationally successful 10-month transition-to-work program for young adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities. Learn more about Project SEARCH by visiting our website.
Click here to read the full story.
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"Checkmate!" at DCDSB
DCDSB gymnasiums are usually filled by active athletic sporting events, but in the last two weeks the game of Chess found a home in our elementary gyms.
Over 300 students made up 29 elementary Chess teams, which competed in six regional Chess tournaments throughout DCDSB. Click here to read the full story.
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Mental Health and Well-Being | |
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Supports for Summer Mental Health
The mental health and well-being of students continues to be a priority at DCDSB. For some students, summertime can be challenging for a number of reasons. The disruption in routine and a loss of structure can affect anyone. Changes in sleep and eating habits can have big impacts. Less structured days can lend themselves to spending too much time online and can aggravate an unhealthy attachment to social media. We have highlighted some tips for summertime wellness, as well as resources that can be accessed for support on our Supports for Summer Mental Health Webpage.
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Summer School Registration is Open for Elementary and Secondary Students | |
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Archbishop Anthony Meagher Catholic Continuing Education Centre offers a number of summer courses and programs for students in elementary and secondary school.
Elementary Programs and Courses
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 Summer School Programs webpage.
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STEM Camps for Black Students
Durham Catholic District School Board's Coach/ Advocate for Black Students (CABS) program is excited to offer three different STEM camps, partnered with three Universities.
DCDSB elementary students currently enrolled in Grades 7 and 8, and secondary students currently enrolled in Grades 9 and 10 are invited to register. Space is limited, so please only register for one of the free camps being offered. Click here to register.
If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact cabs@dcdsb.ca. View the full poster here.
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June is Brain Injury Awareness Month
In Canada, June is Brain Injury Awareness Month. Each year national, provincial, and local associations run campaigns to increase awareness about the prevalence of brain injury; the obstacles that exist for those with brain injury; and the need for more services and support at all stages of recovery. Heads Up! Durham aims to weave traumatic brain injury awareness, prevention, policy and support into the fiber of Durham Region through community action.
For more information and for a list of resources please visit: headsupdurham.ca/support
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June is Sacred Heart of Jesus Month, National Indigenous History Month, Pride Month, Brain Injury Awareness Month | |
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June 5 - 11 – Canadian Environmental Week
June 4 – National Day to Promote Health and Fitness
June 4 – Trinity Sunday
June 6 – Special Education Advisory Committee Meeting (SEAC)
June 8 – Feast of Corpus Christi
June 8 – Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee Meeting (DCPIC)
June 9 – Elementary PA Day
June 12 – Finance Committee Meeting
June 16 – Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
June 16 – Day of the African Child
June 18 – Father's Day
June 19 – Regular Board Meeting
June 19 - 27 – Secondary Exams
June 21 – Indigenous Peoples’ Day
June 28 – Elementary Report Cards sent home
June 29 – Secondary PA Day only
June 30 – Secondary Report Cards sent home
June 30 – Elementary and Secondary PA Day
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Durham Catholic District School Board
650 Rossland Road West
Oshawa, ON L1J 7C4
(905) 576-6150
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