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February is Black History Month!
As a Catholic learning community, we celebrate and recognize Black Excellence and Black History during the month of February and on an ongoing basis. We invite you to visit our webpage Black Excellence, Celebration, History Lives Here which is part of our commitment to promote and celebrate Black Excellence all year long. We want to draw your attention to the Celebrating and Supporting Black Excellence webpage, which provides an overview of the highlights of our actions over the past year to Support Faith & Well-Being, Advance Human Rights & Equity and to Improve Student Learning for all students, particularly Black students in our board.
Black History Month in Schools
Schools will be participating in Black History Month initiatives and activities, which we will highlight on social media throughout the month and in the March 2024 DCDSB News. Follow @DurhamCatholic on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook to learn more.
Durham Black History Month
Durham Catholic District School Board is partnering with Cultural Expressions Art Gallery Inc., who is presenting the 17th Annual Durham Black History Month Celebration on February 3-4, 2024. It is Durham’s longest running and most extensive, free Black History Month event, celebrating the beauty of Black culture and the diversity of the Black experience in Durham Region. The event on Saturday, February 3 will start with community networking at 4:00 p.m., followed by performances by an evening of celebration hosted by Sean Mauricette in the Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School/J. Clarke Richardson Collegiate auditorium.
To learn more and to register please visit durhamblackhistorymonth.com
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Learning from Page to Palette for Archbishop Denis O'Connor Catholic High School World Religions Classes | |
Grade 11 students at Archbishop Denis O’Connor Catholic High School (DO'C) have been learning in partnership throughout their first semester in both authentic and artistic ways.
Students from the DO’C World Religions courses were able to present their inquiries and grow in knowledge regarding Indigenous Spirituality with author, storyteller, former educator, and current DCDSB Indigenous Advisory Circle member, Mr. Robert Cutting.
Click here to read more.
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During the month of February, the DCDSB will join other Christians around the world and begin Lent, a liturgical season in the Church which helps prepare the faithful to celebrate Easter.
This year, the start of the Lenten season - Ash Wednesday - falls on another notable day: Valentine's Day, February 14th. This previously happened in 1923, 1934 and 1945, more recently in 2018, and will take place again in 2029. These two days have different emphases, thus the DCDSB will be encouraging all schools and offices to observe the solemn and penitential nature of Ash Wednesday, while striving to celebrate the joyful and fun aspects of Valentine's Day at another appropriate time prior to the start of Lent.
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Indigenous Education in Action | |
Indigenous Education Highlights | |
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It's been a busy few months as students across DCDSB have engaged in Indigenous Education. Please see the stories below to learn more.
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New Addition at St. Anne Catholic School Opens to Accommodate Growing Student Population | |
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Over the past year, a new wing was built at St. Anne Catholic School that created an additional 184 student spaces, through the support of a $4.8 million investment from the Ontario Government. The new addition at St. Anne Catholic School in Oshawa opened on Monday, January 8, 2024, and students and staff are now using the new classrooms.
Visit dcdsb.ca to view the full news release.
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10th Annual Durham Catholic Children’s Foundation Gala | |
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Durham Catholic Children’s Foundation is pleased to announce the 10th Annual Durham Catholic Children’s Foundation Gala, where 100% of the proceeds will go towards supporting DCDSB students and families. We invite you to join us on Thursday, May 16, 2024, for the Gala Honouring Bishop Vincent Nguyen and our Distinguished Catholic Alumni.
This signature event is a crucial part of our fundraising efforts. All monies raised will go to the Durham Catholic Children’s Foundation, which is committed to enhancing student well-being and academic success, by providing basic needs to some of the most vulnerable students in our Catholic school communities.
To purchase tickets, and to learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please visit DurhamCatholicFoundation.ca/Gala.
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Reminder: Academy for Student Athlete Development (ASAD) Information Sessions for the 2024-2025 School Year | |
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Discover the exceptional opportunities awaiting at the Abilities Centre!
Join us for the next informative ASAD Parent Information Sessions on Thursday, February 29, at 6:30 p.m., located at the Abilities Centre (1 Jim Flaherty St, Whitby, ON).
Fore more information, click here.
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Awards Season at the Durham Catholic District School Board! | |
Durham Catholic District School Board Recognized by Forbes as One of Canada’s Best Employers in 2024 | |
Secondary School Course Selection for 2024-2025 School Year Opening February 1, 2024 | |
Durham Catholic District School Board is Open for Rentals During March Break | | |
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For the first time Durham Catholic District School Board is open for rentals during March Break.
Gyms will be available for use between the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. from Monday, March 11 to Friday, March 15, 2024.
Please email communityuse@dcdsb.ca for gym availability.
Please visit our webpage to learn more: https://cus.dcdsb.ca/
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Stand Up to Bullying Week | |
This year, the Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) will be celebrating Stand Up to Bullying Week from February 20 to 23, 2024 and Pink Shirt Day on February 28, 2024. DCDSB will focus on highlighting, through reflection and action, what it means to Speak With the Heart, so that our school communities continue to be compassionate, empathetic, safe spaces. | |
Stand Up to Bullying Week and Pink Shirt Day 2024 – Advertising Contest | |
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DCDSB students are invited to participate in our Stand Up to Bullying Week and Pink Shirt Day 2024 – Advertising Contest!
Details:
- Use images and/or words that promote Stand Up to Bullying Week and/or Pink Shirt Day
- Poster size: Square – minimum dimensions 1000x1000 pixels
- Any mixed media suitable for the reproduction as a poster is allowed, including computer generated graphics and digital versions of hand-drawn images.
- Posters must be two-dimensional.
- All posters must be original art. No trademarked or copyrighted images or phrases should be used.
Submission Format:
- Digital designs should be submitted as a JPEG, PNG, PDF or AI (illustrator) file.
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Submit to paige.wiggans@dcdsb.ca by 4:00 p.m. on February 9, 2024.
- State student name, grade and school in email subject line.
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New Safe and Accepting Schools Webpages | |
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DCDSB is committed to creating and maintaining safe, welcoming, and accepting schools where all students feel valued and supported. To ensure greater transparency for all in our community, we have updated our Safe and Accepting Schools webpages, which can be found on our board and school websites. We all have a role to play in ensuring our schools promote responsibility, respect, civility, and academic excellence in a safe learning environment.
We invite you to learn more about our Safe and Accepting Schools programs, supports and services.
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Mental Health and Well-Being | |
Be You, Be Well: A Black Mental Health Day Event | |
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On March 4, 2024, the fifth annual Black Mental Health Day will be observed in Ontario. The day aims to raise awareness about the impact of anti-Black racism on mental health and address the specific mental health needs of Black communities.
This year DCDSB is proud to present Roxanne Francis, an award-winning psychotherapist, registered social worker, consultant, leadership coach and international speaker, who has been helping people access tools to change their lives for over 15 years.
This event is open to students, families, staff and community members. Attendees have a chance to win a door prize!
Click here for more information and to register.
Click here to view the poster.
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St. Marguerite d'Youville Catholic School | |
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St. Marguerite d’Youville Catholic School opened in 1990 to reduce the overcrowding at St. John the Evangelist. Our current Principal, Mrs. Vickery was one of those students! St. Marguerite d’Youville CS has always been, and remains, a community hub. Upon opening, it housed an Early On Centre and day care at the front of the building. We continue to have a great partnership with Early On and our childcare partners, Kids Campus, and host the Summer Rays program during the month of July.
With a school population of 300, we are small but mighty! When we place a call to support the community our students and their families make it a priority. This year we raised $650 for Terry Fox, the highest money ever raised by the school, as well as $785 for ShareLife. We worked with our parish to collect 1100 pounds of food for St. Vincent de Paul for our fall and spring food drives.
Our Mavericks make their mark throughout the system by following our motto which is “Believe it, Live it”. We believe in providing students with chances to engage in community service and experiential learning to demonstrate their commit to their faith and the lived experiences they have each day at school. We focus on having our students sharing their gifts with the community. Just recently we had two students compete and win in the Public Legal Education Committee Poster Challenge Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms Contest. We had a record number of Knights of Columbus Free Throw participants. Our junior intermediate students took to the stage and shared their gifts and talents during our Christmas play, Last Minute Wishes.
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St. Mary Catholic Secondary Students Place 1st and 3rd in Business Competition | |
Grade 11 students at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School participated in the Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics Business Competition. 1300 senior students throughout Ontario participated in this competition. After the Grade 11s presented their financial analysis presentations, they won first and third place! Congratulations to the students that participated! | |
Grade 11 and 12 SHSM Students Earn Industry Recognized Welding Certification | |
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In January, more than 40 Grade 11 and 12 SHSM students from Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School, St. Mary Catholic Secondary School and Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School participated in two days of Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) Flat Weld Certification testing at Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School.
Offered as part of the Specialist High Skills Major program, this industry recognized certification is one of several career-relevant trainings the students will earn over the course of their studies.
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Regional Arts and Media Program Presents "The Wizard of Oz" | |
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The Regional Arts and Media Program at All Saints is excited to welcome The Wizard of Oz to our stage for six performances! Featuring approximately 100 students in the cast, crew, and orchestra, the The Wizard of Oz has been rehearsing since September and we are excited to welcome audiences to the All Saints Theatre for February 7, 8, 9, and 13, 14, 15 at 7:00 PM. The roles of Dorothy, Glinda, and the Wicked Witch are double casted, so we encourage our audiences to see both "Emerald" cast and the "Ruby" cast on differing nights! All Saints is also excited to welcome "Scout" in the role of Toto! Although approximately 50 in human years, Scout is excited to make his high school performance debut alongside our talented students!
Tickets are available online at amptickets.eventbrite.ca! Seating is assigned, and two performances are already sold out, so don't miss out on seeing this beloved classic musical!
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Exploring Environmental Impact at St. John Bosco Catholic School | |
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What is the human impact on the environment? That is the focus of a science unit being completed by Grade 7 students at St. John Bosco Catholic School. The class has been working on their projects for more than 2 weeks. Each group chose an area in the world to study and constructed a boxed eco system to represent what they have learned.
Ava's group completed a tropical rain forest. She says that, "Deforestation and pollution have had a negative impact on biotic elements in the rainforest. This means it is hurting all living things and could put some species in danger." This project is a culminating task for this particular unit.
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Child Care Assistant Training Program Completion Ceremony | |
The DCDSB Pope Francis Centre buzzed with excitement and pride as two classes of Archbishop Anthony Meagher Catholic Continuing Education students celebrated the completion of the Child Care Assistant Training Program on Thursday, January 25, 2024. The ceremony marked the culmination of 18 weeks of dedicated effort and hard work by the graduates, who navigated the challenges of balancing the program with their existing life and family commitments.
Family, friends, staff, and placement supervisors gathered to witness the momentous occasion, applauding the graduates for their hard work and commitment. The atmosphere was filled with joy and accomplishment as each graduate received their well-deserved certificate, symbolizing the successful completion of the program.
The Child Care Assistant Training Program is offered twice a year for adults aged 18 and older who are seeking to embark on a fulfilling career in child care. This comprehensive 18-week program equips students with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the field, preparing them for the challenges and responsibilities that come with caring for young children or to prepare for post-secondary education.
Visit www.con-ed.ca/cca to learn more.
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February is Black History Month.
- Feb. 2: Groundhog Day
- Feb. 5: Psychology Staff Appreciation Day
- Feb. 5: Hundreds Day
- Feb. 5: Policy Board Meeting
- Feb. 8: Feast of St. Josephine Bakhita
- Feb. 10: Lunar New Year
- Feb. 12: International Epilepsy Day/Purple Day
- Feb. 12: Elementary First Term Reports go Home
- Feb. 12: Secondary Semester 1 Reports - Edsby Distribution
- Feb. 12: Finance Committee Meeting
- Feb. 13: Shrove Tuesday/Pancake Tuesday
- Feb. 13: Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) Meeting
- Feb. 14: Ash Wednesday
- Feb. 14: Valentine’s Day
- Feb. 15: Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee (DCPIC) Meeting
- Feb. 15: Secondary PA Day
- Feb. 18: First Sunday of Lent
- Feb. 19: Family Day
- Feb. 20-24: Stand Up to Bullying Week
- Feb. 25: Second Sunday of Lent
- Feb. 26: Regular Board Meeting
- Feb. 28: Pink Shirt 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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