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Dear Parents, Guardians and Caregivers,
With its connection to the summer harvest, autumn is a season in which we often reflect on our many blessings. During the coming long weekend, families may have a tradition of gathering to share food and company and to give thanks.
As a Catholic school board, we are grateful for the strong foundations of learning, friendship, creativity, and growth that have been established during these first five weeks of the school year, while sharing our excitement and hopes for what is yet to come.
Our thanks is extended to staff, families, and community partners, whose commitments to Catholic education and ongoing collaboration are the cornerstone of our system which supports the faith formation and learning of all of our students.
Click here to read the full message.
Yours in Faith,
Monique Forster Tracy Barill
Chair of the Board Director of Education
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Elementary and secondary schools across DCDSB are preparing to demonstrate how they are "speaking with the heart" this fall.
Classroom displays and whole school plans are being put into action as staff and students consider what this year’s spiritual theme, "Speaking with the Heart" means to their school communities.
The spiritual theme, adapted from Pope Francis’ 2023 message on the 57th World Day of Social Communications, along with this year’s student-led and designed spiritual theme poster, invited both staff and students from the onset of the academic year to think how each of us can be stewards of the message and show what it means to communicate “according to God's style”.
At St. John XXIII Catholic School in Oshawa, students, staff and visitors who come through the doors of the school encounter the spiritual theme on display as soon as they enter; a visual representation that will grow and change as staff and students continue to reflect and plan throughout the year.
DCDSB families are encouraged to discuss what "Speaking With the Heart" means to them which, Pope Francis writes, includes, "listening without prejudice, attentively and openly… nurtured by closeness, compassion and tenderness" and come up with their own action plans as both caring community and family members.
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Anti-Black Racism and Black Excellence Advisory Committee Seeking Parent Representatives | |
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The Anti-Black Racism and Black Excellence Advisory Committee is currently seeking five parent representatives - one person representing each municipality (Ajax, Oshawa, Pickering, Whitby and Brock/Scugog/Uxbridge).
The committee’s mandate provides a medium for effectively addressing and dismantling disadvantages and discrimination, historical or otherwise, experienced by Black students, staff and families in our Board.
Click here to learn more about eligibility and to nominate.
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New DCDSB Math Webpage and Resources for Families | |
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DCDSB is excited to share our updated Math webpages which contain resources, supports, games, and tips for families to encourage Math skills and concept development at home. Also included is a link to TVO Learn Mathify, which offers free online one-on-one math tutoring for students in Grades 4-12!
Click here to view our new Math webpages.
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Regional Arts & Media Program Open House and Audition Workshop | |
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Students who are interested in applying for the Regional Arts & Media Program (AMP) at All Saints Catholic Secondary School have two upcoming opportunities to learn more about the program.
Open House
Date: Tuesday, October 17, 2023
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Students will have the opportunity to tour the school, meet staff and discover all that AMP has to offer. Click here for more details.
C-AMP Audition Workshop
Date: Saturday, October 28, 2023
Grade 6-8 students who have questions about auditioning are invited to attend C-AMP. Participants will learn about audition requirements and criteria, as well as tips to help them feel confident about their audition. Registration is required, and will be available until October 24, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. or until the camp is full. Click here for more details.
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Ventilation Measures Report
School health and safety is a priority at the Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB). For families interested in learning more about the measures taken to improve air quality in schools, we invite you to view DCDSB's Ventilation Measures Report.
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Policies are important documents that govern the operations of DCDSB. As part of the policy drafting process the board community is given the opportunity to review them and provide feedback.
The following polices are currently under review and accepting input:
Click here to view our policy input page.
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DCDSB Student Spotlight – 2023-2024 Student Trustees | |
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In this Student Spotlight segment, we introduce you to your 2023-2024 Student Trustees, Moyin and Aoife!
Thank you to Moyin and Aoife for sharing your excitement for the school year, your plans for your roles as Student Trustees, and for sharing what it means to speak with the heart.
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Parent, Guardian and Caregiver Resources | |
Accessing Support for Your Child’s Mental Health
World Mental Health Day is coming up on October 10. If you’re concerned about your child’s mental health or general well-being, you can work with your school to help make sure your child gets the support they need. Early identification of mental health concerns can help prevent future problems.
The best place to start is by having a conversation with your child’s classroom teacher. If you’re comfortable, you may wish to share information such as situations your child has dealt with that may impact their mental health; approaches that seem to help your child; and behaviours that you’ve been noticing at home. You may want to ask their teacher if they’ve noticed similar behaviours at school. Having an open and honest discussion will help you figure out together, the best way to help.
DCDSB students and families can also speak to our board support staff directly by calling our Social Work Access Line and leaving a voicemail with their contact information. One of our mental health professionals will call back and provide support. Note that this is not a crisis line and is not monitored 24/7.
More information on mental health resources can be found on the DCDSB website.
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Orange Shirt Day - National Day for Truth and Reconciliation | |
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Students and staff across DCDSB continued learning about Indigenous histories, perspectives and current realities during Truth and Reconciliation Week, in the lead up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation/Orange Shirt Day.
Highlights include:
- Orange Shirt Day books were distributed to all DCDSB elementary schools.
- Indigenous Education Resource Teachers visited schools to speak about land acknowledgements, the effects of the Residential School System and the impact of colonialism.
- Students from St. Mary Catholic Secondary School and Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School made connections with the land and Indigenous Knowledge Keepers during a visit to Petroglyphs Provincial Park.
Learn more about Indigenous Education by visiting our website.
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On September 25, we celebrated Franco-Ontarian Day by raising the Franco-Ontarian Flag! Le lever du drapeau est une façon importante de reconnaître l’influence de la culture francophone en Ontario.
We are proud to celebrate the Francophone community and its contributions in our province.
Thank you to St. Leo Catholic School for hosting the Franco-Ontarian Day celebration.
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St. Mary Students Proud to Serve at Canadian Food for Children | |
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St. Mary Catholic Secondary School students, travelled to Etobicoke on September 27 with donations for Canadian Food for Children, a Catholic charity run by Dr. Simone that seeks to feed the poor in many developing countries around the world.
Students had an opportunity to volunteer in the warehouse by preparing newsletters, packing vegetable seeds, sorting canned food donations and packing a shipping container that was destined for Peru, South America.
Click here to learn more.
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Durham Regional Police Service Police Chief for the Day | |
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Congratulations to Kaiyah J. from St. Anne Catholic Elementary School in Oshawa for winning Police Chief for a Day!
Kaiyah will serve as Chief for a Day on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 and will be a guest of honour at the Annual PADAN awards night on October 19, 2023 at Deer Creek in Ajax.
Click here to learn more.
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Custodial Services Training Program at Archbishop Anthony Meagher Catholic Continuing Education Centre | |
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Earning high school credits while training for new job opportunities can be achieved with the help of the Custodial Services Training Program at Archbishop Anthony Meagher Catholic Continuing Education Centre.
The Custodial Services Training Program is available to anyone who is 18 years of age or older. This program prepares individuals with the skills necessary for entry-level Custodial positions.
Click here for more information.
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Learning Disability Awareness Month | |
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Throughout October, the Learning Disabilities Associations of Ontario will be marking Learning Disability Awareness month, raising awareness and reducing stigma to allow people to get the supports they need to reach their potential.
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International Walk to School Month | | |
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Students and staff are invited to participate in "I-Walk", International Walk to School Day during the month of October. The campaign is supported through Ontario Active School Travel (OAST).
Click here to learn more and to register.
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Durham Climate Roundtable Seeking Youth Representative | |
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The Durham Climate Roundtable is seeking a volunteer youth member for its Leadership Committee to support the advancement of climate change strategies by local government, businesses and other community organizations, across Durham Region.
The youth position is open to high school and post-secondary students, living in Durham Region. Interested students are asked to submit a brief letter of interest, outlining their knowledge of climate change issues and why they want to participate by Friday, October 13, 2023.
Click here to learn more and apply.
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October is Month of the Rosary, Child Abuse Prevention Month, and Learning Disabilities Awareness Month.
October is also German, Islamic and Latin American & Hispanic Heritage Month.
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- October 6: Elementary & Secondary PA Day
- October 9: Thanksgiving (Statutory Holiday)
- October 10: World Mental Health Day
- October 11: International Day of the Girl
- October 16: Feast of St. Marguerite d’Youville
- October 16: Waste Reduction Week (From October 16 – October 20)
- October 16: Local Government Week (from October 16 – October 20)
- October 17: Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day
- October 17: AMP Open House
- October 18: Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist
- October 18: School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
- October 22: Feast of Pope John Paul II
- October 23: Spiritual and Pastoral Care Week (From October 23 – October 27)
- October 23: Chaplain/Clergy Appreciation Day
- October 23: Regular Board Meeting
- October 25: Anti-Black Racism and Black Excellence Advisory Committee Meeting
- October 27: Wear Purple Day for Child Abuse Prevention
- October 28: Clinic for the Regional Arts and Media Program
- October 31: Halloween
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Durham Catholic District School Board
650 Rossland Road West
Oshawa, ON L1J 7C4
(905) 576-6150
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