Lest We Forget

In November, we honour those who gave their lives to serve our country. On November 8 we recognize Indigenous Veteran’s Day and November 11 is Remembrance Day.

Thousands of Indigenous People have fought on the front line of every major battle that Canada has been involved in. Unfortunately, because of the Indian Act laws, Indigenous soldiers were not recognized as Veterans or allowed in Legions once they returned home. Many soldiers died before receiving recognition for their service and November 8 is an opportunity for us to recognize their service and act upon this discrimination.

We invite you to join us in pausing for a moment to remember all those who have served and continue to serve our country and honour all those who have fallen.

Spiritual Theme - Listening With the Ear of the Heart

Grade 7-12 students across Durham Catholic District School Board were invited to participate in the design process for the 2022-2023 spiritual rheme poster. In June 2022, approximately 40 students were given the opportunity to collaborate with one another and learn from a professional artist and graphic designer. Students attended a full day workshop at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery where they unpacked what the 'Listening With the Ear of the Heart' spiritual theme means to them and shared their ideas to help create the new poster design. Design participants, Chloe, Kaumudi, Kyle, and Martina, share their experiences and the significance of the design elements on the poster.

Archbishop Denis O'Connor Students Create Artwork for 'When Faith Meets Pedagogy' Conference

A huge thank you goes out to Mrs. Simpson and her Grade 12 art class as well as her art club at Archbishop Denis O’Connor Catholic High School who were the creative minds behind DCDSB’s artwork to be presented at the When Faith Meets Pedagogy (WFMP) Conference at the end of October. The annual conference, hosted by the Catholic Curriculum Corporation, is the largest gathering of Catholic educators in Canada. The conference committee asked each board to design two figures using a variety of materials, colours and images to represent student diversity and identity and this year’s conference theme, “The Church on a Journey: Listen, Discern and Encounter”. 

Mrs. Simpson elevated the challenge of making meaningful art by turning it into a teaching opportunity, “We used this little project as an example of how the creative process works. First, we began with a brainstorm session to determine what the word 'Diversity' meant to them. Next, students worked in groups to generate tiny thumbnail images that reflected each of the words generated in the brainstorming session. Next, the group spent time planning out how and where to affix the images onto the cut-out figures. Finally, they glued the images down in a layered, collage-style for a super contemporary look.” 

The artwork (pictured), composed of two figures – one large and one small – will be on the stage for educators across the country to observe during mass and keynote speeches. A big thank you to all the students involved for their beautiful collective effort representing the diverse and talented voices of all DCDSB students.    

Fire Chief of the Day Winner

This Student Spotlight features Jullian D. from Good Shepherd Catholic School. Jullian is the winner of Junior Fire Chief of the Day! Jullian tells us all about his experience, what it felt like to win, and shares what it means to listen with the ear of the heart. 

On November 8 we celebrate the Indigenous Veterans who have served in missions across Canada and around the world in times of war, conflict and peace.

On National Indigenous Veterans Day, we honour the important contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in military service and recognize, commemorate and remember their efforts and sacrifices.

Resources for Further Learning:

• Canadian War Museum –– Film and Screening Discussion (Registration Link)
• Government of Canada – Indigenous People in the Canadian Armed Forces
• Government of Canada – Indigenous Veterans
• Indigenous Corporate Training Inc. Blog – Indigenous Veterans: Equals on the Battlefields, but Not at Home

Treaties Recognition Week honours the importance of treaties and helps students and residents of Ontario learn more about treaty rights and relationships. By learning more about our collective treaty rights and obligations, we can create greater understanding and nurture relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

Treaties Recognition Week also represents one of many steps on Ontario’s journey of healing and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. Launched in 2016 in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action to increase treaty awareness, it provides students and the public with an important opportunity to learn why treaties matter to all Ontarians.

We respectfully acknowledge that we, here in the Durham Region, are on the traditional lands of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island.

When reading or hearing the land acknowledgement, there are some questions you might want to reflect on which could include:

• What do you feel when you hear the land acknowledgment?
• If you were asked to say the acknowledgment, why would you find this important?
• Which treaty partner is benefitting more from the treaties?
• Are you aware of your roles and responsibilities as a treaty person?
• How is learning about Treaties a part of responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action? How do you reconcile with the land?

The Ontario Government website hosts a variety of videos and learning resources on Treaties Recognition Week and Treaties.

Additional Resources:

• Indigenous Corporate Training Inc. Blog – What’s the Difference Between Historic and Modern Treaties?
• Historic Canada - Treaties in Canada Education Guide
•  Whose Land Is it Anyway? A Manual for Decolonization
• OntarioTech University Resources
• Trent University Resources
• Native Land Digital Resources

Videos:

• Unceded Documentary
• Indigenous Voices on treaties
• Isaac Murdoch – Who are the Anishinabek?

Foundation Launches Tributes and Legacy Funds

The Durham Catholic Children's Foundation is excited to announce new fundraising campaigns. Commemorative gifts are wonderful ways to honour special people and special occasions in your life. The Foundation has launched a Tribute and Legacy fund with all donations go directly to supporting students and families in need throughout Durham region.

The Tribute Fund is an excellent way to donate to the Foundation in someone’s honour. This is an opportunity to celebrate a special occasion such as a birthday, retirement, or graduation. We also have limited time Christmas cards that are a great way to spread joy this upcoming holiday season. The Legacy Fund is a thoughtful gift to honour somebody special who has passed away. All honourees will be mailed a physical card that notifies them that a donation has been made in their name. Please see images below for the various card options.

Visit durhamcatholicfoundation/waystodonate for more information. 

Christmas Auction Benefitting the Durham Catholic Children's Foundation

The Durham Catholic Children’s Foundation will be hosting another virtual auction as a year end fundraiser. All proceeds will go to supporting students and families in our DCDSB schools. We have amazing items to bid on including Oshawa Generals tickets, National Ballet of Canada signed merchandise, and many local activities for the whole family to enjoy such as passes to Reptilia and Putting Edge. Please follow @dcchildrensfoundation on Instagram and @DC_ChildrensFdn on Twitter to stay up to date. You can also subscribe to our News webpage to receive the latest news on events and ways to give.   

The auction will open on November 28, 2022 to December 2, 2022, at DCCFauction.ca. For more information, please email

[email protected]. 

Collective Bargaining

As a Catholic school board, we value all our employees and respect their right to engage in the collective bargaining process. We thank parents and guardians for their understanding and cooperation over the past few days as we took necessary steps to ensure the safety of our students.

We are happy to be welcoming students back to in-person learning today and remain hopeful that a negotiated agreement will soon be reached. We will continue to provide updates and information at dcdsb.ca/collectivebargaining.

Inclement Weather



As the weather begins to change, parents and guardians are reminded to subscribe to Durham Student Transportations Services website to receive updates on inclement weather zones and to track your child's bus. Visit dsts.on.ca for more information.

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.

Registration for Grade 1 French Immersion opens on November 29, 2022! All interested Year 2 Kindergarten/Senior Kindergarten students are invited to register for French Immersion at the Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB).

Registration for Grade 1 French Immersion will be open from November 29, 2022 – January 20, 2023.

All interested families are encouraged to join us for a virtual French Immersion Information Session on Tuesday, November 29, 2022 from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. No registration is required for this Microsoft Teams live event.

Please visit dcdsb.ca/FrenchImmersion for more information on the French Immersion program.

Student Voice: Co-operative Education Placement

I am a Grade 12 student at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School and this semester I am completing a half-day co-operative education placement experience with MP Jennifer O'Connell's Constituency Office in Pickering. Being placed at MP Jennifer O'Connell's office for my co-op experience had led to many great opportunities that I did not expect! I have been blessed to work alongside the kindest staff and am gaining a new perspective of the workplace. 

I am learning how to organize, compile and log casework and files, as well as update the status of various cases. I am also enhancing my communication and organized skills through working with other staff members and working with the software program, Client Relationship Management System (CRM).

Last month I was invited to attend a local event with MP O'Connell and the office staff at a local grocery store. It was a press conference providing information on federal government updates lead by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. I then had an opportunity to meet and converse with Prime Minister Trudeau, including having a picture with him and MP O'Connell by the media team. I am interested is a possible future career in politics and this co-op placement experience provides an amazing foundation! Thank you to my co-op teacher, Mrs. Wilson-Clark for securing this opportunity for me. 

• Monica A., Grade 12 student at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School

DCDSB Students Participate in Science, Technology and Trades Conference at Durham College

On October 25 and 26, approximately 200 Grade 7 and Grade 8 students from DCDSB participated in the Expand the Possibilities 4.0: Young Women in Science, Technology and Trades Conference (YWSTT) hosted by Durham College. The on-campus event, in its fourth year, featured a series of interactive activities designed to foster a sense of curiosity in science, technology and skilled trades and connect Grade 7 and Grade 8 girls to career opportunities in these fields. This opportunity was provided to DCDSB students in partnership with the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP).

Further information can be found on the Durham College website.

Research has shown that approximately 1 in 5 Canadian students has a mental health problem. Beyond the focus on symptoms and disorders, we are seeing a shift towards understanding that developing positive mental health is important to academic achievement and overall wellbeing.

Please visit the DCDSB Mental Health & Well-Being webpage for further information, including resources and supports available for students and families.

Archbishop Anthony Meagher Catholic Continuing Education Centre Graduation

Archbishop Anthony Meagher CCEC celebrated its 2021-22 graduation on the afternoon of October 6, 2022 at Holy Family Catholic Church. School staff, special guests, families and friends gathered for a ceremony and reception to celebrate this exciting milestone with the graduates.

The Valedictorian, Adeola Olaoti, delivered an inspiring speech outlining her journey from being a Newcomer to Canada to achieving her Personal Support Worker Certification and Ontario Secondary School Diploma as a student of Arch. Anthony Meagher. In her speech, she acknowledged the support she received while attending school: “Here at Archbishop Anthony Meagher, we have experienced the unconditional love, support, respect and acceptance of people regardless of race, religion, gender and sexual identity.” A reception was held after the ceremony in the church hall, the air full of excitement and jubilation!

In 2021-2022, 215 adult students graduated with their Ontario Secondary School Diploma. In addition, 125 students received their Personal Support Worker certificate.

Adults who are 18 years of age or older and out of school can register at our Adult and Continuing Education Centre to earn a high school diploma, upgrade courses or skills for post-secondary, learn English, or prepare for employment. Continuous enrolment options are available. Check out our Program Guide or visit us at www.con-ed.ca