Please see below for important information regarding the 2022-2023 school year:
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Kindergarten Registration Now Open |
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Register for Kindergarten
Begin your child’s journey at the Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB)!
Register your child for Kindergarten. The online registration process for a September 2022 start in Kindergarten is now open.
Please follow the following steps to register for Kindergarten:
3. Log in to your OSAS account, and select “Regular School – New Application”.
If you need help registering online, please contact your local DCDSB school. Contact information for our schools can be found on our website.
Age Requirements
Your child must meet the following age requirements to enter Kindergarten in September 2022:
- To register for Year 1/Junior Kindergarten, your child must be 4 years old by December 31, 2022.
- To register for Year 2/Senior Kindergarten, your child must be 5 years old by December 31, 2022.
Kindergarten Resources
We have many resources available to assist families with the transition to Kindergarten:
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This month’s Student Spotlight features Drayden, a Grade 6 French Immersion student at St. John the Evangelist Catholic School! Drayden shares with us that he wants to learn in French Immersion because it is beneficial to learn another language, he loves to explore new things and he always likes a challenge. Thank you Drayden for sharing a little bit more about yourself with us!
Watch the video to learn about Drayden and his experience in the French Immersion program so far.
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Dogwood Acres Forest School |
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Kindergarten students across the DCDSB have been enjoying their time learning and exploring the outdoors with our partners Dogwood Forest.
Pictured here are some of our earliest learners at St. John the Evangelist Catholic School who participated in cross-curricular experiential learning outdoors in December 2021.
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DCDSB Students Win Gold and Silver in CBC Music Class Challenge |
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Congratulations to students and staff from St. Joseph Catholic School and All Saints Catholic Secondary School for their outstanding achievements in the 2021 CBC Music Class Challenge.
Mr. Steven Parker's class at St. Joseph Catholic School in Oshawa won first prize in the Elementary Vocal (Grades 4-6) category for their rendition of “Wonder” by Shawn Mendes. As part of this prize the school will receive $3,000 in new musical instruments and a plaque.
“We had 18 students participate in creating our submission. The band rehearsed separately from singers in order to follow COVID-19 guidelines. Each of the five singers were recorded individually to also follow the current guidelines. We had lots of fun thinking of new video ideas such using a leaf blower to film some of the slow-motion clips. Our students worked so hard, and I’m so very proud of all of their efforts” said Mr. Steven Parker.
Mr. Michael Paglia lead the Popular Music Ensemble at All Saints Catholic Secondary School who won second prize in the Secondary Vocal (Grades 11-12) category for their performance of “Knocking at the Door” by Arkells. As part of this prize the school will receive a plaque from CBC Music.
“Our students and staff have shown an incredible commitment to the Arts. Student agency is an integral part of the creative process, and the ingenuity shown during these performances showcases our student’s God-given talents,” said Tracy Barill, Director of Education at the Durham Catholic District School Board.
View the CBC Music Class Challenge videos below.
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Watch the Gold winning performance by students at St. Joseph Catholic School, Oshawa. |
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View the Silver winning performance by students at All Saints Catholic Secondary School, Whitby. |
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Mental Health and Well-Being |
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DCDSB Mental Health Moment |
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DCDSB's Social Work Access Line |
Need to Speak to a Caring Adult? Call DCDSB's Social Work Access Line at 905-576-6150 ext. 21021 or visit the Social Work webpage and complete the online Social Work Access Line form.
Durham Catholic students and families can call our Social Work Access Line and leave a voicemail with their contact information. One of our mental health professionals will call back and provide support. (Note: This is not a crisis line and is not monitored 24/7)
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Resources for Students and Families |
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Ministry of Education Online Resources |
Parents and guardians are reminded that the Ministry of Education offers two portals for additional learning:
These websites provide supports for students learning remotely by accessing additional educational/Grade specific resources developed by Ontario certified teachers.
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Durham Region Health Department |
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This month's Community of Faith video celebrates the Advent and Christmas Season! The students and staff at Archbishop Denis O'Connor Catholic High School demonstrate how they are a Community of Faith by coming together each Advent season and raising money for their Red Wagon campaign.
All of the proceeds go toward the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Bernadette Parish to help families enjoy a Christmas meal and gifts on Christmas Day.
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Pope Francis Launches Synod on Synodality |
Pope Francis has launched the Synod on Synodality, a two-year global process of listening to the faithful.
“Synod” comes from an ancient Greek word meaning “walking together on the road.” With the Synod on Synodality, Pope Francis is asking every Catholic to help discern what the Holy Spirit is telling us at this moment as the Church enters its third millennium.
The first phase of the Synod on Syndodality will last through the first half of 2022 and will see the world’s faithful sharing their thoughts at a diocesan level. All those diocesan-level responses will be collected and summarized. Then the bishops of Canada will meet to discuss what they heard in their respective dioceses, followed by larger multinational meetings and, ultimately, culminating in a synod of bishops in the Vatican in 2023.
Your participation is incredibly important for the success of the Synod on Synodality, so we kindly encourage all DCDSB families to visit the Archdiocese of Toronto Website to fill out the survey.
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Register for Adult Education Programs with Archbishop Anthony Meagher Catholic Continuing Education Centre |
Our Adult Education sites in Ajax and Oshawa offer Adult Education, Mature Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (mPLAR) and Specialized Training Programs for Pathways to Employment and Post-Secondary Education. Adults who are 18 years of age or older and out of a regular secondary school can register for a variety of programs including:
Our Adult Day School new semester begins on Monday, January 24, 2022.
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Register for Night School |
Night school classes will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. beginning on February 10, 2022.
Current DCDSB students should see their Guidance Counsellor to register for Night School classes.
All are welcome!
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First Nations Education Administrator Association: Storyteller Àdisὁkewinini |
The First Nations Education Administrators Association is hosting Storyteller Àdisὁkewinini. As part of this contest, students can win regional prizes through draw and a national contest. First Nations children (up to age 14) and First Nations youth (aged 15 to 30) currently attending school are invited to submit videos and artwork that tell stories of their First Nations cultures and everyday life.
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Ontario Native Women's Association: Education Resources for Parents/Guardians |
ONWA invites families to build an online learning community where they will develop skills and knowledge to support their children's education.
Families can get help with resources and technology, talk about learning in math and literacy while at school or at home through our online activities. Families can also take a break with our weekly wellness activities for caregivers.
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Carea Community Health Centre Indigenous Programs |
Carea Community Health Centre offers a variety of Indigenous Programs for community members.
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Build a Dream Career Discovery Expo for
Grade 7-12 Students
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On behalf of Build a Dream and in partnership with Durham Catholic District School Board, Grade 7 – 12 students and their families are invited to a free virtual Career Discovery Expo on Tuesday, February 1, 2022 from 6:00 p.m. -8:30 p.m.
This online event will highlight opportunities in a number of careers along with the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)/Pre-apprenticeship to better assist students to make informed career choices.
This event will include information on:
- Skilled Trades
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
- Emergency Responders
- Entrepreneurship
- Advancing Women
This is an opportunity for families to learn collaboratively about the many careers in these growing sectors. It’s career exploration from the comfort of your home!
The event features:
- Pathways Presentation: Discover opportunities you can access in high school
- Dream Makers: Hear inspirational women share their career journeys
- Industry Secrets: Learn what companies look for & how to get an edge
- Breakout rooms, games, prizes!
The first 75 DCDSB students who register will receive a free t-shirt!
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Academy for Student Athlete Development Information Sessions |
Abilities Centre is delighted to invite current Grade 8 - Grade 11 students and their families to attend an exclusive information session about the Academy for Student Athlete Development (ASAD) in partnership with the Durham Catholic District School Board.
The session will discuss programming and the enrollment process for a September 2022 start. ASAD is the only sports academy in the world for student athletes on able-bodied, Para Sport or Special Olympic pathways, with a focus on supporting the holistic development of each student athlete in a dedicated training environment. The program fosters the opportunity for individuals to achieve their personal goals in athletic performance, sport performance, academics, and life.
The following virtual information session dates are available:
- Tuesday January 18, 2022, at 6:00 p.m.
- Wednesday January 19, 2022, at 7:00 p.m.
Please note that a virtual meeting link will be sent to families upon completion of the registration form.
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Ajax Public Library: Education Savings with Service Canada |
The Ajax Public Library is hosting a virtual workshop on Education Savings next week on January 19, 2022.
A representative from Service Canada will provide an introduction to Registered Education Savings Plans, how to apply for Social Insurance Numbers, and other benefits and credits for families.
This event will take place virtually on Zoom on Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
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Ontario Tech University c_wonder: Virtual Community STEM Clubs (Winter 2022) |
Ontario Tech University Engineering Outreach is proud to be offering c_wonder: STEM Clubs for youth who have a desire to explore science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in challenging and creative ways.
Programs have been designed to introduce youth to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) concepts including engineering design, scientific inquiry and coding. The curriculum for these programs is aligned to the Ontario Curriculum in the areas of science, technology and mathematics.
To learn more and to register, please visit the following links:
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January is Tamil Heritage Month
Jan. 14-17 - Thai Pongal
Jan. 17 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Jan. 18-25 – Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Jan. 21 - Elementary PA Day
Jan. 24 – World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture
Jan. 24 – International Day of Education
Jan. 24 - St. Francis de Sales Feast Day
Jan. 24 - Regular Board Meeting
Jan. 26 – Bell Let's Talk Day
Jan. 27 – Family Literacy Day
Jan. 27 - International Day of Commemoration of the Holocaust
Jan. 28 - St. Thomas Aquinas Feast Day
Jan. 31 - St. John Bosco Feast Day
Feb. 1 - Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) Meeting
Feb. 3 - Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee (DCPIC) Meeting
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Durham Catholic District School Board
650 Rossland Road West
Oshawa, ON L1J 7C4
(905) 576-6150
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