March 2023

DCPIC Newsletter

The Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee is a statutory committee of the Durham Catholic District School Board. Our goal is to make parental engagement a priority by providing ongoing support on a system-wide basis and promoting communication and dialogue between school councils, the Board and members of the community.

Message from DCPIC Chair

Dear Parents, Guardians and Caregivers: During the Lenten season it is a time for personal reflection and to strengthen and nurture our faith. Let us take this time to reflect on how we can help others by listening and being kind, caring and respectful to one another. We welcome you to explore our Lenten Family Craft activities on our DCPIC website. DCPIC is preparing to honour our wonderful and amazing volunteers with our annual Catholic Volunteer Award Ceremony which will be held on April 18, 2023. DCPIC is also planning some parent/guardian/caregiver workshops and a guest speaker event to be held in the Spring. Details to come soon. Wishing everyone a blessed Lenten season. Yours in Faith, Rose LoPresti Chair, Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee

DCPIC Events

Family STEM Workshops Stay tuned for live and interactive STEM events this year! The DCPIC is putting together some fun and educational workshops that families can enjoy and learn from.  Please check our website for updates regarding upcoming events!

DCPIC Volunteer Awards Volunteers are so important to our Catholic learning community. It is through the dedication and commitment of our parent and community volunteers that our students thrive in a strong faith community and positive educational environment. It is therefore important for the Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee and the Durham Catholic District School Board to celebrate and thank our volunteers for their tireless efforts, sacrifices and time commitment in helping our schools, fundraising and/or sitting on Board-wide committees.  The DCPIC is planning to hold the 2022-2023 Distinguished Catholic Volunteer Awards ceremony on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. Please check our website for further updates. We hope you can join us in recognizing and celebrating our volunteers!

Faith Formation

Lenten Activities This year, Ash Wednesday took place on February 22, 2023 and marked the beginning of Lent. As we observe the 40-day period before Easter, the DCPIC Faith Formation subcommittee has put together Lenten resources and activities to help families practice prayer, fasting, almsgiving and abstinence. Visit the online Lenten resources and activities here.

Sacramental Preparation and Youth Ministries Youth Ministries: Our local parishes offer students in Grade 6-12 the opportunity to join one of the youth ministry's programs. Please visit our website for further information.  Sacramental Preparation: Sacramental preparation information is listed on our website from each parish. Please search for your child's school on our website in order to find the respective Parish contact and/or registration information for First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation that supports your child’s school. Please visit our website for further information. Please note that these webpages will be updated as further information becomes available.

DCDSB Parishes Many of our local parishes have resumed some of the activities and events that were paused during the course of the pandemic. We work in partnership with local parishes in Durham Region to strengthen our Catholic beliefs.  We encourage you to visit the DCDSB's Our Parishes webpage for a full listing of the parishes in your community.

Information for Sharing

DCDSB Accepting Nominations for the Rev. John Markle Home-School Communications Award As a Board we believe in the foundational partnerships between home school and parish. Communication is essential to keeping these relationships strong which is why each year the Board sponsors the Reverend John Markle Home-School Communications Award to recognize excellence in Elementary and Secondary School Communications.  Nominations have been extended, and are now open until Monday, March 13, 2023, at 4:30 p.m.  For further details and to submit a nomination please visit dcdsb.ca

Nominations are Open for the DCDSB's Distinguished Catholic Alumni Awards Nominations for the Distinguished Catholic Alumni Award are open until Friday, March 31, 2023 at 4:30 p.m.  Recognize a former student of the DCDSB who has achieved significant success in their chosen pathway!  Visit the DCDSB website for further details and to submit a nomination.

Engage with DCDSB

Parents and guardians are encouraged to engage with the board on upcoming reviews, policy input and boundary changes. Visit the Engage DCDSB webpage to find current opportunities where the board is seeking families' input! Oshawa and Program Boundary Review Budget and Strategic Goals Consultation Policy Input Archbishop Denis O'Connor/Notre Dame Catholic Secondary Schools Boundary Review Brooklin English Track Review Share your ideas and actively participate in making decisions that shape the Durham Catholic District School Board.

Ways to Give

Durham Catholic Children's Foundation Your donations help make the world a kinder place, by supporting students in need achieve their full potential. Since 2017, over $300,000 has been disbursed to students and families in need, throughout Durham Region. A donation receipt will be sent to you for any donation of $25.00 or more. Learn more about how you can donate at the Durham Catholic Children's Foundation website.

Meeting Dates

Parents and guardians are welcome to attend our Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Meetings. Our meetings are currently being held virtually at 7:30 p.m. on the dates below. Visit our website for the link to upcoming meetings. March 9, 2023 April 13, 2023 May 11, 2023 June 8, 2023

Website: dcpic.ca Email: info@dcpic.ca

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