The Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee (DCPIC) 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. | | |
As the school year draws to a close, I’m reflecting on how much we’ve grown together—in faith, in community, and in purpose.
To all parents and guardians in our Durham Catholic community—cheers to another school year. Whether you were helping with homework, attending school events, or offering quiet encouragement, your efforts mattered. Those everyday moments help our children feel supported and loved.
That same commitment guided our work on DCPIC this year. We focused on creating more opportunities for learning, connection, and support—through events and by bringing the parent voice into board-level conversations.
This spring, we proudly supported events that brought families together. We wrapped up the DCDSB’s Parent Literacy Series on building reading and math skills at home. Our Lenten Craft Night offered a joyful space for creativity and faith. At the Kindergarten Community Fair, we welcomed new families beginning their Catholic education journey. And at the Distinguished Catholic Volunteer Awards, we celebrated the many dedicated volunteers who give their time to support our schools.
We also launched our first Youth and Mental Health Night, where families explored the connection between physical and mental well-being and heard timely insights on adolescence, anxiety, and growing up in a digital world. Each family left with the book The Anxious Generation to support continued learning at home.
As we plan for next year, we invite you to complete our Parent/Guardian Survey, open until May 30. Your input helps shape our planning so we can offer events and resources that matter to you.
To my fellow DCPIC members—thank you for your time and heart this year. Balancing your own commitments while supporting our parent community has truly made a difference.
To all families, may your summer bring rest, joy, and time with those you love. Congratulations to those with graduating students! And to those returning, we look forward to seeing you in the new school year.
With appreciation,
Christine Santos
Chair, Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee
| | DCPIC Parent/Guardian Survey | | |
A friendly reminder that the DCPIC is conducting a parent/guardian survey that will assist in setting the committee’s direction for the 2025-2026 school year.
We want to hear from you!
We welcome input from parents, guardians and caregivers. The survey consists of seven questions and will take approximately five minutes to complete.
To complete the survey, please click here.
The survey will remain open until Friday, May 30, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.
| | Youth and Mental Health Night | | |
On Monday, May 12, the Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee (DCPIC) is hosted a Youth and Mental Health Night at Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School.
Students and families heard from guest speaker and psychotherapist, Roxanne Francis, and expert practitioners from Dean's Mobility Training provided insight on mental and physical health. In addition, families participated in practical, hands on activities, including a breathing exercise led by Certified Breathing Coach, Vince Caputo. Families were also invited to learn more from the YMCA Youth Gambling Program and the Pinewood Centre of Lakeridge Health.
Thank you to all the members of the DCPIC who worked hard to put this event together. We’d also like to give a special thank you to all the families that came out to this event. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!
| | 2024-2025 Distinguished Catholic Volunteer Awards | | |
Congratulations to the 2024-2025 Distinguished Catholic Volunteer Award recipients. We love our volunteers! Thank you to the dedicated volunteers who contribute to the success of our schools and committees each and every day.
We are honoured to present the 2024-2025 Distinguished Catholic Volunteer Award recipients below.
Distinguished Catholic Volunteers for Ajax Schools:
- Kelvin Biney, Archbishop Denis O’Connor Catholic High School
- Ana Ramos, Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School
- Allison Odorico, St. André Bessette Catholic School
- Nicole Gilmour, St. Bernadette Catholic School
- Tharshika Kuruparpan, St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School
- Lacey Mangos, St. Francis de Sales Catholic School
- Shannon Kettle, St. James Catholic School
- Kerry Rojas, St. Josephine Bakhita Catholic School
- Rose De Mel, St. Jude Catholic School
- Sophia Chow St. Patrick Catholic School
- Liliana Arangio, St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School
Distinguished Catholic Volunteers for Northern Schools (Beaverton, Port Perry, Uxbridge):
- Kyla Brennan, Good Shepherd Catholic School
- Samantha O'Connor and Kim Schiafone, Holy Family Catholic School
- Jessica Small, St. Joseph Catholic School (Uxbridge)
Distinguished Catholic Volunteers for Oshawa Schools:
- Annette Eldridge, Monsignor John Pereyma Catholic Secondary School
- Nicole Zara, Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School
- Bob Giulietti, Monsignor Philip Coffey Catholic School
- Nicole Scovino, Sir Albert Love Catholic School
- Laurie Kryshka, St. Anne Catholic School
- Manuela Cameron, St. Christopher Catholic School
- Meagan Shorts, St. Hedwig Catholic School
- Dana Cayer, St. John XXIII Catholic School
- Melissa Hardy, St. John Bosco Catholic School
- David Lockie, St. Joseph Catholic School (Oshawa)
- Gary Metcalfe, St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic School
- Carrie Fisher, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School
Distinguished Catholic Volunteers for Pickering Schools:
- Todd Idenouye, St. Mary Catholic Secondary School
- Robyn Gibb, Father Fénelon Catholic School
- Amanda Scott, St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School
- Kathryn Meloche, St. Isaac Jogues Catholic School
- Louisa Bunclark, St. Monica Catholic School
- Paula Thomas and Jennette Lobban, St. Wilfrid Catholic School
Distinguished Catholic Volunteers for Whitby Schools:
- Laura Recine, All Saints Catholic Secondary School
- Roger Bryce, Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School
- Zeina Saikali, St. Bernard Catholic School
- Cyndi Pelech, St. Bridget Catholic School
- Geraldine Sullivan, St. John Paul II Catholic School
- Belinda King, St. John the Evangelist Catholic School
- Rachelle Zamora, St. Leo Catholic School
- Theresa Santaguida, St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic School
- Tina Giacchetta-Quijada, St. Marguerite d’Youville Catholic School
- Andrea White, St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic School
- Nancy Ruscica, St. Matthew the Evangelist Catholic School
- Laura Ore, St. Paul Catholic School
- Crystal Arruda, St. Theresa Catholic School
More information about the Distinguished Catholic Volunteer Awards can be found on the Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee website.
| | Follow DCPIC on Instagram! | | |
We have officially launched a DCPIC Instagram page! We'd love for you to join our DCPIC Instagram community.
For more updates, resources, and information, follow us on Instagram at @dcpic.ca.
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Website: dcpic.ca
Email: info@dcpic.ca
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