February 2025

DCPIC Newsletter

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.

Message from DCPIC Chair

Dear Parents and Guardians,


As we journey through the school year, I reflect on how vital the partnership between families, schools, and parishes is in enriching our children’s education and faith formation. DCPIC remains committed to being the voice of parents, ensuring your feedback guides the events and resources we provide. Through surveys and ongoing conversations, we have been working to offer activities that support your needs and foster engagement in meaningful ways.


Since January, we’ve been co-hosting a series of math and reading literacy workshops with DCDSB, helping parents better understand the Ontario curriculum and equipping them with strategies to support their child’s learning at home. These sessions have been incredibly informative and engaging, providing valuable insights for families. The series continues through March, and we encourage you to take part.


As we enter Lent, a season of reflection and renewal, we invite you to embrace this time as a family. Join us for our Lenten Craft Night in March, and explore faith-based activities to deepen your Lenten journey at home.


In the coming months, we look forward to continuing our engagement with families through various events, including the Annual Distinguished Catholic Volunteer Awards, recognizing parent and community volunteers for their dedication and contributions to our schools.


In May, we are excited to host our Mental Health Event, where families can access wellness resources and activities to support well-being. Stay tuned for details.


Stay connected with us on social media for updates on these initiatives, literacy workshops, and faith-based resources for your family.


Wishing you and your family a blessed and meaningful Lenten season.



Yours in Faith,


Christine Santos

Chair, Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee

DCPIC Events

Math Made Accessible: Tools for Families of Students with Special Education Needs

The Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee, in partnership with the Durham Catholic District School Board, offered part two of the Parent Math Night on February 20 at Archbishop Denis O'Connor Catholic High School. This presentation featured practical tools, fun games, hands-on activities, and valuable resources to make math more approachable and enjoyable for all learners. Click here to watch the presentation.


This session was the second session in a three-part series focused on supporting numeracy learning at home. The final session will cover number sense and spatial reasoning.


Visit dcdsb.ca/Mathematics for more resources and games.

Family Literacy Night

The Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee and the DCDSB Literacy Team have partnered to offer a Family Literacy Night for parents and caregivers.


The last date for this presentation is:

  • St. Jude Catholic School: Tuesday, March 25, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.


Please click here to register and download the post card to learn more about Family Literacy Night.

Faith Formation

Lenten Craft Night

DCDSB students and their families are invited to drop in for a free, faith and fun-filled evening of Lenten crafting and light refreshments.


Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2025

Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Location: Pope Francis Centre (652 Rossland Rd. West, Oshawa)


Registration for this event is required. Please click here to register.


We look forward to seeing you there!


Please visit dcpic.ca for more family Lenten activities.

Information for Sharing

Register for Kindergarten!

Kindergarten registration for a September 2025 start is open! Students eligible to attend Kindergarten in September 2025 must be turning 4 years of age by December 31, 2025 to register in Year 1 (Junior) Kindergarten and 5 years of age for Year 2 (Senior) Kindergarten. 


We look forward to welcoming your child as they embark on a faith-filled journey at DCDSB! Please visit dcdsb.ca/Kindergarten to learn more and to register.

Ministry of Education - Your child’s education: A parent guide to our school system

Find information to help you support your child’s success and make informed decisions about their education.


Visit the Ministry of Education website for more details.

11th Annual Durham Catholic Children’s Foundation Gala

Durham Catholic Children’s Foundation is pleased to announce the 11th Annual Durham Catholic Children’s Foundation Gala, where 100% of the proceeds will go towards supporting DCDSB students and families. We invite you to join us on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, for the Gala honouring our Distinguished Catholic Alumni.

 

This signature event is a crucial part of our fundraising efforts. All monies raised will go to the Durham Catholic Children’s Foundation, which is committed to enhancing student well-being and academic success, by providing basic needs to some of the most vulnerable students in our Catholic school communities.

 

To purchase tickets, and to learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please visit DurhamCatholicFoundation.ca/Gala.

Meeting Dates

Parents and guardians are welcome to attend our Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Meetings. Our meetings are currently being held in-person at the DCDSB Catholic Education Centre, starting at 7:30 p.m. on the dates below.


Visit our website for the link to upcoming meetings.


  • March 6, 2025
  • April 10, 2025
  • May 8, 2025
  • June 5, 2025

Website: dcpic.ca

Email: chair@dcpic.ca

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