Highlights from the Regular Board Meeting of February 28, 2022 |
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Presentation - Black History Month |
Superintendent Lee-Fernandes provided an overview of Black History Month activities that took place throughout the month of February in our schools and board offices.
Superintendent Lee-Fernandes stated that classrooms and hallways at St. Andre Bessette are filled with learning and celebration of Black figures and heroes. "Across our schools and including St. Bernard and St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Schools we are seeing deeper and richer learning about our shared history," said Superintendent Lee-Fernandes.
The Durham Catholic District School Board is committed to cultivating a positive sense of self and belonging for each individual by respecting and responding to diverse identities and strengths. Throughout the school year, the Board is providing opportunities for all staff to engage in learning to support culturally responsive and relevant practice.
Superintendent Lee-Fernandes advised that the Academic Services department created a webpage to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions, culture, history, and achievements of Black students, staff, and families every day. Information and resources will be continually updated.
Faith is embedded in all that the board does throughout its spiritual theme of Community of Faith.
Below are pictures from a few DCDSB elementary and secondary schools that highlights the learning that took place throughout the month.
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Every month, students are celebrating various cultures and cuisines at Archbishop Denis O’Connor Catholic High School. |
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Learning with Babarinde Williams - "I am because you are" at Father Fenelon Catholic School. |
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Academic Services created a webpage to acknowledge and celebrate Black excellence and achievements of students, staff, and families every day. |
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Student work on Black leaders at St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School. |
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Classrooms focused on learning about contributions of Black Canadians in leadership, politics, art, science, math, etc. at St. Wilfrid Catholic School. |
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Intermediate Student Council meets weekly to discuss ways to promote Equity and anti-racism in the school at St. John Paul II Catholic School. |
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Presentation - Anti-Sex Trafficking Response |
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Superintendent Winn provided a presentation on Anti-Sex Trafficking and Ontario's and the Durham Catholic District School Board's (DCDSB) response to the alarming rise in human trafficking.
Superintendent Winn explained that sex trafficking is:
- Sexual exploitation, and a crime
- Includes recruiting, harbouring, transporting, obtaining or providing a person for the purpose of sex
- Involves the use of force, physical or psychological coercion or deception
- Indigenous and racialized individuals are especially vulnerable to sex trafficking due to intersections of colonization, intergenerational trauma, systemic discrimination and barriers to accessing services.
Superintendent Winn stated that Ontario is a hub for human trafficking nationwide and accounts for over half of police-reported incidents of human trafficking in 2019 (Statistics Canada, June 2020). Indigenous women and girls are disproportionately impacted by sex trafficking. Due to the nature of the crime being underreported, the actual numbers are likely much higher. "Based on police-reported incidents, 3 out of 4 victims are under the age of 25, and almost all are women and girls (Statistics Canada, October 2020). The average age of recruitment into sex trafficking is 13 years old," said Superintendent Winn.
"COVID has played a huge impact on sex trafficking," said Superintendent Winn. "The increase in unsupervised time, social isolation and screen time resulted in increased traffickers ability to identify and target vulnerable youth which resulted in an increase in sex trafficking."
Sex trafficking is very prevalent in Durham Region due to its proximity to the GTA and location along the 401 corridor with easy access to motels. Superintendent Winn noted that in Durham Region, the Human Trafficking survivor caseload at Victim Services of Durham Region has doubled in each of the past 3 years, from supporting 30 survivors in 2016 to an estimated 260 survivors in 2019.
Superintendent Winn advised that the board has partnered with Victim Services of Durham to fulfill the Ministry's expectations around training. DCDSB’s training plan involves mandatory in-person training sessions for all Senior Administration, School Administrators and Gatekeepers (Guidance, Student Success, Chaplains, Program Support Teachers, System Staff, etc.).
In addition, professional development was provided to all system staff during a Professional Development Day in November 2021. The training focused on:
- widespread misconceptions;
- the stages of commercial exploitation;
- vulnerabilities; and
- warning signs to enhance understanding of domestic sex trafficking.
Participants learned ways to identify if someone is being trafficked, to better understand the reality of being trafficked in Ontario, and how to intervene effectively.
In collaboration with various multi-sectoral community organizations/agencies, DCDSB is in the process of finalizing an Anti-Sex Trafficking School Board Protocol to formalize the Board’s process and response procedures for staff. The Protocol highlights strategies to raise awareness and prevent sex trafficking.
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DCDSB Launches Multi-Year Strategic Planning Process |
The Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) launched a multi-year strategic planning process that will help the board to further define and drive our future directions for the next three years. The current multi-year strategic plan, Discovery 2023: Renewing the Vision, ends in December 2022.
During the Regular Board meeting, Trustees passed the following motions:
- That the Durham Catholic District School Board approve the formation of a planning committee to oversee the development of a Durham Catholic Multi-year Strategic Plan to take effect beginning in January 2023.
- That the Multi-year Strategic Planning Committee be led by the Chair of the Board and the Director of Education and comprised of trustees and designated student, staff and community partner representatives.
- That the mandate of the Multi-year Strategic Planning Committee be to provide oversight and input into the planning process; ensure opportunities for student, staff and community engagements; provide feedback at key intervals and review the final draft plan to be recommended to the Board for approval.
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Tracy Barill, Director of Education acknowledged the devastating events that have unfolded in Ukraine. "My heart goes out to all the Canadians who have family and/or friends in both Ukraine and in Russia during this very difficult time," said Director Barill. "I have issued a letter to parents and guardians, and message to staff to join with our Holy Father Pope Francis who has asked that we devote this Ash Wednesday to prayer and fasting for peace." The Director added that the Archdiocese of Toronto is arranging to provide monetary support and the board has invited anyone interested in our Durham Catholic community an opportunity to donate through their schools or etransfer at [email protected] (noting “Support for Ukraine” in the comment section). All money submitted will be directed to "Support for Ukraine" through the Archdiocese of Toronto.
As a Community of Faith this week marks the beginning of Lenten journey with Shrove Tuesday on March 1, 2022 and Ash Wednesday on March 2, 2022. The Director extended thanks to St. Francis de Sales Parish who has invited the Board's staff to Mass for distribution of ashes at 10:30 a.m. on Ash Wednesday. The Mass will also be live streamed for our schools to celebrate virtually. "While COVID restrictions are still in place for in-person assemblies, our schools will continue to find opportunities for virtual prayer and Liturgies," noted Director Barill. The Director extended thanks to our faith ambassadors and parish priests for continuing to strengthen our commitment to God by organizing Liturgies and prayers throughout the season of Lent," said Director Barill.
The Director announced that the Board will be launching its Multi-Year Strategic Planning process and is looking forward to working with the Board of Trustees and all members of our Catholic learning community across Durham Region to identify the areas that the Board will prioritize in the future. "COVID has impacted us in many different ways," said the Director. "At this point in time we are in a very different place since our last strategic plan was created three years ago. We have learned a lot and have grown a lot and look forward to ongoing growth and success in the future."
Director Barill noted that the Board's Chief Financial Officer, Marie Hammond talked about the Grants for Student Needs and Program Partnership funds and the Ontario Government's Learning Recovery Action Plan, a five-part plan. The five-part plan includes a focus on the strengthen of Numeracy and Literacy skills. It will involve the continued de-streaming of courses and Math curriculum. On February 28, 2022, the Ontario Human Rights Commission released the recommendations from the Right to Read Inquiry. "The report will have significant and wide reaching impacts on instruction in schools and the elementary grades in regards to literary," said the Director. "More information will be shared with the Board of Trustees once staff have has an opportunity to review the recommendations." Director Barill also indicated that Ms. Hammond spoke to the budget, and school boards have been asked to extend virtual learning options for the 2022-2023 school year.
The Director noted that February was a busy month as the board welcomed the lifting of some COVID-19 restrictions and the return of high contact sports, clubs and field trips in schools again. The board continues to monitor information from the Ministry of Education regarding the relaxation of additional COVID restrictions in schools. The board continues to work with our partners at the Ministry of Health and Durham Region Health Department to provide COVID-19 vaccine clinics in our schools with parents and guardians providing consent in advance.
Director Barill extended thanks to Superintendent Winn and his team for their work in providing support to our schools and staff during Stand Up to Bullying Week from February 21 - 25, 2022. This was in conjunction with Pink Shirt Day on February 23 and International Stand Up to Bullying Day on February 25, 2022. During the week, students and staff recognized and acknowledged the universal need for belonging and revisited how to create more inclusive places of learning. Students and families are reminded to access the anonymous bullying site on their school website called Report It – to report any safe school’s incident to the principal with or without providing a name.
On Pink Shirt Day (February 23), the board held the first virtual QSA Student Summit with members and staff facilitators of Queer-Straight Alliances or Equity Groups in our Catholic Secondary Schools that support 2SLGBTQ+ students and allies. The summit provided students with an opportunity to voice their ideas, opinions, and concerns in order for staff to establish an advisory committee that will provide the right resources and support to members of our Catholic learning community who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.
On Saturday, February 26, members of the Senior Administrative team, along with Trustees joined community partners for the Catholic Family Services of Durham’s virtual Heart to Heart Gala. The Durham Catholic District School Board's Senior Administrative team were proud to be a Silver Level Sponsor for the event. "Thank you to Trustee Forster, who was the Gala’s Chair for organizing a wonderful event that benefits families throughout Durham Region," noted Director Barill.
The Director extended congratulations to the Board’s Communication Team, who received a BRAVO Award of Excellence for the refresh of the Board and schools’ websites design from the Canadian Association of Communicators in Education (CACE) on February 25. This national awards program recognizes and honours the exemplary work in all aspects of school public relations, communications, marketing and engagement. Congratulations to Amanda Roffey, Faeron Pileggi, Emily McCall, Ronald Rodriguez and Nicole Burry for this national recognition.
In closing, Director Barill acknowledged Student Trustee Amaral for his work with the Ontario Student Trustees' Association (OSTA) and the association's recently released open letter highlighting the need for action on 2SLGBTQ+ discrimination in Catholic schools across Ontario.
"As we enter the season of Lent as a Catholic school system, may we strengthen our relationship with God and remain true to our Board’s mission, vision and values, serving with excellence in the Light of Christ," said Director Barill.
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Morgan Ste. Marie, Chair of the Board, offered a prayer for peace, courage and hope to the people of Ukraine and throughout the world. "We pray for the members of our Durham Catholic District School Board community who have family and friends in Ukraine," said Chair Ste. Marie. "We are thinking of our students and families who worry about the ever-escalating threats in Europe and pray that with help they will be able to manage this worry." From the gospel of John 14, and Matthew 5: God of infinite mercy and goodness, with grateful hearts we pray to you today for Peace. You offer us your peace continually (Jn.14:27) and constantly remind us that peacemakers are blessed, “for they shall be called children of God” (Mt.5:9). Amen.
The Chair shared that on February 1, the Ontario government announced a $17 million-dollar investment to build a new unnamed Seaton Catholic elementary school in Pickering. "Director Barill, Trustee McCafferty and I had the pleasure of attending the announcement with the Honourable Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education and the Honourable Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance and MPP for Pickering-Uxbridge," said Chair Ste. Mare. "This will be the first Catholic school located in the Seaton community of Pickering and will provide 622 student spaces and 88 childcare spaces. We anticipate breaking ground on the site in the summer of 2023, with the school opening for the 2024-2025 school year."
On the same day, the Board also welcomed Minister Lecce and Mr. Lorne Coe, MPP for Whitby to St. Anne Catholic School, in Oshawa. MPP Coe announced a $4.2 million-dollar investment to build an 8-classroom addition onto St. Anne Catholic School. The school opened in 2020 and the new addition will provide another 184 student spaces. It is expected to open in September 2023. Chair Ste. Marie thanked the Ontario government for these two tremendous investments in Catholic education for our growing areas of Durham Region.
Chair Ste. Marie reminded the audience that the next Ontario Provincial Election is June 2, 2022 and the Municipal and School Board Elections will be held on October 24, 2022. "Please remember to check that you are on the list to vote. You can do this by going to voterlookup.ca to confirm your name is on the voter list and to register anyone over the age of 18 in your household. Be sure to check that you are registered as an English Separate School Board supporter. It takes one minute to check," said Chair Ste. Marie.
The Chair extended thanks to Superintendent Lee-Fernandes for the Black History Month presentation that recapped activities such as announcements, displays, lessons and enriched education experiences that DCDSB schools participated in throughout the month of February. "I am pleased to see the positive impact on students and staff as we continue to celebrate Black excellence and history and the respect that is developing in response to our diverse school communities. I look forward to our students sharing their voices and initiatives," added Morgan Ste. Marie, Chair of the Board of Trustees.
On March 1, 2022, the board's chaplains and secondary students are participating in the virtual Ordinandi event along with other Catholic school boards, the Archdiocese of Toronto and the Office of Catholic Youth. The Chair noted that the event will be on the Archdiocese’s YouTube channel and encouraged everyone to support those who have chosen the church as their vocation, by attending the virtual Ordinandi Class of 2022 celebration at 7:00 p.m.
Chair Ste. Marie reminded all Durham Catholic parents and guardians to nominate their school for the Reverend John Markle School to Home Communications Award. Nominations are being accepted until Friday, March 4, 2022. Submissions should include examples of how your child’s school has demonstrated its Catholicity, school spirit, and communication.
As part of the board's commitment to promoting well-being for all, and in keeping with its promise to address systemic anti-Black racism, Chair Ste. Marie invited parents, guardians, and staff to attend the Black Mental Health Day event, featuring Natalie Haynes, Registered Psychotherapist, Training Consultant and Speaker, who will present on “I Think, Therefore I Am.”
This virtual event will take place on Monday, March 7 at 6:30 p.m. The registration link is available on the event calendar at dcdsb.ca.
"As we enter the season of Lent with Ash Wednesday this week, may our prayerful reflections strengthen our relationship with God as we remain true to our calling as leaders in Catholic education. Parents and guardians are reminded to visit dcdsb.ca to access our Lenten calendar for resources for students in Kindergarten to Grade 6. "The site has explanations and videos for young students to help understand the meaning of Lent," added the Chair. He also invited parents and guardians to visit the Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee’s website at dcpic.ca to access Lenten crafts and other activities to strengthen your connection with God at home.
In closing, Chair Ste. Marie said, "May God bless you and your families on your Lenten journeys."
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- That the Durham Catholic District School Board approve the formation of a planning committee to oversee the development of a Durham Catholic Multi-year Strategic Plan to take effect beginning in January 2023.
- That the Multi-year Strategic Planning Committee be led by the Chair of the Board and the Director of Education and comprised of trustees and designated student, staff and community partner representatives.
- That the mandate of the Multi-year Strategic Planning Committee will be to provide oversight and input into the planning process; ensure opportunities for student, staff and community engagement; provide feedback at key intervals and review the final draft plan to be recommended to the Board for approval.
- That the Durham Catholic District School Board approve the 2022-2023 School Year Calendars for elementary and secondary schools, subject to final approval by the Ministry of Education.
- That the Durham Catholic District School Board approve the addition of PO300 Disconnect Policy to the Current Roster of Policies
- That the Durham Catholic District School Board approve the addition of PO102 Purchasing of Good and Services Policy to the Current Roster of Policies
- That the Durham Catholic District School Board approve the addition of PO109 Broader Public Sector Procurement and expense Directives to the Current Roster of Policies.
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John Rinella, Vice-Chair of the Board, made the following announcements:
Retirements
- Debra Fox, All Saints Catholic Secondary School, Effective March 31, 2022
- Delia Bruno, St. Anne Catholic School, Effective January 31, 2022
- Jacqueline Lalonde, Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School, Effective January 31, 2022
- Jean-Marc Tessier, Father Leo. J. Austin Catholic Secondary School, Effective March 31, 2022,
- Jim Raper, St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Secondary, Effective March 31, 2022
- Maria (Mary) Zupancic, St. Anne Catholic School, Effective January 31, 2022
- Thelma Dennis, Monsignor Philip Coffey Catholic School, Effective June 30, 2022
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2021-2022 Board of Trustees:
- Morgan Ste. Marie (Chair) - Oshawa
- John Rinella (Vice-Chair) - Whitby
- Richard Damianopoulos - Scugog, Uxbridge and Brock
- Robert De Souza - Oshawa
- Monique Forster - Ajax
- Jim McCafferty - Pickering
- Janice Oldman - Ajax
- Mikhail Yurkoski - Whitby
- Declan Amaral - Student Trustee
- Sophie Nwaoha - Student Trustee
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Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of February 28, 2022 will be posted on the board website as part of the agenda for the Regular Board Meeting of Monday, March 28, 2022. |
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