Celebrating Student Success
Expanding Pathways for our Students' Futures
November 2018
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Mental Health and Wellness
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The Benefits of Parent and Family Engagement
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The benefits of parent and family engagement in the area of student well-being are well documented. Students are more likely to be motivated, earn higher grades, develop better self-regulation and social skills, and pursue higher education when parents partner in their children and youth’s education. When parents engage with schools by becoming involved with school councils or committees, or through day-to-day support of their child’s learning (e.g., ensuring children have a quiet place to do homework; asking about what their children are learning in school) students feel that their parents place value on their school experience, and feel supported in their efforts. Encouraging parent engagement can be one way to promote well-being in our children and youth. (Leading Mentally Healthy Schools, School Mental Health ASSIST, 2013).
As part of our parent engagement efforts, DCDSB hosted a Sharing of Excellence: Parents as Partners conference on October 17, 2018. Over 200 parents and community members attended this event, featuring keynote speaker Dr. Brenda Smith-Chant, Associate Professor with the Psychology Department at Trent University, speaking on the topic of “Connection is Key.” Participants learned about how the relationships we have with our children play a key role all the way from early brain development to healthy adolescent development. Dr. Smith-Chant also focused on the importance of understanding self-regulation and the difference between stress behaviour and misbehavior. Participants also had an opportunity to visit community displays and participate in one of four workshops. Parents expressed gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity to learn from expert speakers. Stay tuned for information about our upcoming Parents as Partners Workshop Series.
Diane Mullane,
DCDSB Mental Health Leader
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Elementary Students explore Career Opportunities in Science, Technology and the Trades
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On Tuesday, October 23, 2018 female students in Grades 7 and 8 from Sir Albert Love and St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Schools attended Durham College’s - Expand the Possibilities: Young Women in Science, Technology and Trades event at the Whitby Campus.
Students participated in various hands on workshops throughout the day and listened to keynote speaker Jo Alcorn.
Jo Alcorn is a design specialist who is able to blend her
style with her surrounding. " I am able to change my views to fit those existing pieces or personalities for whom I am helping. However with every design I bring a clean lined approach with balance and comfort, plus every room should have a conversational piece within," said Jo.
At the end of the day students participated in a trade day challenge.
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Father Donald MacLellan Catholic Secondary Students experience a Hands-on Look at the History of Families
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Father Donald MacLellan Catholic Secondary School's HSP 3C class travelled to Toronto's Royal Ontario Museum for a hands-on look at the History of Families as well as at the Physical and Cultural Anthropology of Canada's First Peoples.
Students had the opportunity to make curriculum connections in a classroom that was entirely de-fronted. Along with the classroom teacher and Social Worker, students followed a scavenger hunt of instructions, looking for historical family experiences and structure in the Canadian First Peoples, African and Greek history galleries to support our current unit of study in Sociology. Then they documented, in photographs, examples of artifacts and culture from the Canadian First Peoples exhibition, reflecting on our learning from our Anthropology unit.
This hands on opportunity solidified our learning, encouraged team work and problem solving in a creative and natural way.
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Increasing Indigenous Education Awareness at All Saints Catholic Secondary School
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This year, the All Saints Catholic Secondary School community has the privilege to say we are increasing Indigenous Education throughout our school. We are starting multiple projects to ensure that Indigenous students and non – Indigenous students have opportunities to learn about Indigenous history and culture.
Our first project was putting up a permanent bulletin board that will be devoted to Indigenous Education. This board will contain upcoming Indigenous events that are open to the community, Indigenous facts, and famous Indigenous people who have improved and shaped our communities. This board will allow students to understand of how so many individuals from the Indigenous community have helped society. It will also encourage students to become more involved in Indigenous activities.
We are also making our History courses include more Indigenous information and facts. Students will now get a vast amount of Indigenous information in their mandatory grade ten history course. Throughout this process, All Saints received full support from the Durham Catholic District School Board. We are extremely glad that All Saints can say we are starting the path to reconciliation because it is important to the All Saints community that everyone feels welcome at our amazing school.
Noah Clouthier, All Saint CSS Student and
Student Representative on the Durham Catholic Indigenous Education Advisory Circle
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Father Donald MacLellan Reconnect
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The 2018-2019 school year has started off positively for students and staff at Father Donald MacLellan Catholic Secondary School's Reconnect Program. The school has move to a new location and new program. We are blessed to build our population from all of DCDSB’s seven other high schools and build our own community.
Students started September off in classes, making plans and setting goals, but still celebrating their new community with a pancake meal, made by the students. During the first week of October, they celebrated again with ice cream sundaes!
October saw the celebration of Thanksgiving with a meal prepared by staff for the Reconnect students. The school community gathered to share a meal and reminded themselves that thanksgiving is a word of action and that we are grateful for the new opportunities available to students at Reconnect.
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On Wednesday, October 24, 2018 students from Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School and Father Donald MacLellan Catholic Secondary School attended the Ontario College Information Fair (OCIF) at the Enercare Centre in Toronto.
The OCIF brings together representatives from all Ontario Colleges in one venue. Students have a chance to learn about college programs, careers related those programs, how to apply to college and financial aid available to students.
The graduating classes for 2019 are busy researching post-secondary options and attending presentations and fairs in preparation for their years beyond high school.
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Student Entrepreneurship Conference
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Specialist High Skills Major students from four of our Durham Catholic high schools participated in a unique event that challenged them to turn an idea into a reality. The event was a partnership with UOIT, Y2 Entrepreneurship Labs and the Durham Catholic District School Board.
During this two day event, students listened to presentations from local entrepreneurs on topics such as effective public speaking, developing a business model and how to make an investor pitch. Students worked in groups to identify needs and ideas and develop a business or service that could address those needs.
During the afternoon of the second day, each group presented their business plans to a panel of three local investors in the same format we see on shows such as Dragon’s Den and Shark Tank. The investors were most impressed with the quality of the presentations and the professionalism that all of the students demonstrated.
A special thank you to the teachers from St. Mary, Notre Dame, Archbishop Denis O’Connor and Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High Schools for all their efforts making this conference such a great success.
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Hospitality and Tourism SHSM Trip to Durham College
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Students from Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School's Hospitality and Tourism SHSM program spent a day at the Whitby campus of Durham College learning what the term ‘Field to Fork’ really means. Our school board has an excellent relationship with Durham College and partner with them in many different ways.
On October 24, 2018 the students from Father Leo J. Austin CSS began their tour in the field outside of the Centre for Food. Staff showed students how many different fruits and vegetables are grown in the field and how the harvest is used to support the Bistro 67 restaurant. From there, students attended a cooking demonstration in one of the classrooms. Lunch was served in Bistro 67 and the day ended with a tour of the campus.
Valerie Scattolon-Azzano, teacher at Father Leo J. Austin CSS, called the trip one of the best student trips she has ever been on. A special thank you to Valerie and the staff at Durham College for this great learning experience.
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Secondary Students complete a Construction Industry Tour in Durham Region
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On Wednesday, October 24, 2018 students in Grades 10 -12 from Monsignor John Pereyma and St. Mary Catholic Secondary Schools attended the Construction Industry Tour in Durham Region sponsored by Durham Construction Association, the Miller Group and OYAP.
Throughout the day students visited various sites:
- Miller Yard, Miller Lab and Miller Maintenance site;
- Hard-Co Yard; and
- Active Job Site: Construction of a Round About at Hwy 48 and Bloomington Rd
Students learned about summer employment and coop opportunities with Miller and Hard Co. Students also learned that these companies hire students from all pathways - school to work, college, university, apprenticeship.
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Durham Catholic Students complete Cooperative Education Placements at local GM Dealerships
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Building on a partnership established with General Motors Canada in March 2018 has given Durham Catholic students opportunities to complete cooperative education placements in GM dealerships across Durham Region.
For Grade 11 students, Zach and Tyler from St. Mary Catholic Secondary School the experience to complete recent cooperative education programs at
Michael Boyer Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC Ltd, in Pickering has been positive and rewarding.
With a shortage of Automotive Service Technicians reaching critical mass, opportunities for students looking to persue a career in the automotive trades is great.
"My placement has taught me to use 21st century competencies such as problem solving and collaboration," said Zach. "I learned that you have to work with your colleagues to identify an issue and determine how you are going to fix the problem. I realized that communication is essential to getting the job done right. Overall, my placement was a great experience and I'm now considering a future in automotive trades."
Tyler added, "
My interaction with the mechanics are great! They are very helpful and have a lot of patience. My future career goal is to be a mechanic."
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Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School Student Soars at his Cooperative Education Placement
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Grade 12 student,
Marcus Novielli from Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School is currently completing his cooperative education placement at Enterprise Air in Oshawa and exploring a career in aviation. Marcus is finding his placement very rewarding and is learning many new things from his supervisors and co-workers. Marcus has learned about Avionics, aircraft gauges, wiring and the electrical components of an aircraft.
“My co-op experience has helped me become a better problem solver and is opening doors to new opportunities in the aviation industry,” said Marcus. “I’m much more independent now due to the experiences I have gained through my co-op placement.”
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Earning the Ontario Secondary School Diploma through Adult and Continuing Education:
A Success Story
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As a Syrian Refugee, Hatem Shabaan came to Canada in September 2016 and his family followed in March 2017. Well-educated in their home country, Hatem and his parents, Husam and Hanan started their education in Canada by enrolling in the English as a Second Language (ESL) program at Archbishop Anthony Meagher Catholic Continuing Education Centre. Hatem spoke almost no English and very quickly excelled in ESL before registering in adult day school at the Ajax Campus in September 2017. Upon registration, Hatem was given a PLAR Assessment (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition) to earn equivalency credits and he developed a pathways plan in collaboration with our guidance counsellor. During this time, Hatem’s mother Hanan registered in the evening Personal Support Worker (PSW) program.
A year later in June 2018, Hatem graduated with his Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and became Archbishop Anthony Meagher Catholic Continuing Education Centre’s Valedictorian for the Ajax Campus. Hatem won a Commitment Award for his dedication and success in academics. Hatem’s mother, Hanan also graduated with honours from the PSW program, winning the Achievement Award for academics. Both Hatem and Hanan attended the graduation ceremony together.
“Archbishop Anthony Meagher CCEC is an amazing school, with amazing teachers. We would not be as successful in Canada without support from your school. I now have a job at Lakeridge Health Ajax-Pickering Hospital as a Patient Support Representative because of your school’s support and references. We will never forget all of the help you have given to us. We were refugees for six years and lost everything. We are now safe and in peace. I am so proud of my family and thankful to the staff at Archbishop Anthony Meagher for supporting my family. My husband is working in manufacturing, my sons Karim and Hatem have won awards in school, and I am so happy to have my job at the hospital. I now want to go to college to become a practical nurse," said Hanan
Hatem noted, “My experience at Archbishop Anthony Meagher CCEC was extremely amazing. I got help from staff and students and I made good friends. My teachers helped to prepare me for Durham College and the Electrical Engineering Technician Program where I am now achieving 80’s and 90’s in all of my classes. Archbishop Anthony Meagher staff also helped me with my life in Canada because I feel a part of my community. I can communicate with everyone and I feel great about my future. I am very optimistic. I love this country. Canadians are so kind and I am very grateful to be here. This is my home and this is my future!”
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Considering a career in the trades or want to learn more about Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Programs?
Students in Grades 7 to 12 and their parents/guardians are invited to the Durham College Whitby Campus on
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
to learn more about the skilled trades. Durham Catholic District School Board's Student Success department is hosting an evening complete with a tour of the Whitby campus of Durham College and an opportunity to hear from Durham Catholic alumni who are currently working and studying in the trades.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m., followed by presentations and tours from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Free parking.
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Durham Catholic District School Board
650 Rossland Road West,
Oshawa, ON
Phone: 905-576-6150 | Visit us at dcdsb.ca
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