Celebrating Student Success
Expanding Pathways for our Students' Futures
November 2020
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Celebrating the Year of Love |
In spring 2020, the board's Faith Formation Department held a poster contest for students in Grades 7-12 to design an image for the 2020-2021 spiritual theme of Love. Students were asked to illustrate their reflection on the Year of Love scripture inspiration from the Holy Gospel according to Mark that reads,
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than this.” ~Mark 12:30-31~
"We received 52 incredible submissions from students across the board," said Katherine Mustachi, System Animator for Faith Formation at the Durham Catholic District School Board. "The selection committee had a difficult time narrowing down the designs because along with the reflections, they showcased the amazing talents and faith of our students."
The winning Year of Love design was created by Emma, a Grade 11 student from All Saints Catholic Secondary School. Emma's design (pictured above) features a group of six hands coming together in the center and represents all the different backgrounds that students at the Durham Catholic District School Board come from. "I love how multicultural we all are and how we can all learn together at our schools," said Emma.
The hands together represent love and acceptance which Jesus modeled for us through his life and death. The cross with a heart of thorns illustrates Jesus’ ultimate act of love for us – his death and resurrection on the cross so we can have eternal life.
The burgundy border at the top and bottom of the poster represents love, sacrifice and the blood of Christ. Emma notes that the scripture, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself” was placed at the top of the page to indicate how important it is to live by this mantra. In a world where there is so much hatred and disregard for people that are ‘different’, it is important that we can all learn from this. If we take the time to love and respect the people around us as much as we love ourselves, the world would be a better place.
The poster design ends with a larger part of the quote from Mark. Emma added, "Jesus is asking us to put God at the centre of our lives and to love him fully. If we can do this, I believe that we will find true happiness and love."
Congratulations to Emma and thank you to all the students who submitted a poster design for this year's pastoral theme of Love.
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Exploring the "Girls in the Trades" Workshop at Monsignor John Pereyma Catholic Secondary School |
Female students in Grade 7 at Monsignor John Pereyma Catholic Secondary School participated in the "Girls in the Trades" workshops to build awareness and understanding of careers in the trades, while learning about courses available in high school like Cooperative Education, Specialist High Skills Majors and the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program.
“The workshop is an opportunity for our female students to work with their hands and discover if a carpentry class is something they would like to learn more about in the future,” said Mrs. Ilasz, Guidance Teacher at Monsignor John Pereyma Catholic Secondary School. “For many students this is the first time they may have worked with tools such as a hammer or drill, so it’s a great experience for them.”
The session is helping to breakdown barriers to discovering careers in the trades for female students. “This is so much fun,” said Denise, a Grade 7 student at Monsignor John Pereyma Catholic Secondary School. “It’s a little like putting together IKEA furniture, but without the frustration.”
Alyssa, a Grade 7 student at Monsignor John Pereyma CSS added, “I was hesitant about this workshop, but it’s really rewarding to see our lantern project come together. I would definitely consider taking a Tech class in Grade 9 or 10.”
“Helping students overcome any fears of working with tools is part of the learning experience,” noted Mrs. Ilasz. “The smiles, pride and sense of accomplishment that the girls are feel after completing their lanterns is wonderful – which helps breakdown barriers in thinking that a career in the trades is only for male students."
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Exploring Technology Literacy through Co-op at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School |
"Digital tools and resources represent a new realm of communications interaction in which the ability to navigate successfully is essential for success in the 21st century." Ontario Ministry of Education. 21st Century Competencies. 2016
As part of their demonstrations of learning, Cooperative Education students at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School, explore examples of technology they regularly use and make connections to technology literacy. These students use these technology tools as means of accessing, managing, integrating, evaluating, creating and communicating information.
At his carpentry co-op placement, Jeloni uses a mitre saw. He manages information by reviewing the blueprints of the stairs he is helping to build and sets the mitre saw to 45 degrees when he makes his cut.
“The mitre saw is mostly used at my placement for mitre and cross cuts. It is very efficient and doesn't take long to use. The mitre saw is used for every project that is done at my placement because there are many necessary long and short cuts that are made throughout the process of any job,” said Jeloni, a Grade 12 student.
In his automotive service placement, Christian accesses and communicates information using a scope.
“The scope is used when a vehicle has an electrical issue with their engine (ignition coils, ecu, spark plugs). The scope is used for measuring the electrical firing sequence of the ignition coils in an engine. The screen on the device shows the reading from the sensor," noted Christian, Grade 11 student.
While Ella uses Microsoft Word software regularly as part of her virtual co-op placement. She uses it to communicate, manage, and create information/data with her supervisor at EarlyON.
“I manage and create new information/data in Word by typing it out into a new document and using the tools provided by Word. For example, I make different charts/tables to clearly organize my thoughts and the information/data that I have researched and found for the tasks that I am given each week the way that I want,” added Ella, Grade 12 student.
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Be Proud of What you Build! Find a Career You Wouldn't Trade |
Are you interested in exploring a career in the skilled trades? The Ontario government has launched a new campaign to increase awareness of careers in the trades.
Students are encouraged to discover if a career in the trades is right for them by looking into Cooperative Education and/or the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program. Talk to your school's Guidance Office and/or Cooperative Education Teacher to start the discussion.
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November 4 is Take Our Kids to Work Day |
On November 4, 2020, students across Canada will participate in the 26th annual Take Our Kids to Work Day Program sponsored by The Learning Partnership. This is a great opportunity for your child to explore a variety of career pathways.
In light of Covid-19, The Learning Partnership will offer a virtual experience this school year. On Wednesday, November 4, our Grade 9 students will attend their classes as scheduled and participate in this virtual experience at the end of the day during Block 4. Please register to access the recorded sessions: https://www.thelearningpartnership.ca/take-our-kids-to-work.
The virtual Take Our Kids to Work Day experience will include:
- Your Future, Now. This inspiring, 20-minute pre-recorded event will allow students to hear from a range of workplaces and professionals who will share messages of hope and resilience and bring to life the real-world skills that have led to their success.
- Four breakout sessions, led by business leaders across a range of roles and sectors will be posted on The Learning Partnership website for students to access during Block 4 and beyond. During these dynamic 20-minute sessions, students (with their parents) can explore career options in skilled trades, healthcare, innovation & entrepreneurship, and technology & finance.
For questions, please contact your child’s homeroom teacher or speak to a member of your school’s Guidance Department.
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November 2-6 is Treaties Recognition Week |
Treaties Recognition Week honours the importance of treaties and helps students learn more about treaty rights and relationships. Students are learning why treaties matter to all Ontarians and why it's important to build a better understanding and nurture relationships with our Indigenous peoples.
We invite you to follow us on Twitter @DurhamCatholic through the week for information on Treaties. You are also invited to participate in the virtual Living Library event "We are all Treaty People" on November 6, 2020 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
This event features Robert Greene and Maurice Switzer and is moderated by Bob Goulais. It includes a one-hour panel discussion followed by a 30-minute interactive question and answer session.
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Award Winning Adult Education Programs available at Archbishop Anthony Meagher Catholic Continuing Education Centre |
Congratulations to DCDSB's Archbishop Anthony Meagher Catholic Continuing Education Centre for winning the 2020 Diamond Awards for the Ajax/Pickering and Oshawa/Whitby Readers' Choice Awards for Best Adult Education. The Centre also won the Gold Award for Best Learning Centre from the Clarington voters.
If you are 18 years of age and older and looking to earn your high school diploma, upgrade your skills or want to enrol in our Adult Education Programs, visit our website at con-ed.ca. We offer Adult Day Credit classes, Night School, Summer School, eLearning, Correspondence Courses, English as a Second Language (ESL) and Adult Upgrading. We also offer Employment Training Programs including Personal Support Worker Accreditation, Child Care Assistant and Custodial Services Certificates.
All of our programs offer flexible learning options to empower you to succeed!
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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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