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Our Mission
To be an inclusive Catholic learning community that inspires every student to achieve their full potential through faith and education.
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Ascension of Our Lord - May 21
“At the end of his earthly life, Jesus ascends triumphantly into heaven. The Church acclaims Him in His holy humanity, invited to sit on the Father's right hand and to share His glory. On May 21, the feast of the Ascension of our Lord, we remember that Jesus commissions his disciples to continue to teach in his name and to bring others into the community of disciples through baptism. The Gospel ends, as it had begun, with the promise that Jesus will continue to be Emmanuel, "God with us" (Matthew 1:23), for all eternity.”
Click here for more information and activities on the Ascension of our Lord from Loyola Press.
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CEFO Lecture Series Presents: Dr. Jill Gowdie
You are invited to attend a captivating presentation by Dr. Jill Gowdie, experienced school and system leader in Catholic Education. Dr. Jill Gowdie's live stream will be a condensed version of her presentation at the ICE Symposium. This virtual event will take place on Monday, May 15, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. Registration for this event is required. Please visit the link to register in advance.
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Child and Youth Counsellors Appreciation Day | |
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On May 19, our board will celebrate Child and Youth Counsellor’s Appreciation Day. A special thank you to the CYC team for the important role they have in supporting our students, families and school communities. CYCs provide vital services to our students in the areas of transition support, self-regulation skills, social emotional learning, and bullying prevention and intervention. Thier interventions help our students build the skills they need to succeed at school and promote a positive and inclusive school climate for all.
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Durham Catholic Children's Foundation | |
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Silent Auction in Support of the Durham Catholic Children's Foundation
The silent auction in support of the Durham Catholic CHildren's Foundation closes this evening! To view the items up for auction, please click here. The items will be posted until the auction closes at 9:30 p.m. on Friday, May 12, 2023. This auction platform is very user friendly and is a sealed bid auction, meaning that all bidders simultaneously submit sealed bids so that no bidder knows the bid of any other participant. Bidders simply provide their one best bid for the item(s) they want. The highest bidder of each item at the end of the auction is the winner and submits the price via e-transfer to the auction company hosting our online auction.
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Supporting Mental Health and Well-Being | |
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DCDSB Staff Pilates
The DCDSB Staff Wellness Committee is excited to continue to offer FREE Pilates fitness sessions throughout May and June! Embrace your health and well-being and join us, in-person, for a one-hour Pilates class every Wednesday in May and June. All are welcome whether you have never heard of Pilates before or you are an expert.
Dates: May 17, 24, 31 and
June 7, 14, 21, 28
Registration: Click Here
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Mental Health and Well-Being Series: For Parents, Guardians and Caregivers | |
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Parents, guardians and caregivers are invited to join us for a live virtual series. Community partners and DCDSB staff will explore various topics related to mental health and well-being.
The following sessions will take place over Zoom from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 16: The Intersection of Equity and Mental Health Presented by the Black Health Alliance
Access the zoom sessions here.
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Moosehide Campaign Day - May 11 | |
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Thursday, May 11 was the 12th annual Moosehide Campaign to support reconciliation and help end violence against women and children. This is a day of ceremony where all Canadians are called to join together to take a stand against violence towards women and children and to take practical steps for our collective journey of reconciliation.
To learn more about this campaign, available workshops, and the issue of gender-based violence in Canada, please visit moosehidecampaign.ca
If you are interested in more resources, please contact [email protected].
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Indigenous Student Circle: Garden Planting | |
On May 11, nine Grade 6-9 students from the Indigenous Student Circle participated in planting a garden at the Catholic Education Centre. Students previously met to discuss which plants they would like to include in the garden and planted them together. Many of the students are also involved in the Student Indigenous Circle mural project that the gardens stand adjacent to. | |
Staff Spotlight - Barbara Tyler | |
This Staff Spotlight segment features Barbara Tyler, Science Curriculum Chair at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School. Barbara is the teacher co-supervisor of the GSA group, also known as the St. Mary Alliance for Compassion. Barbara tells us how this year's spiritual theme, Listening with the Ear of the Heart, plays an important role within the St. Mary Alliance for Compassion group. | |
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How long have you been with the DCDSB?
I have been with DCDSB since January 1999 as a science/biology teacher and later as science curriculum chair.
What do you love most about your job and/or what are you most proud of?
I have been teaching for 34 years and every day is a new adventure. The best part of teaching is getting to interact with so many students who have so many ideas and so many talents to share.
Tell us about your role as facilitator of the St. Mary GSA group?
I have been involved with the St. Mary Alliance for Compassion (GSA) for about 10 years as a teacher co-supervisor. This group falls under the umbrella of groups at St. Mary that are mainly headed up by student retreat leaders.
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The students are the driving force behind the group's educational and social justice initiatives. The teacher supervisors help to ensure a safe space for the weekly meetings, liaise with the school administration, and advocate for the 2SLGBTQAI+ community in the school.
This year’s Spiritual Theme is Listening with the Ear of the Heart. What does Listening with the Ear of the Heart mean to you and how can you use this in your everyday life?
Listening with the Ear of the Heart is particularly relevant when interacting with the Alliance students. We often start the meetings with students communicating their roses and thorns for the week. The thorns often involve dealing with acceptance at home and school. I feel it is most important that they feel heard, supported and appreciated in the group.
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Advancing Human Rights and Equity | |
International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia | |
May 17 is globally known as the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. This day was created in 2004 to draw attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex people, and all of those with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions and sex characteristics.
As staff, it is important to be a supportive and caring adult to all youth, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. Each of our students is a gift from God; "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14). By actively being a source of support and guidance, we can create a healthy and affirming school climate where all students feel safe, welcome, and included.
Below are helpful resources to understand the global significance of International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia:
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We're Hiring!
The Durham Catholic District School Board invites applications from Designated Early Childhood Educators interested in the Summer Learning Program for Kindergarten to Grade 1. The program will provide an opportunity for Designated Early Childhood Educators to participate in this program. All positions are subject to enrolment and funding.
The Durham Catholic District School Board invites applications from Educational Assistants interested in the Summer Learning Program for Grades 2-6. The program will provide an opportunity for Educational Assistants to participate in this program. All positions are subject to enrolment and funding.
View the above linked memos for more information.
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Congratulations to staff on their retirements! Thank you for your years of service to our Durham Catholic learning community.
Please see upcoming retirement celebration details through the links below:
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"Checkmate!" at DCDSB
DCDSB gymnasiums are usually filled by active athletic sporting events, but in the last two weeks the game of Chess found a home in our elementary gyms.
Over 300 students made up 29 elementary Chess teams, which competed in six regional Chess tournaments throughout DCDSB. Click here to read the full story.
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Miller Discovery Day Welcomes St. Mary Transportation SHSM Students | |
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St. Mary Transportation SHSM and technology students were invited to Miller Group in Markham to attend their annual Miller Discovery Day on May 4th.
Miller Group showcased a variety of careers in trades, STEM and other field that are available within the Miller Group, a COLAS company. Click here to read the full story.
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DCDSB Student Presents Art to Deputy Minister of Education and Governor General
Olivia W.is a Grade 12 student at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School, who will be attending Queen's University next year with plans to pursue educational studies. Her piece, titled The REDress Project: Forest of Memories, calls attention to the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada. Through her work, she hopes to inspire change and reconciliation in order to create a world that is accepting of all. She is honoured to have had her piece gifted to the Deputy Minister of Education Nancy Naylor, and Governor General Mary Simon.
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St. Christopher Catholic School - Zombies: The Musical
Miss. Tripp and Mrs. Simpson, two art-loving teachers who first connected at St. Christopher Catholic School in September 2020, have been DYING (pun intended) to put on a musical ever since. In October 2022, Zombies: The Musical production got under way. The best gift was seeing these Grade 1–8 students shine on stage in what was, for many of them, their very first performance on April 27 at Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic Secondary School. The wait was worth it. The St. Christopher school community is extremely proud of all the students and staff that worked hard during and after school to practice.
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Multicultural Celebration at Archbishop Denis O'Connor Catholic High School
A Multicultural Celebration was held at Archbishop Denis O'Connor Catholic High School on May 9, 2023. This event was organized by Coach/Advocate for Black Students (CABS), Focusing on Black Students Without Borders group members, Ms. Nekkers, Ms. Polidano, and student volunteers. This event honoured Black excellence and diversity within the school community by inviting students and staff to participate in a parade while dressed in full traditional attire to honour their cultural heritage. Click here to read the full story.
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Girls Exploring the Skilled Trades Workshop: Building Wooden Garden Boxes | |
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Grade 7 and 8 female students from Monsignor J. Pereyma Catholic Secondary School built wooden garden boxes to share with their families. Students had an opportunity to work with the tools in the carpentry shop and learn about career opportunities in the apprenticeship pathway. Students were encouraged to explore the skilled trades in secondary school and discussed tech courses available and the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP). OYAP is a school-to-work program that opens the door for students to explore and work in apprenticeship trades through the Cooperative Education program. Click here to read the full story.
For more information about OYAP visit dcdsb.ca/pathways or speak to your school Guidance department.
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St. Mary Catholic Secondary School Band Trip to Orlando, Florida
St. Mary Catholic Secondary School’s Music Department travelled to Orlando, Florida on their first band trip since the spring of 2019! The 49 Instrumental and Vocal students were invited from a video audition to perform at Universal Studios City Walk. This amazing opportunity put the school on an International Stage for a half hour set. Click here to read the full story.
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DECA - Folk Dance Exhibition | |
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On Wednesday, April 25th and Thursday April 26th from 6:30 to 8pm under the leadership and organization of Michelle Alchin, Durham Elementary Catholics Athletics (DECA) hosted the elementary Folk Dance Exhibition at Iroquois Sportsplex in Whitby.
During the 2 evenings, over 600 students from Grades 3 to 8 showed their coordination, agility and endurance and entertained the big crowd on Pad #1
Thanks to the DCDSB staff from our elementary schools that volunteer their time to give these students this opportunity. Each evening culminated with relatives and friends coming down to the floor and dancing the Slosh together!
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DELF Proficiency Exams
Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB), in partnership with the Ontario DELF Centre and France Éducation International, participated in the administration of the Diplôme d’Études en Language Française (DELF) proficiency exam. Students registered in a Grade 12 FSL course were given the opportunity to challenge one of three levels of this exam.
Click here to read the full story.
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We ask for your assistance in promoting the following messages with your school communities. | |
Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School 60th Anniversary Pub Night
Join us for a pub night to celebrate and reconnect with friends, teachers and coworkers for the 60th anniversary of Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School!
This fun evening will take place on Friday, June 2 at 7:00 p.m. at Brock Street Brewing Company in Whitby. Tickets are $30 per person and tickets include entry to the venue, a chance to win door prizes and hot and cold appetizers. A cash bar will be available.
Tickets must be purchased in advance through School Cash Online.
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Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School 60th Anniversary Celebratory Mass
On Saturday, June 3, 2023, Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School will be hosting a celebratory mass for the school's 60th anniversary. The mass will take place from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School. Mass will also be followed by refreshments. Staff, students and families are invited to attend.
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Celebrate Walk and Roll to School Day – Thursday, June 1
On Thursday, June 1st. The Region of Durham is encouraging students to bike, scooter or walk to school! Staff can snap a photo after morning bell of the bike/scooter parking area and be entered to win a bike to raffle off at a future school event! Photos should be emailed to [email protected] by a school staff member or volunteer to qualify for the bike prize. This campaign is part of the Active and Sustainable School Travel program through the Region of Durham.
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Human Trafficking Educational Walk and Community Awareness Events #StuckInTraffick
Trent University invites the Durham Region community to join in on May 27 at 10:00 a.m. for a community walk. The aim of this event is to raise awareness about human trafficking and to raise money in support of Victim Services Durham's efforts to end human trafficking in the region. Learn more and register for the walk.
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A Day of Reflection for Catholic Parents of LGBTQ Young Adults
Manresa Jesuit Spiritual Renew Centre is offering A Day of Reflection for Catholic Parents of LGBTQ Young Adults. The day will include the sharing of stories, presentations, group discussions, time for reflection and mass. Manresa hopes to provide a relaxed and supportive atmosphere to meet and interact with other parents; reflect and discuss concerns and needs; learn about ministries and resources; strengthen your love; and grow closer to God.
For more information or to register, please view the attached poster.
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Upcoming Events
May 14 – Mother's Day
May 15 - Finance Committee Meeting
May 17 - International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia May 18 - Ascension of Jesus
May 18 - Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee Meetin
May 19 - Child and Youth Care Worker's Appreciation Day
May 22 – Victoria Day (Statutory Holiday)
May 23 - Regular Board Meeting
May 25 – African Liberation Day
May 28 - Pentecost
May 28- June 3 – National AccessAbility Week
May 29 - Finance Committee Meeting
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Numbered Memos
To review this week's numbered memos, click here.
May 11, 2023
- ACSE22-237 2023-2024 Approved School Year Calendar
May 5, 2023
- INDG22-232 Information – Professional Development: Virtual Workshop with David Robertson
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Do you have an article you want to submit or a suggestion for the newsletter? Email your article and photo or send your ideas and comments to [email protected].
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