Our Mission

To be an inclusive Catholic learning community that inspires every student to achieve their full potential through faith and education.

Dear Staff,

On October 23 we will celebrate Chaplain and Clergy Appreciation Day at DCDSB!

This is an opportunity to highlight and give thanks for the meaningful work of Chaplains, local parish Priests, Youth Ministers, and Sacramental Preparation Coordinators. We are especially grateful for your words of encouragement, your words of comfort in times of need, your celebration of the achievements of members of our community, and your continual ministry of presence. 

Through your example, you make it possible for us to see and know the Living Christ each and every day. Please join me in celebrating our Chaplains and local Clergy on Monday!

Yours in Faith,

Tracy Barill

You are Invited to Our Mass of Healing and Remembrance

On All Soul's Day (November 2, 2023), members of the DCDSB community who carry the burden of loss, are invited to join us for a Mass of Remembrance and Healing. All members and friends of the Durham Catholic Community, including retirees, are welcome to come in support of one another. 

Father Keith Callaghan has agreed to be the Celebrant for this Mass, which is taking place at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic School, 55 Twin Streams Road, Whitby. Mass will begin at 4:30 p.m. and will be followed by light refreshments. 

If you would like to attend and have your loved one remembered during the Mass, please RSVP in advance by clicking here. 

Spiritual and Pastoral Care Week

October 23-27, 2023, is Spiritual and Pastoral Care Week. During this week, we have the opportunity to recognize the spiritual caregivers in our midst and the ministry which the caregivers provide.

This year’s theme is Chaplaincy and Mental Health: It’s Healthy to Get Help.

Spirituality and Mental Health are close siblings. The condition of one’s spiritual worldview has a direct impact on one’s mental well-being. Spiritual Care Week provides the opportunity for chaplains, pastoral counselors, and other spiritual caregivers to focus on the importance of working closely with our mental health colleagues. It is also an opportunity to review the state of our own spiritual journey.

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The integration of spiritual care and emotional support with mental health care increases the healing and peace that individuals seek and leads to a fuller and more balanced life. Spiritual Care Week is a prime time to let others know that chaplains, pastoral counselors, and spiritual caregivers are accessible, present, and willing. We affirm that “It’s Healthy to Get Help”!

To learn more visit the National Association of Catholic Chaplains website. Our DCDSB Chaplains are members of the Catholic School Chaplains of Ontario.

Feast of Pope John Paul II

On October 22, 2023, we celebrate the feast day of Saint John Paul II. He was born Karol Józef Wojtyla on May 18, 1920, in Wadowice, Poland. Considered one of the Catholic Church's leading thinkers, he participates in Vatican II and helped the church to examine its position in the world.

In 1978, John Paul made history by becoming the first non-Italian pope in more than four hundred years. As the leader of the Catholic Church, he traveled the world, visiting more than 100 countries to spread his message of faith and peace. Pope John Paul II died on April 2, 2005 and was canonized by Pope Francis on September 30, 2013.

Feast of St. Jude

On October 28, 2023, we celebrate the feast day of Saint Jude, also known as Judas Thaddeus. He was a farmer by trade and one of the original Twelve Apostles of Jesus.

Jude is considered as the founding father and the first Catholicos-Patriarch of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Tradition holds that Jude suffered martyrdom around 65 AD in Beirut. The axe that he is shown holding in pictures symbolizes the way in which he was killed. He is also often shown with a flame around his head symbolizing his presence at Pentecost, when he received the Holy Spirit with the other apostles.

Jude is also one of the most called upon saints in prayer throughout the year. He is the patron saint of desperate and lost causes, a role he was given in France and Germany in the late eighteenth century. He is called upon during times of need, there is a belief that he intercedes and he is thanked for his support and guidance. 

Physical Literacy & Inclusion Workshop

Teachers and educators are invited to register for this free interactive workshop hosted by Abilities Centre, where participants will learn about Physical Literacy and Inclusion.

This professional development opportunity takes place over two days:

• Tuesday, October 24, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, October 25, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

*Note that attendance is required at both sessions.

Click here to learn more and to register.

STEM Resources for Teachers

Let’s Talk Science has free resources available in both English and French from Early Years to Grade 12.

Bring science, technology and innovation into the learning environment to spark curiosity and strengthen STEM connections to post-secondary pathways and career opportunities. 

Click here to learn more.

Lessons from the Papal Visit with Dr. Niigaan Sinclair and Reverend Dr. David Dias

On October 16 Dr. Niigaan Sinclair and Reverend Dr. Darren Dias visited the Pope Francis Centre to discuss key moments from the Pope's historic pastoral visit to Canada in July 2022.

Applying their respective expertise, backgrounds and lived experiences, Drs. Sinclair and Dias outlined the events leading up to the visit, explored reactions to the steps taken by Pope and encouraged ongoing learning and reflection in our own work in Catholic Education, as we journey toward Truth and Reconciliation.

"I think Jesus would have believed in reconciliation. He would have been opposed to colonialism." - Dr. Niigaan Sinclair

Indigenous Student Circle - Métis DJ Visit

It was two days filled with bass, mixing and beats as DCDSB's Elementary and Secondary Indigenous Student Circles (ISC) learned DJ skills from Métis disc jockey Ken Lindsay of Big Event Entertainment.

Created to give Indigenous students the opportunity to share their voice and culture, while meeting with other students from across the board, the ISC's also help members share and extend their learning.

Interwoven with conversations around the art of DJ'ing, Ken also stressed the importance of hard work, adaptability and relationship building both in and out of the classroom, wrapping up the events by giving students a chance to test their own DJ skills!

DECA Super 60 Cross Country Championship

On October 12, more than 660 students participated in the Durham Elementary Catholic Athletics (DECA) Super 60 Cross Country Championship Meet.

Held as the culmination of the Durham Catholic District School Board’s (DCDSB) 2023 Cross-Country season, the Super 60 Championships were open to elementary school runners in Grades 3 to 8, that placed in the top 15 at one of DCDSB’s four Regional Meets.

Well done to to all the athletes who participated, and congratulations to all the champions!

A special thanks goes out to the numerous DCDSB staff that volunteered their time and organizational skills to coach the student athletes, along with shout-outs to the Regional Convenors: Kern Juman, Mary Pat Hayes and Denis Comeau. Thank you also to DECA Cross Country Co-Ordinator Roberta Cirelli.

DECA Co-Ed Football (Gr. 7-8), Tripleball (Gr. 4-6) and Volleyball (Gr. 7-8) are next up on the calendar!

Durham Youth Drug Awareness Committee Conference

On October 17, the Durham Youth Drug Awareness Committee (DYDAC) hosted their annual student conference “The Leader in Me: Awareness in Action”.

Five Catholic Secondary Schools attended, alongside students from the Durham District School Board and Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board, where they learned and shared ideas about substance awareness. 

Participants engaged in various sessions with Public Health Nurses and together reviewed the impacts that drugs and alcohol have on our youth, as well as coming up with a health action plan to bring back to their schools for administrative approval.

Whitby Junior Fire Chief for the Day

Congratulations to Mateo from St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic School for being named Whitby's Junior Fire Chief of the Day!

Mateo spent the day with the Whitby's fire department, rode in a fire truck and learned more about fire safety.

DCDSB EQAO and OSSLT Assessment Results

Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) is pleased to report on results from the 2022-2023 Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) assessments, including the Primary and Junior assessment, Grade 9 Mathematics, and the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT). 

DCDSB meets or exceeds the provincial average in all EQAO and OSSLT assessment areas.

Click here to read more.

Community Resource Symposium and Fair

DCDSB Student Services is hosting a Community Resources Symposium and Fair on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School.

Join us to find out about services and programs offered by various community organizations and agencies that support pathways planning and the well-being of students with special education needs in Grades 7-12+.

Click here for more information.

Dress Purple Day for Child Abuse Prevention

October 27, 2023, is Dress Purple Day.

Staff are encouraged to dress in purple to show families facing challenges that we care, and can help. Dress Purple Day also aims to raise awareness about available supports and how to access them.

Dress Purple Day is also an opportunity for community service providers to reflect on the importance of early support and intervention for families that are struggling.

Schools are asked to tweet their participation using the hashtag #IDressPurpleBecause. 

Click here to read more and to view resources available for staff.

October is Month of the Rosary, Child Abuse Prevention Month, Learning Disabilities Awareness Month, International Walk to School Month and Cyber Security Awareness Month. October is also German, Islamic and Latin American & Hispanic Heritage Month.

Click here to subscribe to the staff calendar on myDCDSB to receive reminders on holidays, P.A. days, events, and recognition days.

Below is a preview of upcoming important dates:

The Week:

• October 22: Feast of Pope John Paul II
• October 23: Spiritual and Pastoral Care Week (From October 23 – October 27)
• October 23: Chaplain/Clergy Appreciation Day
• October 23: Regular Board Meeting
• October 25: Anti-Black Racism and Black Excellence Advisory Committee Meeting
• October 27: Dress Purple Day for Child Abuse Prevention
• October 28: Clinic for the Regional Arts and Media Program
• October 28: Feast Day of St. Jude

Looking Ahead:

• Oct. 31: Halloween 
• Nov. 1: All Saint’s Day
• Nov. 1: Take our Kids to Work Day (Grade 9 Students)
• Nov. 2: All Soul’s Day
• Nov. 2: DCDSB Mass of Remembrance and Healing
• Nov. 5-11: Treaties Recognition Week
• Nov. 6: Policy Board Meeting
• Nov. 7: International Inuit Day
• Nov. 7: Special Education Advisory Meeting (SEAC)
• Nov. 8: National Indigenous Veterans Day
• Nov. 9: Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee (DCPIC)
• Nov. 10: Semester 1 Midterms (Secondary) - Edsby Distribution
• Nov. 10: International Accounting Day
• Nov. 11: Remembrance Day