Staff and student leaders rolled out the red carpet yesterday and today, to welcome students back to our elementary and secondary schools. This school year marks the beginning of the Year of Hope.
“Celebrating the Year of Hope encourages us to look at our mission with faith in our hearts and gratitude for our students, staff, families, trustees, Catholic leaders and community partners. Together, we are called to celebrate and nurture the God-given talents of each student as we serve with excellence in the light of Christ,” said Director O’Brien.
Secondary Finalists Igniting Hope: Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School
Elementary Finalists Igniting Hope: St. Isaac Jogues Catholic School
DCDSB’s 36 new educators entered the New Teacher Induction Program (NTIP) which focused on:
Renewing the Promise: A Pastoral Letter for Catholic Education
The Catholic Bishops encourage all who share responsibility for Catholic education to continue to nurture and strengthen Catholic schools as communities that exemplify, in word and in deed, the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations
The Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations (OCSGEs) were developed to provide a framework to represent the distinctiveness and purpose of Catholic education in Ontario.
A Christ-Centred Learning Environment
We challenge each student to meet Ontario's Catholic School Graduate Expectations by promoting their spiritual development with an emphasis on social justice and Catholic Social Teachings.
Every DCDSB classroom received board branded posters as well as posters from the Institute for Catholic Education (ICE), promoting the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations (OCSGEs).
Every French classroom received a French version, and every Kindergarten through Grade 6 classroom received a child friendly version.
55% of staff responded to the survey
77% of permanent full-time staff responded to the survey
Key Findings:
0.41 = the proportion of racialized teachers vs. the racialized population in Durham Region
19% of racialized people make up a larger proportion of French Immersion teachers
11% of racialized people make up a smaller proportion of teachers vs. French Immersion teachers
Lexia provides two digital reading programs: Core5 is for learners in Kindergarten through Grade 5 and PowerUp is for students in Grades 6 through 12. The model is a blended strategy of online reading instruction and activities, direct teacher instruction to support lagging skills and paper-pencil reinforcement tasks. The teacher centre provides detailed lesson plans to address the lagging literacy skills as well as classroom resources, supports and related research.
100 students participated across 13 schools.
All schools reviewed data from the Leading Mentally Healthy Schools Reflection Tool: A Tool for Continuous Learning and Improvement in Mental Health and Well-being at School.
45 Intermediate
35 Secondary
36 Classes
10 Schools
337 staff participants
36 students attended and ran campaigns at their schools and associate schools
40 staff members participated in a formal book study
Every Child Matters: Orange Shirt Day
Elder Tony Bomberry shares his Experience in Residential School with Students
Supporting the Indigenous Community at Good Shepherd Catholic School
Celebrating Treaty Recognition Week
Students learn about Treaty Relationships with the Indigenous Communities
Indigenous Mural Depicts Nature around All Saints Catholic Secondary School
Celebrating Black History Month
Celebrating Black History Month at Father Fénelon Catholic School
Exploring Heart Wisdom at Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School
Talking About Black History Month with Nadine Williams
Black History Month Celebrations Help Students Discover the Meaning of Nia
Students Learn about Ubuntu as part of Black History Month Celebrations
St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic School celebrates Heritages
8 classrooms in 3 schools in priority neighbourhoods participated in community connected learning with Youth Fusion focused on Lego/Robotics and Video Game Design (St. Joseph Catholic School, Monsignor Philip Coffey Catholic School, St. Hedwig Catholic School)
Secondary: St. Mary Catholic Secondary School, in partnership with Durham College and Foggy River Farms, created micro-greenhouses with a focus on food literacy in their Green Industries course.
Elementary: St. Monica Catholic School collaborated with Foggy River Farms in the design of a future outdoor learning space in Kindergarten to include sitting areas to promote peer learning, outdoor food gardens and mobile vertical learning surfaces.
Across the Board: 27 schools received grants to support experiential learning initiatives through outdoor education.
Congratulations to Good Shepherd Catholic School’s Outdoor Education Club
Celebrating International Education Week
Take Your Kids to Work Day
Celebrating the Joy of Music
St. Hedwig Catholic School Student Wins Mayor for a Day
Students bring the Magic of Mary Poppins to Live on Stage
Students Share their Musical Talents and Gifts during Advent
Congratulations to St. Christopher Catholic School’s CWL Speech Winners and Finalists
Students Celebrate I Read Canadian Day
Gold Record Awards for St. Joseph Catholic School and All Saints Catholic Secondary School
Celebrating Excellence in Teaching: OAME Math Award
St. Francis de Sales Celebrates Catholic Education Virtually
DCDSB students awarded with Schulich Leader scholarships
'Think of Me' Anti-Drinking and Driving Campaign
You are Closer than you Think to Earning your High School Diploma
Travel the World and Earn a Credit
Intermediate Guidance Teachers Explore Pathways in STEM
Discovering Pathways in the Film Industry
Female Students Explore the Trades
Discovering the Carpentry Trade
Students Participate in Advent Mass on Salt & Light TV
Learning about Pathways available in the Canadian Air Force
Pathways Completion Ceremony at Archbishop Anthony Meagher Catholic Continuing Education Centre
A New Administrator Focus Group was established consisting of 17 new leaders to assess levels of confidence and areas of need.
Onboarding
Orientation
Human Resources facilitates orientation sessions at the start of employment. Union representatives are also invited to attend.
Check-ins
Check-ins take place at regular intervals with employees, supervisors and managers during the probationary period.
Facilities Services staff established an Energy Management Plan in accordance with the Ministry of Energy to set targets towards environmentally sustainable best practices and building technology.
A 3% (eKwh) annual reduction for overall energy conservation across the board is targeted for each of the next five years.
School buildings are public assets and, as such, are made available for public use outside of regular school hours and through various partnership and child care agreements.