Summer Blessings from the Chair of the Board and Director of Education

In this final instructional month of our Year of Hope, we reflect upon the triumphs and trials of what has unfolded to be an unprecedented time in the history of Catholic education in Ontario. While emergency closures have been in place across the province, we have missed gathering in our schools, churches, parks and other public facilities; yet we are amazed by the strength, compassion and resilience that we have witnessed among our Durham Catholic students, families, staff and community members.

In the face of tremendous challenge, we are proud of the courage demonstrated and all the efforts made to maintain our commitment to Excellence, Equity and Engagement as a community that accompanies, builds relationships, encourages, instills hope and forms joyful disciples of Jesus.

We applaud those who have responded to distance education with innovative teaching and learning strategies, prayer and reflection on the hope of our faith traditions and support for mental health and well-being. Through perseverance, dedication and many hours of work you have endeavoured to engage with students and equitably support each child in continuing to make progress outside of the traditional classroom setting.

We appreciate our local community service providers, frontline healthcare professionals and leaders in public health for the great care they take to protect our families.

We continue to be inspired by the demonstrations of faith in action by our Catholic learning community in times of need. From donations of protective equipment to our local healthcare system, to 3D printing of face shields, random acts of kindness, charity, and virtual gatherings for liturgies, Masses, and other celebrations, we thank you for finding ways to build community and make social connections safely and effectively.

While the provincial order to close schools has been a major focus in our school system since March 2020, let us remember the many remarkable achievements and milestones that we had the pleasure of celebrating over the course of the year. Some of our most exciting initiatives, to name a few, include:

• the launch of Discovery 2023: Renewing the Vision, our new three-year strategic plan;
• the grand opening of the newly renovated Grandview Children’s Centre located at Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School;
• the ongoing construction of our new school buildings: St. Anne Catholic School in Oshawa and St. Marguerite d’Youville Catholic School in Whitby;
• the ratification of central agreements across all of our employee union groups;
• a continued focus on 21^st Century Learning, Student Success, Numeracy, Literacy, Mental Health, Long-Term Accommodation Planning, Equity, Inclusion, Indigenous Education, Technology, Innovation and many other important priorities.

We also know that we are not finished celebrating this year. Our graduates have worked extremely hard and our school communities look forward to honouring them individually through virtual celebrations, with the hopes of hosting traditional graduation ceremonies in the fall if permitted by public health officials.

The month of June has always been one that is recognized for the celebration of diversity and inclusion. This year, more than ever, equity and human rights particularly for black, racialized and vulnerable populations are at the forefront of our thoughts.  With the peaceful protests and civil action taking place in North America and around the world, the words of Pope Francis speak to us when he says: “The Heart of Christ is so great it wants to welcome us all into the revolution of tenderness.”

As a Catholic school system Rooted in Faith, may we remember to draw on the welcoming heart of Christ as we join communities across the province in honouring Accessibility Week, Indigenous History Month, Pride Month, and anti-black racism movements around the world.

In a time when we are called to not only celebrate diversity and inclusion – but to take action that will make a positive impact in society – we are excited to launch our Year of Love in September. I look forward to sharing and exchanging ideas that will deepen our connection to all people through our faith, our friends, families, colleagues and neighbours.

In recognizing National Indigenous History Month, we invite you to join us as we honour the history, heritage and diversity of Indigenous peoples in Canada during a live event. At this time, DCDSB's Indigenous Education Advisory Circle is hosting a virtual presentation with renowned Indigenous artist and speaker, Isaac Murdoch. Click here to view the presentation on June 19 at 10:00 a.m.

Thank you to all staff and trustees of the Durham Catholic District School Board for their dedication to our unique school system. We will continue to work in partnership with recommendations from the Durham Region Health Department in terms of safety procedures for the start of the school year in September 2020, and ask all parents and guardians to continue to monitor their e-mails and our website for updates on the 2020-2021 startup.

God bless our Durham Catholic families!

Janice Oldman                   Tracy Barill

Chair of the Board              Director of Education