DCDSB News: November 2021
A monthly newsletter to keep parents and guardians informed of DCDSB news, events, and highlights.
Grade 1 French Immersion Virtual Information Session
All Senior Kindergarten/Year 2 Kindergarten families are invited to learn more about Grade 1 French Immersion by attending a virtual information session on November 10, 2021 from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Click here to access the Microsoft Teams event. Click here to view the PDF poster.
Regional Arts & Media Program The Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) is now accepting applications to the Regional Arts & Media Program, located at All Saints Catholic Secondary School in Whitby. This program serves students in Grade 7 - 12 and offers additional specialized instruction in the arts or media program area of their choice. We are excited to invite all Grade 6 and Grade 8 students to apply now for a September 2022 start. If you have a passion for the arts we encourage you to apply – no prior experience is necessary. Program areas include Dance, Instrumental Music, Media Arts, Performing Arts (Drama and Vocal Music), and Visual Arts. Upcoming Key Dates: To learn more visit amp.dcdsb.ca or contact us at amp@dcdsb.ca.
Re-Engagement Survey In response to the challenges to learning presented by the pandemic, DCDSB is committed to accelerating learning and maximizing engagement for students and families. Results of this parent/guardian survey will be used to inform DCDSB's engagement, teaching and learning strategy for the 2021-22 school year. The valued input of you, our students' first teachers, will also be shared with DCDSB educators and be a consideration for educators when planning instruction. Please click here to complete the Re-Engagement Survey.
Join Us for Upcoming Student Census Engagement Sessions DCDSB's Student Census Steering Committee is holding upcoming virtual engagement sessions for parents and guardians of students in Grades 4-12, and community members in November 2021. The consultation sessions will provide staff with an opportunity to review the questions that schools boards across Ontario are required to ask and obtain feedback and ideas into the three additional questions the board will include in the census. The Stand Up, Be Counted, Be Heard Student Census will collect quality and confidential student demographic data that will enable evidence-based decision making, while helping to remove barriers to student success. Our goal is to: - Understand and support the diversity of students and families;
- Eliminate barriers to student success; and
- Enrich students’ learning by providing the right supports, at the right time, while making schools a safer, more welcoming space to belong.
Staff, students, parents/guardians, and community partners are welcome to attend the following virtual sessions: DCDSB’s Stand Up, Be Counted, Be Heard Student Census is a voluntary survey that offers students in Grades 4 to 12 an opportunity to share their identify, culture, race, ethnicity, gender and ability. The survey will be conducted during the week of April 25 – 29, 2022. For more information visit dcdsb.ca/studentcensus or email studentcensus@dcdsb.ca
Community of Faith: Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School At the Durham Catholic District School Board, the spiritual theme this year calls us to reflect on what it means to be A Community of Faith. Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School exemplifies what it means to be a part of a Community of Faith during the Thanksgiving season. Their students and staff collected food for St. Vincent de Paul Society to help give back to the Oshawa community. Please click here to view the video.
Student Spotlight Welcome to Student Spotlight, an opportunity to meet and learn about our DCDSB students and how they are promoting Excellence, Equity and Engagement. This month, we are pleased to introduce Avion B., a Grade 8 student at Sir Albert Love Catholic School in Oshawa. Please click here to view the November Student Spotlight video.
Cooperative Education Are you interested in learning more about Cooperative Education at DCDSB? Check out this video to learn more. Enterprise Airlines in Oshawa has seen many co-op students over the years, and Grade 11 Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School student, Julius, tells us all about his experience so far. Learn more about Cooperative Education at the Durham Catholic District School Board by visiting our website.
Supporting Your Child's Learning Through Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting The primary purpose of assessment and evaluation is to improve student learning. Growing Success, Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting in Ontario Schools, acknowledges that assessment for, as and of learning is key to student engagement and success. Assessment of learning or evaluation occurs at various points in the school year or learning cycle. While communication about student learning and progress should occur on an ongoing basis using a variety of methods (e.g. phone calls, newsletters, websites, student work etc.) in accordance with the Growing Success policy, formal communication to parents/guardians will happen at three times during the school year. All students from Grades 1-8 will receive a fall progress report card and two provincial report cards, one in mid-winter and one at the end of the school year. For further information please click here.
Elementary Cross-Country Meets Elementary Cross-Country meets took place from October 4 – October 14, 2021 at Lakeridge Ski Resort in Uxbridge. Over 2,000 Grade 3-8 DCDSB students participated in these meets. This is the first inter-school activity in more than 18 months. A big thank you to DCDSB staff and coaches for all their effort in bringing our students together to participate in these meets!
St. John Bosco Catholic School Learning on the Land Grade 5 students at St. John Bosco Catholic School in Oshawa enjoyed an afternoon of Learning on the Land with our Indigenous Education team. Click here to view the video.
International Students Maria U., a Grade 8 international student, is currently studying at St. Bernard Catholic School in Whitby. She will be a student at St. Bernard CS from September - December 2021. Maria lives in northern Spain, in the region of Basque, province of Biscay, in the town of Gernika. A multi-lingual and talented young lady, she speaks the official language of the region, Basque, as well as Spanish and English. She is currently learning French in Mme. Caputo’s class and is very much enjoying the experience of learning a fourth language. Maria first learned about the International Education (IE) program through TikTok. She later listened to a presentation given at her school, San-Fidel Ikastola, and was inspired to come to Canada. Her options were to go to Nova Scotia, Ottawa, or Whitby. Two months into her stay, she says she has no regrets having made this choice!
Emilio B. is an international student travelling from the Basque Country which is in the North of Spain. He is currently in Grade 8 and is enrolled at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic School in Whitby and will be returning home in December 2021. Emilio is a happy and helpful student who enjoys meeting new people and having new experiences in Canada such as learning about Terry Fox and our Thanksgiving traditions. Emilio, has been a wonderful addition to our class and even volunteered his time to help run a flag football tournament!
Register for Adult Education Programs with Archbishop Anthony Meagher Catholic Continuing Education Centre | Our Adult Education sites in Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa offer Adult Education, Mature Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (mPLAR) and Specialized Training Programs for Pathways to Employment and Post-Secondary Education. Adults who are 18 years of age or older and out of a regular secondary school can register for a variety of programs including: Our Adult Day School new semester begins on Tuesday, November 9, 2021. For more information, visit our website at www.con-ed.ca, check out our Program Guide and/or contact us at: Educating with First Nations, Métis and Inuit - Video Production from St. Mary's Catholic Secondary School The idea of producing Educating With First Nations, Métis and Inuit was brought up by Ms. Walton and Ms. Timperley, who are teachers at St. Mary, along with Grade 12 student, Veda K. The production focuses on a variety of current realities affecting Indigenous communities and people to act by spreading awareness and to take action. It is very important that everyone takes time to participate in Indigenous education as it provides learning opportunities and allows us to listen to Indigenous peoples speak about the truth. Students at St. Mary CSS strongly believe that they must all educate themselves on the injustices impacting Indigenous communities and participate in the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action and fight for change. Veda carried on this initiative and led the First Nations, Métis and Inuit team at her school to engage and assist in researching current realities impacting Indigenous communities. Many members of the team spent hours collaborating and researching to gather information. Students would like to convey their thanks and gratitude to Ms. Walton, Ms. Timperley and Ms. Power, who gave students this opportunity, in addition to supporting and guiding students throughout the entire process. Thank you to Veda K. and the First Nations, Métis and Inuit team at St. Mary's for producing this video! Click here to view the video on our YouTube channel.
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Remote Learning for Students With Special Education Needs Families Are Asked to Update Their Child's Immunization Information At this time, Durham Region Health Department is asking you to review and update your child’s complete vaccination history online by using the Immunization Connect Ontario (ICON) tool found at: www.durham.ca/immunizationclinics What is ICON? ICON is an online tool that allows parents to submit their child’s immunization updates and to view their child’s immunizations on file with the health department. If you do not have access to a computer, you can report the immunizations by: - Phone: 905-666-6242 or 1-800-841-2729
- Fax: 905-666-6216
Durham Region Health department will be resuming catch-up vaccination clinics for students in Grades 8-12 this fall which includes: - Human Papillomavirus (HPV) (2 doses, 6 months apart)
- Hepatitis B (2 doses, 6 months apart)
- Meningococcal C-ACYW135 (Men C-ACYW135) (one dose only)
If your child received any of these vaccinations through your health care provider, please remember to update ICON with this information as well. Stay tuned for more information on these upcoming clinics this fall! If you have any questions, please call the Immunization Program at 905-668-6242 or 1-800-841-2729.
Federal Guidelines for Travelling with Unvaccinated Children Outside of Canada The Durham Region Health Department has asked the board to remind families of the federal guidelines for unvaccinated children who travel outside of Canada. Please find the federal guidelines and further information on our website.
DCDSB is Hiring! Join Our Durham Catholic Team The Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) is hiring for various teaching and non-teaching positions. If you are interested in applying, visit our website at www.dcdsb.ca/careers and email your resume to HR@dcdsb.ca.
Durham Catholic Children's Foundation - Contract Position The Durham Catholic Children's Foundation has a Foundation Coordinator (Contract - Two-Year Pilot) position available. To learn more about this opportunity, please visit the Durham Catholic Children's Foundation website.
Bullying Prevention and Intervention Week (November 15-19, 2021) As we work together to create safe and caring school communities, we are reminded to ask God to provide us with the grace, wisdom, and strength to do our part to stand up to bullying in our schools. During Bullying Prevention and Intervention Week, Ontario students, school staff, and parents/guardians are encouraged to learn more about bullying and its effect on student learning and well-being. - If a student is experiencing a mental health crisis and needs immediate support, they should be encouraged to call: Durham Crisis Line at 1-800-742-1890; or 310- COPE at 1-855-310-COPE (2673); or go to the nearest emergency room).
- Kids Help Phone is for anyone age 5 to 20. Counsellors are available 24/7 to support children and teens by phone, text or online chat in English or French. Call: 1-800-668- 6868 or Text CONNECT to 686868.
- Black Youth Help Line specifically responds to the need for a Black youth specific service. It promotes access to professional, culturally appropriate support for youth. Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Call:1-833-294-8650
- First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line: offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. 24/7 & toll free, available in English and French. 1-855-242-3310.
- DCDSB Social Work Access Line: DCDSB students and families can call the Social Work Access Line and leave a voicemail with their contact information. A DCDSB mental health professional will call them back to provide support. 905- 576-6150 ext. 21021 (Not that this is not a crisis line and is not monitored 24/7).
- Be Safe is a mobile app that aims to help youth to make a decision about seeking help in a crisis. Be Safe was developed in full partnership with youth and professionals. It helps youth find help when they need it and supports them through the process of reaching out when it feels overwhelming. Download the BeSafe app today.
- For additional mental health supports, please visit our website.
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