2021-2022 Celebrating our Community of Faith

“If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”

Welcome to the new school year! On behalf of the Board of Trustees and members of the senior administrative team, we extend warm wishes to all and especially to the newest members of our Catholic learning community.

We here in the Durham Region are on the traditional lands of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island. We hold the Indigenous people of this land in great respect and are deeply saddened by the continued trauma that has been experienced this past summer as so many unmarked graves connected to the residential school system have been reported across Canada.

The past two years have tested our ability, in schools and in society at large to remain connected both spiritually and emotionally while physical distancing and implementing the layers of protection needed to reduce the spread of COVID-19. While we continue to remain vigilant in our efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of our students, families, staff and communities, we recognize the need to rebuild, restore and renew the important relationships between home, school and parish that form the foundation of our Catholic education system. For this reason, we have chosen the spiritual theme, Community of Faith to guide our thinking, reflection and actions in the year ahead.

We look forward to the start of school and are optimistic that this year we will be able to provide a more fulsome social experience for our students who are returning to face to face learning in our schools. For those who have chosen to remain in remote learning, our staff will have the benefit of the knowledge gained from our experience in 2021-2022 to guide them in their practice. 

With health, safety and well-being of students and staff as our highest priority, we will follow the revised COVID-19 protocols as directed by the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health. We will continue to work closely with the Durham Region Health Department to communicate vaccination availability, establish and maintain appropriate safety measures and effectively manage COVID cases that may arise. We encourage you to keep informed of new details or processes through your school websites and at www.dcdsb.ca/returntolearning.

In 2021-2022, we will live out our core commitment to equity, excellence, and engagement to ensure that our community of faith is a place that is welcoming, safe and accepting for all.

Guided by the teachings of Jesus Christ, we are thrilled to gather again as a thriving, safe and joyful Catholic learning community.

Yours in Catholic Education,

Morgan Ste. Marie                 Tracy Barill
Chair of the Board                  Director of Education