Witnessing Faith
- Hosted the Year of Hope Secondary Student Summit to support Catholic Social Teachings and social justice initiatives within our secondary schools.
- Distributed board branded posters to every classroom, 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.
- Shared New Family Life communication with all school staff and posted onto board intranet for use as a communication tool for parents and caregivers.
- Leveraged EDSBY as a shared space for Religion Chairs and Religion teachers to collaborate to support the faith formation and religious education of all secondary students.
- Provided a variety of engaging and purposeful faith formation opportunities for both students and staff.
A Year of Hope
Welcome to a Year of HopeStaff 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.
Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association Video Contest
Secondary Finalists Igniting Hope: Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School
Elementary Finalists Igniting Hope: St. Isaac Jogues Catholic School
New Teacher Induction Program
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.
Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations
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.
Faith Formation Opportunities
- 100 representatives attended the annual When Faith Meets Pedagogy Conference and Youth Forum
- 90 students and staff participated in the Year of Hope Secondary Student Youth Summit
- 65 staff members participated in the Advent Twilight Retreat
- 300 students participated in WE Day
- 1,700 members of the DCDSB learning community and families watched the Catholic Education Week (CEW) Kindergarten through Grade 6 virtual prayer
- 332 members of the DCDSB learning community and families watched the CEW Grade 7 to 12 prayer service
- 661 members of the DCDSB learning community and families watched the CEW graduate service
- 103 members of the DCDSB learning community and families participated in a virtual guided Christian meditation.
Virtual Faith Formation Opportunities for Students, Staff and Families
- 1,700 members of the DCDSB learning community and families watched the Catholic Education Week (CEW) Kindergarten through Grade 6 virtual prayer
- 332 members of the DCDSB learning community and families watched the CEW Grade 7 to 12 prayer service
- 661 members of the DCDSB learning community and families watched the CEW graduate service
- 103 members of the DCDSB learning community and families participated in a virtual guided Christian meditation.
Celebrating Inclusion and Well-Being
- Provided all administrators with information/professional learning resources on the Aligned and Integrated Model from School Mental Health Ontario that were shared with educators during staff meetings and PA Days.
- Provided training and education sessions on a variety of topics focused on mental health and well-being to staff and students.
- Increased staff awareness of evidence-based materials and programs available from PREVnet to strengthen the use of universal and targeted programs to prevent and respond to bullying.
- Each school’s Safe Schools Team reviewed 2018 School Climate Survey and 2018 Compass Survey (Secondary Schools) results to determine individual school goals for Bullying Prevention.
- Implemented an electronic version of a student’s Learning Profile and provided all Program Support Teachers with strategies to in-service their educators on the implementation of the Learning Profile.
- Shared evidence-based practices and strategies to support students with Learning Disabilities, including the use of the Lexia Reading Program for direct instruction in reading.
- Conducted the DCDSB Workforce Census for all staff and then shared the findings with all employees and trustees, which included recommendations for the Human Resources to implement.
Workforce Census and Report
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 Reading Program
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.
Leading Mentally Healthy 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.
Education and Training
45 Intermediate
35 Secondary
36 Classes
10 Schools
42 staff participants
28 staff participants
37 staff participants
337 staff participants
64 staff participants
36 students attended and ran campaigns at their schools and associate schools
100 staff members participated across a series of four sessions
40 staff members participated in a formal book study
300 participants attended sessions focused on Teen Substance Use and Technology and Gaming
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
Teaching and Learning
- Collaboration between Religion departments to create rich culminating tasks or final evaluations to replace formal examinations in all Religion courses across the system from Grades 9 to 12.
- Implementation of the Communication of Learning Report Card system in Edsby which leverages digital tools to document growth in learning and also provides a digital platform for Kindergarten teachers to collaborate across the system.
- Networking of Grade 3, 6 and 9 teachers through training on strategies to best support administration of EQAO Assessments in Mathematics.
- PA Day sessions in Mathematics focused the effective use of assessment data to inform instruction, curriculum spiraling and financial literacy across secondary subject areas.
- Staff training to support release of new curriculum in Health and Physical Education and Careers Studies with school administrators and lead teachers from every school.
- Facilitated learning led by our Indigenous Education Advisory Circle (IEAC) members with lead teachers from every school in the board focusing on building relationships, reconciliation and bringing greater meaning to the daily land acknowledgement in schools.
- Commitment from all secondary schools to the implementation of the new Grade 11 English course: Contemporary Indigenous Voices as the mandatory English course for all Grade 11 students in 2020-2021 in keeping with the Calls to Action for education in Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Report.
- The Ministry of Education’s Experiential Learning Framework was rolled out to key leaders in the system including the board’s Learning Council, Teacher Librarians, Intermediate Guidance Teachers and School Administrators.
- Community connected learning was promoted through partnerships with organizations like Youth Fusion, Durham College and Foggy River Farms, and an Experiential Learning Steering Committee was formed.
Professional Development
- 11 Kindergarten teachers trained on the Edsby reporting system and led the early implementation of Edsby across the system
- 175 educators trained in the Experiential Learning Framework
- 22 educators and 90 administrators trained in the Career Studies Curriculum
- 154 school level and 152 system level job-embedded sessions focused on goals in the Math Action Plan
- 80 educators and 90 administrators trained in the Health and Physical Education Curriculum
- 85 English teachers reviewed the new curriculum for the Grade 11 English course: Contemporary Indigenous Voices
Wal
king the Path Together: Indigenous Education
- 15 members are committed to the Indigenous Education Advisory Circle, an active force in supporting dialogue with lead teachers, and advising resource development
- 8 members are committed to the Student Indigenous Education Advisory Circle, representing the student voice on priorities of Indigenous education
- 1,537 secondary students enrolled in college/workplace/university courses in Grade 11 English focused on Contemporary Indigenous Voices (available 2020-2021)
- A Special project resource teacher was hired to liaison with IEAC and English teachers in curriculum implementation
Community Connected Experiential Learning
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)
Outdoor Education
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
Expanding Pathways
- Implemented myBlueprint to support student pathways and transitions.
- Increased awareness and programming opportunities for women and Indigenous students in the trades.
- Established new partnerships with community groups and organizations through the Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM) and dual credit programs.
- Gathered feedback on experiences of students in Alternate Education and Continuing Education.
Exploring Science, Technology and Skilled Trades
- 100 Grade 7 and 8 female students attended the Expand the Possibilities: Young Women in Science, Technology and Trades event at Durham College.
- 555 families of Grade 7 to 12 students registered in the Build a Dream virtual event to learn more about career opportunities for young women in trades.
- Indigenous storyteller and renowned artist, Isaac Murdock visited with Grade 7 students. Together they painted a mural and discussed pursuing the skilled trades pathway through the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP).
Serving in Partnership
- 40 Construction SHSM students from Archbishop Denis O’Connor Catholic High School and Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School partnered with Simcoe Hall Settlement House to design and build permanent shelving for donations to their community food bank.
Exploring Careers in the Film Industry
- Students from all Durham Catholic secondary schools attended the first Film Industry Career Day in collaboration with the Region of Durham and the Film Industry Council.
- This event promoted careers in the film and entertainment industry and introduced students to the new TriBros film studio in Pickering.
Centre for Success Dual Credit Program
- Student Survey
- Students in the Centre for Success program were surveyed to gather their input on this dual credit program and asked how it helped prepare them for their transition to college and how the program could be enhanced to support them in this transition.
- Positive Feedback
- Many students reported that this program was instrumental in helping them achieve their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and gave them hope that they could pursue post-secondary education.
Students Explore their Individual Pathway Plans with myBlueprint
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
Managing Resources
- Undertook a comprehensive and collaborative budget review process to ensure resources are aligned with strategic priorities and allocated to areas of greatest impact and/or need.
- Refined processes to ensure timely and effective completion of teacher and principal performance appraisals.
- Worked with the Principal and Vice-Principal Association to foster leadership development including the establishment of a New Administrator Focus Group.
- Established a clearly outlined onboarding process that is reflective of current practice.
- Established an Energy Management Plan in accordance with the Ministry of Energy to set targets towards environmentally sustainable best practices and building technology.
- Continued to support the Canada EcoSchools program with all 45 Durham Catholic schools certified.
- Tracked and reviewed the current roster of partnerships with the board and organized meetings with potential partners to fill vacant space in board facilities.
- Began the process of training staff for the development and production of AODA compliant communications.
- Launched the Called to Serve video series featuring leaders in various roles across DCDSB, engaging with staff to promote a culture of a board that values its people.
Leadership Development for Aspiring Leaders
A New Administrator Focus Group was established consisting of 17 new leaders to assess levels of confidence and areas of need.
Onboarding
- Teachers
- Early Childhood Educators
- Educational Assistants
- Custodians
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.
Construction Projects
- St. Anne Catholic School – Growth School (opened September 2020)
- St. Marguerite d’Youville Catholic School - Replacement School (to open in 2021)
- Monsignor Philip Coffey Catholic School – Five-Room Childcare Space (Tender Stage)
- St. Theresa Catholic SchoolTwo-Room Childcare Space (Complete)
Energy Management Plan
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.
Community Use of Schools
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.
- 1,118 Community Use of Schools permits were issued in 2019-2020.
- 36,448 Community Use of Schools hours were permitted in 2019-2020.