I am pleased to share with you my Annual Report which highlights the priorities and accomplishments of the Durham Catholic District School Board in 2020-2021. As I reflect on the past year, I am struck by the many examples of how our Catholic learning community has answered the call to “love”. Never, in my lifetime, have I witnessed such a powerful demonstration of community and the common good. People from all corners of our Board put their faith into action through self-sacrifice, dedication, time and efforts to pull together and do whatever it took to look after one another. Whether that meant physical distancing, adopting health protocols previously unexperienced on a large scale by our generation, adapting our lives to virtual reality or rolling up our sleeves for vaccinations, time and again, individuals made hard choices in service of neighbor and community.
In our Board, we re-examined who we are as a society and grew in our learning about systemic barriers and biases that have marginalized previously underserved members of our community. We have also had to come to terms with our sadness, horror, and shame for the trauma inflicted upon our Indigenous people by our government and church. On personal levels, we have comforted each other in times of loss and unthinkable tragedy; we prayed together; and found time to continue to laugh together and spend time with family. All of these things were done with love and because of love.
We continued to support and enhance mental health and well-being for students, families, and staff and found innovative ways to communicate and share information, through surveys, Thought Exchanges, and virtual events. Through it all, we remained committed to our strategic priorities and goals.
I want to acknowledge and thank staff for their perseverance, dedication, passion, and commitment to Catholic education. Our staff are often unsung heroes who endeavoured to engage students, support faith traditions and provided access to equitable resources, while always ensuring that enhanced safety protocols were being met.
Special thanks to our provincial, regional and municipal partners, especially the Durham Region Health Department for your expertise and collaboration this past year. We appreciate your efforts to control and stop the spread of COVID-19, contact trace and organize vaccination clinics. Thank you is also extended to our local parishes, Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee, Student Senate, Special Education Advisory Committee, Anti-Black Racism and Indigenous Education Circle for your support and guidance.
May God continue to bless our community in our commitment to Learning and Living in Faith.
Yours in Catholic Education,
Tracy Barill
Director of Education