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December 22, 2022
Dear Parents and Guardians,
During this Advent season, our students, school communities and staff have been witnesses of our faith through their acts of charity, raising money and donating goods to support those in need. Over the last four weeks, we have taken time to prepare our homes and hearts for the coming of Jesus. Through our actions and example, we have taught our children about the hope, love, joy, and peace found in Advent.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees and Senior Administrative Team, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas. May the birth of our Saviour bring light to you and your families during these celebrations. To our community partners of different faith traditions or beliefs, may this holiday season be one of joy and love as you reconnect with family and friends.
Looking to the New Year, may we continue to work in cooperation and collaboration as we launch the board’s Inspire 2026 Strategic Plan.
A gentle reminder, with cold and flu season upon us, the Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health is strongly recommending that masks be worn in all indoor public places, including schools, childcare centres, and buses. You are encouraged to continue to use the COVID-19 school screening tool and screen for symptoms of illness this holiday season.
As you may be aware, Lakeridge Health’s Emergency Departments are reporting high wait times due to increased demand and patient visits. Please read this important message from Lakeridge Health, which provides information on where and how to obtain medical attention, if required.
When we return to school on January 9, 2023, you are encouraged to complete the COVID-19 school screening tool and please keep your child(ren) home if ill. Indoor masking, hand hygiene and screening will still be strongly recommended as we return to school to support the health and safety of students and staff.
May God Bless us all and may peace reign throughout the world.
Yours in Faith,
Monique Forster Tracy Barill
Chair of the Board Director of Education
Dear Parent(s), Guardian(s) and Caregiver(s),
Sunday, November 27, 2022 marks the beginning of a new liturgical year with the start of the season of Advent in the Catholic Church. Advent means “arrival.”
Throughout this time, the church prepares to celebrate the coming of Jesus. We recall the past, celebrate the present, and look to the future with hope. We prepare to celebrate not only the birth of Jesus on Christmas but also Jesus’ presence in our lives, homes, schools, parishes and the world!
We invite you to watch the Advent message below from Tracy Barill, Director of Education.
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As summer draws to an end and we are greeted by the fresh air and vibrant colours of autumn, we often take time to gather with family and friends and give thanks. Here in Durham Catholic we are thankful for a smooth return to the school year, for the friends and neighbours who make up our community of faith and for the remarkable gift of Catholic education.
We continue to witness the generosity of all members of our Catholic community as schools and offices gather non-perishable food items for donation to local food banks this week. Thank you for your compassion.
With Thanksgiving on the horizon, we reflect on our continued commitment to Truth and Reconciliation. We know that images and stories often connected with this holiday misrepresent the truth of colonization and the long-lasting impact on Indigenous peoples that continues to present day. In 2022-2023, our spiritual theme is Listening with the Ear of the Heart. As a Catholic learning community, we are grateful for the grace that allows us to truly listen to even the most difficult truths. May we continue to do better as we learn and grow.
We wish you many blessings as we share this prayer of gratitude.
Compassionate God,
Thank you for the gift of this day, for the breath that maintains life, for the food of this land that nurtures life, and for the love of family and friends, without which there would be little satisfaction in life. Thank you for the beauty of this land, for the joy that the ear may hear, for the unknown that fills the cosmos with wonder, and for the breadth of space that takes us beyond the boundaries of ourselves. Your hand drew and created everything in our lives and the life that surrounds each one of us. For this, we give you thanks!
Amen.
Yours in Faith,
Morgan Ste. Marie Tracy Barill
Chair of the Board of Trustees Director of Education
Welcome to the 2022-2023 School Year
Welcome back! What a pleasure it is, after two years of modifications, to begin 2022-2023 on a regular schedule. Here in Durham Catholic, we are looking forward to a school year that will focus on creating safe and welcoming, faith-based learning environments that support the needs and development of our students.
This year, our spiritual theme is “Listening With the Ear of the Heart”. Stemming from Pope Francis’s letter that was released on World Day of Social Communications in May 2022, this theme speaks to the need for compassion and emphasizes that listening is a key element of faith. This year, we will be challenged to truly listen to each other and to God. Through deep listening, we can expand our knowledge and understanding of the experiences of others which supports a culture of respect for human rights, equity, diversity, inclusion, and Indigenous education.
As always, health and safety remain a priority. We thank everyone for their cooperation as we have worked together to navigate the pandemic. At this time, the Ministry of Education and Chief Medical Officer of Health have advised that masks are welcome but not required for students, staff and visitors in schools, board offices, or on student transportation. We will continue to provide free high-quality masks for students to use, if they choose to wear a mask. It continues to be very important that everyone monitors their health daily. The COVID-19 self-assessment tool is regularly updated and continues to be available for use. To prevent the spread of illness, we remind you that students should not attend school if they fail the self-assessment screening tool or are feeling ill.
The involvement of parents and guardians in your child’s education journey contributes to their success. Stay informed by subscribing to the news and calendar sections on school websites for important updates and information, and upcoming events distributed throughout the school year. The Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee (DCPIC) and your school’s Catholic School Council also provide great opportunities to engage with your school community through monthly meetings, events and activities.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees and Senior Administrative Team, we extend a warm welcome to everyone in our Durham Catholic learning community and wish you a safe and joyful return to school this September.
Yours in Catholic Education,
Morgan Ste. Marie Tracy Barill
Chair of the Board Director of Education