Provincial Priority: Student Engagement and Well-Being
DCDSB Goal: Improve student well-being
Faith Formation
The Durham Catholic District School Board is guided by the Ontario Bishops’ pastoral letter, Renewing the Promise, in supporting faith so that “true encounter with Jesus can and does take place, each and every day, within our Catholic schools.”
During the 2022-2023 school year, a steering committee was established to review the annual pastoral planning process. Facilitated by the Faith Formation Department, the committee, developed a planning tool and accompanying reference document. These resources designed to support the naming and noticing of the distinctive aspects, beliefs, and practices essential in our Catholic schools identify five key elements of Catholic Identity: Catholic Environment, Catholic Community, Catholic Curriculum, Catholic Social Teaching, and Staff Formation. These five key elements provide a framework to facilitate discussion regarding the distinctive qualities of Catholic education, to celebrate the excellent work in our schools, and to identify areas that require more focus.
In 2023-2024, the board will develop and strengthen Catholic identity through a focus on the five key elements of Catholic schools. Specifically:
- Develop a tool that schools can use to assess the signs and symbols in the learning environment
- Focus on effective prayer tables/spaces in the classroom
- Use the spiritual theme design poster to understand the images used to symbolize Speaking With the Heart
- Implementation of new pastoral planning template at each school
- Institute a Home-School-Parish Partnership Day to dialogue with representatives from the triad
- Highlight and celebrate home-school-parish partnerships in school and board communication (e.g., school and board newsletter, websites, the Weekly Buzz)
- Professional learning for Kindergarten educators to support the implementation of the new Growing in Faith, Growing in Christ Kindergarten resource
- Development of a “Catholic Curriculum Tool” to support the integration of Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations (OCSGEs) and Catholic Social Teaching across the curriculum
- Experiential learning opportunities connected to the liturgical seasons
- Focus on Community and the Common Good, and Preferential Option for the Poor and Vulnerable as the foundation for equity and inclusive education
- Understanding tiered approaches to mental well-being and student learning (e.g., educational supports necessary for all, some, or few students) as necessary according to each student’s Human Dignity
- Focus on the Dignity of Work to honour and support each student’s educational pathway
- Engage in a process of revision of the elementary Adult Faith Ambassador handbook
- Establish Adult Faith Ambassador and Chaplain networks by region for collegial support, learning, and sharing of resources
- Provide varied opportunities for staff to use the spiritual theme, Speaking With the Heart, as a source of reflection and spiritual formation (e.g., retreats, guest speakers, classroom activities)
Mental Health and Well-Being
The Durham Catholic District School Board believes that mental health and well-being are essential components of inclusion and academic achievement, hence the board is committed to:
- Increase the use of social-emotional programs, practices and resources in schools and classrooms in order to build student mental health literacy (e.g., Introduction of Mental Health Staff Champions at each school, educator uptake of culturally-responsive daily social-emotional learning practices Supporting the introduction of the Grade 7 and Grade 8 Mental Health Literacy Modules).
- Build student mental health engagement and leadership (e.g., Increase the number of school- based mental health student groups, introduction of a student Mental Health Summit.
- Provide opportunities for educators and support staff to engage in professional development focused on noticing signs and providing support in the classroom (e.g., Mental Health First Aid, Sharing of Excellence series, etc.).
- Equip those who are well-positioned to support young people with basic mental health knowledge, sharing common messages of hope and support (e.g., Reinforcing the use of School Mental Health Ontario Resources for all staff).
- Ensure school mental health professionals are equipped to respond to students with mild to moderate mental health needs as well as those who have been disproportionally impacted by COVID-19, social determinants of health, racism and/or oppression (e.g., Ongoing professional development and consultation).
- Strengthen the safety net around suicide prevention and intervention through ongoing training opportunities for staff and parents, families and caregivers (e.g., Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, Prepare, Prevent, Respond: Life Promotion, Suicide Intervention Workshop).
- Sharing of information and learning opportunities with families.
- Explore partnerships with community agencies to support specific populations.
The Durham Catholic District School Board’s mental health strategy for the next three years is outlined in Together for Mental Health, Everyone, Everyday.