DCDSB 2024-2025 Virtual Program Update

Dear Parents and Guardians, 

As we look ahead to the 2024-2025 school year, I want to provide an update to families enrolled in the virtual program at St. André Bessette Catholic School. Over the past three years, the Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) has offered a virtual learning program for students in Kindergarten to Grade 8. Virtual learning options were required by the Ministry of Education through the COVID-19 pandemic, however as a vast majority of students return to in-person learning, the Ministry of Education no longer requires school boards to offer a virtual learning option for elementary students.

While the virtual program provided an adaptable education model during the pandemic, we have now seen a strong preference for in-person learning environments as we emerge out of the past three years. Due to insufficient enrolment, the Durham Catholic District School Board has made the decision not to continue the virtual learning program for September 2024.

If your child is currently enrolled in the St. André Bessette Virtual Program, your child will be redirected to their DCDSB home school for September 2024. We will be contacting families this week to confirm each student’s home school.

We want to extend our sincerest thanks and gratitude to all staff and families who have supported the virtual school program, and who have worked hard to keep our students engaged and provided a sense of community while they worked online with their peers. 

Please know that our goal is to make this transition from virtual to in-person learning as seamless and supportive as possible for all of our students and families. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Sincerely,

Mrs. L. Stewart
Principal, St. André Bessette Catholic School