DCDSB News - Back-to-School: September 2026

- Sep 04, 2026

Faith and Well-Being

Spiritual Theme: Shining Our Light

The Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) 2026-2027 spiritual theme, Shining Our Light, is inspired by Jesus' words in Matthew 5:14-16: "You are the light of the world... let your light shine before others."

As members of Catholic school communities, we are called to reflect the light of Christ in everything we do. Christ is the Light of the World, and through prayer, faith, service, learning, and community, His light shines through us.

The theme reminds us that every person has been given unique gifts, talents, and opportunities to make a positive difference. Whether through acts of kindness, leadership, courage, justice, creativity, service, or compassion, each of us has the ability to bring hope and goodness to the lives of others.

Throughout the school year, students, staff, and families will explore what it means to be people of light who reflect Christ's love within our schools, homes, parishes, communities, and the wider world.

We invite you to learn more about this year's spiritual theme and the poster design here.

Called to Shine

The Durham Catholic District School Board is proud to launch Called to Shine, a faith-centred recognition program designed to celebrate students and staff who embody the 2026–2027 spiritual theme Shining Our Light.

This recognition program will highlight members of our Catholic learning community who make Christ’s presence visible through acts of compassion, integrity, service, and hope within our schools.

The selected recipients will be recognized at the monthly Board Meeting for a special award presentation, and will also be featured in the DCDSB News, board/school websites, and DCDSB social media.

Please click here to learn more and make a nomination.

How to Help Your Child Have a Mentally Healthy Return to School

As students prepare to start a new school year, they may feel mixed emotions. It’s normal for both students and their parents or caregivers to feel excited and nervous during this transition.

School Mental Health Ontario (SMHO) created a resource to assist parents and caregivers in navigating and supporting their children as they return to school. Please click here to visit the SMHO website and learn more.

Durham Catholic Children's Foundation

Call for Applications – Board of Directors for the Durham Catholic Children’s Foundation

The Durham Catholic Children's Foundation is seeking to add one community representative to its talented group of volunteers on its Board of Directors. Interested individuals are invited to apply to Marie Hammond, Resource to the Durham Catholic Children’s Foundation at Foundation@dcdsb.ca by Friday, September 18, 2026.

Please click here to learn more.

Durham Catholic Children’s Foundation Foundation Administrator - Contract Position

The Durham Catholic Children's Foundation is seeking a part-time Foundation Administrator to play a key role in supporting the work of the Foundation's Board of Directors and advancing initiatives that benefit students and families in need. Working closely with board members, volunteers, donors, and community partners, the successful candidate will help strengthen the Foundation's presence, engagement, and impact throughout Durham Region.

Interested candidates are invited to please kindly send their cover letter and resume to info@durhamcatholicfoundation.ca by September 18, 2026.

Please click here to learn more.

DCDSB Updates

FAQ Webpage

We have compiled Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) into a webpage for families. For questions about school information, parent tools, or resources, please visit our webpage.

Class Placements and Timetables

Tentative class placements and timetables are now available to view on Edsby. If you need assistance logging in to Edsby, please visit our webpage for further information. If you have any questions, please contact the office at your DCDSB home school.

School Year Calendar

Our 2026-2027 School Year Calendar is now available.

Click here to learn more about upcoming about holidays, P.A. days, events, and recognition days.

2026-2027 Bus Transportation Information

Durham Student Transportation Services (DSTS) is responsible for ensuring safe and efficient transportation to and from schools for eligible students. Transportation and route information for the 2026-2027 school year is now available. Please use the automated phone line at 905-666-6979, or the DSTS Family Portal to access it online. Please note that parents and guardians will require their child(ren)'s Ontario Education Number (OEN) to subscribe to the Family Portal. If you need assistance in accessing the Family Portal, please refer to the information document on how to access this service.

Report a Student Absence Through Safe Arrival

If your child is going to be absent, notify the school by using one of the following methods:

Safe Arrival portal login: go.schoolmessenger.ca
Call the toll free number: 1-844-288-7628
Report the absence through our smartphone mobile application: SchoolMessenger (available on the App Store and Google Play Store)

Volunteers in Schools

The Durham Catholic District School Board recognizes and welcomes the important role of volunteers within our school communities. Please note that all parents, guardians and community members who wish to volunteer must complete a Police Record Check with a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) and submit the original completed document to the school office within six months of receipt. Please visit our webpage for more details.

Steps to Addressing Questions and Concerns

We believe that open, respectful, two-way communication builds relationships and enhances student success.

Durham Catholic District School Board requests that questions or concerns be directed to the level closest to the issue. We have created a webpage that is available on board and school sites and outlines the process in order to help parents, guardians, caregivers and community members know who to contact with questions and/or concerns.

Click here to learn more.

Student and Family Support Office

The Student and Family Support Office provides families with an additional pathway to receive timely help with complex questions or concerns related to their child’s education. Based on provincial direction, the office supports families when matters cannot be resolved at the school level and/or through our existing Steps to Addressing Questions & Concerns process. Please click here to learn more.

Seeking Volunteer Parent/Guardian Members for the DCDSB Anti-Black Racism & Black Excellence Advisory Committee

DCDSB is seeking volunteer parents/guardians of DCDSB students and community members who are committed to equity, inclusion, and advancing Black excellence to join the Anti-Black Racism & Black Excellence Advisory Committee for the 2026-2027 school year. Current members must also complete the form to remain on the Committee's distribution list. Click here to fill out the form.

Smoke, Drug, and Vape-Free Schools

A reminder there is absolutely no smoking, vaping, e-cigarettes, or cannabis, permitted inside our schools, on school or board property, or within 20 metres of school property. If you are found to be carrying, selling, buying, giving, or using vape or tobacco products on school property, you may be subject to disciplinary action or may be charged under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act.

If a student is found in possession of one of these substances, parents/guardians/caregivers will be notified, and the item(s) must be given to an educator or administrator. To learn more about smoke, drug and vape-free schools, please visit our webpage.

Cell Phone and Mobile Device Use in Schools

Provincial policy states that all members of the school community must not use personal mobile devices during instructional time except under the following circumstances:

For educational purposes, as directed by an educator;
For health and medical purposes; and/or
To support special education needs.

During the 2026-2027 school year:

Kindergarten - Grade 8 students must store their cell phones/personal mobile devices out of sight for the full school day. Devices must be powered off or set to silent during school hours, which includes recess and lunch hour (i.e. any time the student is on school property). Cell phone/personal mobile device usage is only permitted if the educator deems it necessary for educational purposes.
Grade 9-12 students must turn off their cell phones/personal mobile devices or set to silent during instructional time, except where use is permitted by the educator for educational purposes.

All social media sites and apps, including Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, Tik Tok, and Discord will not be available on school or board Wifi. Social media platforms can only be used by students at school for educational purposes, directed by an educator. Visit our webpage for more information.

DCDSB Right to Disconnect

Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) staff believe in the value of open and responsive communication between home and school in support of our students. The DCDSB Right to Disconnect from Work Policy protects the right of staff to disconnect from work between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays, all day on weekends, approved vacation days, statutory holidays and board-designated non-working days.

We recognize that families have different responsibilities and work obligations of their own, which may impact the times when they are able to write notes and/or emails to their children’s school and/or educators. All families are advised that in most cases, communication received after hours will not be responded to until the next working day.

Improve Student Learning

DCDSB Summer Camps

This summer, students from the Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) engaged in a variety of enriching camps through Archbishop Anthony Meagher Catholic Continuing Education Centre. These camps promoted wellness, creativity, and STEM learning. At the Recreation and Fitness Camp, students stayed active through sports and games while learning about teamwork, stretching, and nutrition. The Cooking Camp blended math and culinary skills, and encouraged healthy choices while showing how math is used in everyday life. Coding and Robotics Camp offered hands-on STEM experiences, where students collaborated to program robots for a ring challenges, combining math, coding, and problem-solving in a fun and interactive way. Exploring the Trades Camp introduced students to welding and carpentry. New to DCDSB students this year was DragonQuest Camp where campers leaned into their creativity and wrote character backstories, used mapping skills, and took turns being team leaders and game masters.

To learn more about these camps and non-credit classes, please visit con-ed.ca.

Supports for Students with Special Education Needs

Students with special education needs will continue to be supported through individualized service and program plans in the DCDSB.

Educators will continue to provide accommodations, modified expectations, and alternative programming to students with special education needs, consulting with parents/guardians in the development of their IEPs for the 2026-2027 school year. In addition, we have been supporting students with special needs throughout the summer through a variety of programs including our Literacy and Numeracy-related camps, PEERs camp and Transitional programs.

We are working to provide continued access to assistive technology, including Special Equipment Amount (SEA) equipment, where needed to support student learning. We look forward to continuing to support our students with special education needs through the home, school, and parish partnership.