DCDSB News - March 2026

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- Mar 06, 2026

DCDSB Updates

Nominate Your School for Outstanding Communications!

Nominations are being accepted for the DCDSB Reverend John Markle School to Home Communications Award. Submissions will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 13, 2026. Click here to learn more.

DCDSB 2026-2027 Budget Consultation – Share Your Thoughts!

As we plan for the 2026-2027 school year at the Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB), we want to hear from you! We invite all parents/guardians, students, employees, and members of the DCDSB community to participate in the budget development process. Please click here to learn more.

Expression of Interest (EOI): Turf Field Development Partnership

Durham Catholic District School Board is inviting interested not-for-profit community groups, sports organizations, and potential partners to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the development of a new turf sports field located at future site for Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School, located at: 1001 Greenhill Ave, Oshawa, ON L1K 0C3. Click here to learn more.

Register for Virtual Financial Literacy Parent Night

The Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee, in partnership with the Durham Catholic District School Board, is pleased to offer a Virtual Financial Literacy Parent Night on Tuesday, March 10, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. via Microsoft Teams. Join us for an engaging financial literacy session for families, aligned with Ontario curriculum expectations. Please click here to learn more and register.

Faith and Well-Being

Nurturing the Home‑School‑Parish Connection: Annual Wellness Day at St. John XXIII Catholic School

St. John XXIII Catholic School held its Annual Wellness Day on Friday, February 13, bringing together local clergy, parish staff, parent council members, school administrators, dedicated educators, and public health nurses from Durham Region Public Health for a meaningful day focused on supporting student mental health and overall well‑being. Click here to read more.

Black Mental Health Week

The week of March 2 to 8, 2026, is recognized as Black Mental Health Week by communities across Ontario. During this week we are called to recognize the ongoing impact on mental health that results from experiences of anti-Black racism. It is also a week to raise awareness of the specific mental health needs of Black communities across Ontario. This year’s theme, The Power of Connection-Ancestral Wisdom in a Digital Age, uses the principles of Kwanzaa to explore connection. 

DCDSB students from all secondary schools’ Black Student Unions have created posters in order to examine the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa and explore how connection can support our communities and build our mental health and well-being. Please click here to learn more.

Submit Nominations for April People of Peace

Families, students and staff are invited to nominate a DCDSB student or employee that exemplifies and embodies the monthly theme for the People of Peace recognition program. The theme for April is: A Peacemaker of Truth.

The selected recipients will be recognized during the April Board Meeting. The deadline to submit your nominations for the April theme is 4:00 p.m. on Friday, March 27, 2026.
Visit our website to make your nominations: dcdsb.ca/PeopleOfPeace. 

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Advancing Human Rights and Equity

Forged by Fire: Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School Hosts Black History Month Celebration

Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School marked Black History Month with a dynamic and inspiring presentation titled Forged by Fire, led by Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School alumnus and firefighter Jay Hayles. Returning to his former school, Mr. Hayles delivered an interactive and impactful experience that inspired students, staff, and community leaders. Click here to read more.

Olympic Hurdler Inspires Students at Monsignor John Pereyma Catholic Secondary School

Students at Monsignor John Pereyma Catholic Secondary School enjoyed an inspiring presentation during Black History Month as the school’s Black Student Association welcomed Olympic hurdler Mariam Abdul‑Rashid to speak with Grade 7 and 8 students on Friday, February 13. Click here to read more.

The Sewing Studio Workshop at St. Francis de Sales Catholic School

On Tuesday, February 17, students at St. Francis de Sales Catholic School participated in sewing lessons with The Sewing Studio. The Sewing Studio is an in-school sewing program that focuses on mentorship, confidence, inclusion, and equity. Led by Sewing Studio mentors, students were taught how to use a sewing machine. Click here to read more.

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Indigenous Education

Indigenous Storyteller and Community Partner Visits St. Christopher Catholic School

St. Christopher Catholic School is centering Indigenous storytelling from community partner, Robert Cutting, in its junior programming to enrich students’ learning experiences. The school invited Robert as part of its ongoing commitment to Truth and Reconciliation and to deepen students’ understanding through authentic Indigenous perspectives.

Sheepa Papatsi Visits Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School

On Tuesday, February 24, Indigenous community partner, Sheepa Papatsi, visited Mr. Gorman’s Contemporary Indigenous Issues and Perspectives in a Global Context (NDW) class at Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School. Sheepa shared a wealth of knowledge about her home, Baffin Island, in Nunavut. She spoke about the Land, cultural stories, and traditional foods, offering students a firsthand look into Inuit life. Click here to read more.

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Improve Student Learning

Kindness Connects: Kindergarten Students Take Part in Global Valentine’s Exchange

Kindergarten students at St. John Paul II Catholic School in Brooklin have been spreading kindness across the globe by participating in a heart‑warming valentine card exchange. This initiative teaches young learners the power of kindness while building real‑world literacy, math, and geography skills. Click here to read more.

Students Make Stone Soup at St. Theresa Catholic School

On Wednesday, February 11, St. Theresa Catholic School came together as a community to make Stone Soup for the whole school. In collaboration with We Grow Food, students learned about the Stone Soup fable and discovered what it means to work together as a community, while learning the importance of eating vegetables in our daily diets and growing fresh produce at home. Click here to read more.

St. John XXIII Catholic School Art Showcase Supporting The Refuge

Students in Grades 5 and 6 at St. John XXIII Catholic School have created a global-inspired art showcase after studying artwork from Canada, Europe, the Caribbean, South America, Asia, and Africa. This year, their creativity is paired with compassion: 100% of proceeds from their artwork will support The Refuge Youth Outreach Centre in Oshawa, helping local youth in need. Click here to learn more.

Summer School Registration – Archbishop Anthony Meagher Catholic Continuing Education Centre

Archbishop Anthony Meagher Catholic Continuing Education Centre offers several free summer courses and programs for students in elementary and secondary school. Registration is currently open for the following programs:

  • Reach Ahead - High School Credit
  • Head Start Program - Non-Credit
  • International Languages Program - Year 1 (JK) to Grade 8
  • Accelerated Summer School credit courses for secondary students
  • Cooperative Education Summer Program

Please click here to learn more about Summer School Registration. 

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Upcoming Events

Upcoming EQAO Webinars for Parents and Guardians

Join the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) for free live webinars for parents and guardians. Families are invited to attend various sessions including reading, writing, math, and what to expect on the OSSLT. Click here to learn more and to register.

Virtual Parent Engagement Series:  Positive Parenting/Positive Parent Child Interactions

Join DCDSB and Durham Community Health Centre (DCHC) to explore the benefits and goals of Positive Parent Child Interactions. Discover practical strategies and helpful tools to guide and support interactions and child development in a warm, nurturing way. A question and answer session will follow the presentation.

There are two virtual sessions available:

  • Wednesday, March 25, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, April 1, 2026 from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Please email childcare@dcdsb.ca or kvarlow@durhamchc.ca to register for a session. A link will be provided to families once registered.

Durham Region Mobile ID and Benefits Access Hub

The Region of Durham is hosting a series of ID and Benefits Access Hub events for families in Durham. The events will provide families with the opportunity to access the Canada Learning Bond and other income-boosting benefits. A number of service providers will be in attendance to provide information about a wide variety of programs and supports throughout the region. Click here to learn more.

Looking Ahead

March is Irish and Bangladeshi Heritage Month.

  • March 8 - Third Sunday of Lent
  • March 8 - International Women's Day
  • March 9 - Policy Review Committee Meeting
  • March 13 - Board Designated Holiday (No Classes)
  • March 15 - Fourth Sunday of Lent
  • March 16-20 - March Break
  • March 17 - St. Patrick's Day
  • March 20 - Spring Equinox
  • March 20 - Nowruz
  • March 21 - World Down Syndrome Day
  • March 21 - International Day of the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
  • March 22 - Fifth Sunday of Lent
  • March 22 - World Water Day
  • March 23 - Regular Board Meeting
  • March 25 - International Day of Remembrance of Slavery and The Transatlantic Slave Trade
  • March 26 - Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
  • March 28 - Earth Hour
  • March 29 - Palm Sunday
  • March 31 - National Indigenous Languages Day