DCDSB News - November 2025

- Nov 07, 2025

Faith

St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School Peacemakers

This year’s spiritual theme at the DCDSB is “Blessed are the Peacemakers”. To celebrate and live out this message, the St. Catherine of Siena Empowerment Club has launched the “Siena Peacemakers” campaign. Students are invited to reflect on moments when they have been a peacemaker, or when they’ve witnessed someone bringing peace into the school community.

Each story is written on a dove-shaped cut-out, symbolizing peace. These doves are then read aloud during the morning announcements and proudly displayed on the Siena Peacemakers bulletin board, serving as a daily reminder of the kindness, courage, and compassion within St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School.

Peacemaker Puzzle Pieces at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic School

ImageStudents and staff at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic School created puzzle pieces based on the spiritual theme, "Blessed are the Peacemakers". Staff used their puzzle piece to show how they are responsible for modelling what being a peacemaker looks like within their school.

Students were given a puzzle piece to depict what peace is and what being a peacemaker is for students. The puzzle pieces were then showcased collectively on a bulletin board for the whole see and learn from.

Jubilee Cross Exchanges

DCDSB schools have been passing along the Jubilee Cross.

On October 14, St. Patrick Catholic School received the Jubilee Cross from St. André Bessette Catholic School. On the following day, each class had an opportunity to venerate the cross and recite the Jubliee Prayer together. Grade 7 students processed through the school with the cross followed by a procession down Church Street in Ajax, where they passed on the cross to the students of St. Francis de Sales Catholic School.

Additionally, on October 28, students and administrators from St. Isaac Jogues Catholic School carried the Jubilee Cross from their school to pass it over to students to St. Mary Catholic Secondary School. All students and staff joined together in a circle for a brief liturgy where they recited the Jubilee Prayer and sang Children of the Light. From there, the cross was carried to St. Mary Catholic Secondary School.

2026 Friars Student Writing Contest

Students in Grades 8 to 12 are invited to participate in the 2026 Friars Student Writing Contest. The theme for this year's contest is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Interested students are invited to submit a 450-500 word essay based on this year's theme, and will describe how you are growing in knowledge of Christ, and how it inspires and shapes your thoughts, relationships and outreach. Essays must be submitted on or before Monday, January 12, 2026, by 2:00 p.m. for consideration.

Please visit the Archdiocese of Toronto website for more information and contest rules.

Indigenous Education

Grade 8 Students Engage in Learning Around Orange Shirt Day

Grade 8 students at St. John Bosco Catholic School engaged in the important and often difficult work of Orange Shirt Day by first participating in the online Witness Blanket, taking the time to truly listen to the voices that needed to be heard. With this deeper understanding, they reflected on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and created visual posters to raise awareness throughout the school. By listening, learning, and then taking action, students connected with the weight of history and the ongoing work of reconciliation.

DCDSB Updates

2025-2026 Student Achievement Plan

Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) is pleased to present the 2025-2026 Student Achievement Plan. In accordance with the Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act (2023) the DCDSB Student Achievement Plan was developed to include the following mandatory provincial priorities and goals:

Priority 1 – Achievement of Learning Outcomes in Core Academic Skills

Goal #1 (a) - Improve students’ literacy learning and achievement
Goal #1 (b) - Improve students’ math learning and achievement

Priority 2 – Preparation of Students for Future Success

Goal #2 (a) - Improve graduation rates and preparedness for future success

Priority 3 – Student Engagement and Well-Being

Goal #3 (a) - Improve students’ participation in class time and learning
Goal #3 (b) - Improve student well-being

Please click here to view the DCDSB 2025-2026 Student Achievement Plan.

Staying Safe Online – Cybersecurity Awareness

October is Cyber Security Awareness Month, a national initiative that focuses on online safety. At the Durham Catholic District School Board, keeping our schools, students, staff, and families safe is a top priority.

We want to share an important reminder about online safety and a potential online threat to students and their devices. YouTube videos designed to attract student attention and distribute harmful malware are circulating online. These videos often promise free software or Roblox game cheats to increase views. Please click here to read more.

French Immersion Registration is Open November 26!

Registration for Grade 1 French Immersion opens on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. All interested Year 2 Kindergarten/Senior Kindergarten students are invited to register for Grade 1 French Immersion in the 2026-2027 school year.

Families are invited to a virtual French Immersion Information Night on Tuesday, November 25 from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Read the flyer to learn more.

Registration for Grade 1 French Immersion will be open from November 26, 2025 - January 16, 2026.

Click here to learn more about the DCDSB French Immersion program.

Regional Arts & Media Program Registration Deadline

Students and families are reminded that applications to the Regional Arts & Media Program close on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. Current Grade 6 and Grade 8 students are invited to apply now!

Click here for more information and to apply.

Submit Nominations for December 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 December is: A Peacemaker of Reconciliation.

The selected nominees will be recognized during the December Board Meeting. The deadline to submit your nominations for the December theme is 4:00 p.m. on Friday, November 28.

Visit our website to make your nominations: dcdsb.ca/PeopleOfPeace.

Mental Health and Well-Being

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) - Supporting Youth (Virtual) for Parents, Guardians and Caregivers

As part of DCDSB’s commitment to supporting mentally healthy schools, we are pleased to offer Mental Health First Aid - Supporting Youth (Virtual) to parents, guardians and caregivers.

This 10-hour blended course includes one self-directed module and two virtual classroom modules. MHFA is the help provided to a person who is showing signs of declining mental well-being or crisis. This course is designed for individuals who have frequent contact with young people, ages 12 to 24 and is therefore open to parents, guardians, and caregivers with children in Grades 6-12.
Participants will be required to complete Module 1 (a two-hour self-directed online module) on their own, in advance of the first virtual session.

The virtual sessions dates are:

January 21, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Module 2); and
January 22, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Module 3).

For further information about MHFA Supporting Youth (Virtual), please visit the Mental Health Commission of Canada website.

To register, please complete this form and you will be contacted if selected.

Bullying Awareness and Prevention

Healthy relationships with friends, family, and others help children to develop confidence, social skills, and emotional well-being. As a parent or guardian, you play an important role in supporting your child with healthy relationships and helping them to recognize signs of an unhealthy relationship.

Within DCDSB, we have been building awareness about bullying. Helping children understand the difference between bullying and peer conflict is important. If you feel that your child is experiencing bullying or harassment at school, it is important to be an advocate or support their self-advocacy by informing the school of concerns.

Bullying differs from conflict with peers. Managing peer conflict is an important part of building healthy relationships as well as part of a child’s social development. The resource Helping Your Child Build Positive Relationships and Manage Conflict provides information and tips to help your child manage peer-to- peer conflicts.

Understanding bullying and managing its impact can help you to learn more about bullying and what to do if your child is being bullied or bullied by others.

Parent and Guardian Resources

Region of Durham Health Department - Parenting Survey

The Durham Region Health Department is looking for parents or caregivers of children aged 3-6 years old to take part in a confidential survey. The survey includes questions about experiences, challenges and needs of parents and caregivers in Durham Region. Participation will help guide improvements in local programs and services for families in our community.

The survey is open until December 19, 2025. To learn more and complete the survey please visit durham/ca/parentingsurvey.

EQAO Math Night for Parents and Guardians

Families are invited to attend a free live EQAO webinar on Wednesday, November 19, from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

During the webinar, EQAO staff will discuss math questions that Ontario students encounter when they participate in Ontario’s large-scale assessments. These assessments are taken by all Ontario students in Grades 3, 6 and 9. During the webinar, EQAO staff will show how these math questions help assess the skills students are learning in their math classes. Staff will also share valuable insights from the past three years of assessment results, which can help parents and guardians support their children’s math learning.

Registration for this webinar is required. Please click here to register.

DCDSB Students

DCDSB Student Highlights

It's been a busy few weeks as students and staff across DCDSB have continued to engage in a variety of activities and learning!

Please see the stories below to learn more:

Continuing Education

Archbishop Anthony Meagher Catholic Continuing Education Centre 2024-2025 Graduation

On October 9, Archbishop Anthony Meagher Catholic Continuing Education Centre celebrated its 2024-2025 school year graduation at Hebron Christian Reformed Church. School staff, special guests, families and friends gathered for a ceremony and reception to celebrate this exciting milestone with the graduates.

The valedictorian, Atuhaire Kampiire, delivered an inspiring speech outlining her journey from being a newcomer to Canada to achieving her Ontario Secondary School Diploma and Child Care Assistant certificate as a student of Archbishop Anthony Meagher. A reception was held after the ceremony in the church hall, the air full of excitement and jubilation!

In the year 2024-2025, 385 adult students graduated with their Ontario Secondary School Diploma. In addition, 125 students received their Personal Support Worker certificate.

Adults who are 18 years of age or older are welcome to register for high school credit, adult upgrading, language classes and employment training programs at www.con-ed.ca. Continuous intake options are available.

Upcoming Events

November is Albanian and Hindu Heritage Month.

Nov. 7 - International Inuit Day
Nov. 7 - Secondary Semester 1 Midterm Report Sent Home
Nov. 8 - National Indigenous Veterans Day
Nov. 9-Nov. 15 - Rock Your Mocs Week
Nov. 10 - Elementary Progress Reports Sent Home
Nov. 11 - Remembrance Day
Nov. 13 - Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee (DCPIC) Meeting
Nov. 14 - Elementary and Secondary P.A. Day
Nov. 16 - Louis Riel Day
Nov. 17-Nov. 21 - Bullying Prevention and Intervention Week
Nov. 20 - Transgender Day of Remembrance
Nov. 20 - Anti-Black Racism and Black Excellence Advisory Committee
Nov. 22 - Holodomor Memorial Day
Nov. 23 - Solemnity of Christ the King
Nov. 24 - World Youth Day
Nov. 24 - Annual Board Meeting
Nov. 25 - Grade 1 French Immersion Information Night
Nov. 25 - Regional Arts and Media (AMP) Program Applications Close
Nov. 26 - Grade 1 French Immersion Registration Opens
Nov. 26 - Educational Assistant Appreciation Day
Nov. 30 - First Sunday of Advent