DCDSB News - Summer 2026

- Jun 26, 2026

DCDSB Updates

DCDSB Recognized as a Leader in Sustainable Schools

The Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) is earning provincial recognition for its commitment to sustainability and responsible energy management, and is now recognized as one of the most energy-efficient school boards in Ontario.

In the 2026 Top Energy Performing School Boards report, DCDSB ranked 9th out of 72 boards, a dramatic rise from 36th place in the previous report. This achievement places the board among Ontario’s top 10 most energy-efficient school boards and reflects years of focused effort, strategic investment, and strong operational stewardship. Please click here to read more.

Ontario Investing $5.4 Million to Build New School Addition at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic School in Whitby

The Ontario government is continuing to deliver on its plan to protect Ontario and ensure students have access to modern classrooms by investing $1.6 billion in 79 school construction projects across Ontario. The investments will support growing communities by creating over 29,000 new student spaces and over 1,900 licensed child care spaces so students have the modern learning spaces they need to succeed in their studies and prepare for in-demand careers. Please click here to read more.

Durham Catholic District School Board Approves Balanced 2026-2027 Budget Focused on Student Success

The Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) Trustees approved a balanced $339.7 million operating budget for the 2026-2027 school year that reflects a continued focus on student achievement, well-being and student success. The balanced budget aligns with Ministry of Education requirements and supports the board’s Inspire 2026 strategic plan. Please click here to review the 2026-2027 Budget Report.

DCDSB Announces 2025-2026 Certified Canada EcoSchools

DCDSB is excited to announce the 2025-2026 Certified Canada EcoSchools! As of June 18, 2026, DCDSB celebrates 36 EcoSchools, including 8 Platinum schools, 16 Gold schools, 3 Silver schools and 9 participant schools. Please click here to read more.

2026-2027 Class Placements and Timetables

Tentative class placements and timetables will be available to view on Edsby on Friday, September 4, 2026. If you need assistance logging in to Edsby, please visit our website for further information. If you have any questions, please contact your DCDSB home school.

Faith and Well-Being

Renewing the St. Marguerite d’Youville Chapel at Archbishop Denis O’Connor Catholic High School

Grade 11 and 12 Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) construction students at Archbishop Denis O’Connor Catholic High School in Ajax applied their skills through a real-world project, installing new flooring and renewing their school chapel.

By restoring this cherished space, students were able to highlight their God-given talents and contribute to the spiritual foundation of Archbishop Denis O’Connor Catholic High School. Their work will support countless moments of quiet reflection, communal worship, and personal growth for years to come.

Please click here to read more.

Summer Mental Health Resources

Summer is almost here and School Mental Health Ontario (SMHO) has some helpful summer resources for students:

Navigating the Shift into Summer - This resource offers tips for students to support wellness moving into summer.
Self-care 101 - This resource highlights the importance of self-care. It encourages students to look after themselves so that when difficult situations happen, they have the necessary energy, resources and strategies to get through it.
My Circle of Support Pocketbook - This resource allows students to create their own personal resource that identifies the people they can turn to for support, and names the activities they can access to support their own mental health.

For more resources and support throughout the summer months, please visit the DCDSB Mental Health and Well-Being webpage.

Staying Safe Online: Understanding the Risks to Youth with Online Luring and Exploitation

Durham Catholic District School Board is partnering with the Region of Durham, Durham Regional Police Service, and partner agencies, to raise awareness about the risks associated with online luring and exploitation.

Young people are growing up connected through digital spaces. By staying informed, we can help ensure these spaces remain positive and safe, reducing the risk of online influences that may lead to harmful choices. Small conversations today can lead to safer choices tomorrow and can help support youth in making informed choices online and offline.

If you or someone you know is experiencing online luring, exploitation or other forms of victimization, there are organizations and programs that can help.

Click here to view the online safety resources.

Advancing Human Rights and Equity

Ear Buds Magazine

During Speech and Hearing Awareness Month, the DCDSB Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D/HH) team wanted to raise awareness and understanding of the different ways people communicate while recognizing the challenges that students with hearing loss may experience in their daily lives. Alongside students Jordan, Alex, Robin, Gabriella and Ayden, the D/HH team created Ear Buds Magazine, a project aimed to share student voices, their experiences and their learning. The magazine includes facts about hearing aids, self-advocacy, as well as fun segments such as the “Laughing Zone” and “Dear D/HH Diaries.” Please click here to learn more and read the magazine.

St. Wilfrid Catholic School Hosts Family Cultural Night

On Tuesday, June 9, St. Wilfrid Catholic School hosted a Family Cultural Night for their school community. Families and students were encouraged to reflect on their heritage and share interesting aspects of their cultural background. Please click here to read more.

Life Skills Classes at DCDSB

Throughout the year, elementary and secondary students showed incredible growth as they developed greater independence through life skills programs that were run at DCDSB schools. Designed to support diverse learning needs, these programs used structured, hands-on experiences to help students build essential skills at their own pace.

Students strengthened functional literacy and numeracy skills, enhanced communication, and practiced daily living and self-regulation in supportive, inclusive environments. Each success built confidence and reinforced their ability to engage more fully in school and community life.

Through individualized, targeted instruction, students gained practical skills that supported independence and lifelong capability.

Indigenous Education

Kindergarten Students Learn About Life Cycles and Growth in Community Garden

Kindergarten students at Monsignor Philip Coffey Catholic School explored plant life cycles through hands-on learning in their community garden. They discovered how plants grow from seeds into fruits like strawberries and tomatoes, and learned that plants need sunlight, water, air, and soil to survive.

Students brought their learning outdoors by planting and caring for strawberries and tomatoes, developing a sense of responsibility and pride. They also connected their learning to Indigenous perspectives, learning the Anishinaabemowin names, such as Ode’imin (strawberry) and Chi-ogin (tomato), and the teaching of the strawberry as the “heart berry,” symbolizing love and kindness.

This inquiry fostered curiosity, respect for nature, and an understanding of how we care for living things. The Kindergarten students and their school community look forward to watching the garden grow!

Improve Student Learning

Celebrating a Meaningful Cultural Exchange at St. Matthew the Evangelist Catholic School

St. Matthew the Evangelist Catholic School was delighted to welcome Iker, Jared, and Luca to their school community this past month. A sincere thank you to Mr. Johnston and Ms. Dos Santos’ classes for their hospitality, leadership, and commitment in making this experience so memorable. Please click here to read more.

DO'C Chargers Embrace Electrification

On June 10, Grade 9 students at Archbishop Denis O'Connor Catholic High School in Ajax engaged in a day of hands-on, career-connected learning through the Electricity Now program.

Organized through the school’s Science Department, students explored the world of electricity through interactive activities, including circuit creation, developed by educators from Electricity Now alongside representatives from Elexicon Energy. Please click here to read more.

Celebrating Our Child Care Assistant Training Program Graduates

On June 9, 2026, staff at the Archbishop Anthony Meagher Catholic Continuing Education Centre, along with family, friends and community partners, proudly recognized the dedicated adult learners who completed the Child Care Assistant Training Program. After 18 weeks of full-time study, including nine weeks of hands-on placement in childcare centres, graduates earned their certificates and are now ready to begin meaningful careers supporting and educating young children. Please click here to read more.

Upcoming Events

Back-to-School Bus Experience

Resources for Exceptional Children and Youth is excited to invite families to Back-to-School Bus Events. There are two opportunities designed to help young children and their parents build confidence and comfort with school bus routines as the return of the school year approaches.

Families are invited to attend one of the following bus experiences:

Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School (15 Fishlock St., Ajax) from 3:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, August 20, 2026, at Charles Bowman Public School (195 Bons Ave., Bowmanville) from 3:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Please click here to learn more and register.