DCPIC Events and Resources

Upcoming Events

Building Better Tech Habits Workshop and Raising Digitally Resilient Kids

The Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee (DCPIC) invites DCDSB families to two virtual workshops in partnership with MediaSmarts.

Building Better Tech Habits Workshop

Thursday, May 14, 2026, from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. via Microsoft Teams
Screen time is one of parents' top tech-related concerns and kids are worried about their screen use too. In this workshop, parents and guardians will learn how to create better habits around tech that will empower youth to be in control rather than their apps and devices. Please click here to learn more and register.

 

Raising Digitally Resilient Kids

Thursday, May 21, 2026, from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. via Microsoft Teams
In this engaging workshop, parents and guardians will learn how to balance the risks and benefits of digital media, based on insights from MediaSmarts’ research with youth. This workshop will explore the main online risks and provide practical strategies to keep your kids safe, including hands-on activities to practice these key skills. Please click here to learn more and register.

Resources

We welcome you to participate in Advent activities with your family.

Suggestions for daily Advent activities can be found in the calendar from Loyola Press.

DCPIC has compiled Lenten activities for families including craft activities that use materials found in your home, printable colouring pages, printable Easter word search and links to resources and activities for families.

Printable Lent Activities

The following activities and colouring pages can be printed at home:

Lent Resources for Families

 

Lent Family Craft Activities

Week 1: Living Out Lent Cube

Print the attached PDF file to make your cube! Thanks to www.sadlier.com for this activity.

 

Week 2: Easter Prayer Chain

 

 

Week 3: Easter Story Wreath

Print this PDF file to make your wreath! Thanks to www.weelittlemiracles.com for this activity.

 

Week 4: Stations of the Cross Booklet

Please click here for printable pages and assembly instructions.

 

Week 5: Palm Sunday Craft Activity

 

 

Thanks to www.mommysnippets.com for this activity

 

Week 6: Easter Triduum Spinning Plate

 

 

Please click here for printable pages and assembly instructions.

The Sacred Heart of Jesus represents the love Jesus has for us and the suffering he endured by dying for our sins. 

We have compiled resources and activities for families to learn about the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the webpage below.

Symbolism 

The Sacred Heart has flames coming out of it because Jesus’ heart is burning with love for us. The cross and the crown of thorns (like he wore during his crucifixion) represent his suffering and how he died for our sins. The rays of light coming from the heart remind us that Jesus is the Light of the World

Resources and Activities

DCPIC Parent/Guardian Survey

Each school year, DCPIC conducts a survey of the Board's parents, guardians and caregivers, to determine what topics and information are top of mind and most pertinent. That information is then used by the committee, as well as School Councils, when planning events and sharing resources.

  • Dates: The survey was open from May 14, 2025 - May 30, 2025
  • Communication Methods:
    • Direct emails through SchoolMessenger to all DCDSB families;
    • Social media posts on DCPIC and DCDSB social media outlets;
    • Edsby posts on the Edsby District River;
    • Website banners on DCPIC and DCDSB websites;
    • Posted to school news sections of the school websites; and
    • DCPIC Newsletter.
  • 807 responses were received
  • Responses were received from all schools within DCDSB
  • Schools with the highest response rate:
    • All Saints Catholic Secondary School: 57
    • Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School: 39
    • St. Isaac Jogues Catholic School: 38
    • St. Mary Catholic Secondary School: 37
    • St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic School: 36
  • What types of faith support would be most helpful to your family?
    1. Regional celebrations connecting home, school, and parish
    2. Family craft activities tied to the liturgical seasons
    3. Digital faith tools (i.e. apps, podcasts, videos)
    4. Opportunities for families to participate in faith-based service or outreach projects
    5. Tips for faith conversation at home
  • Topics families are most interested in for future DCPIC events and to receive regular information about:
    1. Academic support (i.e. Math, Literacy, French, STEM)
    2. Life Skills and Future Readiness (i.e. Financial Literacy, Post-Secondary Planning)
    3. Safe and Inclusive Schools (i.e. Bullying Prevention, Vaping, Special Education Support)
    4. Digital Safety and Technology
    5. Mental Health and Wellness
    6. Arts and Creative Family Nights
    7. Faith and Religious Education
    8. Early Years Learning and Development
    9. Parent Leadership and Advocacy
  • Top DCPIC events that families attended this year:
    1. I did not attend any events
    2. Advent Craft Night (December 12, 2024)
    3. Family Literacy Night (January 21, February 25, and March 25, 2025)
    4. Financial Literacy Night (November 21, 2024)
    5. Youth and Mental Health Night (May 12, 2025)
    6. Lenten Craft Night (March 18, 2025)
    7. Math Made Accessible (February 20, 2025)
  • Suggestions for how DCPIC can improve its events, resources, or communications to better serve families:
    • Continue communicating through Edsby
    • Send out events sooner so families have more notice and can add to their calendars
    • Run the event on multiple dates so families have the opportunity to attend if they have other commitments
    • Consider doing more virtual events and sharing the recorded events afterwards
    • More engaging and fun activities
    • More secondary-directed events and activities

  • Dates: The survey was open from May 13 - June 1, 2024

 

  • Communication methods:
    • Direct emails through School Messenger to all DCDSB families
    • Social media posts on DCPIC and DCDSB social media outlets
    • Website banners and school news items

 

  • 1126 responses were received. 
  • Responses were received from all schools within DCDSB.
  • Schools with the highest response rate:
    • All Saints Catholic Secondary School: 79
    • Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School: 72
    • Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School: 58
    • St. Mary Catholic Secondary School: 48
    • St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School: 47

 

  • Ways to Promote and Strengthen Faith Formation:
    1. Tips and advice on how to incorporate the faith conversation at home
    2. “Make and Take” activity at a virtual or in-person event focused on seasons in the liturgical calendar
    3. Regional celebration to support connection between home, school and parish
    4. Speaker event for parents/guardians to strengthen your faith journey

 

  • Events Topics for the upcoming school year:
    1. Well-being of students
    2. Digital Safety
    3. Mental Health
    4. Financial Literacy for Students
    5. The Arts
    6. Mathematics and Numeracy
    7. Technology and Innovation
    8. Safe Schools
    9. Faith/Religious Education

 

  • Resources for Child’s Education and Well-being:
    1. General life skills, including financial literacy
    2. Mental health and well-being resources
    3. Additional academic support resources
    4. Social events for students
    5. Health and physical education resources
    6. Post-secondary pathways resources

 

  • Families Want DCPIC to Share Information About:
    1. STEM/STEAM
    2. Financial literacy resources for students
    3. Community resources
    4. DCDSB events
    5. Mental health resources
    6. Math resources
    7. Skilled trades
    8. Post-secondary pathways

 

  • Additional/Other Responses:
    • More resources and support for students re-starting Grade 9 and planning for post-secondary
    • More resources and support for school events and activities
    • More services for students with special needs 
    • More community building events at my kids’ school
    • Teaching safety of social media and technology
    • Educate kids on the danger of vaping
    • More workshops and seminars for parents

  • Dates: The survey was open from May 10 – June 3, 2023.

  • Communication methods:
    • Direct emails through School Messenger to all DCDSB families;
    • Social media posts on DCPIC and DCDSB social media outlets;
    • Website banners and school news items.

  • 950 responses were received.
  • Responses were received from all schools within DCDSB.
  • Schools with highest response rate:
    • All Saints CSS: 77
    • St. Mary CSS: 54
    • Msgr. Paul Dwyer CHS: 45
    • St. Kateri Tekakwitha CS: 45
    • Father Leo J. Austin CSS: 40

  • Events Topics for 2022-2023 School Year:
    1. Well-being of students
    2. Mathematics and Numeracy
    3. The Arts (Dance, Drama, Music, Visual/Media Arts)
    4. Technology and Innovation (STEM/STEAM)
    5. Digital Safety (Internet/Social Media)
    6. Mental Health 

  • Families Want DCPIC to Share Information About:
    1. Summer Programs
    2. STEM/STEAM
    3. Math Resources
    4. DCDSB Events
    5. Community Resources
    6. Mental Health Resources
    7. Financial Literacy/Resources 

  • Ways to Promote and Strengthen Faith Formation:
    1. Tips and advice on how to incorporate faith conversation at home.
    2. “Make and Take” activity at a virtual or in-person event focused on seasons in the liturgical calendar.
    3. Regional celebration to support connection between home, school and parish. 

  • Resources for Child’s Education and Well-being:
    1. General Life Skills, including financial literacy
    2. Additional Academic Supports/Resources
    3. Mental Health and Well-being resources
    4. Social Events for Students
    5. Health and Physical Education Resources

  • Additional Feedback/Responses:
    • Food programs at schools are important.
    • Need to spend quality time with our kids.
    • Parent evenings for collaboration on different school topics - send out another survey for topics or suggestions.
    • More emphasis on relationships with God and Christianity and not only community values (helping others).
    • My biggest challenge with going to church as a family is worrying about my son who is on the autism spectrum being able to sit through the service without disrupting others. I don’t know what the solution is, but if there were to be a service for families like ours, I would be there every week.