Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Newsletter

November 2021

DCPIC Newsletter

The Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee is a statutory committee of the Durham Catholic District School Board. Our goal is to make parental engagement a priority by providing ongoing support on a system-wide basis and promoting communication and dialogue between school councils, the Board and members of the community.

Message from DCPIC Chair

On behalf of the Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee (DCPIC) I want to welcome all of our new and returning families to the 2021-2022 school year, and our Community of Faith! I hope that your family has started to settle into a new school routine.

DCPIC is committed to sharing resources and events that will provide opportunities to engage with parents across the Durham Catholic District School Board. I know families need to feel connected to their school communities now more than ever and we are working with our Catholic School Councils to provide meaningful engagement and event opportunities.

In early November, we welcomed a number of new DCPIC members and community members to the committee. We look forward to working with the following new and returning members of the committee throughout the school year.

New DCPIC Parent and Community Members:

Vanessa Assarali - Parent Member (2021-2023)
Jihan Ferguson - Parent Member (2021-2023)
Josie Mullin - Parent Member (2021-2023)
Michelle Gillis - Parent Member (2021-2023)
Marika Shaw - Parent Member (2021-2023)
Andrea Onely - Parent Member (2021-2023)
Andrea Gagliardi - Parent Member (2021-2023)
Marcellin Kwilu Mondo - Community Representative (2021-2022)
Candice Belmontes - Community Representative (2021-2022)
Gina Da Fonte - Community Representative (2021-2022)

Returning DCPIC Parent Members:

Rose Lo Presti - Vice-Chair (2020-2022)
Erin Groat - Secretary/Treasurer (2020-2022)
Angela Kielbowski - Parent Member (2020-2022)
Jay Ashwin - Parent Member (2020-2022)
Karina Doyle - Parent Member (2020-2022)
Marie Marilla - Parent Member (2020-2022)
Channon Oyeniran - Parent Member (2020-2022)
Laka Ford-Williams - Parent Member (2020-2022)
Vanessa Dreckmann - Parent Member (2020-2022)

In May 2021 we completed our annual DCPIC Year-End Parent/Guardian Engagement Survey. Families have told us that they want more information and events to support the wellbeing and mental health of our students and families as a number one priority. Families have also said that they would like resources and events to support Math/Numeracy, the Arts, and Technology/Innovation. We look forward to sharing the upcoming events we have planned this year with this feedback in mind.

With Advent beginning on Sunday, November 28, I invite families to visit our website for an Advent Calendar with suggestions for daily activities.

On behalf of the DCPIC, I want to extend warm wishes for the Christmas season. If you have any questions, please email me at chair@dcpic.ca.

Yours in Faith,

Melissa Bevan

Chair, Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee

2021 DCPIC Commissioning

On November 3, 2021 members of the School Outreach Committee as well as other volunteers put on our annual Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee Commissioning Mass for new and returning Parent Council Chairs and their Principals.

We were excited to be able to offer this Mass and meeting in-person for the first time in two years!

This year we did two separate Masses in order to comply with current COVID-19 guidelines. Our Ajax and Pickering Family of Schools came in the morning and our Whitby and Oshawa Family of Schools attended in the afternoon.

The day was a huge success. Father Keith did both masses for us. He kept everyone focused on our reason for being there and Durham Catholic’s pastoral theme of Community of Faith, while keeping us thoroughly entertained at the same time. Director Barill spoke at the commissioning and so did Superintendent Wilson.

This year the Parent Council Chairs received two gifts from DCPIC. They were able to take the candle they had lit for the commissioning, and also received a handmade gift: a clear cork bottle with sand in it and a rolled up scroll with the poem “Footprints” on it. We brought together the theme of Footprints - God is always with us, by our side and carries us when we are struggling, and yearly pastoral theme of Community of Faith - we have an entire community here at DCDSB which is always beside us in one way or another as well.

People attending the DCPIC Commissioning

Tracy Barill, Director of Education speaking to DCPIC Commissioning attendees

DCPIC Advent Activities

DCPIC Advent Activities for Families

We welcome you to participate in Advent activities with your family! We have suggestions for daily activities in our online Advent calendar.

Click here to view the Advent calendar.

Faith Formation

Sacramental Preparation and Youth Ministries

Youth Ministries: Our local parishes offer students in Grade 6-12 the opportunity to join one of the youth ministry's programs. Please visit our website for further information.
Sacramental Preparation : Sacramental preparation information is listed on our website from each parish. Please find your child's school on our website to find the contact and/or registration information for First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation preparation at the parish that supports your child’s school. Please visit our website for further information.

Please note that these webpages will be updated as further information becomes available. Families who have children attending the Durham Catholic Virtual Elementary School (DCVES) should contact the parish that is connected to the school that their child previously attended (i.e. prior to attending the DCVES).

ShareLife School Poster Contest

Annual ShareLife School Poster Contest

ShareLife is hosting their 14th annual ShareLife Poster Contest. Please visit the ShareLife website for further information.

The deadline to submit an entry for the contest is December 10, 2021.

To submit an entry, students may do so via one of the following methods:

Scan/photograph the student’s original work and email to: sharelifecontest@archtoronto.org
Or mail physical poster to: ShareLife Poster Contest, 1155 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4T 1W2

Meeting Dates

Parents and guardians are welcome to attend our Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Meetings. Our meetings are currently being held virtually at 7:30 p.m. on the dates below. Visit our website for the link to upcoming meetings.

January 6, 2022
February 3, 2022
March 10, 2022
April 7, 2022
May 12, 2022
June 9, 2022

Website: dcpic.ca

Email: info@dcpic.ca