Prayer for the School Year
God of grace and love,
Be with us this year as we change and learn and grow.
Open our hearts and minds to the beauty and wisdom of those around us.
Guide us to see and celebrate our differences as opportunities for learning and understanding.
Help us to ensure that our school is a place of warmth, welcome and acceptance where each and every person is valued and heard.
Teach us to appreciate the many gifts we can offer to each other as members of one school community.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
| |
2022 OCSTA Short Video Contest for Students | |
Ontario Catholic School Trustees' Association (OCSTA) is pleased to announce the return of the OCSTA Short Video Contest which this year celebrates the Catholic Education Week theme – Catholic Education: We are Many, We are One
Students in Grades 4-12 are invited to create a 2-minute video highlighting acts of Christian service to others that give witness to our faith. All participants are asked to upload completed videos to YouTube for viewing and adjudication by the provincial committee.
To view full contest details please visit the OCSTA website .
| |
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - September 30 | |
September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. The focus for Truth and Reconciliation Week is ‘Remembering the Children’. As a board, we will wear orange shirts in order to continue to recognize the efforts of Phyllis Webstad a Stswecem’c Xgat’tem Shuswap First Nation woman who had her new orange shirt taken from her on her first day of residential ‘school’ in 1973.
Please explore the Indigenous Education section of the Durham Catholic District School Board website to see available resources and links to further learning.
| |
Registration Now Open for International Languages Classes | |
|
The International Languages program offered through Archbishop Anthony Meagher Catholic Continuing Education Centre is designed for students from Year 1 Kindergarten/Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12. The programs provide students with the opportunity to speak, listen, write and read in an international language and to learn about the culture and heritage associated with that language.
Elementary International Languages Classes
This program is offered on Saturday mornings from 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and runs from September 17, 2022 – June 10, 2023. Students must be in Year 1 Kindergarten/Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 to participate in this program. For more information and to register, please visit our website.
French Classes for Junior Kindergarten – Grade 3 Students
Students who are currently enrolled in Year 1 Kindergarten/Junior Kindergarten to Grade 3 are invited to register for French language classes. These classes are offered at either St. Mary Catholic Secondary School in Pickering or All Saints Catholic Secondary School in Whitby. The classes are offered on Saturday mornings from 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and runs from September 17, 2022 – June 10, 2023. For more information and to register, please visit our website.
Secondary International Languages Classes
DCDSB secondary students who are interested in taking an international language credit course are invited to register for the International Languages program offered through Archbishop Anthony Meagher Catholic Continuing Education Centre. The courses will start on September 17, 2022 and run until June 12, 2023. For more information and to register, please visit our website.
| |
|
We are excited to announce the Durham Catholic School Board (DCDSB) KinderClub, which is free for children ages 0 to 4 years old who have not yet registered for school.
Sign up today to receive a special birthday greeting during the month of your child's birthday and to be automatically entered to win a KinderClub monthly prize box!
Register for the DCDSB KinderClub
Birthday Card
When you register your child in the DCDSB KinderClub, your child will receive a birthday card in the mail via Canada Post. This birthday card includes a birthday message, a birthday prayer, and a special birthday sticker that your child can wear proudly on their big day!
Note: Your child does not currently have to be enrolled at one of our DCDSB schools to register for our KinderClub, however, you must live within DCDSB boundaries to participate (Oshawa, Whitby, Brooklin, Scugog, Uxbridge, Ajax, Pickering and Brock).
KinderClub Prize Box
Once your child is registered in the DCDSB KinderClub, your child will automatically be entered in a draw for our monthly KinderClub prize box! This box includes fun, play-based educational items.
| |
Right to Disconnect
Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) staff believe in the value of open and responsive communication between home and school in support of our students.
In December 2021, the Ontario Government passed the Working for Workers Act which requires all employers with more than 25 employees, to implement a policy that ensures staff have the opportunity to disconnect from work each day.
As a Board of Education with approximately 2,400 staff members, we are committed to supporting positive work-life balance for our employees. We take this responsibility seriously and believe that the overall health and well-being of our staff impacts their ability to effectively support the learning needs of our students.
The DCDSB Right to Disconnect from Work Policy, protects the right of staff to disconnect from work between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays, all day on weekends, approved vacation days, statutory holidays and board-designated non-working days.
How will this impact parents and guardians?
As a Board, we recognize that our families have many different responsibilities and work obligations of their own which may impact the times when they are able to write notes and/or emails to their children’s school and/or educators. All parents and guardians are advised however, that in most cases, communication received after hours will not be responded to until the next working day.
We trust that in this time, when mental health and well-being is so important for everyone, that you will understand and support this change in the interest of maintaining a positive and resilient workforce in our schools and across our Catholic learning community.
| |
|
On August 31, 2022, the Chief Medical Officer of Health released new guidelines for self-isolation for individuals for who test positive for COVID-19. Highlights of the revised guidelines are outlined below:
- The mandatory five-day isolation period for those who test positive for COVID-19 is no longer in effect.
- Those with symptoms of any respiratory illness, should stay home until symptoms have improved for at least 24 hours.
- Those with a fever, should stay home until it's completely gone.
- Those with gastrointestinal symptoms should stay home until symptoms have improved for at least 48 hours.
- After isolating at home, wear a mask in public for 10 days since the onset of symptoms.
- If sick, avoid non-essential visits to vulnerable or older people for a full 10 days starting the day after symptoms appear.
- Those living in the same household as someone who is sick or tested positive for COVID-19, should mask in public spaces, even if they do not have any symptoms themselves.
A COVID-19 Information webpage has been created and posted on all board and school websites. Families may wish to subscribe to this page to receive updates.
| |
Student Spotlight - Nicole P.
Welcome to a brand new year of DCDSB Student Spotlight! Our first Student Spotlight segment for the 2022-2023 school year highlights Nicole P., a Grade 11 student and EcoSchool Representative at Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School. Nicole talks about the Notre Dame community garden and how the school came together to create this space for their community.
| |
Mental Health and Well-Being | |
Supporting A Mentally Healthy Return to School for Your Child | |
The past two school years have been anything but usual! We know that while many students and families are eager to return to a “more normal” school experience, some will be worried about starting back, and what this new school year will look like for them. There are a number of things that you as parents and caregivers can do to help ease the transition into this new school year including:
1. Understanding stress
- Remember that the pandemic has impacted people in unique and varied ways. Even as society returns to more normal social interactions, we are aware that each child will approach the new school year with many different feelings.
- Anxiety can show up in different ways. Your child may tell you that they are feeling fearful or overwhelmed. Or you might notice things like frequent headaches, trouble sleeping, irritability or emotional outbursts. Your child might seem withdrawn, or overly tired or restless. Being watchful for signs of anxiety can help you to provide support early, before the problem worsens.
- Not all stress can be avoided, but sometimes we can reduce it. Having tools and strategies ready to cope with stress is important, so that we and our children can be less negatively affected.
2. Talk to your child about the return to school
- Check in regularly with your child, as their emotions and feelings will likely change from day to day or week to week.
- Here are some conversation starters you may like to use:
- Who are you looking forward to connecting with this school year?
- What is one thing you’re hoping to do during the school year?
- What are the strategies that really worked for you during remote learning? Are there things we can build on?
- How are you feeling about this school year?
- What’s one thing you feel excited for?
- Is there anything you feel a bit worried about?
- How can I help you to feel comfortable about school?
3. Take care of you, so you can be your best to support your children
- Try to take time for the basics – choose foods that give you good energy, establish a sleep routine that leaves you feeling refreshed, and enjoy some fresh air and exercise.
- Pay attention to your own stress levels and notice when you are starting to feel overwhelmed. Use this as a cue to take a break. Take small breaks throughout the day to just “be,” or to engage in something you like to do.
- Take a few deep, slow breaths when you start to feel anxious or upset.
- Try just listening to your thoughts, and practice noticing them without judging or denying them. Even five minutes of this sort of quiet reflection can have a positive impact.
- Be compassionate with yourself. Give yourself a break; you’re doing the best you can.
School Mental Health Ontario (SMHO) offers a number of resources to help parents and guardians support their children’s mental health, including SMHO How To Support A Mentally Healthy Return to School For Your Child Tip Sheet.
Other resources for parents, guardians and caregivers can be found on the SMHO website.
| |
Adult and Continuing Education | |
Register for Adult Education Programs with Archbishop Anthony Meagher Catholic Continuing Education Centre | |
Our Adult Education sites in Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa offer Adult Education, Mature Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (mPLAR) and Specialized Training Programs for Pathways to Employment and Post-Secondary Education. Adults who are 18 years of age or older and out of a regular secondary school can register for a variety of programs including:
For more information, visit our website at www.con-ed.ca, check out our Program Guide and/or contact us at:
| |
Brooklin Harvest Festival | |
On Saturday, September 17, 2022, the Brooklin Harvest Festival will be back! On Baldwin Street this year, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., businesses and restaurants encourage you to shop sidewalk sales, visit unique stores, and meet with the local owners.
For more information please visit www.whitby.ca.
| |
OPG’s 2022 Community Open House
Ontario Power Generation invites you to learn more about how our operations, projects and other initiatives are helping to combat climate change and power a brighter, cleaner tomorrow.
When: Saturday, September 24, 2022
Where: Darlington Energy Complex,1855 Energy Dr., Clarington, ON
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
For more information please visit www.opg.com.
| |
Register to Vote in Municipal and School Board Elections
If you are a resident, owner or tenant of property in Ontario, a Canadian citizen and 18 years of age or over, you can vote in Ontario’s municipal and school board elections. To confirm that your information is current and accurately reflected, please visit voterlookup.ca.
The Municipal and School Board Elections are Monday, October 24, 2022, but qualified voters don’t need to wait until Voting Day to cast their ballots! Plan to vote early at one of the Advance Voting Events. A variety of times and locations are available throughout Advance Voting Event that will work for your schedule! Please visit voterlookup.ca or the website for the city or town you reside in for further information on the 2022 Municipal and School Board Elections.
| |
Oshawa Municipal and School Board Elections
The Oshawa Municipal and School Board Elections are Monday, October 24, but qualified Oshawa voters don’t need to wait until Voting Day to cast their ballots! Plan to vote early at one of 11 Advance Voting Events this October. With a variety of times and locations throughout the city, there is an Advance Voting Event that will work for your schedule! Review dates, times and locations on the City’s website.
But who are you voting for? Qualified Oshawa voters may vote for:
- one candidate for Regional Chair, elected region-wide;
- one candidate for Mayor, elected city-wide;
- one candidate for Regional & City Councillor, elected from your ward;
- one candidate for City Council, elected from your ward; and,
- Trustee(s) from your School Board (as applicable).
The list of certified candidates is available for review on voteoshawa.ca.
In the meantime, you can make sure your voter information is up-to-date on voteoshawa.ca or at Service Oshawa (50 Centre St. S.).
For more information on the 2022 Municipal and School Board Elections, please visit our website at voteoshawa.ca or contact City Clerk Services at 905-436-5639 or vote@oshawa.ca.
| |
|
September 21 – International Day of Peace
September 22 – Flag raising at St. John Bosco Catholic School in celebration of Franco-Ontarian Day
September 23 - Professional Activity (PA) Day (Elementary and Secondary)
September 25 – Franco-Ontarian Day
September 26 - Regular Board Meeting
September 27 – World Rivers Day
September 28 – Custodial Workers Appreciation Day
September 28 – October 4 – Right to Know Week
September 29 – Rowan’s Law Day
September 30 – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation/Orange Shirt Day
October 1 – World Smile Day
October 2 – National Custodian Appreciation Day
October 2-8 - National Catholic Health Care Week
October 3-7 – Safe and Accepting Schools Week
October 5 – World Teachers’ Day
October 6 - Archbishop Anthony Meagher Catholic Continuing Education Centre Graduation
October 10 - Thanksgiving (Statutory Holiday)
| |
Durham Catholic District School Board
650 Rossland Road West
Oshawa, ON L1J 7C4
(905) 576-6150
| | | | | |
