Celebrating Student Success
Expanding Pathways for our Students' Futures
January 2021
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Experiential Learning, Skilled Trades and STEM |
The Grade 7 and 8 students at All Saints Catholic Secondary School's Regional Arts & Media Program (AMP) put their creative skills to work and built propeller powered cars that were driven by elastics with their Intermediate Guidance Teacher. The activity connected STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) with potential courses they can take in their secondary school journey.
Students had fun building the hands-on activity and were able to develop awareness and understanding of careers in the trades, while learning about courses available in secondary school like Tech, Cooperative Education, Specialist High Skills Majors, and the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program.
Students tested their completed cars to see how fast and far they were able to go. Check out the video to see the students' work in action.
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Build a Career you Wouldn't Trade - Discover OYAP |
The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) Level 1 is a school to work program that opens the door for students to explore occupations in the trades as apprentices starting in Grade 12 through the Cooperative Education program.
Students have an opportunity to become registered apprentices and work towards becoming certified journeypersons in a skilled trade while completing their final four secondary school credits. This gives students an incredible advantage as they graduate and work with an employer while pursuing their career in the skilled trades.
Registration for 2022 OYAP Level 1 will open in April. If you are interested in learning more, please contact your Guidance department and watch this video that highlights the Automotive Services Technician OYAP Level 1 Program.
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St. Bernard Catholic School ESL Students share Advice on Learning English |
Twin sisters, Sandy and Sara immigrated to Canada from Egypt in July 2018 and that's when their English as a Second Language (ESL) journey kicked into high gear.
The Grade 7 students from St. Bernard Catholic School offer fellow ESL students advice on how to learn English:
- practice, practice, practice,
- be patient with yourself,
- listen to English being spoken by friends, on TV or music,
- work hard and don't give up,
- be proud of all you are accomplishing - you are adapting to a new country, new language, new home.
- You got this!
Watch their student voice video (right) to learn more.
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Students Reflect on Completing their Cooperative Education during a Pandemic |
My name is Anthony, and I am in Grade 11 at All Saints Catholic Secondary School. I chose East Side Mario’s Restaurant in Whitby, to complete my co-op to gain work experience in a service industry. I wanted to use this opportunity to gain some knowledge on how placements work, to learn important skills needed in the kitchen and to create a few dishes. This co-op also taught me how jobs work and what to expect when I acquire my first part-time job.
The pandemic impacted my co-op quadmester by shortening my time at my placement and reducing my in-person experience. Before the pandemic, my co-op was supposed to be four months, but it was shortened to 4 weeks. However, I made the best of those four weeks as much as I could.
Learning at co-op was a first-time experience for me and it was fun despite the pandemic. I got to do many different things in the building than just look at a screen for an extended period. My co-op had more hands tasks such as preparing meals and cleaning stations in the kitchen.
One unexpected success that I achieved was that I could cook a good parmesan chicken! I even got complements from Mark who told me how well I seasoned the chicken.
What I will take from this experience is how I look forward to doing other jobs. East Side Mario’s gave me the chance to understand that everyone starts somewhere when placed in a new job and that there is always someone willing to help you get better. The staff was always kind to help me and taught me that whatever mistakes you make, rather than focusing on that one mistake, you can learn from it and continue to improve.
I would like to thank Mark for taking me on as a co-op student even in these times, Mike for telling me to be more confident when trying anything, and Chef Chris for showing me discipline and respect, and all the other employers for being there for me.
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My name is Jailyn, I am a Grade 11 student that attends All Saints Catholic Secondary School. This school year my co-op placement was at White Oaks Animal Hospital. I decided to take a co-op course in my Grade 11 year because it was an amazing experience to be able to attend a workplace and see all the different things that a vet does daily. This also gave me the opportunity to experience a workplace in the medical field which is what I want to do in my future career.
Unfortunately, my co-op quadmester was cut short because of the lockdown that was put in place. It also affected my original co-op placement that I wanted to attend. I want to become a nurse for my future career which means I wanted to experience working in a hospital. I was not able to go there because of the COVID situation but I was still able to experience an amazing opportunity at an animal hospital instead. Learning at my co-op placement was way more interesting and exciting compared to learning at school and online. Seeing how things work in a workplace and being able to help and watch new things every day is such an amazing experience and way more fun than listening to lectures and doing homework. It also gives you a break from the laptop and classroom setting and allows you to do something different for the quadmester. I would have never thought that I was able to do the things that I got to do and learn at co-op. I was able to watch surgeries, I learned how to draw vaccines for the immunization of animals which will be very helpful for my future career, and I also learned how to make surgical packs and clean surgical instruments.
My co-op experience is something that I will never forget. It was my first experience of seeing things from a medical perspective and my first time learning new things that will help me in the future. Co-op is such an amazing opportunity. I would like to thank Lesley and the staff at White Oaks Animal Hospital for taking me into their workplace during this time.
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Deadline Extended - Indigenous Students in Grades 7-12 encouraged to Apply to the Indigenous Student Education Advisory Circle |
The Student Indigenous Education Advisory Circle is an opportunity for DCDSB Indigenous students to share their voice and culture with students across our board. The Circle meets in February, April, June, September and November where members of the Indigenous Education Advisory Circle invite you to discuss what you would like to see happen or initiatives implemented in Indigenous Education within our board. You will meet other Indigenous youth in DCDSB and community members. Plus you have an opportunity to share your own knowledge and extend your learning.
If you are interested in joining the Indigenous Student Education Advisory Circle please submit an original work to demonstrate why you would like to be a part of this circle. This could be done through a letter, art piece, poem, video, voice recording, essay, or anything that you feel represents your interest in being a part of this circle.
Please also include one reference (name and school) from any board employee to go along with your work and send all submissions by February 12, 2021 to Leahm.power@dcdsb.ca (Indigenous Education Secondary Resource Teacher) titled “Indigenous Education Student Advisory Circle.”
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Adult and Continuing Education |
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A Diamond Win for Archbishop Anthony Meagher Catholic Continuing Education Centre |
Archbishop Anthony Meagher Catholic Continuing Education Centre (CCEC) was voted best Adult Education in the Ajax/Pickering and Oshawa/Whitby 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards. An article was recently released online thorough Metroland about DCDSB’s Adult and Continuing Education Centre.
With centres located in Ajax and Oshawa, Archbishop Anthony Meagher CCEC offers Adult Education, Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) and Specialized Training Programs for Pathways to Employment and Post-Secondary Education. Night School classes are also offered and will be starting February 22.
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Key dates to be aware of:
February 1 to 28 - Black History Month
February 1 - Secondary Quadmester 3 Begins
February 4/5 - Elementary Report Cards Go Home
February 8 - Elementary Term 2 Begins
February 10 - Edsby Parent Workshop
February 12 - Secondary PA Day
February 15 - Family Day (Schools Closed)
February 16 - Shrove Tuesday
February 17 - Ash Wednesday
February 22 to 26 - Stand Up to Bullying Week
February 24 - Pink Shirt Day
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February 9 - Post-Secondary Indigenous Pathways Discussion |
Durham Catholic secondary students are invited to a virtual presentation by Julie Pigeon, Indigenous Coach at Durham College's First Peoples’ Indigenous Centre on February 9, 2021 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Ms. Pigeon will speak with secondary school students about post-secondary pathways and opportunities for learning about Indigenous programming, services and community learning opportunities. All Indigenous students and allies are welcome to attend.
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February 9 - Dream Big Career Discovery Expo |
Students in Grades 7 to 12 are invited to participate in the Build a Dream #DreamBig Career Discovery Expo on February 9, 2021. Register by clicking here.
Tune in virtually to learn about careers in skilled trades, science, technology, engineering, math, emergency services, and entrepreneurship.
Making decisions about a future career path can be difficult, but we are here to help! Tune in to get insight into new careers, resources, and information, plus insight into different employers and post-secondary education options. This FREE event is here to help you, build your dream!
The event features:
● Dream Maker Panel: Women from various careers share their stories and inspire
● Employer Spotlight: Hear what employers look for in new employees!
● Pathway Spotlight: College, University, and Apprenticeship
● Games, Prizes, Survey, and More!
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February 10 - Edsby Parent Workshop |
Having trouble navigating Edsby? Frustrated because you are not getting notifications or do not know how to submit assignments?
Our Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee is hosting a virtual workshop to help parents.
Join us on Wednesday February 10, 2021 at 7:00pm for a virtual workshop dedicated to helping parents so you can help your kids!
For those unable to attend on February 10, the workshop will be recorded and posted on the committee's website at dcpic.ca.
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Durham Catholic District School Board
650 Rossland Road West,
Oshawa, ON
Phone: 905-576-6150 | Visit us at dcdsb.ca
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