Highlights from the Regular Board Meeting of April 26, 2021 |
|
Catholic Education Week and Children's Mental Health Week: May 3-7, 2021 |
|
Director of Education, Tracy Barill introduced Katherine Mustachi, Senior Manager of Faith Formation and Diane Mullane, Senior Manager of Mental Health Initiatives who presented an overview of the combined Catholic Education Week and Children's Mental Health Week celebration that will be held from May 3 to 7, 2021. The combined theme for this important week is Nurturing Hope; Cultivating Gratitude.
Now more than ever, the clear connection between faith formation and well-being is evident. Supporting the mental health of our students is critical work in our Catholic schools.
In choosing the theme of Nurturing Hope, the Ontario Catholic School Trustees' Association recognized both the hope needed as we navigate the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the call of Pope Frances who announced 2021 as the special Year of Laudato Si'. This is the five year anniversary of the release of this important papal encyclical which explores the faith and spiritual perspective about the environment and climate change.
Katherine Mustachi added that practicing gratitude boosts physical and mental health, and that a number of activities have been planned throughout the week to help students and staff actively acknowledge and appreciate God’s blessings. The five sub-themes for Catholic Education and Children’s Mental Health Week mirror the sub themes set out by OCTSA.
- Day 1 (Monday, May 3) – Preparing the Earth
- Day 2 (Tuesday, May 4) – Sowing Seeds of Gratitude
- Day 3 (Wednesday, May 5) – Cultivating Relationships
- Day 4 (Thursday, May 6) – Harvesting New Fruit
- Day 5 (Friday, May 7) – Marveling in Wonder
Diane Mullane noted that the week is marked by a number of special activities for the Catholic education community. These events include:
-
Tuesday, May 4– Distinguished Catholic Educator and Leader Award. A link to a YouTube Premiere Event will be available at dcdsb.ca on Monday, May 3.
-
Wednesday, May 5– Province wide Catholic Education Week Mass with his Eminence Cardinal Thomas Collins at 11 a.m. EST (Live Event)
-
Thursday, May 6– Wear Green Day to be grateful for the earth and focus on opportunities to be stewards of the environment. The colour green also symbolizes mental health awareness. Also on May 6, the Board will also announce the 2021 recipients of the Distinguished Catholic Alumni Awards.
Families are invited to participate in daily at home activities focused on the "With Gratitude" initiative. Families can download a postcard and either print it off or send it digitally to praise or thank a family member, friend, colleague, or local community member for something they’ve done or something they appreciate about them. DCDSB community members are invited to share their uplifting messages of hope and gratitude with everyone around them – spreading joy, love and happiness.
|
|
Morgan Ste. Marie, Chair of the Board
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, Chair Ste. Marie extended congratulations to all the Distinguished Catholic Volunteers who were honoured and recognized for their contributions to their school communities last week during National Volunteer Week. Despite the year of restrictions, these volunteers and many others continue to build on the connection between families and their school communities. Parent volunteers are achieving this by hosting virtual events for families and students to participate in, from organizing Mental Health speakers to selling school spirit wear to raise funds. Volunteers were thanked for all the time spent to benefit their school communities.
Earlier this month, the Chair accepted the Government of Canada’s Climate Action Incentive for the $471,000 investment in making our schools more energy efficient. The announcement will help lower the board’s carbon footprint and strengthen its commitment to environmental stewardship. The money will be used to:
- replace boiler systems at two Whitby schools - St. Matthew the Evangelist and St. Mark the Evangelist;
- install new windows at St. Wilfrid Catholic School in Pickering;
- make energy efficient upgrades such as LED lighting in our schools; and
- install new roofs, and roof top mechanical systems to help reduce pollution, lower energy costs and improve the air quality in schools for our students and staff.
Chair Ste. Marie added how grateful he was for students, families, staff and leaders, who continue to persevere, learn and grow while we adjust to another lockdown and move to online learning. "We are being asked to isolate ourselves, yet at the same time we know the importance of keeping connected with those around us. If you need help, there are resources available," said Chair Ste. Marie.
Our Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee is hosting a presentation entitled Battling Loneliness and Isolation: Before, During and After COVID-19 this Wednesday, April 28 at 7:00 p.m. with guest speaker Aubrey Noronha. The workshop will provide strategies to help anyone experiencing stress and anxiety due to the pandemic; explain the scientific connection between social media, empathy and face-to-face interactions; and offer practical tips on how to create stronger family, friends and community bonds. Though free, registration ahead of time is required. Visit dcpic.ca to register.
As the Board enters the Month of Mary, Catholic Education Week and Children’s Mental Health Week with the combined theme of Nurturing Hope; Cultivating Gratitude – we look forward to ongoing board wide activities. It is a time to be thankful for all those around us and to acknowledge their contributions this past year. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the renewal and affirmation of our Catholic values with Masses, virtual family events, staff recognition and more. The Chair invited families, trustees, staff and leaders to watch the provincial Mass for Catholic Education Week on May 5 at 11:00 a.m. with His Eminence Cardinal Collins. The live Mass will be celebrated at St. Michael’s Cathedral for Catholic communities across Ontario.
In closing, the Chair added he is looking ahead to the May Board Meeting, when staff are recognized for their 25 years of service with the board; and schools and individuals are honoured with other awards of distinction.
"Let’s continue to celebrate our milestones and accomplishments, and express gratitude for those who help us," noted Chair Ste. Marie. "There is hope popping up everywhere. With a little nourishment it will grow and blossom."
|
|
Tracy Barill, Director of Education thanked students, families, staff, leaders and administrators who have pivoted to remote learning last week. She acknowledged the impact that the changes have on students, families and staff and thanked staff for navigating a year's worth of constant changes to support students' learning.
The Director provided an update on vaccinations. Staff working closely with Special Education students were given letters of eligibility prior to the Spring Break. Vaccinations are also available to adults 40 years of age and older at local pharmacies. Director Barill added that the Durham Region Health Department is setting up pop-up clinics for residents age 18-49 who live in the hot spot postal code areas L1S, L1T, L1V, L1X and L1Z.
As part of the board's commitment to Equity, staff are being offered an Invitational Learning Series called the Business of Belonging in May. The series focuses on anti-Black racism, and Black Excellence in relation to belonging within educational spaces. Speakers will address Missing Black and Racialized Narratives in Catholic Education; Service and Expression; Black and Education – The Right to Just BE; Intersectional Black Identities and the Spirit Injury of Classification and Anti-Black Racism and Black Excellence Work. "I am proud and grateful to provide staff with more opportunities to learn as we embark on our journey of making a better school system for our students," said Tracy Barill, Director of Education.
Although we have all been working and learning remotely, there has been no shortage of good news, special days, announcements, and milestones to celebrate. Some recent good news includes:
-
A student-led girls/women's empowerment group from All Saints Catholic Secondary School called The Riveters were interviewed on CTV. The Riveters currently has 65 members, and the group aims to break down barriers surrounding women’s issues. The Riveters held their first event which was a menstrual product drive to help end Period Poverty.
-
The Director noted how proud she is of students and staff for demonstrating our Catholic values by helping others. All DCDSB schools raised funds for ShareLife but she took a minute to highlight the students and staff at the Durham Catholic Virtual Elementary School. The school community raised over $26,000 for ShareLife to help all those in need.
-
DCDSB's Indigenous Education Manager, Karli Robertson and member of the Board's Indigenous Education Advisory Circle were recently featured in a local article entitled Meet the People Keeping Indigenous Languages Alive. The article highlights the work that advocates are doing to preserve Indigenous languages. "Learning the words means learning about Indigenous identity, traditions and beliefs."
- Congratulations to the students and staff for their ongoing efforts to raise funds for the Terry Fox Foundation. This year, the board has raised an incredible $46,649.05 for cancer research.
- Ford Canada recently donated a new Lincoln Navigator to the Automotive Technology program at All Saints Catholic Secondary School. The SUV will provide students with an opportunity to learn both the mechanical and electronic components of cars. The SUV is a welcomed addition to the school's program and will greatly benefit students' skills.
Director Barill thanked thoughtful and caring school volunteers for their contributions during National Volunteer Week. "Although, parents haven’t been volunteering in our schools, they have been contributing by organizing virtual school-based events, to lift school spirit," said Director Barill. "On behalf of our staff, we are grateful for all your support and thank you for being a part of our Durham Catholic family."
This week, the board will recognize dedicated staff who keep our offices running smoothly on Administrative Professionals Day. In closing, the Director added next week the board will celebrate Catholic Education Week and Children’s Mental Health Week. During this special time dedicated people from across the school system will be acknowledged during the Durham Catholic Distinguished Educator, Alumni and Leader awards. Recipients will be honoured during a YouTube Premier event on May 4, 2021. We are grateful for these opportunities to celebrate our dedicate staff.
|
|
- That the Durham Catholic District School Board receive and file as information, the Catholic Education and Children's Mental Health Week report dated April 26, 2021.
- Whereas the current Student Trustee Policy (PO215) requires the election of two student trustees each year to represent the interests of the students of the DCDSB.
Whereas the student trustee one-year term does not promote proper transition.
Whereas the student trustee one-year term does not support and may hamper new initiatives and cause them to be lost between years.
Whereas the current one-year term limits the student trustees’ opportunities for peer-mentoring and learning.
Whereas there is unanimous support from the Student Senate Committee, which represents the students of the DCDSB, for a proposed two-year term of service for student trustees.
Whereas the DCDSB believes that students are the future of Catholic Education, and student interest are best represented by students.
Whereas trustees have the responsibility to mentor and guide student trustees.
Whereas the student views at the Board table inform the decisions made by members of the Board of Trustees.
Whereas, although a ‘shadowing’ period exists to provide incoming student trustees with the opportunities for leadership-skills acquisition from the departing student trustees, trustees who have served for a second consecutive year affirm their increased confidence and ability to inhabit the role more fully after completing their first year.
Whereas while student trustees serving their first term report the many and significant benefits of serving alongside an experienced student trustee, student trustees serving their second consecutive term affirm their increased capacity to provide peer-mentorship and guidance to incoming student trustees during their first year of service.
Whereas this initiative, which originates from the DCDSB student representatives, it also fulfills the DCDSB’s strategic priority to empower students, by enabling them to access and learn from the life experience and expertise of adults, while also providing opportunities to develop quality leadership skills.
Therefore, be it resolved that, the DCDSB will amend the Student Trustee Policy (PO215) to a two-year term for student trustees, thus allowing for quality leadership and mentoring for DCDSB student leaders.
- That the Durham Catholic District School Board receive and file as information the COVID-19 Operational and Academic Update dated April 26, 201.
- That the Durham Catholic District School Board receive and file as information the Update on Virtual Learning for September 2021 report dated April 26, 2021.
- That the Durham Catholic District School Board receive and file the Catholic Student Trustees 2021-2022 report dated April 26, 2021.
- That the Durham Catholic District School Board receive and file the Brooklin French Immersion Transition Report for April 26, 2021.
- That the Durham Catholic District School Board receive and file, for information the Replacement for Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School - Progress Update Report dated April 26, 2021.
- That the Durham Catholic District School Board receive and file the Annual Facility Partnership Opportunities Report dated April 26, 2021.
- That the Durham Catholic District School Board receive and file, for information the Education Development Charges Report dated April 26, 2021.
- That the Durham Catholic District School Board approve the Revised Schedule of Board and Committee Meetings for the 2020/2021 school year.
- That the Durham Catholic District School Board receive and file as information the following correspondence: Email from Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities dated March 23, 2021.
|
|
Janice Oldman, Vice-Chair of the Board, made the following announcements:
Retirements
- Anna Maria Muller-Chen, Durham Catholic Virtual Elementary School, June 30, 2021
- Bernice MacEachern, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School, June 30, 2021
- Patricia Hennig, Fr. Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School, June 30, 2021
- Robert Melosso, Durham Catholic Virtual Elementary School, June 30, 2021
- Robin Marie Van Der Vleuten, St. Joseph Catholic School, in Uxbridge, June 30, 2021
- Tracey Leroux, St. James Catholic School, June 30, 2021
Appointment to Acting Principal at St. Andre Bessette Catholic School
- Kathleen Frederick, Vice-Principal, St. Isaac Jogues Catholic School
|
|
2020-2021 Board of Trustees:
- Morgan Ste. Marie (Chair) - Oshawa
- Janice Oldman (Vice-Chair) - Ajax
- Richard Damianopoulos - Scugog, Uxbridge and Brock
- Robert De Souza - Oshawa
- Monique Forster - Ajax
- Jim McCafferty - Pickering
- John Rinella - Whitby
- Mikhail Yurkoski - Whitby
- Declan Amaral - Student Trustee
- Annika Dela Torre - Student Trustee
|
|
Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of April 26, 2021 will be posted on the board website as part of the agenda for the Regular Board Meeting of Monday, May 25, 2021. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
