Highlights from the Regular Board Meeting of March 27, 2023

Anthem

Thank you to the students from St. John Bosco Catholic School who sang O Canada at the March 27, 2023 Regular Board Meeting.

Presentations

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Strategic Goals Mr. Rodriguez, Chief Information Officer - Freedom of Information and Privacy, Ms. Wilson-Chambers, Project Manager, ERP, Mr. Adams, Manager, Infrastructure Solutions and Mr. Skelton, Supervisor, Network and Cyber Security provided an update to the Board of Trustees on initiatives currently taking place in the Information and Communications Technology Services. Ms. Wilson-Chambers shared details on the implementation of a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system which will update Human Resource Services, Payroll and Finance systems. Mr. Rodriguez shared updates on the Multi-Year Technology Plan, which includes a goal to have a a device for every two students in the board. In the 2021-2022 school year, ICT obtained a three students per every device ratio, and the goal for 2022-2023 is to ensure that all schools have one device per every two students. Mr. Adams and Mr. Skelton shared updates on system-wide Cyber Security improvements. In 2021, DCDSB was selected as a CyberHub facility, and in the past two years the board has received separate funding for CyberSecurity. This includes upgrading email filtering and anti-virus with XDR (extended, detection and response), performing periodical phishing attacks and checking for weak and leaked passwords. In addition, Multi-Factor Authentication was implemented along with enhanced back-ups.  Please visit dcdsb.ca for the full report and presentation.

Durham Student Transportation Services Update Mr. Wilson, Superintendent of Education and Ms. Mechoulan, DSTS Chief Administrative Officer provided a presentation on Durham Student Transportation Services (DSTS) updates. Mr. Wilson and Ms. Mechoulan shared that in accordance with provisions of the Education Act, a Board may provide transportation to students. There are ongoing challenges that continue to impact student transportation services in the Durham Region. The purpose of the report is to cover the impacts and management of: The bus driver shortage; Bus service in remote and rural areas including service in dead-end roads; and Durham Region Transit Bus Passes. The DCDSB collaborates closely with DSTS and works in partnership concerning driver recruitment and efficiencies with routing. Routing and technology continue to be a priority through further implementation of the Bus Planner Software and the MTransport pilot in order to enhance the efficiency in optimizing school bus routes. The DCDSB continues to collaborate with Durham Region Transit concerning the use of Durham Region Transit transit passes. The memorandum of understanding is a starting point from which the partner boards will continue to engage in discussions with Durham Region Transit toward expanding student access to transit across the Region and eventually increasing capacity. Through a combination of successful outcomes related to the memorandum of understanding and ongoing advocacy for the province, there is the potential to see an expansion of greater participation and increased service levels available for secondary students on transit. The full presentation and report is available at dcdsb.ca. Trustee Code of Conduct

Ms. Barill, Director of Education, provided an overview of the Trustee Code of Conduct. In the fall of 2022, the Board of Trustees approved the new Multi-Year Strategic Plan which includes a new Board Mission Statement. The Trustee Code of Conduct has been revised to update the Mission Statement. The Code of Conduct outlines the expectations of Trustee conduct with respect to: Catholic Faith, Community and Culture Integrity and Dignity of Office Civil Behaviour Complying with Legislation Upholding Decisions Avoidance of Personal Advantage and Conflict of Interest Perceived or Potential Conflict of Interest When Interest is Not a Conflict Lobbying Respect for Confidentiality Respect for Board Resources The Code of Conduct also outlines procedures for: Enforcement of Code of Conduct Response to a Finding of Breach Reconsideration Reversal Confirmation Meeting in Camera All Trustees are asked to review the Trustee Code of Conduct, and endeavour at all times, to conduct themselves accordingly.

Updates

Tracy Barill, Director of Education began by welcoming back Superintendent Mariah O’Reilly who has returned to the DCDSB Senior Administrative Team on an interim basis from now until the end of June. With the recent departure of Superintendent Lee-Fernandes, the Senior Admin Team has had to re-organize portfolio responsibilities. Superintendent O’Reilly’s willingness to step in temporarily has provided additional time for the Senior Team to determine a longer-term re-organization as we work through the budget process for the 2023-2024 school year. Ministry Updates: The Ontario Government released its budget last week. School Boards continue to await detailed information from the Ministry of Education regarding funding for the coming school year. Overall, the provincial budget made limited mention of Education, noting that “the next steps in the government’s Plan to Catch up will focus on helping students develop skills in math and reading and preparing them for jobs of the future.” Early Reading Enhancements - $25 million over two years to provide support for students in senior kindergarten to Grade 2. Students will be assessed twice a year for their reading skills using evidence‐based screening tools. The government plans to work with school boards to establish a consistent set of recommended screening tools. Targeted Math Supports - additional $12.6 million investment over two years, to double the number of school math coaches who will be responsible for implementing early intervention strategies and providing other math‐related supports for students at targeted schools across the province.   Preparing More Students for the Jobs of the Future will involve creating stronger links between classroom learning and good‐paying careers. Over three years, the government is investing $6.2 million in targeted supports for students with disabilities to pursue cooperative education opportunities.   Continued Curriculum Updates will focus on life and job skills by revising curriculum in language; science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM); and skilled trades. This includes a new Computer Studies and revised Technological Education curriculum, beginning with the implementation of a new Grade 10 course in September 2023 and revised Grade 9 and 10 courses to be offered in September 2024.  To help parents support their children’s learning through supports such as tutoring, learning supplies and equipment, the government launched a $365 million investment for Catch Up Payments, offering parents $200 per child or $250 per child with special education needs. These payments provide direct financial support to parents that can be used to help their child’s education.  Teaching Financial Literacy $6.8 million over three years will be invested to support practical, hands‐on experiences for students to further their financial literacy learning and growth. Ontario will also release self‐directed learning modules on financial literacy that help Grade 9 and 10 students prepare for their transition to postsecondary education or the workforce after high school. Providing Parents Choice and Making Child Care More Affordable. It is important to note that childcare funds and money paid directly to parents/guardians is included under the auspices of Education.  System Events On Monday, March 6, DCDSB recognized Black Mental Health day by hosting an event titled Not Just Surviving: Centering Black Mental Health. The keynote speakers were Dionne Sinclair, Vice President of Clinical Operations & Chief Nursing Executive at Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), and Maryanne Oketch, Winner of Season 42 of Survivor. Both speakers centred around the importance of seeking connections with people to support their mental health and wellness. A special thank you to our Black Mental Health Day committee and Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School for hosting the event. We also want to recognize our community partners, Taibu Community Health Centre, Durham Family and Cultural Centre and the Women’s Multicultural Resource and Counselling Centre of Durham, and thank all of the student performers, student technical directors, and student creators for their participation. DCDSB has partnered with Licensed to Learn (L2L), which is a program that creates peer tutoring and leadership development opportunities for students. Peer tutoring is a proven approach to learning where peer-tutors work with other students to help them overcome challenges they may be facing in and outside the classroom. This is the first year of our partnership with Licensed to Learn, and we have 11 elementary schools and five secondary schools that are receiving training. Training includes an introduction to differentiated learning, learning styles, multiple intelligences, and growth mindset. By the end of the training, all L2L Tutors are responsible for offering a minimum of 10 hours of tutoring. Students who complete the training earn certification from L2L and have developed transferrable skills. On March 24 we completed our community engagement for the 2023-2024 DCDSB budget and goals. Families, students, staff and the community submitted feedback, and we are reviewing the ideas and feedback we received. We look forward to sharing the feedback and how this is informing our 2023-2024 budget and goals with our community shortly. Director Barill extended her best wishes to students who are receiving First Reconciliation, First Communion, and the sacrament of Confirmation over the next few months. Thank you to our Parishes for their partnership in supporting the faith journey of our students and families.   Upcoming Events March 31, 2023 is Indigenous Languages Day. The Indigenous Education team has put together resources to support Indigenous language learning, and it has been sent to all DCDSB families via newsletter in March. As part of our commitment to reconciliation, and in working with the Indigenous Education Circle and community partners, we have translated the land acknowledgement we use in our schools and offices into Anishinaabemowin. We want to thank Maani (Mary) Taylor and Anne Taylor from Curve Lake First Nation for translating and recording the translation of the land acknowledgement. Miigwich. Applications for Project SEARCH Durham Region are open until Monday, April 3. Project SEARCH is an internationally successful 10-month transition-to-work program for young adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities. The objective is to secure competitive and meaningful employment for persons with disabilities after high school. During their final year of high school, students will be fully immersed with a host business site, gaining employment skills through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on career training. To learn more or to apply, visit dcdsb.ca/ProjectSearch. Director Barill concluded by saying as we continue our Lenten journey, we look toward Holy Week which is always a special time in our Catholic learning community, when we gather in prayer to reflect on Jesus’ journey to the cross. Our schools and workplaces will be engaged in meaningful spiritual traditions throughout the week. During these most holy days, it is our hope that the hearts of those in our Catholic learning community are filled with hope, peace and renewal. With the next Board meeting happening at the end of April, Director Barill took the opportunity to wish all members of our community a blessed and joyous Easter.

Monique Forster, Chair of the Board thanked the evening’s presenters for sharing updates on ICT Strategic Goals, Durham Student Transportation Services Updates, and the Trustee Code of Conduct. Chair Forster also thanked all in attendance and in particular, the students, teachers and parents/guardians of St. John Bosco Catholic School for brining their wonderful choir to the Boardroom. Recognition On Saturday, March 25, 2023, Director Barill and myself were in attendance for the Mass of Installation for Archbishop Francis Leo at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica. We congratulate His Grace Archbishop Francis Leo, our new Shepherd and servant Leader. May he enjoy many years of good health as he carries out his sacred apostolic ministry with wisdom, charity, and courage. On March 7, approximately 350 guests, including DCDSB students, families and staff, came together at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery for Kaleidoscope, a celebration of the 2023 Student Art Exhibit. Mayor of the City of Oshawa, Dan Carter, and Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer for The Regional Municipality of Durham, John Henry, came together along with Trustee Beatty and Senior Administration to celebrate the over 100 student artists who have their artwork displayed at The Robert McLaughlin Gallery. On Wednesday, March 8, I was joined by Trustee McCafferty and members of the DCDSB senior administration at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School. We welcomed Premier Doug Ford, Minister of Education Stephen Lecce, Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development Monte McNaughton, and other distinguished partners and guests for an announcement. The Government of Ontario announced programming and funding to help students enter the skilled trades faster. A special thank you to our distinguished guests, partners, and St. Mary Catholic Secondary School for hosting this announcement. World Down Syndrome Day was on March 21. This day is dedicated to raising awareness and advocating for the rights, inclusion, and well-being of people with Down Syndrome. This year, Down Syndrome International has selected the theme ‘With Us, Not For Us’ as a reminder to the entire community that people with Down syndrome need to be a part of the work being done to secure them the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. Our schools celebrated by wearing colourful, fun socks, as they engaged in learning more about Down Syndrome.   Ontario Catholic School Trustees' Association Updates This year, the Durham Catholic District School Board will be co-hosting the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA) Annual General Meeting in Toronto from April 27-29. The theme for this year is ‘Journeying Together in Faith’. Our staff have been working diligently in collaboration with OCSTA on the planning of many of the liturgical elements. Chair Forster and fellow DCDSB trustees are looking forward to welcoming other fellow trustees from other Boards from across the province, as we network and share in our ongoing efforts to support and strengthen Catholic education.   Upcoming Events World Autism Day takes place on April 2. This year marks the 15th annual World Autism Awareness Day, which aims to focus on providing opportunities to increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism, fostering worldwide support. The DCDSB recognizes World Autism Day, which aims to build a world where all people with autism can reach their full potential. On April 18, the Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee will be hosting the Distinguished Catholic Volunteer Awards. Individual members of our community will be honoured and recognized for their contributions to their school communities. We look forward to celebrating all our parent, guardian and community volunteers for volunteering their precious time for the benefit of our school communities. With April a few days away, our school communities will be celebrating Earth Month with a focus on environmental stewardship and sustainability. This year, our schools’ eco-teams and Stewards of Sustainability Committee are working with Indigenous Education to build awareness and transformative changes to help our planet as we lead up to Earth Day on April 22. Since 1970, people around the world celebrate Earth Day by bringing awareness and support for environmental protection. Today over a billion people from 193 nations pledge to do what is necessary to conserve the environment and biodiversity.    Holy Week With the spring season upon us, our students and families will take time to pause and reflect on our faith as we celebrate Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday. We will also turn our focus to Easter celebrations. It's a wonderful time of year, with warmer weather, Easter flowers and special traditions with our families. While it's easy to get caught up in the Easter Egg hunts and baskets full of goodies, we do so with a renewed faith in God in the resurrected life offered to us through Jesus, the Risen Christ.  This is a wonderful time to share those special sentiments with our friends and family and even colleagues. In closing, Chair Forster extended wishes that God’s strength and Easter Spirit dwell in our hearts, homes, parishes and school communities and fill us with love and kindness as we are called to do.

Motions

That the Durham Catholic District School Board approve the calendars recommended by staff for the 2023-2024 School Year (Appendix 1) for elementary and secondary schools, subject to final approval by the Ministry of Education. That in accordance with Regulation 246/18 the Durham Catholic District School Board confirm the revised Trustee Code of Conduct as referenced in section 6.3 and contained in the Supplementary Documents of the General Working By-Law Number 2021 (Rev. Oct. 25, 2022). That the Durham Catholic District School Board make available the revised Trustee Code of Conduct to the public on the Durham Catholic District School Board website.  That the Durham Catholic District School Board approve the request of members of the Board and the Director’s designate at the Canadian Catholic School Trustees’ Association Annual General Meeting and Conference scheduled June 1-3, 2023, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. That the Durham Catholic District School Board approve the attendance of up to six members at the Canadian Association of School System Administrators (CASSA) – Annual General Meeting and Conference scheduled for July 5-7, 2023, in Victoria, British Columbia.

Announcements

Morgan Ste. Marie, Vice-Chair of the Board made the following announcements: Retirements Andrew Salmers, Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School, effective June 30, 2023 Colleen Costello, St. John Bosco Catholic School, effective April 30, 2023 Kimberley Howlett, St. André Bessette Catholic School Virtual Elementary Program, effective March 31, 2023 Lucie Leveque, St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic School, effective June 30, 2023 Marian Chopik, St. John the Evangelist Catholic School, effective June 30, 2023 Mario Griscti, St. Theresa Catholic School, effective June 30, 2023 Melissa Collins, Monsignor Philip Coffey Catholic School, effective March 31, 2023 Michelle Flynn, Archbishop Denis O’Connor Catholic High School, effective June 30, 2023 Robert LeBlanc, Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School, effective June 30, 2023 Teresa Fras-Wachon, St. John Bosco Catholic School, effective June 30, 2023 Terry Rudkins, Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School, effective June 30, 2023 Wilma Young, St. John the Evangelist Catholic School, effective June 30, 2023

2022-2023 Board of Trustees: Monique Forster (Chair) - Ajax Morgan Ste. Marie (Vice-Chair) - Oshawa Kim Beatty - Oshawa Richard Damianopoulos - Scugog, Uxbridge and Brock Robert De Souza - Whitby Janelle Emanuel - Whitby Marisa Hall - Ajax Jim McCafferty - Pickering Sophie Nwaoha - Student Trustee Moyin Esan - Student Trustee

Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of March 27, 2023 will be posted on the board website as part of the agenda for the Regular Board Meeting of Monday, April 24, 2023.