During the first week of May, the Durham Catholic District School Board celebrates Catholic Education Week, which recognizes the significant contribution that Catholic education has made to the community, the province and to Canada. This week is also designated as Mental Health Week, which aims to raise awareness and promote and protect mental health.

Director of Education, Tracy Barill, brings warm greetings to to our Durham Catholic learning community as we look forward to celebrating Catholic Education Week and Mental Health Week. Watch the video below:

DCDSB will be recognizing Catholic Education Week and Mental Health Week through the following events:

• Monday May 6, 2024
• System-Wide Mass and Distinguished Catholic Educator and Leader Award Ceremony. This year, recipients of the Distinguished Catholic Educator and Leader Awards will be honoured following the System-Wide Mass at St. Bernadette Parish (21 Bayly St., E., Ajax) beginning at 4:30 p.m. 
• Tuesday, May 7, 2024
• Suicide Prevention and Life Promotion Literacy for School Staff training is being offered to all educators. This 3-hour workshop was developed by School Mental Health Ontario and is intended to develop an understanding of suicide prevention at school and the role that all school staff play in keeping students safe.
• Wednesday, May 8, 2024
• The Catholic Education Week Provincial Mass will be celebrated by the Most Rev. Gerard Bergie, Bishop of St. Catharines and President of the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario. Mass will be live-streamed from the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria beginning of 11:00 a.m.
• The student trustee leadership team at the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association is hosting a virtual Ontario Catholic Student Youth Day.
• Parents, guardians and caregivers are invited to join us for Prepare, Prevent and Respond, a virtual workshop presented by DCDSB Student Services Staff. This workshop will explore some frequently asked questions that will help you prepare, prevent, and respond if your child or adolescent is experiencing thoughts of suicide. Please click here to join the Zoom meeting.
• Thursday, May 9, 2024
• Grade 9-12 students from all DCDSB secondary schools will be meeting for the Student Mental Health Leadership Summit.
• St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School will be hosting the school’s 25th Anniversary Celebration at 6:30 p.m.
• Friday, May 10, 2024
• Students and staff are encouraged to wear green to raise awareness and show support of mental health.

Students, families and community members are invited to visit our Catholic Education Week and Mental Health Week webpage for more information.

May 5 is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2-Spirit People. Students have been engaging in learning about how systemic barriers failed to prevent and address cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women, children and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals. We encourage our community to learn more at Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

On Sunday May 5, the DCDSB Indigenous Education Team is attending the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Gathering hosted by the Durham Community Health Centre. The team will be selling sweaters designed by St. Mary Catholic Secondary School students in collaboration with Indigenous company Kwe Kreation. All proceeds will be donated back to the DCHC to support families of the MMIWGTS+ people and work towards stopping the ongoing crisis. Read the poster to learn more.

It's been a busy few weeks as students across DCDSB have continued to engage in Indigenous Education.

Please see the stories below to learn more:

• Cooking with the Elementary Indigenous Student Circle
• Wood Burning with Indigenous Artist at St. Mary Catholic School
• Water Testing with Grade 5 Students at St. John XXII Catholic School
• Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School Students Explore the Environment
• Ribbon Skirt Making with Indigenous Student Circle

Durham Catholic Children’s Foundation is pleased to announce the 10th Annual Durham Catholic Children’s Foundation Gala, where 100% of the proceeds will go towards supporting DCDSB students and families. We invite you to join us on Thursday, May 16, 2024, for the Gala Honouring Bishop Vincent Nguyen and our Distinguished Catholic Alumni.

This signature event is a crucial part of our fundraising efforts. All monies raised will go to the Durham Catholic Children’s Foundation, which is committed to enhancing student well-being and academic success, by providing basic needs to some of the most vulnerable students in our Catholic school communities.

To purchase tickets, and to learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please visit DurhamCatholicFoundation.ca/Gala.

We are pleased to share our 2023 Annual Report that highlights the Durham Catholic Children's Foundation priorities, fundraising initiatives, impact, people, stories, and financials. The report is available in a digital format and can be found on our website at durhamcatholicfoundation.ca/annualreport.

The Foundation is blessed to have the unwavering support of DCDSB staff and Foundation volunteers that work diligently and dedicate countless hours to ensure that DCDSB students have access to basic life necessities. Thanks to everyone involved in organizing our special signature events, including the Gala, ForeTheKids Golf Classic, Walk for Hope, and many other local school events that have raised funds for the Foundation.

The Durham Catholic Children’s Foundation Board of Directors extends our deepest gratitude our donors and sponsors for their generosity and your commitment to the Durham Catholic Children’s Foundation mission, to bring hope to students in need. 

To learn more about the Durham Catholic Children’s Foundation, please visit our website.

#ForeTheKids Golf Classic in support of the Durham Catholic Children’s Foundation

The 2024-2025 school year calendars have now been approved by the Ministry of Education. 

Please click here to view the 2024-2025 School Year Calendars which can be found on our website.

We want to thank all staff, families and community members who participated in the calendar consultations. Your feedback provided valuable input into the creation of these school year calendars.

The Anti-Black Racism and Black Excellence Advisory Committee is currently seeking nominations for Vice-Chair. Details about the position, eligibility requirements, tenure, and the nomination and election process, can be found online.

The deadline to submit nominations for the Anti-Black Racism and Black Excellence Advisory Committee Vice-Chair is Wednesday, May 15, 2024.

Visit our website for more information on how to nominate.

The DCDSB is excited to invite Grade 7 through 12 students across the school board to help design the poster for the 2024-2025 Spiritual Theme, 'Living in Hope’.

Students who complete the online interest form using their student email address have the chance to participate in an exciting experiential learning opportunity where they will collaborate with other students from across the DCDSB and staff from our Faith and Communications departments to create the poster design for next year's spiritual theme on Wednesday, May 22, 2024.

Please complete the online interest form by Wednesday, May 8 at 8:00 p.m.

Tick-borne disease incidence is rising in Durham Region. Climate change, resulting in longer seasons of warm weather, is increasing the number of blacklegged ticks in our environment. Blacklegged ticks can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, and Powassan virus. 

Ticks are found in wooded or

forested areas, in leaf litter, or on bushes and tall grass. Ticks cannot fly, or jump. Instead, they climb to the tips of tall grasses and shrubs and wait for a bird, animal or person to pass by. If a person brushes past the spot where a tick is waiting, it may quickly attach to clothing or exposed skin. They often attach to areas of the body where they are hard to see, such as the groin, armpit and scalp. Blacklegged ticks are not usually found in typical school ground areas (i.e., mowed lawns, sports fields and paved areas). 

When going to areas that are

suitable tick habitats, there are several ways to prevent tick bites:

• Dress your child in light-coloured clothing which can make it easier to spot ticks. Long sleeves and long pants can prevent ticks from getting on their body. Pull your child’s socks up over their pants and do not dress them in open-toed shoes or sandals.
• Tell your child to walk in the centre of trails, and to stay away from high grass and shrubs at the edge of trails, to avoid contact with ticks.
• Apply insect repellant containing 10% to 20% DEET. Always follow product instructions. Assist children under 10 years of age to apply insect repellant, avoiding hands, mouth, and eyes.
• Check your child’s body and head for ticks after visiting bushy or wooded areas and remove outdoor clothing as soon as you come indoors. You can put the clothes immediately into a hot dryer, for at least 15 minutes, prior to washing them. Showering or bathing after spending time outdoors in these areas can remove unattached ticks. Ticks can hide under the armpits, behind the knees, in the hair, and in the groin.
• If a tick is found on your child, it should be removed as soon as possible. Put clothes in the dryer on high heat for 60 minutes to kill any remaining ticks.
• Remember to also check pets for ticks following outdoor activities.

For more information, you can visit the following websites:

• Durham Region Health Department - Tick-Borne Diseases
• Ontario Ministry of Health - Tick-borne diseases

Durham Catholic District School Board's Coach/ Advocate for Black Students (CABS) program is excited to offer three Summer STEM Camps, in partnership with three Ontario universities.

DCDSB elementary students currently enrolled in Grades 7 and 8, and secondary students currently enrolled in Grades 9 and 10 are invited to register. Space is limited, so please only register for one of the free camps being offered. Click here to register.

If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact cabs@dcdsb.ca. View the full poster here.

How to Build a Coping Skills Tool Box

In this video, Ms. Sundal, MSW, RSW, shares strategies on how to build a coping skills tool box. These strategies include learning about stress and how to cope with it, how to support your child or adolescent's mental health, and coping resources for children, teens and parents.

Join School Mental Health Ontario’s Parent & Caregiver Collaboration Group

The Parent and Caregiver Collaboration Group is a group of parents and caregivers with children in publicly funded schools across Ontario. The group works alongside School Mental Health Ontario to inform resources, tools, and messaging to support school districts to enhance student mental health. All parents and caregivers with children in publicly funded schools in Ontario (i.e., public and Catholic, English and French) who are interested in child and youth mental health can apply to be part of the group. The group aims to amplify the voices and experiences of parents and caregivers in supporting their children's mental health. Read the flyer to learn more.

To apply visit: smho-smso.ca/pccg. Applications close May 13.

St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School

This School Spotlight segment features St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School. Thank you to the St. Teresa staff for taking the time to gather and reflect on the past, present and future of the school.

Past: The establishment of St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School in 1999 marked a significant moment in the local community's history, as it honoured the legacy of Mother Teresa, whose global influence transcended boundaries.

Present: The revitalization of the butterfly garden symbolizes the school's dedication to the call to Stewardship of Creation with the introduction of a cherry tree, individually crafted stones, and the release of 25 butterflies hatched by our Primary students.

Future: With a focus on spiritual, cognitive, physical, and emotional growth, St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School provides a comprehensive education. Regular Masses, sacramental preparations, and Catholic Graduate Expectation assemblies nourish students spiritually to be followers of Jesus Christ.

Visit our website to read more about the present and future of St. Teresa of Calcutta.

This month we have two Student Spotlights! Thank you all for participating in our videos and sharing your experiences. We wish you the best of luck in your future!

Joseph S. and Amanda R., Indigenous Student Circle

Joseph and Amanda reflect on their time in the Indigenous Student Circle and share their favourite activities they have done as a group so far in the 2023-2024 school year.

Marc B., Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School

Marc recently won the silver medal in the regional skilled trades competition and will now be competing in the provincial competition this May. Best of luck in your future!

On Wednesday, April 10, St. John XXIII Catholic School came together with community partners to promote positive physical and mental wellness. Laura and Wendy, Public Health Nurses, Father Marijan, Parent Council, Mrs. Drake, Mrs. Parsons, and Mrs. Remiz worked together to offer six wellness stations geared to Grade 1-3 students in the morning and Grade 4-6 students in the afternoon. Students learned about the effects of sugar on our bodies, the importance of physical activity and sleep. Students learned about mindfulness and how it can help us manage big feelings, as well as the importance of having an attitude of gratitude. Students also learned about mindful movement and our older students explored websites available to help students including, Kids Helpline, Black Youth Helpline, and School Mental Health Ontario – Students.

Thank you so much to our student volunteers including Kyzzer, Emma, Aleks, Elijah, Gabby, Jamilee, Eric, Ean, Kennedy, and Logan. A special thank you goes to our parent volunteers who supported the day including Mrs. Falzon, Mrs. Johnston, Mrs. Chiodo, Mrs. Pelan, and Ms. Anderson.

On Tuesday, April 23, 2024, St. Monica Catholic School hosted the annual Tree Bee Competition. Students competed to identify trees and worked in groups to share their knowledge of the environment.

Thank you to the St. Monica Catholic School students that participated in the video and a big congratulations to all the students that participated in the Tree Bee! Your commitment to the environment is an inspiration to us all.

On Tuesday, April 16, DCDSB Student Senate hosted students in Grades 9-11 for the Student Voice Forum! This forum provided students with firsthand experience on the many ways Student Senators and Student Council Presidents get involved in their school and in school communities. Students broke out into groups and shared their ideas and voices with other secondary students, teachers and DCDSB Student Senators.

National Family and Life Week

The Durham Catholic District School Board will accept the invitation of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops to celebrate National Family and Life Week 2024 (NFLW), which will take place from May 13 – 19, 2024.

This year’s theme, “Love hopes all things,” is inspired by the words of Saint Paul, the Apostle: “[Love] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Corinthians 13:7). This theme, linked to Amoris Laetitia, a discourse on love by Pope Francis, guides us towards hope, a theological virtue that renews our relationship with God and others.

Each day of National Family and Life Week 2024 is built around specific themes. The week will be recognized through daily prayers intentions for schools and suggested activities for families to enjoy together at home.

Concluding on the Solemnity of Pentecost, National Family and Life Week 2024 offers a special opportunity to ask the Holy Spirit to accompany us in this celebration of life and the family.

Resources to support the recognition of National Family and Life Week 2024 are available here.

Looking Ahead

May is the month of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Speech and Hearing Month and Asian and South Asian And Jewish Heritage Month.

• May 1: National Principals’ Day
• May 2: World Password Day
• May 3: Orthodox Good Friday
• May 5-10: Catholic Education Week
• May 5-10: Mental Health Week
• May 5: Red Dress Day/ National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2-Spirit People (DCDSB to celebrate on May 3)
• May 5: Orthodox Easter
• May 5-6: Yom HaShoah - Holocaust Remembrance Day (Begins at sundown and ends at nightfall)
• May 6: System-Wide Mass and Distinguished Catholic Educator and Leader Awards
• May 6: Policy Board Meeting
• May 7: Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) Meeting
• May 9: Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee (DCPIC) Meeting
• May 9: Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord - Ascension of Jesus
• May 10: Green Shirt Day for Mental Health
• May 11: Moose Hide campaign Day (DCDSB to celebrate on May 10)
• May 12: Mother’s Day
• May 13-19: National Family and Life Week
• May 13: Speech and Language Pathologists and Hearing Consultants Day
• May 13: Finance Committee Meeting
• May 16: Durham Catholic Children’s Foundation Gala Dinner
• May 17: International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
• May 19: Solemnity of Pentecost (end of Easter Season)
• May 20: Victoria Day
• May 22: Child & Youth Counsellor Appreciation Day
• May 22: Anti-Black Racism and Black Excellence Advisory Committee Meeting
• May 24: Dress Loud Day for Speech and Hearing Awareness
• May 25: African Liberation Day
• May 26-June 1: National AccessAbility Week
• May 27: Regular Board Meeting