For centuries, the Catholic church has set aside the entire month of May to honor Mary, Mother of God. During this time it is a tradition to pray the rosary.

Throughout the Month of May, we are encouraging schools to join us in a daily recital of the Rosary. A guide from the Ontario Catholic Schools Trustee Association is available at dcdsb.ca and may be adapted for use in our schools or homes.

Additionally, it’s a long-standing tradition to crown the statue of Mary during May – a custom known as May Crowning. Often, the crown is made of beautiful blossoms representing Mary’s beauty and virtue. It’s also a reminder to the faithful to strive to imitate our Blessed Mother’s virtue in our own lives.

May 5 is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls & 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.



Click here to learn more.

Join the Indigenous Student Circle

Grade 6-12 students are invited to join the Indigenous Student Circle for the 2023-2024 school year. The Indigenous Student Circle (ISC) is an opportunity for DCDSB Indigenous students to share their voices, learn together and connect with each other, Indigenous community partners and local Indigenous organizations. Please contact IndigenousEducation@dcdsb.ca to learn more.

Red Dress Display at Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School

When designing the installation, staff and students wanted to make sure that it was both reflective and powerful. They researched and examined the work of Julie Black who was the original creator of this initiative. As the dresses were collected from staff it was also important to represent the stories of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2-Spirit peoples. Click here to read the full story.

Celebrating the Coronation of His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen Consort

Ontario will celebrate the upcoming coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty the Queen. This will mark the first coronation of a Canadian Head of State in seven decades.

To commemorate the King’s Coronation, a ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 6 at Queen’s Park. The ceremony will also include a special presentation of the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers. Members of the public are invited to attend. The event will also be available to view province-wide via livestream on the Government of Ontario YouTube Channel.

Click here for more information

Registration Now Open for Elementary 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 8. The following 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. The two locations are St. Mary Catholic Secondary School in Pickering and All Saints Catholic Secondary School in Whitby. The registration deadline is June 29, 2023 at 12:00 p.m.

Elementary International Languages Classes

This free program is offered from Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and runs from July 4 – July 28, 2023. Students must be in Year 1 Kindergarten/Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 for the 2022-2023 school year to participate in this program. For more information and to register, please visit our website at  www.con-ed.ca/SummerIL.

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. The cost for this program is $190.00. The classes are offered on weekday mornings from 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and runs from July 4 – July 28, 2023. For more information and to register, please visit our website at http://www.con-ed.ca/SummerFrench

Lyme Disease Awareness

May is National Lyme Disease Awareness Month and is a great opportunity to remind parents and students to be aware of ticks, especially in forested or grassy/bushy areas. Ticks become active in the early spring and remain active right up until the first heavy snowfall in late fall. Click here for more information.

A Day of Reflection for Catholic Parents of LGBTQ Young Adults  

Manresa Jesuit Spiritual Renew Centre is offering A Day of Reflection for Catholic Parents of LGBTQ Young Adults. The day will include the sharing of stories, presentations, group discussions, time for reflection and mass. Manresa hopes to provide a relaxed and supportive atmosphere to meet and interact with other parents; reflect and discuss concerns and needs; learn about ministries and resources; strengthen your love; and grow closer to God.

For more information or to register, please view the attached poster.

Academy for Student Athlete Development Information Session 

The Academy for Student Athlete Development (ASAD) program removes barriers and creates equitable access for student athletes on able bodied, Para Sport and Special Olympic pathways to unlock their potential in athletics, academics and life.

ASAD is hosting an information session at the Abilities Centre in Whitby for DCDSB students and families at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 17, 2023.

To learn more please visit: abilitiescentre.org/programs/asad

You are invited to register your child for Kindergarten at one of our Durham Catholic District School Board schools. Students eligible to attend Kindergarten in September 2023 must be turning four years of age by December 31, 2023.

For more information and to register online visit dcdsb.ca/Kindergarten.

Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School Students Visit Durham College's Centre for Food

A free throw competition was organized at St. Monica Catholic School with the help of some of our intermediate students. Caleb G. went on the win the regional tournament with 24 out of 25 free throw shots! 

Since 1977, the Knights of Columbus have sponsored the Free Throw Championship for boys and girls ages 9 to 14 to provide an athletic outlet and encourage the values of sportsmanship and healthy competition. The competition is held at the Parish , District and Regional level. This year we had 875 participants in Ajax/Pickering – our most successful year ever!

Thank you to the Knights, Claude R., Anthony V. and Walter H. 

DECA Lacrosse Tournament

On Wednesday, April 25, under the leadership and organization of Breanne Gallinger, Durham Elementary Catholics Athletics (DECA) hosted the elementary lacrosse tournament at the Whitby in-door dome. 

Thank you to the teacher-coaches from our elementary schools that volunteer their time to give these students this opportunity. In the tournament final, St. John Bosco came in first place, and St. John the Evangelist came in second. Congratulations to all the schools that participated in Canada's official national summer sport!

DCDSB Students Receive Licensed to Learn Certification

Congratulations to students from St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic School who have earned their Licensed to Learn (L2L) Certification! DCDSB has partnered with Licensed to Learn (L2L), which is a program that creates peer tutoring and leadership development opportunities for students.

Click here to read the full story.

St. Mary Catholic Secondary School Film Festival

St. Mary Catholic Secondary School held its annual Film Festival, this year titled Superimposition, at Landmark Cinema on Monday, May 1. As guests took their seats almost 200 pieces of digital artwork were on display highlighting design projects, ranging from digital photography, graphic design, and projects using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.

Over 53 student features were showcased on the big screen providing Grade 11 and 12 students an opportunity to present their media arts and communications technology works to their peers, families, staff and distinguished guests in attendance at the sold out event. Click here to read the full story

Terry Fox Foundation Run

Two Durham Catholic District School Board secondary schools placed in the top 25 fundraising schools for the Terry Fox Foundation run. All Saints Catholic Secondary School fundraised over $78,000 this year, and ranked #1 out of all schools in Ontario in the Secondary Division. Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School fundraised over $8,900 and ranked #23 in the Secondary Division. The funds raised for the Terry Fox Foundation will go towards cancer research, and to transform Terry Fox’s dream to find cures for cancer into reality. Congratulations to all schools who participated!

2023-2026 DCDSB Mental Health Strategy

DCDSB is pleased to share the new 2023-2026 Mental Health Strategy titled Together for Mental Health: Everyone, Everyday. The new strategy will inform the board’s yearly action plans as we work to promote positive mental health for all.

We invite you to learn more about our strategy, and Mental Health and Well-Being resources, by visiting our website.

Archbishop Anthony Meagher CCEC offers a number of summer courses and programs for students in elementary and secondary school. 

Elementary Programs and Courses

Are you a Grade 8 student starting high school in the fall? The Head Start Program is available to all Grade 8 students going into Grade 9 at one of our Durham Catholic District School Board high schools and will run August 21 - 24. The program involves a review of literacy and numeracy skills and provides students with a preview of the Grade 9 curriculum for Mathematics and English. Study skills and health and well-being are also integrated into the program. 

In-person camps with a focus on literacy and numeracy are filling quickly, but there are still spots available. Dates, times, location and registration details for each camp are available on the Continuing Education Summer School Webpage. Camp enrolment will be determined on a first-come, first-serve basis. Registration for the following camps is still available:

• Digital Literacy Camp
• Recreation and Fitness Camp
• Summer Arts Camps
• Math Camp

The Literacy and Math including French Immersion for Grades 6, 7, & 8 online summer program is designed for students who would benefit from additional practice and assistance in literacy and/or math to ease their transition into the next grade. Students will participate in engaging lessons to meet their individual needs and learning styles. This program is non-credit and available July 4 – 14 and/or July 17 – 28. 

Students who are in Grade 8 and will be attending a DCDSB high school and wish to register for a Grade 9 summer credit can take an online high school credit through the Reach Ahead Program (July 4 – 27). Courses offered include Introduction to Business (BBI 1O), Exploring Family Studies – Transition to High School (HIF 1O), Expressions of First Nations, Metis and Inuit Cultures (NAC 1O) and Ultimate Potential (UP) Math (GLS1O).  

Interested in learning another language? Summer Elementary International and Heritage Language classes for students currently enrolled in JK to Grade 8. There are 24 different languages to choose from! The classes will run from July 4 – July 28 at St Mary CSS (Pickering) and All Saints CSS (Whitby).  Students who are currently enrolled in Kindergarten to Grade 3 are invited to register for French language classes.

Secondary Courses

Parents and students are asked to check out the summer school program offerings and registration details on the Archbishop Anthony Meagher Catholic Continuing Education website: Summer School Programs