Dear Parents, Guardians and Caregivers,

I’m excited to reflect on the enriching experiences that the DCPIC has shared so far this school year. Our recent Parent Resource Conference was a testament to the committee’s unwavering commitment to assisting you in supporting your children through their educational journeys. Your dedication fuels our collective efforts.

As we navigate the second half of the school year, you can find activities for meaningful family connections with faith listed in the Faith Formation section of this newsletter. We encourage you to immerse yourselves in Lent and extend your support to the faith community during the upcoming Sacramental Celebrations in April.

Lastly, a heartfelt thank you for your continued engagement, it is vital in helping to shape our ongoing efforts while also enhancing the resources offered. Your thoughts and insights are always valued; there's no need to wait for the next parent survey if you want to connect. Instead you can reach out via social media, email, or join our upcoming meetings to actively contribute to shaping our community.

Yours in Faith,

Rose LoPresti

Chair, Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee

In response to the valuable feedback gathered from the 2023 Parent/Guardian Survey, the DCPIC hosted a successful Parent Resource Conference on January 13 at Archbishop Denis O’Connor Catholic High School.

This event delivered essential insights for attending parents, guardians, and caregivers, addressing their specific needs and concerns.

Featured topics included:

• STEAM and AI engagement with a maker approach
• Literacy education strategies for home
• Health issues and prevention for vaping and tobacco use in youths
• Hands-on math workshops for parents
• Discussions on youth engagement regarding substance use

Keynote speaker Michael Way Skinner added a delightful touch of humor to his perspectives on being Catholic parents in challenging times, resonating well with attendees as he explored topics like brain development and sources of hope for families.

The sessions not only provided a wealth of knowledge but also fostered connections among parents, educators, and health professionals.

The committee extends gratitude to those who braved challenging weather conditions to contribute to the conference’s success. Sincere thanks to all attendees, speakers, and volunteers for making this event a meaningful experience for our community.

As the season of Lent unfolds, the DCPIC invites families to embark on a meaningful faith journey. Embrace this sacred time for spiritual growth and reflection.

Family Prayer Time:

Establish a daily prayer routine at home. Whether it’s a shared morning prayer, grace before meals, or an evening reflection, creating moments of prayer fosters a sense of unity and devotion within the family. Explore prayer resources at mycatholiclife.com.

Lenten Activities for Children:

Engage kids with age-appropriate activities, like a Lenten Prayer Chain or a daily Lenten Calendar. Write prayer intentions on paper strips for the chain, or follow the calendar for additional reflective activities. Find more inspiration at loyolapress.com.

Attending Lenten Services:

Participate in your parish’s Lenten services, including a family Confession night for kids preparing for the Sacrament of Communion and older. Attend Mass together, and if available, join any special Lenten events or prayer services. Check your parish website for schedules and additional resources.

Additional Lenten activities, resources and crafts are available on the DCPIC website.

We extend our warmest wishes and blessings to the young members of our Catholic community who will be receiving the sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation this April.

May these sacred milestones be a source of grace, spiritual growth, and profound joy for each of them. Let us come together as a community to support, celebrate, and uplift these young Catholics on their journey of faith.

You can contact the Board's Parish partners to learn more.

Registration is open for Kindergarten classes starting in September 2024!

If you or a family member/friend have a child who will be turning 4 years old by December 31, 2024, they are eligible to register for Junior Kindergarten. Similarly, if your child will be turning 5 years old by the same date, they can register for Senior Kindergarten.

Visit www.dcdsb.ca/kindergarten to find out more and to register your child with the Durham Catholic District School Board.

DCDSB families, staff, students and community members are invited to attend this free event!

In this session Siobhan Wright and Joel Chiutsi will discuss the lack of representation of Black teachers/educators, school administrators and other senior leadership positions in school boards.

Through a multi-stakeholder engagement style, Siobhan and Joel will guide a conversation that will help to identify systemic barriers to representation of Black educators in education. The discussion will help to develop practical strategies for promoting equity and inclusion, and improving the experience of Black students in schools.

• Date and time: March 21, 2024, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

• Location: In-person at the Pope Francis Centre, DCDSB Board Office (652 Rossland Rd W, Oshawa) OR virtually via Zoom (a link will be emailed prior to the session).

Click here to register.