DCDSB News - Back-to-School 2025

“Peace be with you all! Dear brothers and sisters, these are the first words spoken by the risen Christ, the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for God’s flock. I would like this greeting of peace to resound in your hearts, in your families, among all people, wherever they may be, in every nation and throughout the world. Peace be with you! It is the peace of the risen Christ. A peace that is unarmed and disarming, humble and persevering. A peace that comes from God, the God who loves us all, unconditionally.” 

 

Inspired by Pope Leo’s invocation of peace, and his prayer that “one and all” may be helped “to build bridges through dialogue and encounter, joining together as one people, always at peace,” the DCDSB community will be guided by the spiritual theme of Blessed are the Peacemakers (Matthew 5:9) for the 2025-2026 school year. 

 

We invite you to learn more about this year's spiritual theme and the poster design on our website.

 

 

School Year Calendar
Our 2025-2026 School Year Calendar is now available. Click here and subscribe to our calendar receive reminders about holidays, P.A. days, events, and recognition days.

Cell Phone and Mobile Device Use in Schools
Provincial policy states that all members of the school community must not use personal mobile devices during instructional time except under the following circumstances: 

• For educational purposes, as directed by an educator; 
• For health and medical purposes; and/or
• To support special education needs. 

During the 2025-2026 school year:

• Kindergarten - Grade 8 students must store their cell phones/personal mobile devices out of sight for the full school day. Devices must be powered off or set to silent during school hours, which includes recess and lunch hour (i.e. any time the student is on school property). Cell phone/personal mobile device usage is only permitted if the educator deems it necessary for educational purposes. 
• Grade 9-12 students must turn off their cell phones/personal mobile devices or set to silent during instructional time, except where use is permitted by the educator for educational purposes. 

All social media sites and apps, including Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, Tik Tok, and Discord will not be available on school or board Wifi. Social media platforms can only be used by students at school for educational purposes, directed by an educator. Visit our website for more information. 

Smoke, Drug, and Vape-Free Schools
A reminder there is absolutely no smoking, vaping, e-cigarettes, or cannabis, permitted inside our schools, on school or board property, or within 20 metres of school property. If you are found to be carrying, selling, buying, giving, or using vape or tobacco products on school property, you may be subject to disciplinary action or may be charged under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act.   

If a student is found in possession of one of these substances, parents/guardians/caregivers will be notified, and the item(s) must be given to an educator or administrator. To learn more about smoke, drug and vape-free schools, please visit our website. 

Steps to Addressing Questions and Concerns
We believe that open, respectful, two-way communication builds relationships and enhances student success.

Durham Catholic District School Board requests that questions or concerns be directed to the level closest to the issue. We have created a webpage that is available on board and school sites and outlines the process in order to help parents, guardians, caregivers and community members know who to contact with questions and/or concerns.

Click here to learn more.

DCDSB Right to Disconnect
Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) staff believe in the value of open and responsive communication between home and school in support of our students.

As a school board with approximately 2,300 staff members, we are committed to supporting positive work-life balance for our employees. We take this responsibility seriously and believe that the overall health and well-being of our staff impacts their ability to effectively support the learning needs of our students.
 
The DCDSB Right to Disconnect from Work Policy, protects the right of staff to disconnect from work between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays, all day on weekends, approved vacation days, statutory holidays and board-designated non-working days.
 
We recognize that families have different responsibilities and work obligations of their own, which may impact the times when they are able to write notes and/or emails to their children’s school and/or educators. All parents, guardians and caregivers are advised that in most cases, communication received after hours will not be responded to until the next working day.
 
Thank you for your continued partnership to support the mental health and well-being of all in our Durham Catholic learning community.

DCDSB Named One of Canada's Best Employers for Company Culture 2025 by Forbes
The Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) is proud to announce that it has been recognized by Forbes and Statista as one of Canada’s Best Employers for Company Culture 2025. This prestigious honour, part of a new award category introduced this year, highlights organizations across the country that foster exceptional internal cultures and are valued by their employees. The DCDSB is the only organization based in the Durham Region to be acknowledged on the list. Read the full article. 

Parent, Guardian and Caregiver Resources:

Report a Student Absence Through Safe Arrival
If your child is going to be absent, notify the school by using one of the following methods: 

• Safe Arrival portal login: go.schoolmessenger.ca
• Call the toll free number: 1-844-288-7628 
• Report the absence through our smartphone mobile application: SchoolMessenger. Available from the App Store and Google Play Store. 

Please click here for more information on SchoolMessenger and for steps on how to create an account. 

2025-2026 Bus Transportation information
Durham Student Transportation Services (DSTS) is responsible for ensuring safe and efficient transportation to and from schools for eligible students. Transportation and route information for the 2025-2026 School year is now available. Please use the automated phone line at 905-666-6979, or the DSTS Family Portal to access it online. Please note that parents and guardians will require their child(ren)'s Ontario Education Number (OEN) to subscribe to the Family Portal. If you need assistance in accessing the Family Portal, please refer to the information document on how to access this service.

Class Placements and Timetables
Durham Student Transportation Services (DSTS) is responsible for ensuring safe and efficient transportation to and from schools for eligible students. Transportation and route information for the 2025-2026 School year is now available. Please use the automated phone line at 905-666-6979, or the DSTS Family Portal to access it online. Please note that parents and guardians will require their child(ren)'s Ontario Education Number (OEN) to subscribe to the Family Portal. If you need assistance in accessing the Family Portal, please refer to the information document on how to access this service.

Supports for Students with Special Education Needs
Students with special education needs will continue to be supported through individualized service and program plans in the DCDSB.

Educators will continue to provide accommodations, modified expectations, and alternative programming to students with special education needs, consulting with parents/caregivers in the development of their IEPs for the 2025-2026 school year. In addition, we have been supporting students with special needs throughout the summer through a variety of programs including our Literacy and Numeracy-related camps, PEERs camp and Transitional programs.

We are working to provide continued access to assistive technology, including Special Equipment Amount (SEA) equipment, where needed to support student learning. We look forward to continuing to support our students with special education needs through the home, school, and parish partnership.

Back to School Letter from the Minister of Education
The Honourable Paul Calandra, Minister of Education, shares Back-to-School greetings with students, families and educators across the province.

Click here to read the Minister of Education's letter.

DCDSB Students:

DCDSB Celebrates Student Leadership and Advocacy During Summer Programming
This summer, students in the Leadership and Recreation and Deconstructing Anti-Black Racism courses demonstrated exceptional leadership, insight, and community engagement — both inside and outside the classroom. Read the full story.

DCDSB Summer Camps
This summer, students from the Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) engaged in a variety of enriching camps through Archbishop Anthony Meagher Catholic Continuing Education Centre. These camps promoted wellness, creativity, and STEM learning. At the Recreation and Fitness Camp, students stayed active through sports and games while learning about teamwork, stretching, and nutrition. The Cooking Camp blended math and culinary skills, and encouraged healthy choices while showing how math is used in everyday life. Meanwhile, the Coding and Robotics Camp offered hands-on STEM experiences, where students collaborated to program robots for a ring challenges, combining math, coding, and problem-solving in a fun and interactive way. To learn more about these camps and non-credit classes, please visit con-ed.ca.

Continuing Education:

Continuing Education Program Guide
The 2025-2026 Adult & Continuing Education Program Guide is now available! Click here to download the program guide. 

Learn more about Adult & Continuing Education at Con-Ed.ca. 

Follow Us on Social Media!
Stay connected with our Durham Catholic learning community! Follow us for important info, school bus & weather updates, and more:

• Instagram: http://instagram.com/durhamcatholic
• Facebook: http://facebook.com/DurhamCatholic

Upcoming Events:
September is the month of the Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

• Sept 1: World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation 
• Sept 1: Labour Day 
• Sept 2: First Day of School 
• Sept 5: Feast Day of St. Teresa of Calcutta 
• Sept 7: Ukrainian Heritage Day 
• Sept 8: International Literacy Day 
• Sept 8: Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary 
• Sept 9: Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) Meeting 
• Sept 10: World Suicide Prevention Day 
• Sept 11: Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee (DCPIC) Meeting 
• Sept 15-19: Safe and Accepting Schools Week 
• Sept 15: Payroll, Business, Finance & Accounting Professionals Day 
• Sept 16: IT Professionals Day 
• Sept 19: Powley Day 
• Sept 21: Feast Day of Matthew the Evangelist 
• Sept 21: International Day of Peace 
• Sept 22-24: Rosh Hashanah 
• Sept 22: Regular Board Meeting 
• Sept 24: AMP Online Applications Opens 
• Sept 24: Rowan's Law Day 
• Sept 25: Franco-Ontarian Day- Flag Ceremony 
• Sept 26: Human Resources Professionals Day 
• Sept 28: Right to Know Day 
• Sept 28: World Day of the Deaf 
• Sept 29: Solemnity of Saint Michael 
• Sept 30: National Truth and Reconciliation Day

Click here and subscribe to our calendar to receive reminders about holidays, P.A. days, events, and recognition days.