Each year during Catholic Education Week, Ontario’s Catholic community engages in a week-long celebration of the unique identity and distinctive contributions of publicly-funded Catholic education. This year, Catholic Education Week occurs on May 5-11 with the theme, “We Are Called to Love.”��

The theme was inspired by many aspects of our faith community, including our ongoing efforts to promote equity and inclusion in Catholic schools. Love serves as a guiding principle, reminding us that every individual is cherished and valued in God’s eyes. By embracing diversity and fostering an inclusive environment, we strive to create a community where all God’s children feel welcomed.

Along with this theme, there are five sub-themes: As people of Hope, Faith, Mercy, Justice and Joy. Each day, students will explore one of these themes in their school.��

This week, the �鶹ԭ�� also bestows the Distinguished Alumni Award to celebrate our graduates who have made the world a better place. Click here to learn more about this year’s winners.��

Catholic Education Week coincides with Mental Health Awareness Week. The theme of love highlights the importance of supporting one another’s well-being with compassion and empathy. Recognizing that God is love, we are called to extend care and kindness to all our community members, especially those facing mental health challenges.

As we reflect on the blessing of publicly-funded Catholic education, the �鶹ԭ�� is happy that you are a member of our community. Thank you for journeying with us as we grow in all areas of our lives.��

to learn more about Catholic Education Week.

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In an impressive display of community spirit and dedication, �鶹ԭ�� students, staff and families collectively raised an impressive $198,689.77 for The Terry Fox Foundation in 2023.

York Catholic DSB schools have a long-standing tradition of participating in annual school-based Terry Fox run, walk and roll-a-thons. Inspired by the amazing courage and selflessness of , school communities come together each year to raise funds for cancer research.��

Over the years, York Catholic students, staff and families have raised $4.7 million dollars to support cancer research for The Terry Fox Foundation.

We are especially proud to recognize St. Robert Catholic High School, in Thornhill, and St. Augustine Catholic High School, in Markham. Both were listed among the top 50 fundraisers in Ontario, ranking 16th and 17th respectively.

“Congratulations to our amazing St. Robert school community for their outstanding support of the Terry Fox charity!” said St. Robert principal Elaine Dharmai. “This year, we were very happy to donate over $11,000. Thank you to our student athletic council, Ms. Elacqua and Ms. Mammoliti, for organizing a successful event. We look forward to continuing our efforts next year!“��

“St. Augustine CHS is very proud to be ranked one of the top fundraisers for the Terry Fox School Run,” said St. Augustine principal James Cocchetto. “Each year we honour Terry Fox, continuing his legacy, and working towards his ultimate goal of living in a world without cancer, a disease that has touched the lives of so many in our community. ”��

This remarkable contribution shows our staff and students’ commitment to compassion, perseverance and civic responsibility. Each year brings the opportunity to inspire more students to get involved and to raise funds for cancer research, continuing the legacy of Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope. As Terry said, “Even if I don’t finish, we need others to continue. It’s got to keep going without me.”

Thank you to the students, staff and volunteers who helped contribute to this cause. Your generosity and spirit have demonstrated what we can achieve when we come together as a York Catholic community.��

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In celebration of Catholic Education Week, the �鶹ԭ�� (�鶹ԭ��) is proud to announce its 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award winners. This is an especially exciting year for the �鶹ԭ��, as this is the 20th occasion that a group of Distinguished Alumni have been recognized for their significant contributions to their respective careers and communities.

Recognized each year during Catholic Education Week (May 5-May 10, 2024), the campaign includes profiles of the new Distinguished Alumni on posters that will be displayed throughout York Region. The �鶹ԭ�� is pleased to announce the following 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award winners:

Father Scott Birchall is a priest with the Archdiocese of Toronto and a professor at St. Augustine Seminary. He serves as the Director of Discipleship Formation at Serra House, as well as Director of Pastoral Formation and Director of Field Placement at St. Augustine Seminary. He attended St. Mary Immaculate CES in Richmond Hill, and Notre Dame CES and Sacred Heart CHS in Newmarket. After working as an urban planner, Fr. Scott entered the seminary and was ordained a priest in 2014. Outside of his duties at the seminary, Fr. Scott assists many archdiocesan committees and parishes.

Jessica Dizon Burns is an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) and professor at Centennial College. She graduated from St. Charles Garnier CES and St. Elizabeth CHS in Thornhill. Jessica is among two per cent of women worldwide with an AME licence and was the first AME at WestJet’s Toronto base. In 2022, Jessica began teaching at Centennial College, and Elevate Aviation recognized her as a “Woman Who Inspires in Aviation.” Jessica has volunteered for the Yellowknife Women’s Society, Women in Aviation International, Elevate Aviation and Belinda’s Place. The proud mother of three boys who are �鶹ԭ�� students, she speaks regularly at Cardinal Carter CHS to promote careers in aviation and the skilled trades.

Jeffrey Man is a senior policy advisor at the Ontario Public Service (OPS), where he advises senior executives on policy and program decisions that impact older Ontarians and people with disabilities. He is a graduate of St. Theresa of Lisieux CHS in Richmond Hill. Before joining the OPS, Jeffrey worked on inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility strategies at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. Jeffrey gives back to his community by serving on the �鶹ԭ��’s Special Education Advisory Committee and the board of Easter Seals Ontario, where he advocates for kids with disabilities so they can thrive in school, work and life.

Deputy Chief Kevin McCloskey is a 24-year member of the York Regional Police (YRP) and a graduate of St. Robert CHS in Thornhill. He currently oversees the Support Branch, which includes Operational Command, Information Services, Support Services and Community Services. Kevin previously commanded the Professional Standards Bureau and the Corporate Development Section. Kevin worked in the Homicide and Intelligence Unitis for eight years. He is the Executive Sponsor for the Special Olympics Ontario at YRP and is a strong advocate for the Holiday Heroes program. Kevin is a proud husband and father, and a York Region resident.

Saneliso Moyo is a partner at Goldblatt Partners LLP, where she practices labour, employment and human rights law on behalf of unions and employees. She is a graduate of Father Michael McGivney CA in Markham. She has dedicated her legal career to advocating for workers’ rights, and racial and gender equity. She regularly acts as pro bono legal counsel on cases related to issues of anti-black racism and has appeared before all levels of court in Ontario. She continues to give back to the �鶹ԭ�� community as a frequent guest speaker on equity and activism in our schools.

Marsha Pinto is a speech therapist in San Jose, California. She graduated from San Lorenzo Ruiz CES and St. Brother Andre CHS in Markham. Marsha primarily works with students with autism and language delay. NBC and CBS News have interviewed her multiple times on pediatric speech and language development. Drawing on her experiences as a shy student, Marsha started Softest Voices, which advocates for quiet students. Through her workshop tours, Marsha has inspired many of all ages to see their quiet personality as a strength.

Jordan Romano is the closing pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays and a graduate of Father Michael McGivney CA in Markham. The Toronto Blue Jays selected him in the 2014 First-Year Player Draft, and he debuted in Major League Baseball (MLB) on June 19, 2019. Jordan played for Team Italy in the 2017 World Baseball Classic and is a two-time MLB All-Star. In 2022, Jordan won the Tip O’Neill Award, presented annually to Canada’s top baseball player.

Sierra Scodellaro is a clinical research project manager and pharmacogenetics data analyst at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). She graduated from Our Lady of Hope CES in Richmond Hill and St. Elizabeth CHS in Thornhill. Her work contributes to optimizing a pharmacogenomics service at SickKids to incorporate precision medicine into daily pediatric clinical care, specifically using genetic data to guide medication selection and patient dosing. In contributing to this work, she hopes to see individualized treatment become the standard of care for everyone as the future of health care.

Since 2004, the �鶹ԭ�� has celebrated our graduated students who have achieved a high level of success, while making valuable and unique contributions in their respective careers and communities, applying advanced creative and critical thinking skills and foundational Catholic Values to their daily life and work.

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We are excited to announce the Ontario government is investing $47.2 million for the construction of two new elementary schools that will share a building in the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) in Thornhill. The building will house a �鶹ԭ�� (�鶹ԭ��) elementary school and York Region District School Board (YRDSB) elementary school, as well as a childcare facility.��

The new schools will create 1,134 student spaces (including 497 �鶹ԭ�� student spaces) and 49 licensed childcare spaces. These cutting-edge learning environments will provide schools in the heart of the quickly growing VMC area. We are grateful for this opportunity to continue providing excellent education in the neighbourhood of our York Catholic students and families.

What was said at the announcement:

“Investments in our student’s education has a value that is immeasurable, and having these two new state of the art elementary schools, that are closer to home, provides a positive benefit for families in the VMC.” said Laura Smith, MPP for Thornhill. “I am grateful to Minister Lecce and Premier Ford for their leadership in this historic investment for our community, and looking forward to seeing these two new elementary schools come into fruition.”

“Our government is more than doubling the funding to build new schools, which represents the single largest investment in school building in Ontario history,” said Minister of Education Stephen Lecce. “We are stepping up with a massive investment to build the homes, schools, and communities our province needs, and to ensure children have access to state-of-the-art schools close to home that gives them real life and job skills to succeed in the future. I want to reiterate my thanks to MPP Laura Smith for her relentless advocacy for local families.”

“The �鶹ԭ�� has a history of cooperating with the York Region District School Board to build schools together,” said Elizabeth Crowe, Chair of the Board, �鶹ԭ��. “We are excited to work together again. The �鶹ԭ�� is eager to provide families access to a Catholic school in the heart of the quickly growing Vaughan Metropolitan Centre neighbourhood.”

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In accordance with the Ministry of Education’s new Regulation 304, “School Year Calendar, Professional Activity Days,” the �鶹ԭ�� (�鶹ԭ��) is providing the following summary of P.A. Day activities at the secondary level on Friday, May 3, 2024.

In the morning, teachers will participate in presentations on topics including: Mathematics: High-Impact Instructional Strategies and Grade 9 De-streamed Math; Effective Assessment Practices in the FSL Classroom; Assessment & Evaluation; Introduction to STREAM and Design Thinking; High-Impact Instructional Strategies; Building Inclusive Learning Environments; Fostering a Culture of Inclusion in Integrated Subject Classes; and literacy modules.

Anti-Sex Trafficking Training
Board employees must complete comprehensive anti-sex trafficking training to ensure all staff are equipped to identify the signs of sex trafficking, safely respond to disclosures and support the immediate physical and emotional safety needs of all students.

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The �鶹ԭ�� congratulates three remarkable students from Our Lady Queen of the World Catholic Academy and St. Theresa of Lisieux Catholic High School, in Richmond Hill, as they placed second in each of their respective categories at the 2024 OFSAA Swimming competition held on March 5 and 6, 2024.

The OFSAA Swimming competition was held at the Toronto Pan Am Pool in Scarborough, with over 3,000 students representing 175 schools. Despite the challenging competition, the �鶹ԭ�� students showcased exceptional skill, determination and sportsmanship, bringing home medals.

Nicole Carter, from Our Lady Queen of the World Catholic Academy, claimed 2nd Place in the 100m Open Girls Breaststroke event. Her achievement not only reflects her individual excellence but also shows Our Lady Queen of the World Catholic Academy’s commitment to supporting athletic talent among its students.

Representing St. Theresa of Lisieux CHS, Aidan Tong, placed 2nd with the 50m Junior Boys Backstroke. Daniel Chernin, who is also from St. Theresa of Lisieux CHS, secured 2nd Place in the 100m Open Boys Backstroke. Both their achievements are a testament to the training and dedication fostered within the athletic programs at St. Theresa of Lisieux CHS.

The success of Nicole Carter, Aidan Tong and Daniel Chernin at the OFSAA Swimming 2024 competition not only brings pride for themselves but also to their school community.��

A huge congratulations to Nicole, Aidan, and Daniel, keep making waves!

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A heartfelt congratulations to Malcolm Y., one of St. Elizabeth Seton’s very own Grade 8 French Immersion students who has been selected to serve as a Legislative Page at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. The Program is open to students in grades 7 and 8 who have an interest in current affairs and is designed for “high-achieving, community-involved students who have demonstrated responsibility and leadership and provides youth an opportunity to experience the provincial legislature in action.”

Malcolm joined St. Elizabeth Seton in Grade 1. He consistently assumes an active leadership role within our school and demonstrates a strong dedication to our community. Among his many accomplishments, Malcolm is a Student Ambassador who has welcomed board visitors to our school, is a team manager for our Volleyball team and takes great pride in being a valuable member of our Intermediate Boys Basketball team. This past March, Malcolm, together with his team, won the area basketball tournament and proudly represented our school at the board finals.��

As a volunteer, Malcolm’s experiences include a role as a junior journalist for CBC in July 2017.�� In 2023, Malcolm completed the Urban Alliance on Race Relations Black Youth Leadership Certificate Program that focuses on building the next generation of Black public servants and provides training, mentorship and internship.

During his time as a Legislative Page, Malcolm will have an opportunity to meet key parliamentary figures as well as learn about Ontario’s parliamentary system of government. We wish Malcolm the best of luck as he participates in the Legislative Page Program and we look forward to learning about his experiences. If you are interested in learning more about the Legislative Page program, .��

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The �鶹ԭ�� is committed to inclusivity and diversity within the workplace.�� As we continue to explore equity seeking and racialized leadership, our upcoming session will focus on important aspects of career development and advancement:�� Building your leadership portfolio in preparation for the role of Vice Principal. In this session we will delve into the essential components of a strong leadership portfolio and discuss strategies to develop skills and experiences.��

This session is aimed for teachers interested in Catholic Leadership. Elementary and Secondary teachers from equity-seeking and racialized groups are invited to attend session#2�� with Superintendent Joel Chiutsi and Superintendent Siobhan Wright.��

Interested candidates must register online by no later than 8:00 a.m. on April 19, 2024�� using Professional Learning Program (PL):�� �� ����To log on to Professional Learning users may enter their���鶹ԭ�� email address��and �鶹ԭ�� computer logon��password (not their email password).�� Please refer to for more information.��

If you require registration support, please contact the Call Centre at 1-888-767-4778, Option #3, or live chat/support or submit a Help Desk ticket. When submitting a ticket for this application, choose the sub-category > PD Software (Professional Learning)

Interested candidates who are not currently �鶹ԭ�� employees are asked to register directly with Anna Garito via email, anna.garito @ycdsb.ca,, or by calling 416 221 5050, extension 13863.

Light dinner will be served from 4:00 – 4:30

�鶹ԭ����

320 Bloomington Rd

Aurora, Ontario��

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We are pleased to introduce a beautiful new that will appear in �鶹ԭ�� schools and workplaces over the coming days.��

At the request of the Board of Trustees, these stickers were created to celebrate the peace and unity we find in Jesus Christ. This design serves as a reminder that we are all beloved children of God. It is fitting that these stickers are welcomed into our schools and workplaces during the Easter Season when we commemorate the profound sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who died for all of humanity.

We are incredibly grateful to an anonymous artist who has graciously offered their time and talent to create this design. That artist has provided the following explanation of their work:��

The crucifix in the centre represents Catholicity, the universal symbol of acceptance for all. The point of the crucifix is to communicate we are all one in Christ. Jesus died for all of us.��

The colour blue in Catholic tradition goes back centuries. Its tradition alludes to the Virgin Mary.��

The colour gold is the light of Christ.��

The faces amidst the gold rays represent the diversity in each of us and although we are diverse in many ways, we are ONE in CHRIST.

Few other Ontario school boards have such beautiful original artwork representing their board. The fact that an artist volunteered their time to create this design shows the unique commitment of our community to the success of the �鶹ԭ��.��

These stickers will complement the many other materials and resources in our Catholic schools, including our new Multi-Year Strategic Plan, which makes commitments to our Catholic Faith, Equity and Inclusion, Student Achievement and Well-being.��

We are proud to share these stickers with our community as a constant reminder that everyone is loved by God and that everyone is welcomed and belongs in the �鶹ԭ��.��

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On Monday, April 8, 2024, a full solar eclipse will occur in southern Ontario, which will block the sun’s light in some areas.

In York Region, we will experience the effects of the eclipse between roughly 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., which coincides with the scheduled dismissal times for our schools. Looking at the sun during this time period has the potential to cause serious eye damage.��

Out of concern for student safety, on April 8, 2024, all students in elementary and secondary schools will be dismissed early. Your school will have communicated the actual dismissal time. Student after-school activities will also be cancelled for that afternoon.

Please note that schools have sent updated dismissal times in the past several weeks. If you have any questions about specific dismissal times, please contact the school.��

Transportation services such as busing and taxis will be adjusted for the early dismissal. The schedule for student transportation in the morning of April 8 will remain the same. Transportation in the afternoon will be modified to align with the early dismissal time and will be communicated to families.

As you may have seen, some Ontario school boards moved a preexisting April PA Day to coincide with the eclipse on April 8. This is not possible for our board due to contractual obligations, prior commitments and because there is no preexisting April PA Day.

Child care and before and after care programs can operate at the provider’s discretion. If you have questions about child care, please contact your child’s child care provider directly.

The has additional information related to solar eclipses that you may review.

Please know that this decision was made with student safety at its centre. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s school.

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