The Durham Catholic District School Board encompasses most of the Regional Municipality of Durham east of the City of Toronto. The current Board formed in 1998 when the Province of Ontario reestablished school board jurisdictions that adopted the same boundaries and assumed responsibility for the schools of the Durham Region Separate School Board. The school board itself had been formed through the amalgamation of county school boards into regional boards in 1968. The Board's recent history in no way diminishes the rich heritage of Catholic Education in Durham Region, where Catholic schools have had a seamless and strong community presence for more than 160 years.

In fact, within the Board's area of jurisdiction near one of the Board's current schools in the City of Pickering, historical records confirm that French Jesuit missionaries established a school in the early seventeenth century that is documented to be the first Catholic School in the Province of Ontario.

Today with some 23,000 students attending 39 elementary, seven secondary schools and four Continuing and Alternative Education sites, the Board continues to educate students within a school system that is Christ-centred and student-focused.

SCHOOL TRENDS

“At the present time we are focused on the implementation of a number of provincially mandated initiatives,” says Paul Pulla, Director of Education. “The board's roll out of Early Learning will introduce full day JK and SK Programs in five elementary schools. This program will be phased into all schools over the next five years.”

Policy implementation impacting Equity and Diversity, Safe Schools and Accessibility comply with recent legislative changes.

Within the scope of the Board's priorities, they continue to train employees in the principles of Restorative Practice. As the only licensed school Board in Canada to deliver this training, they have their own staff provide the instruction. In the past year, Durham Catholic certified the Board's Principals and Vice Principals in Safe Schools through the Canadian Safe Schools Network. Having engaged their school administrators in completing Part I of the program, they will be completing Part II of the training by the end of the next school year.

A major Board focus this year will be the implementation of an Early French Immersion Program. This program will be in addition to the existing Middle French Immersion Program with an entry point of grade four. Now parents will have the option of enrolling their child in French Immersion at a grade one entry point.

TECHNOLOGY

Recently the Board created the position of Chief Information Officer (CIO). Under his leadership, the Information Communication Technology Department undertook the development of a new Data Center. This has created the capacity to strategically manage all Board information and better utilize applications giving access to live data.

“We are continuing to refresh the full complement of instructional computer hardware for student use and exploring enhanced opportunities for student access to e-learning,” says Pulla.

PLANS FOR GROWTH

In recent years, the Board has experienced a decline in student enrollment. This decline attributed primarily to changing demographics is expected to ease in the coming months. Over the next three years, the Board is expected to see some renewed growth, as they are currently planning for the opening of a new elementary school in Ajax for 2012.

“As part of our ongoing facilities renewal program, we continue to upgrade all our schools,” says Pulla. “During the current summer months, we are upgrading facilities in a number of schools that underwent consolidation in 2008 and putting additions onto elementary schools that had modules that were removed over the last 18 months.”

STANDING OUT

“As a Catholic School Board, we are characterized by our Mission Statement,” says Pulla. “We are a Catholic faith-based teaching and learning community that provides its students with holistic education that nourishes the body, mind and spirit.”

The Board is well known for its consistently high level of student achievement. The Board’s strong focus on social justice is characterized by the Board's secondary school community projects undertaken in such communities as Consuelo in the Dominican Republic.

Their staff and students actively support charitable fund raising initiatives such as Share Life and the Annual Terry Fox Walk. Most recently, in the relief efforts for Haiti, students and staff contributed approximately $150,000. “We live our Faith in word and action and this above all distinguishes the Board,” says Pulla.

GOING GREEN

The Board has an active eco-school program. With nearly 100 percent of their schools participating in sustainable efforts, the staff and students have become increasingly aware of the importance of being environmentally conscious. “We have been engaged for several years by replacing lighting with more energy efficient products,” Pulla expresses. “This fall, wind turbines will be installed at three school sites for the purpose of generating some of each school's energy needs.”

LOOKING AHEAD

In five years time, the Board will have sustained its high level of student achievement. They plan to overcome their budget challenges and have consolidated targeted pathways programs that give all students the opportunities to achieve their full potential. “We will achieve these goals by maintaining our first priority, which is the improvement of student learning,” Pulla concludes. “Our continued efforts for right-sizing the programs and services offered will allow for financial stability going forward.”