DCDSB Celebrates Catholic Education Week and Mental Health Week from May 6-10, 2024

Posted On Thursday May 02, 2024

During the first week of May, the Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) celebrates Catholic Education Week, which recognizes the significant contribution that Catholic education has made to the community, the province and to Canada. This week is also designated as Mental Health Week, which aims to raise awareness and promote and protect mental health.

This year, the Ontario Catholic School Trustee’s Association (OCSTA) has chosen We are Called to Love as the theme for Catholic Education Week. This theme is based on the scripture passage: “If we love one another, God lives in us.” (1 John 4:12)

“During the 2023-2024 school year, DCDSB has been embracing our own related spiritual theme, Speaking With the Heart,” said Tracy Barill, DCDSB Director of Education. “This theme serves as an invitation to reflect on what it means to communicate ‘according to God's style’, welcoming others as ‘heart speaks to heart.’”

There are many connections between Catholic Education Week and the Mental Health Week theme, Compassion Connects, which was selected by the Canadian Mental Health Association.

In recognition of these important weeks, DCDSB is pleased to present an interactive webpage for students and families. This webpage includes faith-related activities that can be completed at home or in the classroom, mental health and well-being strategies and suggested reading lists.

DCDSB will be recognizing Catholic Education Week and Mental Health Week through the following events:

  • Monday May 6, 2024
    • System-Wide Mass and Distinguished Catholic Educator and Leader Award Ceremony. This year, recipients of the Distinguished Catholic Educator and Leader Awards will be honoured following the System-Wide Mass at St. Bernadette Parish (21 Bayly St., E., Ajax) beginning at 4:30 p.m. 
  • Tuesday, May 7, 2024
    • Suicide Prevention and Life Promotion Literacy for School Staff training is being offered to all educators. This 3-hour workshop was developed by School Mental Health Ontario and is intended to develop an understanding of suicide prevention at school and the role that all school staff play in keeping students safe.
  • Wednesday, May 8, 2024
    • The Catholic Education Week Provincial Mass will be celebrated by the Most Rev. Gerard Bergie, Bishop of St. Catharines and President of the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario. Mass will be live-streamed from the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria beginning of 11:00 a.m.
    • The student trustee leadership team at the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association is hosting a virtual Ontario Catholic Student Youth Day.
    • Parents, guardians and caregivers are invited to join us for Prepare, Prevent and Respond, a virtual workshop presented by DCDSB Student Services Staff. This workshop will explore some frequently asked questions that will help you prepare, prevent, and respond if your child or adolescent is experiencing thoughts of suicide. Please click here to join the Zoom meeting.
  • Thursday, May 9, 2024
    • Grade 9-12 students from all DCDSB secondary schools will be meeting for the Student Mental Health Leadership Summit.
    • St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School will be hosting the school’s 25th Anniversary Celebration at 6:30 p.m.
  • Friday, May 10, 2024
    • Students and staff are encouraged to wear green to raise awareness and show support of mental health.

To celebrate this significant week, DCDSB will be hosting special activities at all grade levels, including prayer celebrations and mental health workshops for educators and families. Students, families and community members are invited to visit our Catholic Education Week and Mental Health Week webpage for more information.