Director’s Annual

2015-16 Report

Extraordinary lives start with a great Catholic education.

Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board Director’s Message

It is my honour and privilege, as director of education of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, to present my first Director’s Annual Report to the community. This report provides a high level snapshot of some of the key issues, events and activities that took place across our system during 2015-16. It highlights the collaborative work of our dedicated faculty and staff, administrators, senior management team, unions and associations, our Board of Trustees, parish priests, our parents/ guardians and other system partners.

My thanks and appreciation to you all for all you do. It is through our shared faith and commitment to excellence that we work together on behalf of children and families in our system.

It has been my as director of education to provide strong system leader- ship as we continue to put into action the strategic system plan and vision of our Board of Trustees and to inspire a continuation of the tradition of excellence in Catholic education that has been the hallmark of this Board since it was first formed back in 1969.

I hope you will enjoy the contents of these pages and know that we work in faith, unity, hope and joy, as we continue to strive to provide the best Catholic education that we can for the students, young and old, entrusted to us.

Marianne Mazzorato, Ed.D. Director of Education Chair’s Message

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to ex- press my sincere thanks to the teachers, support staff, school and system administrators and senior manage- ment for the tremendous work that is accomplished each and every day across our 150 schools and admin- istrative facilities. It is the work you do that is illustrat- ed throughout this report and it serves as a reminder to me and my fellow trustees that Dufferin-Peel is truly one of the leading school boards in the province.

Thanks, also, to Director Mazzorato and Executive Council, for your support of the work of the Board of Trustees and for ensuring that the vision of the Board is actualized in all that we do as a system.

I would like to also express my gratitude to our parents/guardians for choosing a Dufferin-Peel Catholic education for your child(ren). Catholic Education is a gift and we are blessed to be able to share this gift daily with our students.

Mario Pascucci Chair of the Board Mission

The mission of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, in partnership with the family and church, is to provide, in a responsible manner, a Catholic education which develops spiritual, intellectual, aesthetic, emotional, social and physical capabilities of each individual to live fully today and to meet the challenges of the future, thus enriching the community.

Acknowledgement of First Nations Sacred Territory

The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board is situated on the sacred territory of the Mississaugas of the New Credit, and we acknowledge and thank them for being stewards of this land.

DPCDSB Quick Facts • 11 elected Trustees; • 150 schools (26 secondary, 124 elementary); • 81,574 students (49,839 elementary, 31,735 secondary); • 46,000 Adult and Continuing Education learners; • 11,000 employees; • $1.0 billion budget; • 20,000 students bused daily; • 2,670 square miles in jurisdiction (Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon, Dufferin County); • 45 parishes within Dufferin-Peel’s jurisdiction; • Extended French Programs offered at 18 schools; • French Immersion offered at 14 schools; • International Baccalaureate Program offered at three secondary schools: Notre Dame, St. Paul, St. Francis Xavier; • Regional Arts Programs offered at three secondary schools: Iona, St. Roch, St. Thomas Aquinas; • Regional All-Girls School – Holy Name of Mary Catholic Secondary School; • Regional Advanced Placement (AP) program offered at two secondary schools: St. Joseph, St. Edmund Campion; • 11 SHSM (Specialist High Skills Major) programs offered in 25 secondary schools; • Students meeting or exceeding provincial standards and averages in EQAO test scores; • Regional elementary Catholic Global Learning Centre – St. James; • Among highest graduation rates in the province. 2015-16 Highlights: Meeting Our Strategic System Plan Goals

In August 2014, following a comprehensive Strategic System Review, the Board approved a series of system goals that frame the essence of the work we do as a system, as faculty and staff, and as a Catholic educational community over the five year period from 2014-19.

The Strategic System Plan reflects our promise to each and every student and family of rigorous academic standards, safe, clean, healthy, caring and inclusive schools, a vigorous and diverse curriculum, a faithful, engaged, technologically focused community and a wide-range of extra-curriculars infused with Gospel values in the Catholic faith tradition.

The Strategic System Plan encompasses seven areas of focus:

• Catholicity • Catholic Learning Environment • Parish/Home/School Relationships • Catholic Community Engagement • Technology • Stewardship of our Physical Environment • Sacredness of our Environment

Some examples of how we met our Strategic Plan goals in 2015-16 included the following based on the plan’s seven areas of focus. This is covered in greater detail in our Annual Report: Meeting the Goals of our Strategic System Plan 2015-16, which is posted on the Board website www.dpcdsb.org. We are called to affirm our Catholic Faith in word and action and in all that we do. Catholicity

• In Dufferin-Peel we focused on the extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy by reflecting on the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. Every school participated by collecting food and clothing, helping those in need. Four of our parishes (St. Maximilian Kolbe, Merciful Redeemer, St. Anthony of Padua and St. Patrick – Wildfield) had “Doors of Mercy”, and many of our staff and students were able to go through the Jubilee Door and obtain the plenary indulgence. Youth Faith Ambassadors, secondary students and staff in many of our schools took part in retreats and pilgrimages associated with the Jubilee of Mercy. • Responded to His Eminence Cardinal Collins’ request to assist in the resettlement of Syrian refugees. Many Dufferin-Peel parishes sponsored families; from December 2015 to June 2016 over 75 Syria students were welcomed into our schools. • Continued to support ShareLife through fundraising campaigns to support local community service agencies and other appeals in response to global issues.

Catholic Education Week: May 1-6

Schools and parishes across the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board hosted many special events and activities during the week of May 1-6, as students, staff and the community celebrated Catholic Education Week.

This year’s theme for Catholic Education Week was Opening Doors of Mercy. Many schools hosted events and activities reflective of this theme, including: plays, art displays, celebratory Masses, fundrais- ers, motivational speakers and much more.

As part of Catholic Education Week, Dufferin-Peel held a two-week social media campaign called #My- CatholicEducation. Students, staff, parents and alumni were asked to reflect on “What does Catholic education mean to you?” or “How has your Catholic education helped to shape the person you are today?” and share their thoughts through tweets and pictures using the hashtag #MyCatholicEducation.

@NoraAKiss: I see goodness, potential, @jasminealsayegh: #MyCatholicEducation and the face of Jesus in the faces of all means becoming both academically and of my students #MyCatholicEducation spiritually enriched when I walk the halls of my high school.

On May 4, over 300 secondary students gathered at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church in Mississauga for the third annual board-wide student Mass. The Most Reverend Bishop John A. Boissonneau presided over the Mass where students had the opportunity to experience the Doors of Mercy, followed by the sacrament of confession to fulfill the plenary indulgence. Catholic Learning Environment

We foster the continuous development of all through a caring, safe and inclusive environment.

• Implemented the revised elementary Health and Physical Education curriculum through a Catholic lens. Revisions were made and approved by the Bishops to the elementary Fully Alive pro- gram, continuing the 35 year tradition of offering a faith based, family life program. • Developed a system-wide and multi-layered approach to mathematics with a focus on improving student achievement and well-being. • Continued to implement improvement strategies in Mathematics at all levels of the system in -re sponse to school and student data. • Obtained Ontario Physical and Health Association’s Healthy Schools Certification in 23 schools - the most of any school board in the province.

Inauguration of St. James Catholic Global Learning Centre as an IB World School

On June 8, Dufferin-Peel celebrated the inauguration of St. James Catholic Global Learning Centre as the first publicly funded English Catholic school in Ontario to receive authorization for the Internation- al Baccalaureate (IB) Elementary Program.

Top Ontario Scholars In 2015-16, 3,278 Grade 12 Dufferin-Peel students achieved av- Dufferin-Peel has one of the erages of 80 per cent or higher. The Board’s top Ontario Scholars were George Eisa from St. Marcellinus Secondary School and Daniel highest graduation rates in Sequeira from St. Francis Xavier Secondary School, both of whom scored identical near perfect averages of 99.33%. the province with a four-year

The board’s top Ontario Scholar from a Brampton school was Nicho- rate of 88.2 per cent. las Bianco from Cardinal Leger Secondary School with an average of 98.50%. Luke Seewald from Robert F. Hall Catholic Secondary School Our five-year rate is was the board’s top Ontario Scholar in the Bolton/Caledon/Oran- 92.4 per cent. geville area with a 97.50% average. 2015-16 EQAO Results

Results of the 2015-16 Education Quality and Accountability Office’s (EQAO) primary EQAO assessments indicate notable growth on the Grade 3 assessment of reading, as well as a return to the trend of high proportions of Dufferin-Peel students meeting or exceeding the provincial standard (Levels 3 or 4) in primary writing. In primary Mathematics, the results indicate a modest recovery after a period of decline. Compared to the province, Dufferin-Peel primary students continue to outper- form the province as a whole.

Dufferin-Peel’s junior EQAO assessments are higher than the provincial results and indicate continued steady growth in reading and writing. A slight decline continues to be observed in junior Mathematics among both Dufferin-Peel students and students across the province.

St. Edmund Elementary School was one of five Ontario elementary schools being profiled by the Education Quality and Accountability Office in 2016 for its success in developing a Mathematics program that has helped its students meet the provincial standard.

At the secondary level, the 2015-16 EQAO assessment results for Grade 9 Mathematics indicate that Dufferin-Peel stu- dents continue to demonstrate high levels of performance at the academic level of study. The proportion of students who achieved the provincial standard on the academic assessment was relatively consistent with the previous assessment year, and was notably higher than that of the province.

Grade 9 Applied Mathematics achievement in Dufferin-Peel has shown some recent decline. However, Dufferin-Peel stu- dents continue to outperform their provincial peers on this assessment.

2015-16 EQAO Results

Assessment DPCDSB Province Primary Reading 77% 72% Primary Writing 79% 74% Primary Mathematics 65% 63% Junior Reading 83% 81% Junior Writing 83% 80% Junior Mathematics 52% 50% Grade 9 Academic Mathematics 87% 83% Grade 9 Applied Mathematics 54% 45% OSSLT (First-Time Eligible) 83% 81% OSSLT (Previously Eligible) 53% 49% Parish|Home|School Relationships

We believe that strong partnerships and collaboration among Parish, Home and School are based on mutual respect rooted in our lived Catholic Faith.

• Developed a resource package to help our students prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation in Grade 7. The material was shared with all our parishes. • Shared the new elementary Religious Education program, Growing in Faith, Growing in Christ, with all parishes. • Provided parishes with our School/Parish Baptismal Kits encouraging early contact with our Catholic schools. • Participated in Catholic Education Week program and announcements at parishes. • Shared videotaped Pastor’s Remarks, reflections from various Dufferin-Peel Parish Pastors and other clergy, with the greater community through social media, i.e., YouTube and Twitter.

St. Sofia Byzantine Catholic School held its school’s blessing and re-dedication event on May 5. This was a milestone event in the life of the school community which also cele- brated its 35th anniversary this year. The event included a Moleben service, a blessing and re-dedication ceremony, virtue assemblies and meaningful activities for all children.

Catholic Community Engagement We value involvement of community through partnerships and collaboration.

• Continued to work collaboratively with the Central Committee for Catholic School Councils (CCCSC), the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) and our Catholic School Councils in their advisory capacity. • Invited and promoted community input through the 2015-16 public budget consultation process. • Conducted multiple parent engagement sessions through the Central Committee for Catholic School Councils. • Operated summer learning programs, including the Focus on Youth Summer Learning and Leadership camps engaging local Catholic school youth. • Enhanced community communication through increased use of social media. On October 21, Minister of Education Liz Sandals visited St. Bonaventure Catholic School in Brampton to announce funding for a new Catholic elementary school and child care centre in Brampton West. 2015-16 Budget

TOTAL Operating and Capital Budgets $1.0 Billion

Salaries & Benefits 89.7% Operating Expenditures Department Budgets 2.5% $861.5 million Other Operating & Contractual 7.8%

Technology

We are committed to a responsible approach in addressing the technology needs of our learners in a global context.

• Developed site-based local technology plans at each school. • Integrated more than 4,000 Chromebooks in our schools. • Identified and developed appropriate apps for tablets in our system, through the creation of a board-level committee. • Created access to software and technology processes that will provide a greater access for diverse learners. Stewardship of our Physical Environment

We are committed to healthy and safe learning and working environments that enhance well-being, engagement and achievement.

• Purchased additional hybrid vehicles for maintenance staff. • Completed Facilities Renewal projects, including exterior paving and landscaping improvements at 36 schools and interior renovations at 60 schools to support academic program changes and school requests. • Completed construction of outdoor learning environments for Kindergarten students at 35 schools.

In August 2015, the board completed construction of St. Alphonsa Catholic Elementary School in Brampton.

Board dedicates Brampton school athletic field in honour of former Premier William G. Davis

The Honourable William G. (Bill) Davis, Q.C., former premier of Ontario and long-time Brampton resident, attended a ceremony dedicating and blessing the new athletic field named in his honour at Cardinal Leger Secondary School on September 22. The blessing and dedication was presided over by Auxiliary Bishop John A. Boissonneau. Special guests included Education Minister Liz Sandals, local MPs and MPPs, former Leger administrators, current and former trustees, staff and students. Also in attendance was Victor Morgado who, as a Cardinal Leger stu- dent in the early 1980s, approached Mr. Davis while he was cutting his lawn to lobby for the extension of funding to Catholic high schools to Grade 13. Mr. Davis has cited this interaction as a catalyst in his deci- sion to introduce legislation that led to full funding in 1984. Pupil Accommodation Review

On November 24, 2015, the Board of Trustees approved the commencement of the East Credit Mississauga Pupil Accom- modation Review Process. The East Credit Education Service Area had been identified in the Long Term Accommodation Plan as being significantly under capacity in 2015-16 with forecasted continued enrolment decline in the coming years, necessitating a Pupil Accommodation Review. The schools included in the East Credit Mississauga Review area were:

• Our Lady of Good Voyage Elementary School • St. Bernadette Elementary School • St. Dunstan Elementary School • St. Gertrude Elementary School • St. Gregory Elementary School • St. Herbert Elementary School • St. Raymond Elementary School • St. Valentine Elementary School

Following an extensive public consultation process including two open houses, weekly meetings of the Accommodation Review Committee, two community surveys, three delegation nights and ongoing opportunities for community members to submit questions and comments online, the Board of Trustees received the final staff report on May 24. At that meet- ing, the Board approved the following motion regarding the East Credit Mississauga Pupil Accommodation Review:

“That the board of trustees approve the closure of St. Dunstan and St. Gertrude schools effective June 2017. That St. Dunstan students residing north of Eglinton Avenue be directed to St. Herbert; that St. Dunstan students residing south of Eglinton Avenue be directed to St. Bernadette; that St. Gertrude regular track students be directed to St. Valentine and that St. Gertrude French Immersion students be directed to St. Gregory”

Copies of all reports, correspondence, presentations and other related materials generated throughout the pupil accom- modation review process are posted on the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board website at www.dpcdsb.org. Sacredness of our Environment We encourage the respectful and sustainable environmental practices of reducing, reusing and recycling in our facilities.

• All 149 schools received EcoSchool Certification, with over half of Dufferin-Peel Schools achieving Gold certification. • 75% of Dufferin-Peel schools embarked on greening projects, including the creation of outdoor classrooms and pollinator gardens. • Schools participated in many environmental-focused initiatives, including: Waste-Free Lunch Challenge, Boomerang Lunches, Take Back the Trash Thursdays, National Sweater Day, Great Gulp, Earth Hour, International Walk to School Day and Bike to School Week.

During Earth Week, St. Dominic School took on the Plastic Bag Grab Challenge offered by the Recycling Council of Ontario and Walmart. The school’s Eco Team made daily announcements to bring awareness to the importance of recycling and keeping plastic bags out of landfills.

“As stewards of God’s creation, we are called to make the earth a beautiful garden for the human family.” - Pope Francis

Students design visual representation of Catholic Education

As this year’s Innovation Grant project, Iona Catholic Secondary School’s Religion and Business and Tech- nology Departments developed a unique graphic that visually displays the many connections between the eight dimensions of the Secondary School Curriculum and our Catholic faith. The graphic features the central Cross representing our faith and in each of the eight ‘facets’ radiating from it are specific ways each disci- pline reflects the Church’s view of the Catholic World Experience. Dufferin-Peel Catholic students take part in flash mob Distinguished Alumni Poster Series dance to commemorate the Day of Pink The Board released its third annual “Distin- guished Alumni” poster series featuring profiles On April 13, Dufferin-Peel Catholic schools took part in a board- of alumni who have gone on to make significant wide flash mob dance to commemorate the Day of Pink - the and unique contributions in their respective -ca international day against bullying. The dance is choreographed to reers, industries and communities. These posters Dufferin-Peel alumnus Alessia Cara’s hit “Wild Things” – a song are distributed to all Catholic schools and board about self-acceptance. sites in Dufferin-Peel.

Celebrating our... DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI

An Ontario Catholic School Graduate is expected to be a An Ontario Catholic School Graduate is expected to be an Responsible Citizen Effective Communicator

“Extracurricular activities like sports “My time as a student in Dufferin-Peel and Student Council were a major Catholic schools was instrumental in part of my experience at Holy Name of steering my career path towards work- Mary Secondary School. My peers had ing with youth. The values that were in- diverse interests and strengths and I stilled into me have laid the foundation enjoyed learning from them as much of love, truth and respect that help me as I enjoyed learning from my teach- to thrive today as an artist and educator. ers, who made subjects like English, This faith-based approach taught me Physics, Music, Calculus and Religion to value my God given talents and use lifelong curiosities.” them to inspire and motivate others.”

Sybil Wa, Architect Matthew Jones a.k.a. Testament, Holy Name of Mary Catholic Secondary School Spoken Word Artist/Motivational Speaker St. Joseph Secondary School Sybil Wa is an associate at Diamond Schmitt Architects, where she has contributed to a broad portfolio of civic and institutional projects including the New Mariinsky Theatre in Living by the rhythm of words, power and sound, Matthew Jones, aka Testament, uses St. Petersburg, Russia. Her advocacy on design and urban issues has been highlighted by speech to reach deep into the recesses of the mind, illuminating in people the infinite the National Post, among others, and her series of op-ed pieces have been published by possibilities within. Being a disciplined wordsmith, Testament has been writing poetry the Toronto Star. As a member of the Toronto Community Housing Design Review Panel and stories since the age of seven. At 14, he fell in love with Hip-hop music, lyricism and and the Advisory Committee for the Ryerson City Building Institute, Sybil’s priority con- rhyme construction, leading him to releasing three albums to date. His music, art and tinues to be working to build thriving urban communities. determination have taken Testament all over the globe in pursuit of spreading the mes- sage of peace, love and unity.

An Ontario Catholic School Graduate is expected to be a An Ontario Catholic School Graduate is expected to be a Collaborative Contributor Self-Directed, Responsible, Life-Long Learner

“The teachers and coaches I had “My career as a broadcaster started at throughout my years in Dufferin-Peel Father Michael Goetz Secondary School. have been instrumental in helping me Still today, fellow classmates and teach- learn, grow and develop into the per- ers can recall me in Grade 9 telling the son I am today. I was fortunate to have class that I would one day be a weather such great teachers who pushed me to presenter! The Theatre program at Goetz strive for excellence and work hard ev- helped me gain confidence and taught ery day, which ultimately helped me to me that standing in front of an audience develop a solid work ethic, strong mind, was the right place for me. My teachers and good leadership skills. All of these were always very encouraging when it traits have helped me in my profession- came to career choices. My first choice al career as a NHL player. “ will always be Catholic education.”

According to the Ontario Catholic School Matt Stajan, Hockey Player Rachel Schoutsen, On-Air Weather Presenter Iona Catholic Secondary School Father Michael Goetz Secondary School

Matthew Stajan is a Canadian professional centre currently playing for the From a young age, Rachel Schoutsen knew she belonged in front of the camera. Ra- of the . He was a second round selection, 57th chel began her career by volunteering as a weather and field reporter at Rogers TV. overall, of the at the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. Stajan made his NHL From there, she became a traffic presenter and gridlock specialist for Beat the Traffic. In Graduate Expectations Survey, students cited debut in 2004 and was a member of the Maple Leafs until he was traded to Calgary in 2011, Rachel joined The Weather Network as a news writer and is currently a traffic and 2010. Internationally, Stajan was a member of the Canadian national junior team that weather reporter. that Dufferin-Peel schools are welcoming, won a silver medal at the 2003 World Junior Hockey Championships. Dufferin-Peel Catholic District Extraordinary lives start with a great Catholic education. safe, supportive, respectful and accepting. School Board

Black History Month

Dufferin-Peel Catholic schools hosted many engaging events and activities to celebrate Black History Month, in- cluding “It’s Everyone’s History – Opening Doors”, a board- wide Black History Student Conference on February 18 for secondary school students. The 12th annual conference highlighted local community members who have achieved success and fulfillment of their ambitions and who are also role models for all students. More than 400 students attend the event. An education in the fullness of humanity should be the defining feature of Catholic schools. - Pope Francis

Support Catholic Education - Are you ticked?

Did you know that unless the municipality is notified, the school support designation on your property taxes, for assessment purposes, automatically defaults to public school support when an individual or family moves to a new address.

To find out about your school support designation, or to receive more information, call our Admissions Department at 905-890-0708 ext. 24512. Senior Management

Executive Council Marianne Mazzorato, Ed.D. - Director of Education and Secretary to the Board John Hrajnik - Associate Director, Corporate Services, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Sheila McWatters - Associate Director, Instructional Services

Corporate Clara Pitoscia - Superintendent of Human Resources and Employee Relations Julie Cherepacha - Superintendent of Financial Services Daniel Del Bianco - Superintendent of Planning and Operations

Instructional Charles Blanchard - Superintendent of Program and Learning Services In October 2015, the Tilia Cruz - Superintendent of Special Education and Learning Services Susan Steer - Superintendent of Well-Being, Experiential Learning and Learning Services Dufferin-Peel Catholic Tim Lariviere - Superintendent – Mississauga East District School Board Eric Fischer - Superintendent – Mississauga North announced the Lucy Papaloni - Superintendent – Mississauga/Brampton Central Deborah Finegan-Downey - Superintendent – Mississauga South appointment of Tammy-Lynne Peel - Superintendent – Brampton East/Caledon/Dufferin/Malton Marianne Mazzorato, Ed.D, Max Vecchiarino - Superintendent – Brampton North East as director of education Les Storey - Superintendent – Brampton West and secretary to the board. Strategy, Policy and Global Learning David Amaral - Superintendent of Strategy, Policy and Global Learning

Learning Technologies Roberto Eberhardt – Superintendent of Learning Technologies and Chief Information Officer

Legal Wendy Lopez – General Counsel

Passing of Joe Hugel, Dufferin-Peel’s first director of education

In 2015, the Dufferin-Peel community lost Joseph (Joe) Hugel, its first director of education. Mr. Hugel led the board from its formation as the Dufferin-Peel Roman Catholic Separate School Board in 1968, through to 1982. Upon his retirement, he was elected trustee and served from 1982-1985. Board of Trustees 2015-16

Mario Pascucci (Chair) Esther O’Toole Mississauga Wards 1 & 3 Mississauga Wards 9 & 10 905-302-3096 905-812-5163 [email protected] [email protected]

Sharon Hobin Anna da Silva Mississauga Wards 2 & 8 Brampton Wards 1,3, 4 905-301-1210 416-706-5679 [email protected] [email protected]

Anna Abbruscato Darryl D’Souza Mississauga Ward 4 Brampton Wards 2,5,6 416-459-0126 416-528-8515 [email protected] [email protected]

Thomas Thomas (Vice Chair) Shawn Xaviour Mississauga Ward 5 Brampton Wards 7-10 416-845-8225 416-528-9622 [email protected] [email protected]

Luz del Rosario Frank Di Cosola Mississauga Wards 6 & 11 Caledon/Dufferin 416-528-6447 905-951-8898 [email protected] [email protected]

Bruno Iannicca Mississauga Ward 7 905-270-0536 [email protected]

Jana Anderson Lexie Hesketh-Pavilons Student Trustee Student Trustee

40 Matheson Boulevard West @DPCDSBSchools Dufferin-Peel Mississauga, ON L5R 1C5 @DirectorDPCDSB Catholic District 905-890-1221 School Board www.dpcdsb.org DPCDSBVideos