Student Success
My commitment to providing Catholic Education that serves the unique needs of every child while minimizing the impact of chronic under-funding
Catholicity
All Principals are now required to hold a Specialist in Religious Education
New Religious Education Curriculum approved by the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario: digital and print resources purchased for all elementary grades, secondary program roll-out September 2018 with new digital resources and texts for grades 9 and 10 expected shortly
Every high school and elementary school (where possible) has a chapel
Every classroom has a prayer center
Annually host one Priest Zone meeting at Board office
Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation: Land Acknowledgement, Grade 11 English (ENG3) replaced by Understanding Contemporary Indigenous Voices (NBE3)
Student Achievement
Board consistently ranked top four in province on EQAO.
York Catholic DSB has highest graduation rates of all English Boards in the province
6 STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts and Math) Centers opened in 2022, including one at Our Lady of Grace CES in Aurora. They are accessible to all students in the system, and many classes have already visited these state-of-the-art classrooms.
Libraries transforming into Learning Commons and Technology hubs
Implemented Phys-Ed and Music specialists in all elementary schools
Orff Instruments purchased for every school and dedicated music/drama rooms to be implemented in all elementary schools.
September 2018, itinerant grade 7/8 Pathways teachers added as part of initiative to help students with transitions to high school
St. Maximilian Kolbe CHS: French Immersion and Advanced Placement (AP) program implemented HPA (High Performance Athlete) program approved for 2023.
IB program at Cardinal Carter CHS is a success
St. Katharine Drexel CHS will offer French Immersion from grades 7-12
Regional Arts Program, iRAP, at Sacred Heart CHS in Newmarket
Expanded Specialist High Skills Majors options available to high school students as well opportunities for SHSM CO-OP and Dual Credit during the summer
Implemented Secondary Exam Review days
Mental Health and Addiction Strategic implemented. Mental Health workers hired. Mental Health Ambassador program implemented in schools. Mental Health Instructional Lead approved to develop classroom resources.
Approved Accessibility plan
Hired a Human Rights and Equity Advisor to develop and implement a plan to address systemic barriers to equity in education and employment.
Fiscal Responsibility
Continue to lobby local MPPs to inform them of budgetary pressures: reduced enrollment due to demographic changes (less Catholics, high cost of housing), unfunded increases in Special education needs/costs, underfunded transportation costs
Implemented joint purchasing and tendering for supplies and services wherever possible
Achieved reductions of administrative staff at the Board offices through attrition and realignment
Audit committee initiated review of Maintenance Department with recommendations to improve accountability, efficiency and timeliness of repairs
Empty classroom space addressed by mothballing classrooms
Relocated some central staff to school based offices to free up space at Board office for lease
Welcomed stakeholder input into Budget Development by creating opportunities both online and by delegation
Upgraded all phone systems to VOIP to improve service and reliability
Started roll-out of Cashless School option for parents through School Day
On the Horizon
Develop strategies to improve school-parish relationships including exploring the possibility of a Catholic Education Corner in parish bulletins
Explore opportunities to promote YCDSB through Marriage and Baptism kits
Work in concert with the Institute for Catholic Education (ICE) to enrich Adult Faith Formation opportunities.
Advocate for both Advanced Placement (AP) at St. Katharine Drexel CHS, as well SHSM programs that meet student needs
Continue to lobby for more funding for Special Education