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       

Blessing of new Mother Mary statue St.Patrick CES

Chapel at St. Jerome CES Aurora

Holy Name CES Mass May 2022

  • 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)

 

Ms. Crowe’s level of commitment and dedication to YCDSB students is truly inspiring. She has always taken the time to listen to the voice of the students, as well as provide us with new ideas and opportunities. I loved working with Ms. Crowe as she treated not just me, but all students as her equal and was always an encouraging mentor.
— Natasha Iaboni, former Student Trustee, St, Maximilian Kolbe CHS alumni, Aurora resident

Student Lenten Reflections through art

Student Achievement

Visiting St. Brendan CES

Black Heritage month quilt at St.Brigid CES. Thanks to Nadine Williams for her inspiration and guidance.

3-D Printer at STREAM Center Our Lady of Grace CES in Aurora.

  • 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.

Eco Clubs in our schools do amazing work!

Supporting St.Max FRC 4343 robotics team.

Supporting St.Max FRC 4343 robotics team.

I have known Elizabeth Crowe for the 24 years she has served as the trustee for Aurora, King and Whitchurch-Stouffville. She has been an instrumental leader in spearheading the construction of new schools and additions, actively lobbying the government for funding. Elizabeth is able to “act” as your full-time trustee and has been an enthusiastic and dedicated Chair of the school board for 18 years. She has proven her commitment to the rich history of the communities she serves but she is also a forward thinker. Her experience and knowledge with the operation of the school system is an invaluable asset for the future of your children’s Catholic education in the 21st century.
— William Foran, retired teacher, resident Schomberg, founding Principal St.Patrick CES and Vice-Principal Light of Christ CES

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

Attending the York Cooperatives Buyers Luncheon

Attending the York Cooperatives Buyers Luncheon

Supporting York CDSB Track and Field Athletes at OFSAA

Supporting York CDSB Track and Field Athletes at OFSAA

I have had the pleasure of working with Elizabeth over the course of the past year. Elizabeth was instrumental in obtaining Board approval for a critical service for our Stouffville students, a late-run bus for St. Brother Andre CHS. Her extensive experience and knowledge are indispensable in getting things done. Lastly, Elizabeth is very responsive to the needs of the community. She is very approachable and has the interest of both the Board and the communities she serves in all she does as Trustee.
— Maggie Wallace, Stouffville resident and Co-Chair St. Brother Andre CHS CSC

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