From Your Catholic School Trustee
Sharon Hobin
I am honoured to have been re-elected to be your Catholic School Trustee. I am
looking forward to the next four years to represent you at the school board
table to address your concerns, voice your opinions and to protect and enhance
Catholic education in Dufferin-Peel.
I have been so impressed with the many wonderful events taking place in our
schools and with the continuing outreach to those less fortunate. This includes the
work of our Catholic school councils and student governments. I have been
privileged to have witnessed and participated in Student Award Breakfasts and
Evenings honouring secondary students who have acquired Honour Roll status with averages of over
80% as well as subject award winners. Students, parents, teachers and trustees are proud of these
secondary young people who work hard and are so dedicated. Congratulations!
As well, sincere congratulations to those parents who have stepped up to the plate to participate and
contribute to our Catholic School Councils. This is an essential part of Dufferin-Peel. We have had school
councils for many years before they were ever mandated by the government. In fact, Dufferin-Peel has
been a template for the government mandated school councils and PIC, which is our CCCSC or Central
Committee for Catholic School Councils. We encourage parents and guardians to attend these meetings.
They are invaluable to learn more about your children’s school and to contribute opinions and
suggestions to the council. Again, my sincere thanks to all the parent and teacher volunteers!
Remembrance Day
Thank you to our schools that have done an outstanding job of honouring our war veterans on
Remembrance Day. All schools salute this special day in varying ways but each one recognizes the
sacrifice and courage of our Veterans from the past and those who serve in the present. We cherish our
Canadian freedoms and rightsthat help to ensure that this country of Canada remains “a true north
strong and free.” Thank you to all involved in these ceremonies and remembrances especially our War
Veterans who give their time to visit our schools.
Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week
 This was a very special week in our schools in the month of November. This week highlighted the
importance of student empowerment to eliminate bullying. A minute of silence took place in
recognition of all victims of bullying, including bystanders. as well as student produced posters
 All 149 schools planned a wide range of events, activities and actions to highlight greater awareness
of and promote a culture of care, respect and inclusion for all through efforts to eliminate bullying.
 Student created posters are being distributed to all schools. Each poster incorporates the header,
“Stand Up Against Bullying”, as well the scripture verse, "We are God’s work of art" (Ephesians
2:10). The posters can be viewed on the board website at www.dpcdsb.org.
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Online Reporting Tool Project: The board began a pilot project with secondary and select
elementary schools last year. The online reporting tool has proven useful and is intended for
Dufferin-peel students to report bullying incidents and negative behaviours impacting the school
community. By March 2015, we will roll out the tool board-wide.
For more information please consult our Dufferin-Peel web site at www.dpcdsb.org
EQAO
We have seen the outcome of the hard work of students, teachers and parents in the results of this
year’s EQAO report. This is the 6th consecutive year in which the percentage of Dufferin-Peel students
achieving at, or above, the provincial standard (Levels 3 or 4) in grades 3 and 6 has equaled or exceeded
the provincial averages. The percentage of Dufferin-Peel students achieving at or above the provincial
standards in Grade nine mathematics continues to exceed provincial averages. Eighty-seven percent of
Dufferin-Peel students, who wrote the OSSLT for the first time, successfully completed the test.
Dufferin-Peel students have exceeded the provincial averages on each of the grade nine assessments of
mathematics and on the OSSLT for the last five consecutive years. The results of this report are used to
develop our Board Wide Learning Plan and a Leaning Plan for each school. All the EQAO information for
each school is available on our Dufferin-Peel web site.
Special Thanks
Thank you to our schools –students, parents and school staff for supporting our food banks and St.
Vincent DePaul with generous donations at this special time of year. Without these wonderful donations
many will go without during this Christmas season. In the words of John 3:17-18 “If anyone has material
possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”
As we move into the Season of Advent we look forward to the many wondrous events in our schools
that celebrate this most extraordinary time in our Catholic faith. With much expectation we prepare for
the birth of our Savior. As your trustee, I am most delighted to attend many liturgies, Masses, concerts,
plays, and all the events that take place in our schools over this special time. I have to say that it is one
of my favourite times in the year. I wish you and your families the blessings of the baby Jesus and all the
very best in 2015. May the good Lord always hold you in the palm of His hand.