October Board Meeting Highlights


Reframing New Challenges with Innovative Solutions
The global pandemic has disrupted traditional practices in education and inspired a culture of innovation in the LDCSB schools with the use of technologies. Examples were shared of innovative solutions through interdisciplinary and cross departmental collaboration in support of collective learning, engagement, and spiritual and mental well-being. 
 
 
 
Parish/School Growing in Faith Growing in Christ Update
Throughout history, parishes and schools have adapted to the environment around them and discerned the best way to move forward. During this pandemic, parishes and school teams have had to work together in new and innovative ways, including prerecorded prayers and celebrations, virtual visits and more. Our religion program, Growing in Faith Growing in Christ, has websites, modules and other resources for parents, students and parishes to help the relationships and learning flourish.
 
Elementary Mode of Learning Survey Results
Just over 523 responses from families requesting to change modes (in-person to remote or remote to in-person): 323 chose to go from in-person to remote while 200 chose to go from remote to in-person.
 
Updated French Immersion Path for Secondary Students
Beginning September 2021:
French Immersion will become a system program, located at Mother Teresa Secondary School.
Extended French programming will be offered at St. Mary’s Catholic High School, Woodstock and St. Joseph’s Catholic High School, St. Thomas.
 
Difference between French Immersion and Extended French at the secondary level:
French Immersion consists of 10 credits (4 FSL language courses and 6 other courses in French).
Extended French consists of 7 credits (4 FSL language courses and 3 other courses in French).
 
Both French Immersion and Extended French programs still have the necessary requirements for entrance to French programs at universities. University French Language Programming admission pre-requisites include Senior level Core French, Extended French and French Immersion courses, and in some cases a French language placement test.

Elementary Principal/Vice-Principal Changes
Elementary Retirement:
Liz Greve, Principal, St. Francis Catholic Elementary School, will retire effective December 31, 2020. Special thanks to Liz for her devotion to the students, staff and the Board over her many years of service. We wish her all the best in retirement.
 
Elementary Changes:
Heather Pais, currently Elementary Principal, St. Anthony Catholic French Immersion Elementary School, is transferred as Elementary Principal, St. Francis Catholic Elementary School, effective January 1, 2021.
 
Lisa Bilodeau, currently Elementary Principal, Holy Family French Immersion Catholic Elementary School (Woodstock), is transferred as Elementary Principal, St. Anthony French Immersion Catholic Elementary School, effective January 1, 2021.
 
Adele King, currently Elementary Vice- Principal, St. John French Immersion Catholic Elementary School, is appointed as Elementary Principal, Holy Family French Immersion Catholic Elementary School (Woodstock), effective January 1, 2021.
 
Karen Schneller, currently Elementary Vice-Principal, St. Michael’s Catholic Elementary School (Woodstock), is transferred as Elementary Vice-Principal, St. John French Immersion Catholic Elementary School, effective January 1, 2021.
 
Erin Debicki, currently Reading Intervention Teacher based out of the CEC, is appointed as Elementary Vice-Principal, St. Michael’s Catholic Elementary School (Woodstock), effective January 1, 2021.
 
Claudia Santagapita-Speiran, currently Elementary Principal, Our Lady Immaculate Catholic Elementary School is transferred as Elementary Principal, St. John French Immersion Catholic Elementary School, effective January 1, 2021.
 
Susan Pellerin, currently Elementary Principal, Holy Rosary Catholic Elementary School is transferred as Elementary Principal, Our Lady Immaculate Catholic Elementary School, effective January 1, 2021.
 
Michelle Kennedy, currently Elementary Principal, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Elementary School is transferred as Elementary Principal, Holy Rosary Catholic Elementary School, effective January 1, 2021.
 
Roberta Gibson, currently Elementary Principal, St. Michael’s Catholic Elementary School (Woodstock) is transferred as Elementary Principal, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Elementary School, effective January 1, 2021.
 
Sally Goulart, currently Elementary Principal, St. Marguerite d’Youville Catholic Elementary School is transferred as Elementary Principal, St. Michael’s Catholic Elementary School (Woodstock), effective January 1, 2021.
 
Susanne Schulert-Quenneville, currently Elementary Principal, St. John French Immersion Catholic Elementary School is transferred as Elementary Principal, St. Marguerite d’Youville Catholic Elementary School, effective January 1, 2021.
 
Judith Desjardins, currently Senior Administrator Learning Services, will be seconded with the Ministry as the School Leader MH Literacy and Practice Portfolio Lead for School Mental Health Ontario effective November 16, 2020.