Oshawa Program and Boundary Review – St. Christopher Catholic School Survey

Dear Parents, Guardians and Caregivers,

I am writing to provide an update on the Durham Catholic District School Board Oshawa Program and Boundary Study. The following information will help answer your questions and assist in the completion of the Expression of Interest survey for current students at St. Christopher Catholic School. 

Oshawa Program and Boundary Study Background Information
The Oshawa Program and Boundary Study was initiated to address potential program and service delivery models at one or more Durham Catholic District School Board schools in Oshawa which are being impacted by the increased growth in north Oshawa, and due to the Ministry of Education announcement in July of 2020 to replace Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School with a Grade 7-12 school.  

St. Christopher Catholic School Consultation
At the Regular Board Meeting held on June 19, 2023, the Durham Catholic District School Board of Trustees approved the recommended program and boundary revisions as a result of the Oshawa and Program Boundary Study.

The following recommendations were approved:

• St. Christopher Catholic School will become an English Kindergarten – Grade 8 elementary school with its existing French Immersion program being re-located to St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School and St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic School. Through future consultation, implementation details including date this will take effect, and any potential legacy students (i.e., may allow Grade 7 & 8 students to graduate out, if numbers are viable), will be determined. Consultations will begin in September 2023. Please see map for details. 
• Upon the opening of the new Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School, St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic School would become a Kindergarten – Grade 6 dual track facility with Grade 7 and 8 (English/Regular and French Immersion) being accommodated at the new Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School. The Grade 7 and 8 French Immersion program at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School will also be moved to the new Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School French Immersion program upon the school’s opening leaving St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School as a Kindergarten – Grade 6 dual track facility.

What Does This Mean for My Child?
English (Regular Track) students will remain at St. Christopher Catholic School. If your child is currently in Grade 1-5 and is currently in the French Immersion program, and intend to remain in the program, they will be relocated to either St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School or St. Kateri Catholic School, depending on your home address. View the new French Immersion boundary map here.

If your child is currently in Grade 6 or Grade 7 French Immersion, we are asking you to conduct the Expression of Interest Survey as we may potentially allow students to graduate from St. Christopher Catholic School if the numbers/program is viable. If there is not enough interest from current Grade 6 or Grade 7 French Immersion students in remaining at St. Christopher Catholic School, students would be relocated to French Immersion programs at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School or St. Kateri Catholic School, depending on your home address. View the new French Immersion boundary map here.

For current Grade 3-7 French Immersion students, we have compiled a table below to outline the school(s) they would be attending in the next four years based on the Oshawa Program and Boundary approved recommendations.

Expression of Interest Surveys 
St. Christopher Catholic School families are asked to complete an expression of interest survey below. Legacy French Immersion students in Grades 7 and 8 may be permitted to graduate from St. Christopher Catholic School, based on sufficient interest and viable class sizes. The deadline to complete the survey is Friday, October 27, 2023.  

• Kindergarten to Grade 5 Students - Expression of Interest Survey

• Grade 6 and Grade 7 Students - Expression of Interest Survey

Timelines 
To ensure a smooth transition for students, staff, and families the following timelines, materials and activities are being implemented: 

• Monday, September 25, 2023 – Letter and Expression of Interest Survey sent to all families 
• Friday, October 27, 2023 – Response to Expression of Interest Survey due for current Kindergarten to Grade 5 and current Grade 6 and 7 French Immersion students at St. Christopher Catholic School are due.
• Monday, December 18, 2023 – Report to Board of Trustees at the Regular Board Meeting
• Tuesday, December 19, 2023 – Share decision regarding Grade 7 and 8 French Immersion legacy classes remaining at St. Christopher Catholic School for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school year. 

Student Transportation
Student transportation will be provided to eligible students in accordance with the Student Transportation Policy PO429. Further details will be shared with families regarding any impacts related to transportation in August 2024 via the Durham Student Transportation Services Parent Portal or 24-hour automated phone line (1-866-908-6578). 

To view the full report to the Board of Trustees at the June 19, 2023, Regular Board Meeting, please click here. Updates will continue to be provided to families via School Messenger and on the Oshawa Program and Boundary Study webpage. 

If you have questions or comments regarding the Oshawa Program and Boundary Study implementation process or transition process, please complete the feedback form, contact us via phone at 905-576-6150 ext. 42252, or send an email to planning@dcdsb.ca. 

Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the main office.