Upcoming Events and Programs for 2009-10

We are very pleased to announce that the Durham District School Board has received funding through the Aboriginal Education Office of the Ontario Ministry of Education to support ten initiatives this school year. Below is an outline briefly describing a number of these initiatives:

1. Aboriginal Family Activity and Student Mentorship Program - Now Registering

All DDSB Aboriginal students from JK to grade 12 are welcome to attend. The families of students in JK to grade 5 are invited to participate. Students in grades 6 to 12 are encouraged to attend on their own in order to benefit from interacting with adult mentors from local Aboriginal communities.

Families with children in JK to grade 5: The program begins at 6:00 P.M. and concludes by 7:45 P.M. each evening. Participants must be accompanied by an adult. Families are welcome.

Grade 6 to 12 Students: The program begins at 5:30 P.M. and concludes at 8:00 P.M. each evening.

 To register, select Registration form . Complete and return the registration form to the school office, bring it with you on your first night, or contact our office to register over the phone (905-666-6397).

2. Spring Leadership Camp - Funding has been received to offer Spring Leadership Camp for the second year. Tentative dates for this year's camp are May 26, 27 and 28 at Youth Leadership Camp Canada located on Pigeon Lake. Leadership Camp is for secondary Aboriginal students and students who are taking Native Studies this year. Spaces are limited. Field trip forms will be sent home to families early in the new year. Confirmed dates will be posted on our calendar posted on this website.

3. Local Aboriginal Education Symposium - Spirit Calling: Ways of Knowing will be the third local symposium hosted by the Durham District School Board. For the second year, our board will be working with the Durham Catholic District School Board to provide professional development for educators from across the Durham Region. The date for this year's event is Wednesday, May 5, 2010.

4. School-based Projects - Capacity continues to build across our board. Several school-based projects designed to support Aboriginal Education have received funding for this year. More details will follow.Look for pictures and highlights as the projects develop during the course of the school year.

5. Professional Development - Once again we look forward to working with local Aboriginal communities to support professional development and provide authentic Aboriginal voice to educators. The DDSB Aboriginal Education Department continues its commitment to increase awareness of Aboriginal histories, cultures and perspectives for all students and educators.

Aboriginal Education Program Updates (Excerpts from the DDSB Program Newsletter)