Oshawa Program and Boundary Study - Updates and Unnamed Kedron Catholic Elementary School Consultation

Posted On Friday January 31, 2025

Dear Parents, Guardians and Caregivers:

We are writing to provide an update to families at St. Anne Catholic School, St. John Bosco Catholic School, and St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic School on the Oshawa Program and Boundary Study. 

Oshawa Program and Boundary Study Background 
With the announcement of a new Unnamed Kedron Catholic Elementary School, an addition at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic School, and a scope change to the New Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School from a proposed Grade 7-12 school to a Grade 9-12 school, we are engaging in updates and revisions to the Oshawa Program and Boundary Study.

On December 16, 2024, the following motion was passed by the Durham Catholic District Board of Trustees:

  • “THAT the Durham Catholic District School Board approve the reversal of the following decision that was part of the June 19, 2023, ‘Oshawa Schools – Program and Boundary study report – Final’: Beginning immediately, new regular track students (Year 2 Kindergarten – Grade 8) in the St. Kateri Tekakwitha CS boundary will be redirected to St. John Bosco CS. New French Immersion students (Grade 2-8) will only be admitted where space permits.”

On January 27, 2025, the following motions were passed by the Durham Catholic District School Board of Trustees:

  • THAT the Durham Catholic District School Board approve the reversal of the following decision that was part of the June 19, 2023 ‘Oshawa Schools – Program and Boundary study report – Final’: 
    • Upon the opening of the new Msgr. Paul Dwyer CHS (gr. 7-12), a) St. Kateri Tekakwitha CS will become a K-6 Catholic Elementary School. All grade 7 and 8 students (Regular and French Immersion tracks) from St. Kateri Tekakwitha CS will be accommodated at the new Msgr. Paul Dwyer CHS; and b) St. Thomas Aquinas CS will become a K-6 Catholic Elementary School. All grade 7 and 8 students (French Immersion) from St. Thomas Aquinas CS will be accommodated at the new Msgr. Paul Dwyer CHS;
  • And that reversal is based upon the Ministry of Education approval of new capital investments of a 622-pupil place Catholic elementary school in the Kedron development of North Oshawa; a 6-room addition to St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic elementary school; and the change in scope of the new Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School from a grade 7-12 school to a 9-12 school. 

  • “THAT the Durham Catholic District School Board approves ‘in Principle’ the proposed boundary revisions for St. Anne Catholic School, St. John Bosco Catholic School, St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Elementary School and the New Unnamed Kedron East #1 Catholic Elementary School outlined in the report dated January 27, 2025.”

What does this mean for my child?

St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic School
St. Kateri Tekakwitha will continue to operate as a Kindergarten – Grade 8 dual-track elementary school (note: this is a reversal of the initial June 2023 decision) in the current boundary, until a new Kedron Catholic Elementary School boundary has been established through public consultation, at which point the St. Kateri Tekakwitha boundary will be adjusted accordingly. 

St. Anne Catholic School, St. John Bosco Catholic School and St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic School - Unnamed Kedron Catholic Elementary School Proposed Boundary
A proposed boundary for the Unnamed Kedron Catholic Elementary School has been determined. A further review through a public consultation process, supported by a consultant, will determine the boundary for this new school.

View maps of the current Oshawa boundaries and the proposed Unnamed Kedron Catholic Elementary School boundary here.

Note that once a new Unnamed Kedron Catholic Elementary School boundary has been established through public consultation, the St. Anne Catholic School, St. John Bosco Catholic School and St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic School boundaries will be adjusted accordingly.

Next Steps and Public Consultation
Through a series of public meetings, the board will compile considerations and recommendations to bring to the DCDSB Regular Board Meeting in June 2025.

The Durham Catholic District School Board is committed to an open and transparent process that allows for public input through a variety of means. Public meetings have been scheduled on the dates below to present the options under consideration and to offer our parents and guardians the opportunity to ask questions and provide input.

The dates and locations for these meetings are as follows:

  • Tuesday, February 25, 2025: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at St. Anne Catholic School
  • Tuesday, March 4, 2025: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at St. John Bosco Catholic School
  • Tuesday, March 18, 2025: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic School

Following these community meetings, staff will present the final boundary recommendations and address any implementation issues at a board meeting with the Board of Trustees for final approval.

If you require accessible accommodations to participate in any of the public meetings, please contact Facilities Services at 905-576-6150 Ext. 22353 in advance of the meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made. 

Updates will continue to be provided to families via SchoolMessenger 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.

Sincerely,

 

Jim Wilson                                              Scott Grieve
Superintendent of Education             Superintendent of Business, Finance & Facilities