嫩芽视频

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Becoming

We are on a journey together.

Our Objectives Under the Priority of Becoming

1. Embed equity and inclusion in our policies and actions to identify and dismantle structural inequities for students and staff.
2. Develop and support staff as professionals, collaborators, and leaders.
3. Transform environments and practices to respond to changing needs and conditions.

The annual Strategic Plan Monitoring Survey found that:

Video Launch of our Multi-Year Strategic Plan

The Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP) is the compass that directs the HCDSB towards ongoing improvement across the learning organization. It articulates values, sets commitments, and establishes priorities for the next few years.

On January 16, 2024, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt the 2024-2028 Multi-Year Strategic Plan that will guide the work of our school district.

During the 2024-2025 school year, the MYSP video series was introduced through a coordinated board-wide launch, positioning the videos as a central storytelling tool to bring the Plan to life. Each video was released with consistent visual identity and messaging, reinforcing the four MYSP pillars and what each pillar prioritizes across HCDSB.

To ensure broad reach and accessibility, the videos were shared on multiple HCDSB platforms, including the board’s website, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook. By visually highlighting real experiences and priorities connected to each pillar, the series supported a shared understanding of how the MYSP is reflected in classrooms, programs, and system-wide practices.

This launch established a shared starting point for understanding how Achieving, Believing, Belonging, and Becoming are experienced across the system. Watch each video in the MYSP series below:

Achieving

Achieving

Believing

Believing

Belonging

Belonging

Becoming

Becoming

For more information on the MYSP, visit HCDSB鈥檚 website: Multi-Year Strategic Plan.

St. Cecilia School Community Welcomes Minister of Education & Dignitaries to Their New School!

In September 2024, The Honourable Jill Dunlop, Minister of Education, local dignitaries, as well as HCDSB staff and trustees gathered for a tour of the new  in North Oakville.

The tour of the new and vibrant school facility highlighted the provincial government鈥檚 efforts in supporting quality Catholic education in a safe, healthy and modern facility for students and families.

Led by School Principal, Sonia Snyder, the event included a tour of the Learning Commons, the Gymnasium, the Kindergarten outdoor space, as well as visits to Grade 1 and Grade 8 classrooms.

Located at 420 Threshing Mill Boulevard in Oakville, St. Cecilia Catholic Elementary School opened its doors in September, 2024 to students and families in the North Oakville community. At the time, there were currently 405 students attending the school.

Minister Dunlop and dignitaries were able to visit Mrs. Browne鈥檚 Grade 1 class and Ms. Palazzese鈥檚 Grade 8 class to meet students one-on-one and participate in Literacy, as well as Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) activities.

Attendees of the tour included: The Honourable Jill Dunlop, Minister of Education; Effie Triantafilopoulos, Member of Provincial Parliament for Oakville North-Burlington; Marvin Duarte, Chair of the Board; John Klein, Director of Education; Chris Saunders, Oakville Trustee for Wards 4 and 7; Nav Nanda, Town of Oakville and Regional Councillor for Ward 7; Scott Xie, Town Councillor for Ward 7; Nancy Dinolfo, Superintendent of Education; Ryan Merrick, Chief Operations and Sustainability Officer; and Monika Harte-Maxwell, from Svedas Architects.

Special thanks to all staff and students at St. Cecilia Catholic Elementary School for their gracious welcome!

Ministry of Education Funding for HCDSB Schools

A Newly Transformed Space ~ The Lecture Hall Project at Loyola

The  community is thrilled to be using a newly renovated and modern educational space in their school facility!

In its final phase of completion in 2024, the Lecture Hall Project was under construction for the past two years, with the time and support of St. Ignatius of Loyola school staff, as well as HCDSB Curriculum, Facility Management and Information Technology Services staff.

This unique space is the first of its kind at HCDSB and across the province to support experiential learning. The traditional rows of seats in the Lecture Hall have been replaced with concrete platforms that support students and provide a flexible space to offer:

• Information and Communications Technology (ICT) classes through the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program;
• Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) learning;
• Scholastic esports (that combines gaming with education) and extra-curricular activities, such as the Robotics club.

As scholastic esports is relatively new in education, this dynamic space offers students the ability to leverage gaming in an educational setting to enhance their learning; while fostering skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, and digital literacy.

This approach of restructuring classroom instruction to assist in student engagement will prepare students for post-secondary education and careers in an ever-evolving digital world.

HCDSB Holds Blessing & Groundbreaking Ceremony for Georgetown West Catholic Elementary School

On Wednesday, November 6, 2024, staff, trustees, honourable guests and members of the 嫩芽视频 (HCDSB) community gathered for the Blessing and Groundbreaking Ceremony for the new Georgetown West Catholic Elementary School.

The event included greetings from the board and a ceremonious breaking of ground involving all dignitaries in attendance. The blessing of the school site was officiated by Reverend David Walter, Pastor at Holy Cross Parish in Georgetown.

Special thanks to Janet O鈥橦earn-Czarnota, Halton Hills Trustee and Master of Ceremonies, as well as Brenda Agnew, Vice-Chair of the Board for leading us in our Land Acknowledgement.

鈥婸rior to the ceremony, in April 2024, the Ministry of Education announced capital funding for the new Georgetown West Catholic Elementary School (CES) through the Ministry鈥檚 2023-24 Capital Priorities Program.

The school, located at Berton Boulevard and Atwood Avenue, will accommodate 527 elementary pupil spaces, and include a 5 room Child Care Centre once completed.  

On behalf of the Ministry of Education, I am pleased to extend best wishes and congratulations to all of you on this important milestone marking the groundbreaking for the new Georgetown West Catholic Elementary School. I am confident that, when complete, this new school in 嫩芽视频 will provide its students with the supports they need to achieve success in the classroom and beyond.

鈥� The Honourable Jill Dunlop, Minister of Education

Today marks a major accomplishment, and on behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to express our appreciation and gratitude to all the individuals who supported this project from the very beginning, and will do so until the official opening.

We are extremely grateful for the continued support of the Ministry of Education and the collaboration that takes place with our local MPPs. Through the provision of funding we receive, we are able to successfully build new school facilities to accommodate and serve the growing needs of our students and families.

鈥� Marvin Duarte, Chair of the Board

HCDSB Honoured with Excellence in School Implementation Award for SNAP Program

During the 2024-2025 school year, the HCDSB was recognized with the Excellence in School Implementation Award by the Child Development Institute (CDI) for our outstanding work with the . This achievement highlights the incredible dedication of our Child and Youth Counsellors (CYCs), who bring this transformative program to life in our elementary schools.

SNAP is an evidence-based, cognitive-behavioural model designed to teach children effective emotional regulation, self-control, and problem-solving skills. Originally developed in 1985 by CDI as an intervention program for boys under the age of 12 in conflict with the law, SNAP has since evolved into a globally recognized model, offering gender-specific programs for children ages 6-11 and youth ages 13-17.

The program鈥檚 core mission is to help children 鈥渟top and think鈥� before they act, equipping them with the tools to keep problems small, manage their emotions, and stay on a positive path. By fostering self-regulation and thoughtful decision-making, SNAP empowers children to remain engaged in school and avoid conflict.

This award acknowledges HCDSB鈥檚 successful implementation of SNAP in our schools, creating an environment where children can grow emotionally, socially, and academically. The program鈥檚 success at HCDSB is a testament to the unwavering commitment of our Child and Youth Counsellors (CYCs), whose guidance ensures that students develop the skills they need to thrive.

Congratulations to our incredible Child and Youth Counsellors for this outstanding achievement!

Empowering the Next Generation of Female Leaders in STEAM

In June 2025, members of the HCDSB Curriculum Services department, with the direct support of Facilities and IT staff hosted the first-ever Empowering Girls in STEAM event! A milestone initiative focused on inspiring and empowering female students in Grades 5-8 to explore the world of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM).

This unique event was designed to foster a sense of community while addressing the underrepresentation of women in STEAM-related fields. Grounded in our Catholic School Graduate Expectations and Catholic Social Teachings, the event aimed to build confidence and spark curiosity in young minds through mentorship, collaboration, and creativity.

Held in the newly renovated Lecture Hall space at , the day featured a variety of interactive experiences. Students participated in two Minecraft building challenges, where they designed and built virtual living spaces, then proudly presented their creations in front of their peers on the big screen for all to see.

The event also welcomed Black Voices from McMaster Engineering, who led students in energizing physical movement activities, as well as guest speakers from Hackergal, CDW, and St. Ignatius of Loyola School sharing words of inspiration.

A highlight of the day was the 鈥淗er Journey in STEAM鈥� lunch panel, where a group of accomplished women working in STEAM industries joined senior student mentors to share their personal stories, advice, and encouragement.

The initiative was rooted in research, which shows that interest in STEAM fields amongst girls tends to decline as early as Grade 6. By providing early exposure, HCDSB is helping to close that gap 鈥� and open doors for many students.

At HCDSB, we believe in nurturing every student鈥檚 unique potential. Events like Empowering Girls in STEAM ensure our young learners not only see themselves in the future of innovation 鈥� but lead it!

Leading the Way in Sustainability: HCDSB Takes Top Spot in Energy Efficiency Again!

HCDSB has once again been recognized for its leadership in sustainability and responsible energy use.

For the second consecutive year, HCDSB has been ranked the most energy efficient school board in Ontario, according to the . The report, released on June 11, 2025, analyzes publicly reported annual data for the September 2022 鈥� August 2023 school year for over 5000 schools across 72 Ontario school boards. 

鈥�HCDSB is the only school board in Ontario to achieve the top energy efficiency ranking in two consecutive years.鈥�

After placing third in the 2023 report and climbing to first in 2024, HCDSB has maintained its #1 position 鈥� a reflection of consistent performance and long-term commitment to sustainable practices. Rankings are determined by comparing actual energy use to top-quartile (pre-pandemic) energy targets across schools and education facilities in the province.

鈥淭his recognition is a testament to the long-term planning, innovation, and daily efforts of our staff and students to make sustainability a shared priority,鈥� said Ryan Merrick, Chief Operations and Sustainability Officer.

Since 2007, Sustainable Schools has supported school boards across Canada in building knowledge and practice around energy efficiency. The annual report not only highlights performance but also identifies opportunities for greenhouse gas emissions reductions that deliver strong social, environmental, and economic returns.

鈥淭his achievement reflects our ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship 鈥� one of the core principles of our Catholic faith and a key priority in our 2024鈥�2028 Multi-Year Strategic Plan,鈥� comments John Klein, Director of Education. 

鈥淚 want to thank our Facilities Team, staff, educators, students, and community partners for their collective efforts in keeping our schools energy efficient and eco-friendly.鈥�

As we look ahead, HCDSB remains committed to reducing our environmental impact and building a more sustainable future for all.

Beating the Heat Sustainably: HCDSB Keeps Students Cool with 100% Air-Conditioned Classrooms 鈥� and Still Tops Ontario in Energy Efficiency

As record-breaking heatwaves gripped Ontario in 2025, many school boards were facing public pressure to close schools or send students home early due to a lack of air conditioning. But at the HCDSB, students and staff were able to stay cool and comfortable 鈥� thanks to a long-term facilities strategy that includes air conditioning in every classroom, in every school.

鈥�There鈥檚 been a lot of conversation lately about the challenges schools are facing with the extreme heat,鈥� said Ryan Merrick, Chief Operations and Sustainability Officer. 鈥�At HCDSB, every one of our schools is equipped with full ventilation and air conditioning in every classroom 鈥� not just select areas. It鈥檚 something we鈥檝e prioritized through long-term planning to ensure our schools remain comfortable learning environments year-round.鈥�

The achievement highlights HCDSB鈥檚 proactive approach to balancing sustainability with student well-being. Through smart infrastructure planning, efficient HVAC systems, and ongoing energy monitoring, the board has proven that comfort can be achieved without compromise.

鈥淲hat makes us especially proud is that we鈥檝e been able to achieve this while continuing to lead the province in energy efficiency,鈥� said John Klein, Director of Education. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 a credit to the thoughtful planning of our Facilities Team, and to the staff and students at each of our schools who continue to do their part every day to support our sustainability goals.鈥�

As temperatures continue to soar in spring and summer months, HCDSB is setting a powerful example for how school boards can prioritize student health and learning 鈥� without sacrificing sustainability.

HCDSB Staff Recruitment

Our Human Resources Services staff were actively recruiting new hires during the 2024-2025 school year!

• Staff teams attended 4 teacher recruitment fairs across Ontario.
• Job opportunities were posted on our Board’s website, on and other recruitment platforms, as well as on social media.
• The recruitment process continued throughout 2024-2025 to keep supply lists replenished for Occasional Teachers, Early Childhood Educators and Educational Assistants, as well as to recruit French Teachers to meet our growing system needs.

Financial Information

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The 2024-2025 Director鈥檚 Annual Report Sections

Continue browsing the Director’s Report by clicking any of the “View” buttons below.

Achieving

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Believing

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Belonging

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Becoming

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