St. Kateri Tekakwitha CS - Oshawa Program and Boundary Study Update

Dear Parents, Guardians and Caregivers: 

We are writing to provide an update on the Oshawa Program and Boundary Study. At the Regular Board Meeting on December 16, 2024, the Board of Trustees approved the reversal of a decision that will impact St. John Bosco Catholic School and St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic School. 

Oshawa Program and Boundary Study Background
On May 21, 2024, we shared an update with families that the Province of Ontario announced a $31.0 million investment to provide additional pupil spaces in Oshawa. This funding will provide a new Catholic elementary school in north Oshawa and a six-room addition at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic School. We are extremely grateful for the additional capital funding announcements, as they mean more schools and brand new, state-of-the-art facilities, to support our growing communities in Oshawa.

In light of this funding announcement, board staff committed to reviewing the recommendations of the Oshawa Program and Boundary Study that were approved by the Board of Trustees on June 19, 2023. 

With the announcement of a new Unnamed Kedron Catholic Elementary School and an addition at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic School, we now have the capacity to reverse some of the initial proposals from the Oshawa Program and Boundary Study.

To that point, 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.”

What does this mean for my child?
Some students who were new to the area and live within the St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic School boundary have been attending St. John Bosco Catholic School since June 2023. These students will be directed to return to St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic School (approximately 25 families) for the 2025-2026 school year.

A boundary for the new Unnamed Kedron Catholic Elementary School has not yet been determined. A further review through a public consultation process, supported by a consultant, will determine the boundary for this new school.

Next Steps
Construction for the six-room addition at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic School is anticipated to start in March/April 2025 and is expected to be ready for student use by September 2025. 

The Unnamed Kedron Catholic Elementary School boundary review and consultation process will begin in 2025 (date(s) to be determined) and will involve public meetings and multiple feedback/engagement channels, including websites, forms, social media, and a dedicated email address and phone line.

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