Faith & Education at RCCDSB

"As educators, you are called to nurture the desire for truth, goodness and beauty that lies in the heart of each individual, so that all may learn how to love life and be open to the fullness of life.”
Pope Francis
2022

Pillars of Our Catholic Identity 

Pillar

How We Live It

Liturgical Life

Daily prayer, regular school Masses, and the celebration of the Liturgical Seasons (Advent, Lent, Easter).

Social Justice

Actively supporting local food banks, global charities, and environmental stewardship as an expression of our faith.

Curriculum Integration

Bringing a Catholic worldview to all subjects, from Science and Math to the Arts and Physical Education.

A Partnership of Home, School, and Parish

We believe that a child’s faith flourishes best when there is a strong “triad” of support. RCCDSB works closely with our local parishes and families to ensure that the values taught at home are echoed in the classroom and nourished in the Church.

Quick Links and Resources: 

Religious Education and Family Life in Elementary Schools

All students in our Catholic elementary schools have Religious Education and Family Life programs as part of their daily learning. 

Religious Education in Catholic schools complements family and parish-based catechesis. Religious education seeks not only to develop knowledge and disciplinary skills but also to foster in students the attitudes and values that are part of faith and constitute the Catholic stance in the world. Religious Education supports our students in developing body, mind and spirit.  It assists them in understanding the teachings of Jesus Christ and how these teachings relate to their lives.

 

Religion:
Kindergarten – Grade 9: Growing in Faith, Growing in Christ

Family Life:

Grades 1-3: Blessed & Beloved

Grades 4-8: Fully Alive

Growing in Faith, Growing in Christ is a Religious Education program sponsored by The Catholic Bishops of Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the Northwest Territories and developed in collaboration with Catholic educators from across Canada. The program is based on the Catholic Elementary Curriculum Policy Document for Religious Education, Grades 1–8, which has been approved by the aforementioned Catholic Bishops and Regional Assemblies of Bishops. It reflects the content of faith expressed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and follows the rationale and methodology of the General Directory for Catechesis.

The Religious Education policy document is organized into six strands that uphold the faith and tradition of the Catholic Church, support the moral development of the student, and foster evangelization. These strands are Believing (BL), Celebrating (CL), Living a Moral Life (ML), Living in Communion (LC), Living in Solidarity (LS), and Praying (PR). The strands represent knowledge about specific elements of the faith and its practice, and these elements are integrated throughout the units of study within the Growing in Faith, Growing in Christ program.

Each strand of the Religious Education policy document has overall expectations, and each overall expectation has specific expectations. Growing in Faith, Growing in Christ integrates these expectations into the lessons within activities suited to the grade level of the student.

Blessed and Beloved (Grades 1-3)

  • Grade 1: implemented in classrooms in September 2024
  • Grades 2 and 3: implemented in classrooms in September 2025
  • Blessed and Beloved (Grades 4-6) Coming in September 2026!

Blessed & Beloved is the Family Life Education program sponsored by the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario (ACBO). It is based on the new Family Life Education Curriculum: Grades 1-8 Ontario Catholic Elementary Curriculum Policy Document (2023)

As Blessed & Beloved continues to be published and implemented in all elementary classrooms, the Fully Alive program, also sponsored by the ACBO, will be used to encourage children to become the people God wants them to be — to be fully alive. 

Curriculum Links Between The Ontario Curriculum Grades 1-8 and the Fully Alive Program

Family Life Education, as it is represented in both Blessed & Beloved and Fully Alive, is intended to pass on a distinctively Catholic view of human life, sexuality, marriage, and family. Its goal is to complement the efforts of families and to support what parents are doing at home. Family Life Education family resources are available on the Institute of Catholic Education (ICE) website.

Catholic Family Life Education is closely associated with Religious Education. In Ontario Catholic schools, it accounts for 20% of the Religious Education program and is usually taught once a week. 



Catholic Graduate Expectations

Catholic Graduate Expectations in Action at RCCDSB

A Discerning Believer

A discerning believer is formed in the Catholic faith community and is someone who sees the signs of God’s presence in their daily life. They live a life of faith, guided by a moral compass and a commitment to Gospel values.

What this looks like in our schools:

  • For Parents: You will see your child participating in prayer, school liturgies, and social justice projects. They will learn about Scripture and sacraments, growing in their ability to make life choices that reflect their faith.
  • For Students: You will explore your faith through religion classes, retreats, and community service. You learn to ask important questions, understand the roots of our Catholic traditions, and see how faith connects to every part of your life.
  • For Staff: We are committed to modelling a life of faith and creating a Christ-centred learning environment. We integrate Gospel values into our teaching and daily interactions, supporting the spiritual development of every student.

An Effective Communicator

An effective communicator speaks, writes, and listens honestly and sensitively, responding critically in light of Gospel values. They can articulate their beliefs and ideas clearly and respectfully.

What this looks like in our schools:

  • For Parents: You will notice your child becoming a more confident speaker and a more thoughtful listener. They will learn to express their ideas clearly in writing and presentations while learning to value the perspectives of others.
  • For Students: You will learn how to present your ideas to an audience, engage in respectful debate, use technology to share information responsibly, and listen actively to understand different viewpoints.
  • For Staff: We foster clear, open, and respectful communication with students, parents, and each other. We teach media literacy and digital citizenship to help students become responsible communicators in a modern world.

A Reflective, Creative and Holistic Thinker

A reflective, creative, and holistic thinker solves problems and makes responsible decisions with an informed moral conscience. They think critically, creatively, and with a view to the common good.

What this looks like in our schools:

  • For Parents: You will see your child approaching challenges with creativity and resilience. They will be encouraged to ask “why,” connect ideas from different subjects, and evaluate situations from a place of fairness and justice.
  • For Students: You will be challenged to solve complex problems, to think outside the box, and to see issues from multiple perspectives. You will learn to make decisions that are not just smart, but also good and just.
  • For Staff: We design learning experiences that challenge students to think critically and creatively. We encourage inquiry-based learning and thoughtful reflection, preparing students to be adaptive and ethical decision-makers.

A Self-Directed, Responsible, Lifelong Learner

A self-directed, responsible, lifelong learner demonstrates a confident and positive sense of self and respect for the dignity and welfare of others. They take ownership of their learning and growth.

What this looks like in our schools:

  • For Parents: You will see your child develop strong work habits, taking more initiative for their homework and long-term projects. They will learn to set personal and academic goals and understand that learning is a lifelong journey.
  • For Students: You will learn how to manage your time, set achievable goals, and track your own progress. You will be encouraged to explore your passions and develop the skills you need to take charge of your own future success.
  • For Staff: We empower students by gradually releasing responsibility, creating an environment where they can build independence and self-advocacy skills. We model lifelong learning through ongoing professional development.

A Caring Family Member

A caring family member is someone who acts lovingly and responsibly in their relationships with their family, school, parish, and the wider community. They relate to others in a healthy, Christ-like manner.

What this looks like in our schools:

  • For Parents: You will see a school community that treats your family as essential partners in education. Your child will learn the importance of respect, compassion, and responsibility, starting with how they treat their own family members.
  • For Students: You will learn what it means to be a good friend, a respectful classmate, and a loving family member. You will be part of a school family that cares for you and teaches you to care for others.
  • For Staff: We strive to create a safe, inclusive, and nurturing school environment that feels like a family. We build positive relationships with students and their families, modelling the care and respect that are central to our faith.

A Responsible Citizen

A responsible citizen acts morally and legally as a person formed in Catholic traditions. They accept accountability for their own actions, respect the environment, and contribute to the common good.

What this looks like in our schools:

  • For Parents: You will see your child learning about their role in the local and global community. They will participate in food drives, environmental initiatives, and projects that help them understand issues of social justice.
  • For Students: You will learn about Catholic social teachings and your responsibility to care for others and for God’s creation. You will have opportunities to volunteer, stand up for the vulnerable, and make a positive difference in the world.
  • For Staff: We model active and responsible citizenship, bringing community and global issues into the classroom. We empower students to become leaders who will serve their communities with compassion and integrity.

A Collaborative Contributor

A collaborative contributor finds meaning, dignity, and fulfillment in work which respects the rights of all and contributes to the common good. They share their God-given gifts and work effectively within a team to build a more just and compassionate society.

Students: They work effectively in teams by sharing their unique “God-given gifts,” respecting the ideas of their peers, and completing their fair share of work to ensure the whole group succeeds.

Parents: They act as essential partners in the “Home-School-Parish” triad by engaging respectfully with staff and modelling for their children how to contribute to the common good of the school community.

Staff: They foster a collaborative culture by sharing expertise with colleagues and creating inclusive learning environments where every student is empowered to find meaning and dignity in their work.

Virtues of the Month

Prayer and Virtue Calendar

A Year at a Glance

 

MONTH

PRAYER  AND VIRTUE FOCUS

CATHOLIC GRADUATE EXPECTATION 

PRINCIPLE OF CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING

SEPTEMBER

The Angelus

Hospitality

An Effective Communicator

Human Dignity

OCTOBER

The Rosary

Gratitude

A Self-Directed Responsible Life-Long Learner

Rights and Responsibilities

NOVEMBER

Intercession 

Peace

A Responsible Citizen

Promotion of Peace

DECEMBER

Advent

Charity

A Caring Family Member

Option of the Poor and Vulnerable

JANUARY

Personal Prayer

Courage

A Responsible Citizen

Solidarity

FEBRUARY

Lent

Love

A Caring Family Member

The Common Good

MARCH

Silence & Petition

Forgiveness

A Discerning Believer

Role of Government

APRIL

Divine Mercy

Justice

A Reflective, Creative, Holistic Thinker

Stewards of Creation

MAY

Lectio Divina

Compassion

A Collaborative Contributor

Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers

JUNE

Thanksgiving and Adoration

Faithfulness

A Discerning Believer

Participation

 

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