Trustee Gabe Pizzuti has been acclaimed as chair of the Board of Trustees and Trustee Linda Steel has been elected vice chair.
Below is the address given by Trustee Pizzuti at the Inaugural meeting of the Board of Trustees, held on November 25, 2024.
Good evening, everyone, and a warm welcome to the 2024 Inaugural Meeting of the London District Catholic School Board.
I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our Board Chaplain, Fr. Mockler, for leading us in prayer this evening. Your presence continually reminds us of the importance of faith in our daily lives.
I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to Beth Allison for gracing us with her musical talents and setting the perfect tone for this special occasion.
Tonight's Inaugural Meeting serves as a reflection of the collective effort that is essential for the continued success of the Board’s Multi-Year Strategic Plan. Catholic education thrives when we work together.
The LDCSB remains dedicated to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion. To strengthen these efforts, we have hired a permanent Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Wellbeing Advisor and Graduation Coach for Black Students.
We have welcomed over 1,400 new staff members in the past year. We continue to update our Leadership recruitment and development strategies, attracting almost 100 educators in the last year to consider their next professional steps into administration.
The LDCSB is dedicated to supporting all teachers, particularly those early in their careers. The NTIP program helps new teachers build confidence, refine instructional practices, and embrace lifelong learning. The NTIP program is essential, given that 45% of elementary school teachers and 34.0% of secondary school educators have 10 years or less of experience. Our NTIP program is carefully structured to align with our priorities and provide targeted professional development to foster new teachers’ growth in confidence.
The LDCSB boasts one of the highest graduation rates in the Ontario, offering our students exceptional opportunities across all our Catholic secondary schools. One standout opportunity that has led to our high graduation rate is our Specialized High School Majors (SHSM) program, which continues to grow and thrive. Courses help students develop practical skills, gain valuable experience, and clarify their career paths, setting them up for future success.
John Paul II Foods Program is one example of a Specialized High School Majors program that is taught by certified Red Seal chefs who also hold teaching degrees. These instructors bring a wealth of experience from the hospitality industry, providing students with an authentic, hands-on culinary education.
Last year, Specialized High School Majors students had the incredible opportunity to assist Team Canada at the prestigious Bosque d’Or international competition and were even offered positions at two premier 5-star resorts in Ontario. In addition to these extraordinary experiences, the hospitality program serves approximately 250 students and provides healthy snacks and meals at no cost—further enriching their learning environment. The combination of practical expertise and spiritual growth makes this program a truly transformative experience.
The LDCSB values fostering relationships, and the Tech•Know program at secondary exemplifies this commitment. As part of the Specialized High School Majors curriculum, the program partners with Fanshawe College to empower seniors by building their confidence with technology, enhancing their overall well-being. Though asynchronous, the program enables students to directly engage with seniors, delivering 20 hours of technology modules. These hours not only support volunteer or Specialized High School Majors requirements but also strengthen intergenerational connections.
The London District Catholic School Board is deeply committed to prioritizing students, a value clearly reflected at St. Patrick's Adult Education Centre. I had the privilege of attending their graduation ceremony last June 2024 and was deeply impressed by how the school consistently demonstrates a student-first approach.
St. Patrick’s provides invaluable hope and opportunities for all learners. The school addresses the diverse needs of students at various stages of their educational journeys, offering a wide range of programs and services. Their dynamic International Program operates in ten elementary schools on Saturday mornings, further expanding access to learning. Last year, St. Patrick's proudly served 4,110 students and celebrated the success of 121 OSSD graduates. As one of our students shared, “We truly appreciate how our school always puts students first, and we are grateful for all the efforts made to improve our learning experience.”
I am extremely pleased to see that Indigenous Education within the London District Catholic School Board is committed to pursuing 'active reconciliation’. In partnership and collaboration with the local communities of Chippewa of the Thames First Nation, Munsee Delaware First Nation, and Oneida First Nation; we continue to build trust and work towards living out the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action. Each year the Indigenous Education Team selects a theme to shape their work. They chose Allyship to shape the system goals. The four pillars of Allyship encourage listening, learning, action, and yielding (which involves taking the time to pause and ask questions). These four important goals shape what active reconciliation looks like throughout our board.
Our school communities welcome just over 300 Indigenous students. At the secondary level these students make up the Grand Confederacy Council, who partake in experiential and cultural learning opportunities. The Indigenous Education Team partnered with Kings University College, STEM at Western, the Fanshawe Institute of Indigenous Learning, London Police, and Imagine Build, to facilitate meaningful opportunities to foster education, emotional, and cultural support. The LDSCB continues to learn, listen, and honour Indigenous past, present, and future.
The LDCSB Recreation Program is a key component of approach to fostering student well-being and academic success. By integrating daily physical education into the school day the connection between physical activity and strong academic performance is enhanced.
In 2023, more than 16,000 students participated in a variety of recreational events, ranging from mini tournaments like Boccia, Kin-Ball, and Indoor Soccer, to large-scale system-wide events like Cross Country, Educational Gymnastics, and Track & Field Meets. These activities promote teamwork, physical fitness, and mental focus, all of which contribute to improved academic outcomes.
Additionally, the Catholic Teachers Athletic Association, a volunteer-driven organization supported by the LDCSB, coordinates Interschool Athletic Leagues for intermediate and junior students. These leagues—covering sports such as volleyball, basketball, and soccer—offer even more opportunities for students to engage in active learning outside the classroom. Last year, over 3,400 students participated in these leagues, demonstrating the widespread enthusiasm for physical activity across the district.
The LDCSB model for inclusive education is truly exemplary, reflecting a deep commitment to fostering an environment where every student can thrive. The board's dedication to an inclusive service delivery model ensures that all students—regardless of their unique needs—are provided with meaningful opportunities to learn and grow. This commitment is central to the Board's mission, which emphasizes the celebration of individual differences and the unique gifts of each student. We are proud of the Board’s inclusive approach, which operates within a multi-tiered system of support designed to meet the diverse needs of all learners.
In line with Ministry directives, $6.6 million of the Board’s operating surplus for this fiscal year is being allocated specifically to fund the acquisition of portables, addressing the growing accommodation demands resulting from the enrollment increase. This strategic move aims to ensure adequate infrastructure for students in the coming years.
I am thrilled about the upcoming opening of St. Gabriel in January 2025. The new school will help reduce the number of portables at St. Catherine of Siena. The St. Gabriel community is coming together wonderfully and filled with positivity and optimism for the move. As a transition to the opening, St. Gabriel has been providing curricular and extra-curricular experiences since September. St. Gabriel celebrated their first "Guardian Awards” and it was a celebration of all the amazing things happening. The St. Catherine Siena staff, students and families have been gracious and supportive for a smooth transition. 480 students are projected to start in January 2025.
Our ICTS team currently manages over 12,500 student devices, with 1,000 new devices added each year to meet growing demands. In classrooms, there are more than 1,000 projectors in use, with 200 replaced annually to ensure they remain effective and up to date. A wide range of software supports learning services, technology-focused programs, and essential operational systems. The security of student data remains a top priority, with ongoing efforts to maintain robust IT security measures. Additionally, digital registration is now available across all panels, simplifying and streamlining the enrollment process.
With our fast-paced and ever-growing board, our Communications Team continues to adapt to meet our evolving needs. The LDCSB launched a new podcast, timely news and valuable information tailored for current and future LDCSB families, students, staff, and the broader LDCSB community.
New episodes are added every few days, covering a range of topics, including:
Community Updates
Who to Contact and When
Strategic Planning and Reporting
Inclement Weather
And much more!
I am truly honored by the trust and confidence the Board of Trustees has placed in me by acclaiming me as Chair of the LDCSB. It is a privilege to serve in this role. Together, we will remain steadfast in upholding the principles of Catholic education, working collaboratively to make a meaningful and positive impact on the families and staff we serve.