Virtual Education Week (May 3rd-May 8th 2020)

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Each year, the Catholic community of Ontario engages in a week-long celebration of the unique identity and distinctive contributions of Catholic education during Catholic Education Week. 

Catholic Education Week celebrates the ongoing gift of publicly-funded  Catholic education. Publicly funded Catholic education has existed in Ontario since 1841 and its graduates have served Ontario and Canada very well. The current generation of students in our publicly funded Catholic schools will serve with the same spirit and generosity as their previous generations.  

This year’s celebration is entitled, “Catholic Education: Igniting Hope” and will be celebrated during the week of May 3 – May 8, 2020.  More than 600,000 students in over 1,500 Catholic schools across Ontario normally take part in this special week to celebrate the distinctive contribution their schools make in the lives of our students and the community.  

Sadly, given our current circumstances, all Ottawa Catholic School Board in-person activities have been cancelled, however we would like to take this celebration to a virtual model.  As a Catholic community, we are called to “Ignite Hope” in our community. Each day, we will invite all our families to demonstrate their hope for others and themselves with a message:  

Monday - For the ones we love - send a message of hope to someone in your family

Tuesday - For the ones who teach us - send a message of hope to your educator(s)

Wednesday - For leaders - send a message of hope to a leader in your community/world

(government leaders, school board leaders, your parish priest, Archbishop Prendergast, Pope Francis) 

Thursday - For those in need and those who care for them - send a message of hope to a nursing home, hospital, The Mission, Shepherds of Good Hope, frontline and healthcare workers

Friday - For yourself - send yourself a message of hope - for today and the future 

How do I do this?

• Write a message of hope
• Draw a picture
• Find a symbol or object from nature
• Witness an act of kindness in your community

Capture by video or photo and send that hope-filled message to your family and those you love!  Be sure to share your message using the hashtag #ocsbHope

We look forward to celebrating Catholic Education Week 2020 this year with your messages and images of Hope in our community!