From healing newborns to building thriving businesses, from protecting our coastlines to mentoring future professionals, this year’s recipients of the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board’s Outstanding Graduates program are making a difference around the world — and right here at home.

Habemus Papam! We have a Pope! It is with great joy and hope that the SMCDSB shares the news that a brand new pope has been elected: Pope Leo XIV, the successor to our beloved Saint Peter!

As Principals and Vice Principals, you shape the conditions for our teachers and students to learn and succeed in a faith-filled environment.

The theme for Catholic Education Week 2025, Pilgrims of Hope, drawn from the Holy Jubilee year, invites us to journey together in faith, hope, and love, trusting in the promise of Christ’s presence and action among us.

Central office staff are an integral part of our operations. Your dedication to each of your roles, whether it be in supporting our facilities, central business operations or providing academic support to schools, is integral to the growth and success of Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board.

The Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board would like to welcome staff and parents/guardians of students in Kindergarten to Grade 12 to a virtual conversation with Monique Gray Smith.

As teachers, you have demonstrated your faith and unwavering commitment to provide students with learning opportunities in a faith-filled environment. Your work inspires hope, ignites imagination and instills a love of learning in relation to the theme “Pilgrims of Hope”.

Each year, Catholic Education Week invites us to reflect on the profound gift of Catholic education in our lives and our community.

When it comes to substance use, many parents and caregivers feel unsure about how to support the young people in their lives.

With deep sadness, we join the world in mourning the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis. As the 266th Pope and successor of St. Peter, he led the Catholic church with humility, service, and mercy, touching the lives of millions—including our school communities.

Last week, more than 1,500 Core French students from Grades 6 to 12 enjoyed an exciting musical experience as part of a series of concerts featuring Missy D, a talented French-English hip-hop artist. Held on April 8 and 9, the concerts brought students together from across the region. The event celebrated the connection between the French language and music in a fun and engaging way!

Get out your planners! The Ministry of Education has approved the elementary and secondary calendars for the 2025-2026 school year.

At Holy Cross Catholic School in Innisfil, elementary school teacher Aynslie Hahn had a simple idea and big hopes—how much fun would it be if students could share love and kindness beyond their own school walls? That idea grew into Hearts Across the Board, a meaningful initiative that brought together 11 schools within our board to exchange messages of love and joy and strengthen a sense of community.

Math. For many of us, it’s a subject that brings back memories of struggle, frustration, or even downright avoidance. How often have you said, “Math isn’t my thing” or “I’m just not a math person”? As someone who’s uttered these exact words, I can definitely relate. But after listening to the latest episode of Beyond the Bell, I was left questioning my attitude about math.

Monsignor Lee Catholic School is proud to introduce The Monsignor Lee Angels as our new co-curricular name, reflecting our Catholic faith-filled community and rich history.

Capital Projects Manager Craig Elliot and Trustee Janice Hutchison were on hand at a recent City of Barrie council meeting to receive an award from Barrie’s Heritage Committee.

Looking for ways to support your child’s well-being? School Mental Health Ontario (SMHO) is offering a series of free online webinars for parents and caregivers.

When Miigwans Oakes was called to the guidance office in Grade 12, he didn’t expect it to change his future. What started as a simple conversation led him to the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board’s (SMCDSB) Custodial Training Program—a decision that put him on a new career path.

In the latest episode of Community Connect, a special series of Beyond the Bell, host Chantelle Quesnelle explores the Spark'd Program at CFS Counselling and Well-Being. She’s joined by Noor Siddiqui, Newcomer Outreach Coordinator, to discuss the support available for newcomers in Simcoe County.

We know that our staff and students have been doing incredible things in our schools and beyond. From Inclusion Excellence to academic and athletic achievements, we want to hear about it!

At the heart of education is the opportunity to learn, connect, and grow. For Katelyn Cudmore, a St. Joan of Arc Catholic High School graduate, that journey took her to the Indspire National Education Conference in Winnipeg. This event, which took place in December, celebrates Indigenous identity, knowledge, and education.

Prom Glitz Boutique Days are back! All dresses are free, but cash donations are always welcome and help the program to continue each year.

Wondering how school bus cancellations are made? Let’s take a deeper (snow) dive into how the decision to cancel buses is made.

Keeping students safe is a top priority. In the latest Beyond the Bell podcast, school counselor and threat assessment trainer Lisa Hickling-Miller breaks down the threat assessment process and how it helps ensure safety for everyone involved.

It’s time to register for Kindergarten! Children who are four years old by the end of December 2025, are eligible to register for the 2025-2026 Kindergarten school year.

February is Black History Month! While we recognize Black history throughout the year, this month gives us a focused opportunity to honour the ongoing contributions of Black Canadians and their role in shaping Canada's story.

The Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board (SMCDSB) is happy to announce two new additions coming to Monsignor J.E. Ronan Catholic School in Beeton and Notre Dame Catholic School in Orillia.

Many of our Simcoe Muskoka Catholic communities are growing quickly, creating the need for more space to welcome new families.

Want to support your children as they prepared for the EQAO math assessments? The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) is hosting free virtual math nights for parents and guardians.

The latest episode of Community Connect, a special series of Beyond the Bell, focuses on supporting queer and trans youth, featuring Ellis Greenberg and Daniela C. from The Gilbert Centre and PFLA

We are so pleased by the incredible artwork submitted by our schools this year, showcasing the amazing talent of our students. Narrowing down so many submissions to the top ten was no easy task, but we are excited to announce this year's winner and honourable mentions:

The 2023-2024 school year was a time of continued growth for SMCDSB. We experienced increases in enrolment and our students continued to grow in their learning and faith. I am motivated by the brilliance of each and every student and the dedication of each and every staff member. . . this provides great optimism about our shared future together as a faith-filled community.

SMCDSB’s Professional Activity Center was bustling with STEAM generated energy as grade 9 students from across the board gathered to participate in the highly anticipated "Future Forward" STREAM Challenge.

In the latest episode of Beyond the Bell podcast, Chantelle Quesnelle speaks with Tarra Madigan, Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board’s Catholic Parent Involvement Committee (CPIC) co-chair, about the many ways parents can get involved in their children’s school community. From attending events to simple gestures of support, Tara shares how parents can make a difference—whether or not they’re on the council. Tune in to the podcast for practical tips on fostering a stronger school community!

Want to make a difference in your community? Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions is seeking foster care providers throughout Simcoe County and Muskoka to provide safe homes and temporary solutions for children and youth.

I was recently invited to tag along at our school board’s full-day Professional Activity (PA) symposium for secondary teachers, held at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Secondary School in Barrie. And let me tell you, if you’ve ever wondered what happens when over 600 teachers descend upon one school, it’s a bustling hive of energy and collaboration.

The Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board (SMCDSB) is pleased to announce the acclamation of both Maria Hardie as Board Chair and Susan Van Amelsvoort as Vice-Chair for the 2024-2025 school year.

We’re proud to present our new mini-series, Community Connect, which shines a light on the incredible work of our community partners. While we strive to support every student and family, we know we can’t do it all. This is why we value organizations that step up to provide care, create safe spaces, and ensure no one is left behind.

The Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board, together with other local school boards and police services, signed an updated Police/School Board Protocol on October 31st, formalizing a shared commitment to school safety and supportive partnerships.

As part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring our schools are safe places for our students, we have developed an online bullying reporting tool.

The Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board is proud to announce the official naming of Our Lady of Hope Catholic Continuing Education School, a vibrant learning community that has been serving students since 2009.

Get out your day planners! The 2024-2025 school year calendars are available for staff, families and community members.