Don Bosco Catholic Secondary School (secondary)

2 St. Andrews Boulevard, Etobicoke, Ontario M9R 1V8

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History & Tradition

St. John Bosco (1815-1888) was a Catholic priest who dedicated his entire life to the total education of young people. “Don” is a title of respect in Italian for priests. St. John Bosco was known to young people in his day, and is still known today, as Don Bosco.

Don Bosco Catholic Secondary School's educational style is very successful because it is geared to touching the heart of a young person. His concern was not only to impart knowledge--though he insisted it be done well--but to educate the young for life. Don Bosco's style is to prepare the young to make a solid contribution to society and to live in preparation for heaven. His pedagogy is based on the foundation pillars of reason, religion and loving kindness.

Don Bosco has been named the patron saint of Catholic education in Canada by the Canadian Bishops. Pope John Paul II has given Don Bosco the official title, “the father and teacher of all the world's youth”.

How did Don Bosco come to Toronto? In 1976, through the influence of Basilian Father Tom Mohan, the first Salesians of Don Bosco were invited into the Catholic education system of Toronto. The first Salesians initially taught at Father Henry Carr Catholic Secondary School. In 1978 Don Bosco Secondary School was born in a temporary setting at 165 Dixon Road. From 1981-83 Don Bosco Secondary School operated out of the Transfiguration elementary school building. In 1983, with the sale of public secondary school, Keiller McKay to the MSSB, 2 St. Andrews Boulevard became the permanent site of Don Bosco Secondary School.

Don Bosco put great emphasis on sacramental life as the key towards the total education of the young. Throughout the years, Don Bosco Secondary School has held as a priority the preparation of students for the reception of the sacraments, especially the sacraments of reconciliation and the Eucharist and in providing opportunities for sacramental celebrations.

Don Bosco's philosophy is an “expansive” community-minded one. Therefore, Don Bosco Secondary School encourages students and staff alike to think beyond the school and to offer services to local church communities and society at large.

How Do We Meet the Diversified Needs of Our Students

Don Bosco provides a rigorous education rooted in Gospel values. Students are challenged to work towards their potential within a supportive environment guided by caring and supportive staff. Students at Don Bosco have access to programs and experiences designed to meet their individual needs, regardless of their post-secondary goals.

The following are a number of our key program highlights:

Enrichment Program

In September 1995 Don Bosco initiated an enrichment program for grade 10 students. The purpose is to provide an alternative advanced level curriculum that is both challenging and innovative. A major focus of the program is the integration of computer skills along with independent study strategies. The enrichment program is being extended to grades 11 and 12.

Broad-based technology

Don Bosco is proud to have been chosen as the first pilot school in Metropolitan Separate School Board by the Ministry of Education and Training to develop new programs in broad-based technology. Over the last several years Don Bosco has undertaken to re-shape its curriculum and its facilities to respond to these new challenges. Students are now able to study a course called broad-based technology-communications in grades 9 through 12. The facilities and equipment used to support this course includes a complete television studio. Students work with television cameras, computers and editing equipment to produce video programs. All incoming grade 9 students are introduced to this exciting new program.

Special education

Students identified with specific exceptionalities are provided with a program that meets their learning needs. The program modifications made by teachers are designed to ensure that all students have an opportunity to learn and succeed at a speed and rate that corresponds to their needs and abilities. Although the option exists for students to be withdrawn for specific assistance the vast majority of our students are integrated into regular classrooms. We are very proud of our staff at Don Bosco especially the special education department, which received certificate of Exemplary Practice in Integration from the Ministry of Education.

Youth to youth

It is a group of highly trained students who are available to act as peer counselors. Often students would rather speak to another student than a teacher or a counselor. Youth to youth has been active in setting up a Mothers Against Drunk Drivers at Don Bosco. They have been recognized by the City of Etobicoke for their efforts.

Conflict resolution/peer mediation

We are currently developing a program designed to train students in the skills of conflict resolution and peer mediation. Programs of this nature have proven to reduce the number of reported incidents of conflict situations between students.

Career education

The guidance and counseling services department delivers a comprehensive career education program to students in all grades. The program consists of both in class instruction and out of class presentation. Each student is aided in their career exploration process by having the opportunity to complete a yearly career interest inventory. The guidance department stocks an extensive collection of career materials in print, video and computerized formats.

Athletics

Since our humble beginnings on Dixon Road we have had many dedicated coaches, exceptional athletes and very deserving programs. Bosco teams have been ranked highly provincially in sports such as volleyball, basketball, hockey, track and field and team handball. We pride ourselves in shaping young men and women into fine members of society and have developed athletes to compete in universities both here in Canada and the U.S.A.

At present we offer programs in badminton, baseball, basketball, field hockey, golf, hockey, skiing, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field and volleyball.

To complement our competitive sports program Don Bosco offers a strong participation based intra-mural program. The following sports can be played wither at lunch or after school: boys and girls in school soccer, three on three basketball, ball hockey, volleyball and badminton.

Extra-curricular

Don Bosco offers many opportunities for students to join clubs and activities which contribute to the life of the school. A sample of the clubs available include: the chess club, computer club, outers club, Italian and French clubs, student council, yearbook and special assemblies.

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