December 2022 - Waterloo Catholic District School Board

Christmas Message from the WCDSB Board of Trustees

Peace as Christmas 2022 arrives! We are Advent people, and we are called to AWAKEN – “It is now the moment for you to wake from sleep”. (Romans 13:11)

As we long for our Saviour to once again come to us at Christmas, we celebrate all we have in common across the WCDSB family – our shared faith, our shared mission and our shared hope.

Our WCDSB students and staff members have been so busy during this Advent Season living the true meaning of Christmas. Advent is a time to embrace acts of sharing. We thank and applaud our amazing staff members for their dedication, enthusiasm and leadership during a time of year that can be very intense on every level.

Our world is an increasingly challenging one, and we recognize that many in our midst are struggling. Christmas is a time to focus on our shared humanity, our desire for connection and our need to come together to celebrate, to reflect and to worship. May we never lose sight of those in our midst and beyond who need our help. Our faith calls us to support one another as we journey.

On behalf of the WCDSB Board of Trustees, we wish you much peace as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. May you feel the joy and hope that Christmas brings, both now and throughout 2023.

Board of Trustees — Waterloo Catholic District School Board

Tracey Weiler – Chair

Kathy Doherty-Masters – Vice-Chair

Wendy Ashby – Trustee

Linda Cuff – Trustee

Sally Fuentes – Trustee

David Guerin – Trustee

Renee Kraft – Trustee

Marissa Phillips – Trustee

Bob Sikora – Trustee

December 23rd, 2022|

Waterloo Catholic District School Board Schools Closed Friday, December 23 due to Weather

Dec 22, 2022

Dear WCDSB Students and Families,

A major winter storm is expected to reach Waterloo Region overnight tonight and is expected to cause dangerous driving conditions on Friday and over the weekend.

Based on this forecast – and with the safety of all in mind – the WCDSB in collaboration with the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) and Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region, has made the proactive decision to cancel ALL student transportation and close all schools tomorrow, Friday, December 23, 2022.

All before and after school programs and child care centres co-located in schools will also be closed.

And all programs and services offered by St. Louis Adult Learning and Continuing Education Centres are cancelled and St. Louis sites will be closed.

We pray that everyone is able to remain safe during the storm, and we wish one and all a happy and blessed Christmas break.

We look forward to seeing everyone back at school on Monday, January 9, 2023.

December 22nd, 2022|

Christmas Message from Director of Education Tyrone Dowling

Dear Parents & Guardians,

As the season of Advent draws to a close and we eagerly await Christmas and the celebration of the birth of Jesus, we reflect on the year 2022 with mixed emotions.

While the challenges of COVID-19 remain with us, we have been fortunate these last few months to see our schools begin to return to more normal routines.

It has been a long and difficult journey – and I thank all families for your patience, understanding and cooperation as we continue to travel that winding road together.

The education of children and youth is strongest when families and schools work together in a true partnership.

If COVID has taught us anything, it is that time spent with family and friends is very precious.

May each of you and your families enjoy a beautiful and blessed Christmas season together.

Of course, the Christmas season, for many reasons, is not a time of joy for many people.

As a people of hope, we not only ask you to join us in praying for all those who are suffering, but also for peace on Earth – in 2023, and forever.

Merry Christmas! And all best wishes for a happy, healthy, and successful 2023!!

Sincerely,

Tyrone Dowling – Director of Education

December 22nd, 2022|

Video Message from the Minister of Education

December 22nd, 2022|

Upcoming Meeting of the Board of Trustees

The next meeting of the Board of Trustees (Special Board Meeting) is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. — Monday, December 19, 2022. The meeting will be held virtually.

Agenda:

Public Board Meeting

Link: https://www.youtube.com/@WCDSBTube

Other Information:

General Information About WCDSB Board Meetings

Information About the Board of Trustees

(Note: Agenda files can be large. If you are experiencing issues downloading a file, right click on the link and choose “Save Target As…”.)

December 19th, 2022|

Dec. 15 – Weather Update — All school transportation cancelled — All schools OPEN

December 15, 2022

Due to the current weather conditions, ALL SCHOOL BUSES, TAXIS AND SPECIAL EDUCATION ROUTES operated by the Waterloo Catholic District School Board and Waterloo Region District School Board are cancelled. All Public and Catholic Schools are OPEN. All St. Louis online, daytime, and evening classes are open at all locations. All Extended Day Childcare Programs are OPEN.

December 15th, 2022|

New Board of Trustees, Chair & Vice-Chair

On December 12, 2022, the Board of Trustees of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board elected Kitchener/Wilmot Trustee Tracey Weiler as Chair of the Board and Kitchener/Wilmot Trustee Kathy Doherty-Masters as Vice-Chair of the Board.

The Board of Trustees is comprised of the following representatives:

Cambridge / North Dumfries

David Guerin
Marisa Phillips
Robert Sikora

Kitchener / Wilmot

Kathy Doherty-Masters
Wendy Ashby
Renee Kraft
Tracey Weiler

Waterloo / Wellesley / Woolwich

Sally Fuentes
Linda Cuff

Student Trustees

Chloe Armstrong
Anika Fejerpataky

https://www.wcdsb.ca/about-us/trustees/

December 13th, 2022|

Marylin Dawson Appointed Superintendent of Education at Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board

We are pleased to announce that Principal, Marylin Dawson, will be joining the Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board as Superintendent of Education. Prior to becoming an elementary principal, Marylin was a student achievement consultant K–12: Religion and Family Life, working with provincial and ministry partners to implement large-scale curriculum resources. She was also an elementary school teacher and received the Bette Stephenson Award for EQAO achievement. Marylin is a passionate Catholic Leader with a commitment to student success as evidenced in her work developing practices that promote equity in learning, with an eye to supporting all learners through evidence-based pedagogies.

We wish Marylin all the best as she embarks on her new journey in Catholic education with the Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board beginning in January 2023.

December 13th, 2022|

The Arts Add STEAM to STEM at Monsignor Doyle CSS

In Waterloo Region’s Catholic schools – as in all Ontario schools – there has been a growing emphasis on enhancing the teaching and learning of the STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).

While these disciplines have always played a major role in the WCDSB’s robust menu of learning options, so too have the Arts.

In fact, we like to say it’s the Arts put the STEAM in STEM in our schools.

It’s been a longstanding belief in WCDSB schools that a comprehensive, quality, inclusive, faith-based education isn’t complete unless students have an opportunity to express themselves creatively in a variety of media — be it creative writing, photography, painting, music or via a range of digital platforms.

Nowhere is that opportunity for student expression more visible than at Monsignor Doyle CSS in Cambridge, where Visual Design Art teachers Lori Koebel and Andriana Cipric are carrying on a quarter-century old tradition called, simply, the “Monsignor Doyle Mural Project”.

Thanks to the “Mural Project”, when you take your first step inside the school it is instantly clear that the creativity splashed across the walls, in the hallways, and in the classrooms is woven into the fabric of what makes “The Home of the Mustangs” truly unique.

The spectacular murals throughout the school have been created over the years by Visual and Design Art Students, as part of their program.

As program participants, Grade 11 and 12 students learn through The Creative Process individually and collaboratively how to address a variety of creative challenges.

Through exploration and experimentation, they apply the elements and principles of design with increasing skill and creativity — producing art that comments and communicates a clear point of view on their school culture and their very own artistic paths.

They embrace the opportunity for their art to create a decorative social, cultural and faith impact in their school, for the betterment of humanity.

And their work speaks for itself.

It’s never been truer than it is in the hallways of Monsignor Doyle CSS, that a picture really CAN be worth a thousand words.

December 1st, 2022|

2022 Waterloo Region Migration Film Festival (WRMigFest)

The Immigration Partnership and partners are hosting the 2022 Waterloo Region Migration Film Festival (WRMigFest) from December 1^st to 18^th (International Migrants Day)! The goal of the Festival is to pave the way for greater discussion around migration and relocation, by creating safe spaces for respectful interaction and dialogues.

Everyone is invited to WRMigFest! Residents of Waterloo Region and beyond are invited to participate in the festival either in-person or virtually. The Immigration Partnership and partners have curated a series of films to learn about and reflect on migration, a topic that continues to attract the attention of media, governments and communities around the world.

In addition to showcasing a diverse spectrum of films, the festival offers post-screening conversations with filmmakers and writers, as well as Q&A sessions.

For more information, please visit: https://www.immigrationwaterlooregion.ca/en/business-opportunities/film_festival.aspx

December 1st, 2022|