Waterloo Catholic District School Board Community,

We are writing to provide an update on the recent incident which led to the two-day closure of St. Mary’s High School.

Over the last two days, the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) has been working diligently to investigate the threats of harm made to the St. Mary’s community. Following their investigation, they have determined that there is no longer a safety concern for the St. Mary’s High School community. For this reason, the school will reopen on Monday, June 3, 2024, for students and staff.

As an additional measure, there will be an increased police presence at St. Mary’s, and in the surrounding area, to ensure the continued safety of our community.

We are thankful for the assistance of WRPS during this challenging time. Their thorough investigative work allows us to resume classes on Monday. While the investigation is still ongoing, we are reminded that this matter is not to be taken lightly and the person responsible could be charged criminally with offences such as Public Mischief or Uttering Threats, both of which can carry a maximum sentence of five years.

We understand that this has been a difficult time for the students, staff, and community at large, and we are thankful for the outpouring of support that St. Mary’s administration and staff have received. We urge our students and staff to prioritize their well-being during this period and reach out for support if needed. Our social work department and school support staff are here to assist you.

We appreciate your patience and support as we navigated this situation.

Waterloo Catholic School Board Families,

We are writing to provide an important update regarding the closure of St. Mary’s High School on May 29, 2024.

The Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) continues to investigate the threat of violence against the St. Mary’s community. We are working closely with WRPS and will continue to aid in the investigation in any way possible. The decision to close the school was made out of an abundance of caution, reflecting our unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety of our staff and students.

Given that the investigation is ongoing and considering that May 31 is a scheduled Professional Development (PD) Day, we have decided, in collaboration with WRPS, that the school should remain closed through Thursday, May 30. This additional time could aid the investigation and allow us to explore and implement any potential safety measures that may be required. Please note, this will mean that the annual Relay for Life event, scheduled for tomorrow, will be postponed until further notice.

We understand that this can be a stressful time for students, parents, and staff alike. Please ensure you are prioritizing your well-being during this period and do not hesitate to reach out for support if needed. Our Guidance Counsellors, Social Workers, and school support staff are available to assist you.

As we continue to work collaboratively with WRPS, we are encouraging you to check in with your child around their wellbeing.  We recognize that this situation may cause stress and worry, and we encourage you to reach out to your child’s Administrator or Guidance Counsellor should you have any concerns regarding their wellbeing or any information that might assist our investigation.

We will keep you updated as we learn more information, thank you for your patience during this challenging time.

Bike to School Week is Monday, June 3 to Friday, June 7. This event is open to all WCDSB and WRDSB schools and is brought to you through a partnership between Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region; the cities of Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo; and the Region of Waterloo.

Cycling to and from school is a great way for students to incorporate a healthy and fun activity into their day, while emphasizing the important environmental impact and potential for community building that biking can have. By participating in Bike to School Week, STSWR is asking schools to celebrate students who bike to school and encourage other students to try cycling.

Students can register individually for a chance to win one of 10 active transportation prize packages or one of fifty $15 Dairy Queen gift certificates. Prizes are supplied by the cities of Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo, and the Region of Waterloo.

Please see the links below to register today!

Student Registration:

https://bit.ly/BTSW2024

Community Partner Award: Erick Traplin

Presented annually in recognition of outstanding contributions made by a community partner or agency to the Catholic school system serving the students, staff, and greater community of Waterloo Region.

We are excited to announce Erick Traplin as the recipient of this year’s Community Partner Award for his outstanding contributions to children’s entertainment. Since 1989, Erick has captivated young audiences with his fun-filled concerts, encouraging participation and sharing his love for music at schools, fairs, libraries, and community events throughout Ontario and Eastern Canada. With his rich voice and engaging delivery, Erick brings a mix of original and traditional songs that delight kids of all ages. His performances at nearly every Waterloo Catholic District School Board school have shared powerful messages of positivity, inclusion, and belonging. Congratulations on receiving the Community Partner Award!

Chair’s Award: Terri Pickett

Presented to a person or persons in the school system who has contributed significantly to Catholic Education. It is given annually in recognition of outstanding contributions made to the Catholic school system serving the students, staff, and greater community of Waterloo Region or to the betterment of Catholic Education in Ontario in general.

We are delighted to recognize Terri Pickett for her remarkable contributions during her 23-year tenure at the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, particularly her last seven years as Senior Manager of Facility Services. Terri’s most notable achievement is the implementation of the WCDSB Service Quality System (SQS), a groundbreaking initiative that has transformed our schools. Terri’s unwavering dedication to our students’ and school’s success is evident to everyone who has the pleasure of working with her. Congratulations to Terri Pickett for this well-deserved recognition!

Distinguished Graduate Award: Martha Lenio

Presented to a graduate of more than 10 years from our school system who has demonstrated outstanding examples of the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations. Awarded at the graduation exercises of the recipient’s Secondary School or other appropriate public venue.

Dr. Martha Lenio, a graduate of St. David CSS, has charted an inspiring path since high school. With a doctorate in photovoltaic engineering, she founded Mars Green Consulting, offering renewable energy solutions. As Mission Commander for NASA’s Mars analogue simulation, she spent eight months leading her crew in a geodesic dome on a Hawaiian volcano to simulate life on Mars. Now, as an Arctic Renewable Energy Specialist with the World Wildlife Fund in Nunavut, she advises the government on renewable energy and collaborates with locals to develop sustainable solutions. Throughout her journey, Dr. Lenio has remained guided by the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations. Congratulations to Dr. Lenio on her remarkable achievements!

Agenda:

Committee of the Whole Board Meeting: Monday, May 13 , 2024 @ 6:00 pm – Agenda: 2024-05-13_COW_Agenda

Location:  1st floor Board Room, Catholic Education Centre, 35 Weber Street, Kitchener

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…”.)

As we reach the midpoint of our Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP), we are committed to ensuring our strategies and actions align with our goals. By utilizing our MYSP indicators and implementing evidence-based practices, we are diligently monitoring our investments and efforts. Our accountability framework further positions us to meet our objectives effectively.

Your input is important to us. We are reaching out to parents and community members to gather your perspectives and insights. Please take a few moments to complete our spring survey. Your feedback will help shape the direction of our initiatives and ensure that we continue to progress in a manner that reflects our shared values and priorities.

Thank you for your participation and support.

COMPLETE SURVEY: https://wcdsb.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5hC7fij9iAmHrGC

May 5 marks Red Dress Day, a significant day of remembrance dedicated to raising awareness and honouring the memory of the Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit individuals who have been victims of violence. On this day, people around the community wear red dresses or red clothing on this day as a symbol of remembrance and solidarity. This gesture represents their commitment to recognizing the dignity of every person and aligns with our Catholic values of compassion, justice, and the sanctity of life. We join in prayer and reflection, seeking healing and justice for all affected families and communities, while reaffirming our commitment to building a more inclusive and respectful society.