Our hearts are heavy following the fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta on Saturday, Oct. 17. Four members of the Canadian Armed Forces lost their lives, and dozens more were injured while taking part in a training exercise.

As a Catholic community, we hold in prayer the four soldiers who lost their lives, along with their families, friends and fellow members of the Forces. We also pray for healing for the injured, and for strength for the medical teams and first responders caring for them. In their honour, flags are flying at half-mast at all Waterloo Catholic District School Board locations.

News like this is difficult to hear, and it touches many in our community, including those with loved ones who serve. In times of sorrow, we are called to lean on one another and to care for each other with compassion. May we continue to hold all those affected close in our prayers, trusting that God walks with them in their grief.

• Belonging and Contributing: Students worked together, cheered each other on and contributed to a shared celebration.
• Self-Regulation and Well-Being: Fresh air, movement and patient turn taking helped students manage their energy and emotions.
• Demonstrating Literacy and Mathematics Behaviours: Counting kernels, comparing sizes and describing textures turned the harvest into rich math and language learning.
• Problem Solving and Innovating: Steering pumpkins through obstacle courses and designing crafts invited students to test ideas and try again.

Upcoming Agenda:

Board of Trustees Meeting: Monday, October 19, 2026 @ 6:00 p.m. – Agenda: 2026-10-19_Board-of-Trustee Agenda

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

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

Livestreaming of Board Meetings

Board meetings are open to the public. You may attend in person or watch live here: https://www.wcdsb.ca/about-us/meeting-information/board-meeting-live-stream/

General Information About WCDSB Board Meetings

Information About the Board of Trustees

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board congratulates Sharon Foran of St. David Catholic Secondary School, recipient of the 2026 Drayton Entertainment Teacher of Excellence Award.

The award recognizes an outstanding secondary school educator who demonstrates exceptional skill, dedication and passion for arts education. It holds special meaning because nominations come directly from students involved in high school musical productions.

Foran was nominated by numerous students who described the profound impact she has had on them, both in the classroom and beyond it. By creating meaningful opportunities for young people to take the stage, she helps them build confidence, develop important life skills and find a sense of belonging.

Under her leadership, St. David CSS has grown a vibrant arts community where students are encouraged to discover their talents, strengthen their creativity and find their voice as performers, leaders and collaborators.

Foran received the award on Sept. 24 at the Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge, during the opening night of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.”

The board extends its heartfelt congratulations to Foran on this well-deserved recognition and thanks her for her remarkable contributions to arts education. Through her passion and leadership, she is helping to inspire the next generation of actors, storytellers and creative thinkers.

Photo courtesy of Drayton Entertainment.

Upcoming Agenda:

Special Board of Trustees Meeting: Monday, October 5, 2026 @ 6:00 p.m. – Agenda: 2026-10-05_Special-Board-of-Trustee_Agenda

Committee of the Whole Meeting: Monday, October 5, 2026 @ 6:15 p.m. (immediately following the Special Board meeting) – Agenda: 2026-10-05_COW_Agenda

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

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

Livestreaming of Board Meetings

Board meetings are open to the public. You may attend in person or watch live via our official YouTube channel: @WCDSBTube YouTube Channel

Today the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) and the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) celebrated the official opening of Guardian Angels Catholic Elementary School and Giinawind Public School, a new joint-use school facility in Cambridge.

Located on Wesley Blvd., the shared facility opened its doors to students in September 2026. Designed to grow with the community, it has capacity for 354 students at Guardian Angels and 519 students at Giinawind, along with an on-site child-care centre operated by YWCA Cambridge with space for 88 children.

Guardian Angels

The shared facility reflects the long-standing tradition of partnership between the two school boards in Waterloo Region. While Guardian Angels and Giinawind each maintain their own distinct identity, programming and school community, parents, families and caregivers in this growing neighbourhood now have access to both Catholic and public education, as well as child care, close to home.

Students, staff, parents, families and community members gathered for the ceremony, which included remarks, a photo opportunity and school tours. Annalisa Varano, Director of Education and CEO of the WCDSB, and Scott Miller, CEO of the WRDSB, Cambridge Mayor Jan Liggett, Renée Kraft, Chair of the WCDSB, Maedith Radlein, Chair of the WRDSB, school administrators and other guests.

WCDSB Trustees and Staff

As part of the celebration, Mayor Liggett presented both schools with a time capsule, to be filled by students with items reflecting their first year in the new building.

Following the official opening ceremony, the Guardian Angels community celebrated Mass and a blessing of the school, presided by the Most Rev. Joseph Dabrowski, C.S.M.A., Bishop of Hamilton.

The name Giinawind (pronounced Gee-nah-win) was submitted by members of the Indigenous community and is derived from the Ojibwe word giinawind meaning “Us, including you.” The name will be woven into the day-to-day life of the school as students and staff build their shared identity, relationships and sense of belonging. Through learning, school activities and community experiences, Giinawind will serve as an ongoing reminder that every student, staff member and member of the school community has a place and a role in shaping the school.

The official opening of Guardian Angels and Giinawind marks an exciting milestone for families in Cambridge. Together, WCDSB, WRDSB and YWCA Cambridge look forward to welcoming students, staff, parents, families, caregivers and the wider community to this shared space for many years to come.

“Today we give thanks for Guardian Angels Catholic Elementary School and for the students, staff and families who are already bringing it to life. This shared facility reflects what we can accomplish when two boards put the needs of children first, and it offers families the gift of a Catholic education in their own neighbourhood. We are grateful to our partners at the WRDSB and YWCA Cambridge, and to the Ministry of Education, for walking this journey with us. Alongside our friends at Giinawind, we look forward to building a community where every child in this building knows they belong.”  said Annalisa Varano, WCDSB Chief Executive Officer.

Annalisa Varano, WCDSB Chief Executive Officer

“The opening of Giinawind is an important milestone for the students, staff, parents, families and caregivers who are now part of this school community. This new facility provides students with a welcoming place to learn, connect and grow, while bringing public education and child care closer to families in this growing community. We are proud of the partnership that helped bring this school to life and look forward to seeing the Giinawind community grow and thrive,” said Scott Miller, WRDSB Chief Executive Officer.

“What a joy it is to celebrate the opening of Guardian Angels Catholic Elementary School with this community. I am proud of the collaboration and innovation between our two boards that carried this vision from the drawing board to the classroom, with responsible stewardship of public resources at every step. This building is now ready to become a true home for students and staff, filled with prayer, curiosity and friendship. May Guardian Angels be a place of faith and learning for generations to come.”  said Renée Kraft, Chair of the WCDSB Board of Trustees.

Renée Kraft, Chair of the WCDSB Board of Trustees

“The official opening of Giinawind Public School is a wonderful opportunity to recognize the many people whose collaboration has made this school community a reality. This partnership with the Waterloo Catholic District School Board is new for the WRDSB and gives both boards the opportunity to demonstrate what is possible when we work together to serve students. Thank you to everyone whose hard work ensured that Giinawind was ready to welcome students, staff, parents, caregivers and families on the first day of school,” said Maedith Radlein, Chair of the WRDSB Board of Trustees.