wcdsbadmin, Author at Waterloo Catholic District School Board

Discovery Day Welcomes Students for a Warm First Look at Hospital Care

For many people, a first hospital visit happens during a stressful moment. For students with disabilities or members of the neurodiverse community, that experience can feel especially overwhelming.

A new initiative called Discovery Day is working to change that.

On April 30, 10 students from Monsignor Doyle Catholic Secondary School took part in the pilot of Discovery Day, a hands-on visit to Cambridge Memorial Hospital designed to make health care settings feel familiar, welcoming and safe. The program is a partnership between the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, Cambridge Memorial Hospital and Project SEARCH.

Supported by their teacher and educational assistants, students rotated through four interactive stations during the 90-minute visit. Using a stuffed animal buddy, they practised common procedures: trying on an aerosol mask, administering medication, applying a cast and experiencing a saline lock. Each activity mirrored real hospital care in a gentle and accessible way.

Discovery Day was the vision of Cambridge Memorial Hospital oncology nurse Tara Farias, whose experience as a parent of a child with autism shaped the program.

“When a child’s first experience in a hospital happens during an emergency, it can be frightening and confusing,” Farias said. “But when we create opportunities for positive, supported exposure, that fear can turn into familiarity. Discovery Day is about helping young people feel safe, confident, and understood.”

Project SEARCH interns Anthony and Ryder also played a key role on the day, leading groups and offering peer support throughout the session.

“Partnership is at the heart of Discovery Day,” said teacher Stephanie Garibaldi-Alischer. “Together, we are working to foster inclusive, welcoming care and create more positive experiences for patients and families in our diverse community.”

For WCDSB, the day was a meaningful reminder that learning happens everywhere, and that when schools, hospitals and families work together, every student can feel seen, safe and welcomed.

May 1st, 2026|

Upcoming Board of Trustees’ Meetings: April 27, 2026

Upcoming Agenda:

Board of Trustees Meeting: Monday, April 27, 2026 @ 6:00 p.m. – Agenda: 2026-04-27_Board-of-Trustee Agenda

(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

April 24th, 2026|

History Lives Here: Students and Seniors Find Common Ground Across Generations

Some of the most important history lessons never happen in a classroom.

For a group of Grade 10 students, the past came alive not through a textbook, but through the voices of the people who actually lived it. Through a project called “History Lives Here,” students partnered with residents at Seasons Retirement Home to do something quietly remarkable: sit down, listen, and let the stories of a lifetime become the foundation for something new.

Over three visits, students interviewed residents about the historical events they witnessed and experienced firsthand. Those conversations were then woven into written and digital artifacts, culminating in a locally rooted textbook unlike any other — one built entirely from living memory.

The connection between students and residents was felt almost from the very first meeting. Maddie Slater, community liaison at Seasons, said it was among the most meaningful experiences residents had shared with visitors. On April 17, students returned one final time to present the completed textbook alongside 3D-printed gifts they had made for each resident. Many in the room were moved.

The students handled the residents’ stories with a level of care and profound respect that left the seniors, and their teacher, beaming with pride. By using modern innovation and tech to preserve their memories, they showed what’s possible when we bridge the gap between high-tech tools and essential human-centered skills. It was a beautiful reminder that the best use of technology is to enhance the empathy, communication, and collaboration we use to form genuine human connections.

For some students, that final visit was not really a farewell at all. Several have since expressed their intention to return as volunteers, staying connected with the residents who shared so much of themselves.

It is the kind of outcome that reminds us what education, at its best, can look like: not just knowledge passed down, but human beings genuinely seeing one another.

April 22nd, 2026|

Upcoming Board of Trustees’ Meetings: April 13, 2026

Upcoming Agenda:

Special Board of Trustees – Education Development Charge (EDC) Policy Review meeting @ 6:00 p.m. – Agenda: 2026-04-13_Special-Board-of-Trustee_Agenda_EDC_Meeting #1

Special Board of Trustees – Education Development Charge (EDC) Background Study meeting @ 6:15 p.m. – Agenda: 2026-04-13_Special-Board-of-Trustee_Agenda_EDC_Meeting #2

Committee of the Whole Meeting: Monday, April 13, 2026 @ 6:30 p.m. – Agenda: 2026-04-13_COW_Agenda

(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

April 10th, 2026|

2026 Chair’s Award, Community Partner Award and Distinguished Graduate Award Recipients

Chair’s Award: John Murphy, Catholic Education Centre

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.

This year’s Chair’s Award is presented to John Murphy.

John Murphy is the deserving recipient of this award because he serves as the true personification of servant leadership within the Waterloo Catholic District School Board. Through his dedicated role as the Religion and Family Life Consultant, John consistently puts students first, working diligently to ensure their success while providing invaluable support and resources to educators. His visionary work on the “Gathered to Become” theme and the pray@Home webpage offered vital spiritual guidance to our community during the pandemic, demonstrating a profound understanding of our collective needs. Whether he is stepping in to teach at St. Isidore during a period of growth or representing the WCDSB as a provincial leader at the When Faith Meets Pedagogy conference, John’s commitment is unwavering. By saying “yes” to his calling with a heart for Catholic education, he has become an exemplary ambassador for our board and a source of inspiration for all who work alongside him.

Community Partner Award: Mount Mary Immaculate Retreat Centre/Diocese of Hamilton

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 proud to present the Community Partner Award to Mount Mary Immaculate Retreat Centre/Diocese of Hamilton for its extraordinary 50-year legacy as a cornerstone of spiritual formation for our students. Since 1976, this sacred space has served as a vital partner in Catholic education, providing a serene environment where three generations of Grade 8 students have encountered the love of God through creation, prayer, and community. By offering a consistent “shared reference point” that bridges the transition from elementary to secondary school, Mount Mary fosters a deep sense of belonging and spiritual growth that stays with our students long into adulthood. Whether through the early stewardship of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate or its current leadership under the Diocese of Hamilton, the Centre remains a cherished sanctuary where the seeds of faith are nurtured, making it a truly deserving recipient of this award as we celebrate five decades of transformative retreat experiences.

Distinguished Graduate Award: Mark Anthony Fernandes (Monsignor Doyle CSS)

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.

We are thrilled to honour Mark Anthony Fernandes (Monsignor Doyle CSS) for his extraordinary lifelong commitment to faith, service, and the mission of Catholic education. For over 30 years, Mark has been a cornerstone of the St. Ambrose Church community, enriching the liturgy through his musical leadership as choir director and organist while providing responsible stewardship on the parish finance committee. His influence extends far beyond the sanctuary; he is the embodiment of a “shepherd leader” who lives out the Gospel in his professional life as a Mental Health Lead, where he champions human dignity and compassion for the most vulnerable. By instilling these same values in his children—who serve as active members of our school communities at Monsignor Doyle and Holy Spirit, and by mentoring graduates to lead lives of integrity, Mark serves as a profound witness to the Catholic Graduate Expectations. He is a devoted disciple whose hands and heart are truly dedicated to doing God’s work, making him a most deserving recipient of this award.

April 8th, 2026|

WCDSB receives approval to tender for new addition at St. Mark Catholic Elementary School

KITCHENER — The Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) has received approval from the Ontario government to issue the tender for a new addition at St. Mark Catholic Elementary School in Kitchener.

The project, supported by a total investment of nearly $13 million, including additional funding of nearly $4.6 million, will deliver 184 new elementary student spaces for local families.

“The approval to tender for the new addition at St. Mark Catholic Elementary School is wonderful news for students and families in Kitchener,” said Annalisa Varano, Director of Education. “This investment reflects our shared commitment to providing welcoming, high-quality Catholic learning environments where every child can discover their gifts and reach their full potential. We are grateful to the Ontario government for this support and look forward to the opportunities this expanded space will create for our community.”

The WCDSB thanks the Ministry of Education and Mike Harris, MPP for Kitchener–Conestoga, for their continued investment in Catholic education in the Waterloo Region.

“The funding for a new addition at St. Mark Catholic Elementary School in Kitchener is great news for our community,” said Harris. “Through this investment, we’re creating opportunities for students to thrive today and well into the future.”

April 7th, 2026|

Director’s Easter Message

Dear Families and Caregivers,

On behalf of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, I wish you and your loved ones a joyful and blessed Easter season.

Easter is, at its heart, a story of hope. It reminds us that even in the face of struggle, loss, and uncertainty, there is the possibility of renewal, of rising again into something beautiful and new.

This past year has not been without its challenges. Like all communities, we have navigated difficulty together, and through it all, we have been inspired and renewed by the remarkable children who fill our schools with energy, curiosity, and joy. Ensuring every child feels known, safe, and loved is our greatest privilege, and one we are grateful to share with you.

But as we look toward Easter, we are also filled with hope, because of what we see happening in our schools every day.

We are in the first year of our Multi-Year Strategic Plan, a shared vision that puts your children at the centre of everything we do. We are focused on Learning, helping every student reach their full potential. On Serving, being truly present and responsive to the needs of your families. And on Belonging, ensuring that every child who walks through our doors knows they are welcome, cherished, and valued.

This is the promise of Catholic education. It is rooted in faith, animated by love, and renewed every day by the dedicated educators and staff who serve your children with joy.

As you gather with your families this Easter, whether at church, at the table, or simply together, we hope you feel the warmth of this season and the knowledge that our schools walk this journey with you.

From our family to yours: Happy Easter.

With hope and gratitude,

Annalisa Varano
Director of Education
Waterloo Catholic District School Board

April 2nd, 2026|

From School Kitchens to Career Pathways: Regional Skills Competition Comes to Monsignor Doyle

The kitchen at Monsignor Doyle Catholic Secondary School was filled with the aroma of ambition this week as students from across the Waterloo Region gathered for the Regional Preliminary Skills Competition — a Ministry-funded event that serves as a steppingstone for students eyeing a future in the skilled trades.

What began as a traditional vocational contest has grown to encompass several sectors, from Culinary Arts and Baking to a wide array of technical and service-oriented fields. In a display of community spirit, the event brought together students from both the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) and the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB), competing side-by-side and showcasing the high level of training available in the region’s secondary schools.

Adding to the energy of the day, a panel of professional chefs from across the Waterloo Region volunteered their time to evaluate competitors, grading students on technical precision, plating, and flavour profiles. “Having local chefs in the building changes the energy,” said a lead technical chair for the event. “The students aren’t just cooking for a grade; they are auditioning for their future employers.”

For many students, competitions like these are a first step toward programs like the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) and a lifelong career in the trades. The pressure was palpable as competitors worked against the clock, all vying for a coveted spot at the Skills Ontario Provincial Competition. The gold medalist from this regional round will represent Waterloo Region at the Provincial level on May 5, 2026, at the Toronto Congress Centre.

We are grateful to the community chefs who generously volunteered their expertise to judge the contest. Their real-world feedback and encouragement left a lasting impression on our students and reinforced what events like these are all about — building confidence, skill, and a clear path forward.

March 27th, 2026|

WCDSB Announces Expansion of St. Boniface School in Breslau Through Provincial Capital Investment

BRESLAU — The Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) is pleased to announce that it has received approval from the Ontario government to issue the tender for a new addition at St. Boniface Catholic Elementary School in Breslau.

Supported by a $13.1-million provincial investment, this project reflects our commitment to providing quality, inclusive, faith-based education in a growing community.

“This investment in St. Boniface Catholic Elementary School is a tremendous gift to the families of Breslau and to the future of Catholic education in our growing community,” said Annalisa Varano, Director of Education at the Waterloo Catholic District School Board. “At the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, we are committed to ensuring every student has access to welcoming, well-resourced learning environments where they can discover their God-given gifts and prepare for lives of purpose and contribution.”

WCDSB is grateful to the Ontario government for its continued capital investment in Catholic education and for its partnership in ensuring students across the Waterloo Region have access to modern, welcoming learning environments.

“The funding for a new addition at St. Boniface Catholic Elementary School in Breslau is great news for our community,” said Mike Harris, MPP for Kitchener—Conestoga. “Through this investment, we’re creating opportunities for students to thrive today and well into the future.”

“Our government is focused on supporting students, teachers and parents while ensuring school boards are equipping our students with the tools they need to succeed,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Education. “Once completed, this project will offer an inspiring learning environment that helps students prepare for the jobs of tomorrow. Our government will continue to provide the resources students need for ultimate achievement.”

WCDSB will provide updates to the St. Boniface school community as the project advances through the tendering and construction process.

March 20th, 2026|

Upcoming Board of Trustees’ Meeting: March 23, 2026

Upcoming Agenda:

Board of Trustees Meeting: Monday, March 23, 2026 @ 6:00 p.m. – Agenda: 2026-03-23_Board-of-Trustee Agenda

(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

March 19th, 2026|

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