Due to the risk of thunderstorms today, the KDM Cross Country Classic for KW schools is POSTPONED. The event will shift to the existing rain date: Thursday, June 6, 2024. All the details for the event, including time of day and location do not change.
Dear parents,
Over the past weeks, our government announced Ontario’s plan to restrict cellphones during instructional time, remove social media from all school networks and devices, and enforce bans on vaping and cannabis on school property. We also introduced legislation to strengthen safeguards that protect your child’s privacy and keep their data secure.
We know the work continues to ensure students are focused in class, graduating with a strong command of reading, writing and math, and increasingly needed life and job skills.
Yet, the global economy has radically changed around us since the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) was last overhauled in 1999 and our government is determined to ensure our students are equipped to handle these changes.
That is why we are taking another step in our back-to-basics plan in Ontario by introducing several new policies, including:
Ontario’s first financial literacy graduation requirement to help students learn practical financial literacy skills and apply them in life. These include being able to demonstrate understanding of how to create and manage a personal budget, save for a home or other asset, understand interest rate impacts on consumers and know how to protect themselves from financial fraud. Students will now have to demonstrate understanding of financial literacy concepts as a graduation requirement as part of their Grade 10 math course.
Reintroducing modernized “home economics” education that elevates life skills that many young people desperately need, from healthy cooking to first aid to responsible consumer habits.
Higher math standards for educators by requiring new educators to pass a math proficiency test that will ensure they have the necessary knowledge and understanding of the subject for the benefit of students.
Introducing career coaches through an up to $14 million investment as part of a major overhaul of guidance education, complementing the work of guidance teacher-counsellors and the existing Career Studies course. The investment in new career coaches will allow students in Grades 9 and 10 to meet with experts in STEM and the skilled trades in small group settings to discuss the benefits of these potential careers.
These reforms, along with the new cellphone and vaping policy will help restore academic focus, safety and personal responsibility in Ontario schools.
But we can’t do this alone. We hope we can count on your support at home over the coming months to ensure students understand the new expectations in September.
With thanks,
Stephen Lecce
Minister of Education
Dear Parents,
We are excited to announce a fundraising initiative in partnership with Nutrition for Learning, dedicated to ensuring all students in the Waterloo Region have access to nutritious meals at school.
Since 1997, Nutrition for Learning has been providing universally accessible nutrition programs in most schools across Waterloo Region, serving K-12 students. These programs support approximately 38,000 WCDSB students, with each meal costing $1.30. A $20 donation can provide 15 meals, and a $20 monthly donation can provide over 180 meals in a year.
From June 3 to 7, we are partnering with Nutrition for Learning to fundraise and support their mission of nourishing young minds. Your contributions will directly impact the health and learning of our students. We encourage you to join us in this effort to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed. Every donation, no matter how small, makes a difference.
Thank you for your support!
DONATE TODAY: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/95443
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:
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!
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!
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!
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…”.)
Written by: Evy Ayers, Grade 11, Monsignor Doyle Secondary School
Monsignor Doyle’s upcoming production of “The Little Mermaid”
With a talented cast and dedicated crew, the students and staff at Monsignor Doyle Catholic Secondary School bring “The Little Mermaid” to life, with an extraordinary display of creativity and passion. The members of this emerging production have spent countless hours creating a scene of which they could be proud, officially bringing the musical production to the masses on May 8-11; tickets are available to all. From the moment the curtains rise, viewers can expect a fantastical portrayal of this classic story.
The busy, bustling atmosphere backstage shows a real dedication to the show. Multiple students have even offered a hand in the making of this production, creating eye-catching set pieces to complement the talented actors’ performance. While this school is no stranger to theatre, they haven’t had the pleasure of indulging in many musical works.
Monsignor Doyle’s lead actor, Katie, has taken on the role of Ariel. Katie’s own experience provides viewers insight into the dedication of the actors and crew, casting a prominent light on the passion driving this production. “Doyle, when it comes to productions, is one of the smaller schools,” she states, adding, “We have a lot of talented people, but a lot of the time they don’t like coming out and showing these talents.” After working on so many previous Doyle productions, Katie has built a solid relationship with her fellow actors, comparing the connection to a sort of family-like dynamic on set.
The young actress goes on to explain how she’s noticed many of the cast members may not be used to working in musically explorative roles, but seeing her peers venture out of their comfort zones seems to have become a great source of inspiration for her. The willingness to embrace new challenges shows a push of personal boundaries, fostering a collaborative dynamic among the team. When asked what viewers can expect from this upcoming production, along with what the cast hopes to impart once the curtain falls, Katie states, “It’s a lot of new people acting for the first time. So, it’s a lot of bright, shiny faces on stage that people may not have seen before. They can get ready to see all these young folks up on stage, showing off their talents.”
The upcoming production of “The Little Mermaid” promises to be an attention-grabbing event, brought to life by the dedicated workers behind the scenes and on stage. Despite the school’s limited experience with musicals, they continue to apply passion to each individual role, all working together as a unit, opposed to focusing on the individual. With tickets now available, this cast urges audiences to come be part of their world, eager to share the efforts of their work with both new and old audiences.
This article is part of the WCDSB Jr. Journalist program, a new initiative designed to provide journalistically inclined secondary students with a platform to share stories from their school and showcase their impressive talents.
Are you a Secondary School student interested in joining the program? If so, please contact Lema.Salaymeh@wcdsb.ca
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
