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.

Written by: Mikayla Perez, Grade 11, St. Mary’s High School

During St. Mary’s High School’s Culture & Diversity Week, which began on April 14, 2024, students showcased their traditional cultural attire in a dynamic Cultural Fashion Show held in the school’s cafeteria on April 19. The event featured students from various grades and cultural backgrounds, each bringing a piece of their heritage to the stage.

Grade 11 student Oluwademilade (Israel) Dosekun, representing Nigeria, wore an Agbada, a traditional Yoruba male attire. He expressed his motivations: “I wanted to showcase a little about myself and just be a little more confident; I wanted to showcase my culture, and I just thought my outfit was really cool.”

Paolo Manese, a Grade 12 student representing the Philippines, donned a Barong Tagalog. He said, “I want the people in this school to learn a little more about the Philippines by showing off our culture through this outfit. I think showcasing this traditional attire can help students develop a good impression of the Philippines.”

The show, which took place during the lunch periods, was well-received by the students. Grade 12 student Naomi Weldetensae remarked, “It was really nice seeing all the pretty cultural outfits on the stage. I enjoyed the show because I got to learn a little more about other cultures, and the performance itself was really entertaining.”

The week-long event was initiated by the school’s Student Activity Council, which also introduced other culturally inclusive activities, such as multilingual morning prayers and a culturally diverse menu in their Eagle Eats Meal Program.

Despite the positive feedback, Student Activity Council Director Mia O’Connor voiced concerns about student engagement. She stated, “Student engagement is actually something I’m struggling with. … I’d like there to be more opportunities, especially for newcomers. … It’s kinda hard to decide what’s gonna be the best route to make sure that all students are engaged because sometimes the [council] plans things that may be good for their group but maybe not for other groups, so I definitely think that’s something that our student council needs to work on.”

Looking ahead, O’Connor added, “It’s nice to have a week, but it’d be a lot nicer to have these things integrated throughout the year.”

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

Team Dave teaches students that the core principles of S.T.E.A.M. can be fun while having a much larger impact on the community.

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZp6nx3SMic

Dear parents,

For the first time in nearly a generation, our government successfully negotiated agreements with all teachers’ unions and averted strikes in schools. This allowed us to deliver on our promise to parents to bring stability to classrooms and keep kids in class.

As kids benefit from three more years of uninterrupted learning, I have heard from many of you, teachers and students alike, about concerns about the alarming rise of youth vaping in schools and the persistent use of cellphones as a distraction from learning in class.

That is why we are rolling out Canada’s most comprehensive plan to counter these threats.

To help reduce distractions in our schools, starting this September, we are denying cellphone usage during instructional time so that students can focus on getting back to basics and learning foundational skills like reading, writing and math.

Our youngest learners in kindergarten to Grade 6, who may have phones, will now be required to keep phones on silent and out of sight for the duration of the day.

For students in Grades 7 to 12, phones can be with the student. However, they will only be permitted during instructional time if explicitly allowed by the educator.

We will also commit to having report cards include comments on students’ distraction levels in class. We recognize that some parents want to communicate with their children during school, and the policies listed above will still permit that during non-instructional time or when an educator gives permission.

When it comes to cellphones, Ontario’s policy is: out of sight and out of mind.

We are also removing social media websites from all school networks and devices to help strengthen in-person relationships, communication and social-emotional skills.

We have also announced a strict anti-vaping policy in schools where parents are immediately informed, and the vapes in a student’s possession will be given up and disposed of. There are immediate consequences for students caught in possession of illegal substances, and Public Health Units can also be engaged to support education, prevention and enforcement, when necessary. We are also providing funding to schools to install vape detectors so they can better enforce these new rules.

We are also increasing wrap-around supports for students to support learning, addictive behaviours and implementation, as well as dedicated training for teachers and supports for parents on how best to manage this change. I encourage you to read the updated Provincial Code of Conduct that outlines these changes.

No matter how strong the policy is, we can’t do this alone.

To truly change behaviour, we are asking for your support and collaboration to hold conversations at home about the new expectations and the importance of respecting school staff and the rules as we head into September.

Change will come when we all work together and stand by teachers, principals, and education workers as they implement these new measures. Your co-operation will help ensure students can get back to basics, focus on their studies, and prepare for the jobs of tomorrow.

By doing so, we restore common sense, where the focus remains on academic achievement and the safety of your child.

Thank you,

The Honourable Stephen Lecce
Minister of Education

Nominate a staff member today!

Deadline: Monday, May 6, 2024

Saint Francis of Assisi reminds us that the earth, our common home, “is like a sister with whom we share our lives and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us.”

In his encyclical Laudato Si’ (On Care for our Common Home), Pope Francis reminds us that “Along with the importance of little everyday gestures, social love moves us to devise larger strategies to halt environmental degradation and to encourage a ‘culture of care’ which permeates all of society” (#231).

The Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations ask that all graduates be “responsible citizen[s] who respect the environment and use resources wisely.”

The Pope Francis Award for Ecological Leadership annually recognizes up to three school staff members who heed these calls and live out these values. Staff members who actively demonstrate a love for creation and care for the planet in all their interactions and staff who initiate or lead environmental projects of all kinds.

The award, which will be presented at the recipients’ schools in May, is open to all WCDSB school-based staff. Nominations may be made by any WCDSB staff or School Council member.

Re-nominations are permitted.

Nomination form: https://www.wcdsb.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/36/2024/04/Pope-Francis-Award-for-Ecological-Leadership-Nomination-Form-2024.pdf

Upcoming Agenda:

Board of Trustees’ Board Meeting: Monday, April 22, 2024 @ 6:00 pm – Agenda: 2024-04-22_Board-of-Trustee 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…”.)

Our homestay partner companies are actively seeking host families for international students attending school in the Waterloo Region for short and long-term programs (from 2 weeks to 1 year).

Host families provide students with:

• The opportunity to participate in the family’s daily lives and events
• The care, support, and comfort of a family member
• A bedroom with a desk, chair, lamp, dresser, and a bed, not convertible or inflatable in nature
• Three quality meals a day
• Unlimited internet access

Families are remunerated $1,050/4 weeks, plus bonuses.

Homestay Partner Companies

Canada Linc

(226) 606-5943
info@canadalinc.com

Waterloo Region Student Placement (WRSP)

(226) 341-2092
hostingastudent@gmail.com

Agenda:

Committee of the Whole Board Meeting: Monday, April 8, 2024 @ 6:00 pm – Agenda: 2024-04-08_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…”.)

Waterloo Catholic Community, 

As we slowly begin our journey into spring – being reminded of life’s continuous cycle of renewal and growth – we are also entering into the holiest days of our Catholic Church year.  

This winter our weather may have been a bit milder, yet its length and unpredictability have presented challenges to many of us. This provides the backdrop of Holy Week, from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, reminding us that the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the promise of new and abundant life and new beginnings are upon us. 

In Pope Francis’ message for Lent he reminded us “to pause in prayer, in order to receive the word of God, to pause like the Samaritan in the presence of a wounded brother or sister [because] love of God and love of neighbour are one love.” This continues for us in the Easter season, and we take time to reflect on those in our community and the world who are without necessary resources for survival, or suffering from violence, including ongoing wars.  

Just as spring kicks off the awakening of nature with vibrancy and new life, Easter invites us to reflect on our own journeys of faith and renewal. This marks a time to rejoice in the blessings we have received and to look forward, with joyful hope, to the opportunities that await us.  

Thank you to our staff for their continued work and the support of our students and their families. Let us continue to cultivate an atmosphere that reflects our Catholic faith’s teachings of love, forgiveness, and service to others. Together, we can inspire hope and foster a community where everyone is empowered to learn and thrive, both inside and outside of the classroom.  

Wishing you and your loved ones a safe, blessed, holy, and happy Easter.  

Tyrone Dowling
Director of Education