Dear Parents & Guardians:

As you may be aware, the Ontario government and education workers represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees – Ontario – (CUPE) continue to negotiate in hopes of reaching a deal that works for all.

On Wednesday, November 16^th, CUPE served five days’ notice that if no contract is reached, their workers would be on strike effective Monday, November 21, 2022.

CUPE and the government have negotiation dates scheduled up to and including Sunday November 20, 2022.  It is our hope that a deal will be reached before Monday’s strike date and kids can come to school as normal.

The WCDSB has more than 1,200 staff represented by CUPE, in multiple different roles in schools.

As before — given such a large number of potentially absent staff, should a strike occur, it will not be possible to safely open and operate our schools.

If a strike occurs, and schools are closed to in-person attendance, we will move directly to synchronous remote learning.

Chromebooks will be available to students who need them in advance of any school closure.

In the event of a strike, St. Louis Adult Learning classes will continue to run, but St. Louis site offices will be closed.

WCDSB extended day programs will not be running.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to ensure the learning of all students keeps moving forward.

We will keep you updated as further information becomes available.

Please monitor our website: https://www.wcdsb.ca/about-us/labour-updates/

On Monday, November 14, 2022, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH), Dr. Kieran Moore, shared information with Ontarians concerning the rise of cases of influenza, Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)  and COVID-19 across the province.

Dr. Moore has strongly recommended that Ontarians use the protective strategies available to them, including wearing masks indoors.

There is no provincial mask mandate.

Even prior to the onset of COVID-19 in March 2020, it has been the practice of Waterloo Region’s Catholic schools to follow the guidance of the Chief Medical Officer — as well as that of our own Region of Waterloo Public Health officials — when it comes to dealing with communicable diseases in schools.

While masking is not mandated, our schools are now, and will remain, mask-friendly spaces, and we encourage students and staff to wear masks indoors during the rise in cases we are currently experiencing.

The decision to wear a mask remains a personal choice. However, as Dr. Moore notes, it is a way to support partners in our health care system as they respond to an increase in pressures caused by the current increase in respiratory illnesses in our communities.

As we move into the winter months, please keep in mind:

~~ Parents, students, and staff are reminded to stay home if feeling unwell and only return when symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours (48 hours if you are experiencing nausea, vomiting, or have diarrhea). Those recovering from illness or with symptoms should continue to mask for ten days from onset of symptoms. Please review the daily Ontario School Screening Tool for common symptoms and specific guidance when responding to your individual circumstances. https://www.ontario.ca/school-screening/

~~  Students and staff are encouraged to wear a mask when indoors – particularly when in close contact with others — to reduce the opportunity to spread respiratory illness. The decision to mask remains a personal choice, and all individuals will be afforded the same respect in our classrooms and workspaces.

~~ Staff will continue to have access to personal protective equipment at school.

~~ Masks continue to be available to all students upon request.

~~ Students and staff are asked to continue practicing good hand hygiene (e.g., hand washing, sanitizing) and be sure to cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing (e.g., cough/sneeze into your elbow).

~~ Dr. Moore has also suggested that Ontarians consider getting their flu shot and COVID vaccine / booster.

Thank you for your support and cooperation in keeping our schools and communities safe and healthy.

As a result of this morning’s announcement by the Premier that the Ontario government will rescind Bill 28 and will return to collective bargaining with the Canadian Public Sector Employees Union – Ontario — (CUPE), education workers represented by CUPE have agreed to pause their job action and return to schools effective tomorrow – Tuesday, November 8, 2022.

This means all WCDSB schools (including St. Louis) will be open on November 8 for a regular day of classes.

All school transportation will be running as regularly scheduled.

All WCDSB extended day programs will be running on their regular schedules.

We thank you for your patience and understanding as we transitioned into remote learning, and we pray that both sides will quickly reach a fair and just collective agreement that serves the interests of all.

# 30 #

On Monday, November 7, 2022 the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) Trustee election will resume for Catholic School Board supporters in the City of Cambridge.

Due to a ballot error, all votes cast in the City of Cambridge on October 24 for WCDSB Trustees candidates were voided.

To ensure transparency and uphold the integrity of the voting process, a new vote was ordered by the City Clerk.

Starting at 8:30 a.m. on November 7 until 8 p.m on Friday, November 18, 2022, voters who support the WCDSB will be able to cast their ballot here:

VOTE

CANDIDATE INFORMATION

WCDSB voters will receive a new voter letter providing instructions on how to vote in this election.

Those who have not received their voter letter are encouraged to bring an acceptable piece of Government ID to one of the following locations.

City staff will be available in-person to assist with voter information and completing online voting.

• November 7 to 17: Cambridge City Hall during regular 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. business hours
• November 18: Cambridge City Hall 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday, November 12: Cambridge Centre Mall – from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Voters without access to the internet may contact the City of Cambridge at 519-740-4680 ext. 4079 to learn more about how to qualify for at-home voting.

Dear St. Louis Saturday Students, Parents and Guardians and Community Partners:

All St. Louis Saturday classes WILL BE RUNNING, on Saturday, November 5, 2022 — in-person as per our usual schedule for currently registered students.

This includes:

• Saturday Skills Builder at St. Mary’s High School and St. Benedict CSS
• International and Indigenous Language Programs – Elementary at St. Louis – Kitchener Main and St. Francis Campuses, Resurrection CSS, St. John CES, and Holy Spirit CES
• International Languages – Secondary Credit (Chinese) at Resurrection CSS

No new registrations to St. Louis Saturday programs will be accepted until further notice.

For updates regarding the status of ANY St. Louis classes in the coming week, including Monday evening International and Indigenous Language Elementary and Secondary Language Credit classes, please check the St. Louis website DAILY https://stlouis.wcdsb.ca for the most up-to-date information. Or follow StLouisALC on Facebook / @StLouisWCDSB on Twitter.

For information about the status of Waterloo Catholic District School Board elementary and secondary school operations, please visit: https://www.wcdsb.ca/about-us/labour-updates/ 

# 30 #

The next meetings of the Board of Trustees are scheduled for 6:00 p.m. — Monday, November 7, 2022, at the Waterloo Region Catholic Education Centre.

6:00 p.m. Special Board Meeting – Committee of the Whole to follow

Agendas:

2022-11-07_Special_Board-of-Trustee Agenda

2022-11-07_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…”.)

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board invites local associations or organizations of parents that operate locally within the jurisdiction of the Board to apply to serve on its Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) for the period of December 1, 2022, to November 30, 2026.

The Committee will include up to 12 representatives selected from the nominations.

Eligibility

The local associations/organizations must be affiliated with associations or organizations that:

• are incorporated;
• operate throughout Ontario;
• further the interests and well-being of one or more groups of exceptional children or adults; and,
• do not represent professional educators.

Organizations with an interest in special education that do not fully meet the above criteria may apply as a Member at Large.

Meetings

SEAC meets approximately 10 times during the school year, usually on the first Wednesday of each month from 6 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Catholic Education Centre, Kitchener, ON.

How to apply

Application Form

Organizations/associations are asked to submit their applications as follows:

• Submit on letterhead the name of the individual nominated by the organization/association providing information regarding how that individual represents the interests and well-being of exceptional children and/or adults.
• Confirm they are Canadian citizens of 18 years of age, and residents of Waterloo Region.
• Similarly, provide the name of an alternative representative that may attend meetings when the representative is unable to attend.
• If your organization is applying as a Member at Large, clearly indicate that in your letter.

Applications must be received by 4:00 p.m. November 30, 2022.

Please submit by e-mail to the attention of Gerald Foran, Superintendent of Learning; Email: Gerald.Foran@wcdsb.ca