New School Coming to Cambridge

Cambridge, ON:

The Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) and Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) held a groundbreaking ceremony yesterday at the future location of the New Cambridge Joint Elementary School, at 605 Wesley Boulevard in Cambridge.

Rendering of SE Galt School.

We were joined by representatives from the Region of Waterloo, City of Cambridge, YWCA Cambridge and Ontario Education Minister, Paul Calandra, as we look forward to the new school serving WRDSB and WCDSB students, families and communities.

“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.”

“As someone who has spent a lifetime in education and community service, I know the power of collaboration to build spaces where every child feels seen, supported, and empowered to succeed,” said Maedith Radlein, Chair of the WRDSB Board of Trustees. This joint-use school shows what is possible when we work together to meet the needs of a growing and diverse community.”

“Today marks a new chapter for elementary school construction in Waterloo Region as we begin the joint school build in South East Galt,” said Renée Kraft, Chair of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board. “We are excited to take part in this inspiring partnership with the Waterloo Region District School Board. This milestone stands as a strong example of how collaboration and a shared vision can serve the greater good of our community. Together, we will work to create a space that honours the unique values and traditions of each board, and supports WCDSB’s vision: success for each, a place for all.”

Photo from the October 2024 land acknowledgement and blessing ceremony.

Designed by J.P. Thomson Architects Ltd, a full-service architectural firm located in Ontario, the project represents the first joint use elementary school in Waterloo Region and is an effort to combine our resources to maximize our ability to better serve the Cambridge community. The new design will feature shared gymnasiums and library spaces, a purpose-built child care centre, and a remarkable steel truss feature at the main entrance. Inspired by the historic bridges that span the Grand River, the truss symbolizes the connection between the two school boards and reflects the local architectural heritage.

“This groundbreaking marks more than the beginning of a new school building – it represents a commitment to collaboration, innovation, and the future of education in Cambridge,” said Scott Miller, Director of Education for the WRDSB. “Together with our partners at the WCDSB, we are creating a space where students will thrive, families will feel welcomed, and our community will grow stronger.”

Left to right: Trustee Robert Sikora, Director Tyrone Dowling, Vice-Chair Tracey Weiler, Trustee David Guerin and Trustee Kathy Doherty-Masters

“We are thrilled to be part of this joint venture, which speaks to the spirit of collaboration and community that defines our region,” said Tyrone Dowling, Director of Education for the Waterloo Catholic District School Board. “This project reflects our shared hope for the future—and our belief, grounded in faith, that when we come together, we can build learning spaces where every student feels a deep sense of belonging, purpose, and possibility. We’re grateful to our partners at the Waterloo Region District School Board and look forward to opening the doors in September 2026.”

As construction continues, the New Cambridge Joint Elementary Schools will also receive names, in accordance with WRDSB and WCDSB policies.

About the New Cambridge Joint Elementary Schools
The New Cambridge Joint Elementary Schools, located at 605 Wesley Blvd in Cambridge. The school will provide:

• 519 new elementary school spaces for WRDSB students
• 354 new elementary school spaces for WCDSB students
• 88 licensed child-care spaces

The school is tentatively scheduled to open in September 2026.

About the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB)
Waterloo Region District School Board serves more than 65,000 students in 122 schools and alternative and continuing education sites. Our school district partners with staff, families and caregivers to build students’ confidence and success in learning and in life.

About the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB)
The Waterloo Catholic District School Board is the sixth largest Catholic school board in Ontario, proudly serving students and families across the Region of Waterloo. The board oversees 45 elementary schools, five secondary schools, an alternative education high school, and an Adult and Continuing Education program supporting more than 13,500 learners. With roots dating back to 1836, WCDSB continues a long-standing tradition of faith-based education in the community.

Reminder: Share Your Voice in WCDSB’s Strategic Planning 

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) is preparing for the future—and we want to hear from you. 

As we reflect on our current Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP) (2022–2025), we’re also beginning the process of developing a new plan to guide our priorities moving forward. To support both reflection and renewal, we’re inviting staff, families, caregivers, and community members to complete a short survey. 

Take the survey here: WCDSB MYSP Feedback Survey
The survey is open until May 23, 2025, and takes just 10–15 minutes to complete. 

Your feedback will:

• Help us assess the impact of our current plan
• Identify what matters most to our community
• Shape the next MYSP to reflect shared values and emerging needs 

All responses are anonymous and will be reviewed to identify key themes for the Board of Trustees and senior leadership. 

If you have questions, need support, or would like to request a translated version, please contact research@wcdsb.ca. 

Thank you for helping us build a stronger, more inclusive future for Catholic education in Waterloo Region. 

We’re pleased to confirm that St. Mary’s High School will reopen for in-person learning on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

Following the school’s temporary closure due to a confirmed case of measles, Region of Waterloo Public Health has worked closely with WCDSB staff to complete a thorough review of immunization records. This process required significant time, care and coordination, including dedicated efforts over the weekend.

We sincerely thank the staff at St. Mary’s and our partners at Region of Waterloo Public Health for their responsiveness and commitment to student and community safety.

We are sharing an important update on behalf of Region of Waterloo Public Health (“Public Health”) regarding a confirmed case of measles at St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School. The case has resulted in exposures at the school on May 8, 2025. 

Out of an abundance of caution and to allow time for Public Health to complete necessary vaccination verification and help prevent further spread of the virus, St. Mary’s will be closed on Friday, May 16. 

Next Steps for Students and Families 

Public Health is contacting individuals who may have been exposed and will advise them of the required next steps. We are working closely with Public Health to ensure infection prevention measures are in place and that the school community is supported. 

To learn more about measles, please visit the Region of Waterloo Public Health website. 

Questions? 

If you have any questions about this exposure, please contact Region of Waterloo Public Health directly:
• Website: Region of Waterloo Public Health 

Continuing Learning During the Closure 

While the school is closed, students are encouraged to stay engaged by reviewing recent lessons, catching up on assigned work, or exploring learning activities that reinforce key concepts. Educators will continue to support student learning as needed during this time. 

We appreciate your understanding and partnership as we work together to keep our school community safe. 

We are proud to share that Chris Demers, Chief Information Officer at WCDSB, has been awarded the McCordic Award. This award is the highest honour a school business official can receive in Ontario and was presented at this year’s Annual Conference of the Ontario Association of School Business Officials (OASBO).

The McCordic Award is presented in recognition of an outstanding contribution to the services of school business over a number of years. Chris’s leadership in promoting collaboration and innovation across the province is well known, and his work has had a lasting impact. Among his many achievements, Chris championed the adoption of a common student management system for school boards in Ontario—an initiative that has saved boards millions of dollars and streamlined Ministry of Education reporting.

Chris, we are incredibly proud of you and grateful to have had you on our team. Congratulations on this well-deserved honour!

This week, students at St. Daniel Catholic Elementary School rolled up their sleeves and got their hands dirty—literally—for a greener tomorrow. With the generous support of volunteers from the Grand Valley Construction Association and Sustainable Waterloo Region, the schoolyard is now home to a newly planted microforest.

Microforests are small plots of land restored to a natural state through the planting of native trees and shrubs. Though they can be as compact as a city lot, their ecological and social benefits are anything but small. These tiny forests are powerful tools for urban greening, biodiversity, and environmental education.

Thanks to Sustainable Waterloo Region’s contributions, including the trees themselves, students from every classroom had the opportunity to participate in this hands-on learning experience. Throughout the morning, they took turns planting seedlings, spreading mulch, watering, and tidying the area. Along the way, they learned about the role trees play in protecting the planet and the care required to help them thrive.

In total, 100 native trees and shrubs were planted as part of the project. This included 15 red maples, 20 sugar maples, 20 trembling aspens, 15 white birches, and 30 redbud shrubs—each chosen for their ability to thrive in our local environment and contribute to a healthy, diverse ecosystem.

Volunteers reminded students that, just like them, young trees need daily care and attention to grow strong. Inspired by this message, students have committed to watering the microforest on sunny days, playing a key role in helping it take root and grow strong.

We are deeply grateful to Sustainable Waterloo Region and the Grand Valley Construction Association for making this meaningful project possible.

Thanks to their partnership, St. Daniel’s students have planted more than trees—they’ve planted hope for a brighter, greener future.

Committee of the Whole Meeting: Monday, May 12, 2025 @ 6:00 p.m. – Agenda: 2025-05-12_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…”.)

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) is committed to being the Heart of the Community, providing Success for Each and A Place for All. As we reflect on the implementation of our current Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP) (2022–2025), we are also beginning the important work of developing a new plan to guide our priorities in the years ahead.

We are inviting staff, parents, guardians, caregivers and community members to complete a single, combined survey that will support both reflection and renewal. This survey includes two parts:

• Part One assesses our progress on the current MYSP (2022–2025)
• Part Two gathers input to help shape our next MYSP for 2025 and beyond

Why Your Input Matters

Your feedback will help us:

• Evaluate the impact of our current MYSP
• Identify emerging priorities and shared values
• Develop a renewed strategic plan that reflects the needs and aspirations of the WCDSB community

Survey responses will be reviewed to identify key themes that will support recommendations and decision-making by the Board of Trustees and senior leadership.

Survey Details

• Open from: May 1 to May 23, 2025
• Estimated time to complete: 10–15 minutes
• Who may participate: Parents/guardians, caregivers, Trustees, Parish members, Faith-based partners, and community members (one response per person)
• Participation: Voluntary and anonymous

You may exit the survey at any time. Responses are not connected to your name or school, and you will not be asked to provide any identifying information. Please do not include the names of individuals in your responses. Once submitted, responses cannot be changed.

All responses will be compiled into a summary report. To protect privacy, results will be shared in aggregate only, and small groups (fewer than 10 participants) will not be identified in any reporting.

The survey is administered by WCDSB in alignment with the Education Act, Section 169.1, and in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA s.28(2)) to support the development of our MYSP. The results will be analyzed by facilitators at Maximum City and reported in summary form to the Board of Trustees and senior staff.

Access the survey here: WCDSB MYSP Feedback Survey

If you have any questions, require assistance completing the survey, or would like to request a translated version, please contact: research@wcdsb.ca.

Thank you for taking the time to contribute to this important process. Your voice will help guide the next chapter of Catholic education in Waterloo Region—one rooted in faith, equity, and excellence.