Waterloo Region, ON — Trustees of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board have received the Board’s $292.1 million 2018-19 school year budget. The budget vote is scheduled for 6 p.m., Monday, June 18, 2018.

The 2018-19 budget anticipates enrolment will continue to increase in both elementary and secondary schools in the upcoming year. This increased enrolment, along with a number of targeted provincial investments and funding for provincially-negotiated labour agreements, accounts for the significant year-over-year funding change for the Board. The planned expenditures are based on the Ontario Government’s Grants for Student Needs, and incorporate the aforementioned investments, along with new funding to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and continued supports to reach provincial student achievement goals.

Quick Facts

* The overall budget is as follows:

o Total Operating: $273.3 M (+ $20.7 million)

o Total Capital: $188 M (- $0.4 million)

o Total Operating & Capital: $292.1 M (+ $20.3 million)

* Key focus areas of the budget include:

o Ensuring students with special needs continue to receive the support and assistance they need to succeed. To that end, the proposed budget builds on the complement of workers established in the 2017-18 school year, by adding a new multi-disciplinary team of experts and other support workers focused on special education.

o Ensuring instructional practices support high levels of achievement.  New instructional coaches have been added to the budget. These specialized staff will support the use of best practices in schools across the Region.

o Earlier identification of graduation and career pathways for students. A new team of guidance counsellors has been added to assist with this goal, and will work with students starting in Grade 7.

o Ensuring our newcomers are supported as they transition into our school system. Additional ESL teachers have been included in the budget to assist with this important integration process.

o Increasing levels of technology in schools, as well as replacing old hardware, to ensure students can compete in an ever-changing world, following graduation.

* During the coming fiscal year, the board will closely monitor areas of pressure and create further alignment between risk areas and available funding. The budget plan aligns with the priorities identified for the next generation of the Multi-year Strategic Plan, which will be launched in the fall of 2018.

* The budget package presented to the Board of Trustees carries on an established staff practice of presenting the board’s financial information in a transparent and easily understandable format. Last year — for the sixth consecutive year — the board received the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) Meritorious Budget Award (MBA) for excellence in presentation of the 2017-18 school year budget. The WCDSB is the only school board in Ontario to receive this prestigious award.

Quotes

“While our enrolment continues to grow — increasing by an average of 3% per year over the past four years — with growth comes a need for additional teaching staff, learning resources, technology investments, and a carefully managed approach to adding temporary accommodations at many of our schools. This is challenging, and I am very pleased to report that the proposed budget is balanced, meets all legislative and regulatory requirements, fulfills contractual obligations, and addresses local priorities in the areas of improving graduation rates, encouraging well-being for students and staff, implementing a new pastoral plan, promoting equity throughout the system, ensuring ongoing investment in 21st century technologies, and promoting global competencies for students.”

~~ Shesh Maharaj, Chief Financial Officer

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board, representing more than 96,000 Catholic school supporters, operates 49 schools and five adult education facilities, serving more than 40,000 elementary, secondary and continuing education students in Waterloo Region — continuing a 182-year tradition of quality, inclusive, faith-based education. Follow us on Twitter: @WCDSBNewswire – #WCDSBAwesome.

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For more information, please contact:

Shesh Maharaj — Chief Financial Officer

(519) 578-3660 | Shesh.Maharaj@wcdsb.ca

On Wednesday, June 20, 2018, the St. Francis CES school community – past and present – will gather one final time to celebrate the school’s 50-year legacy. All are welcome to attend.

Meetings

Committee of the Whole Board: Monday, May 14, 2018 – Meeting Agenda Package

Public Board Meeting: Monday, May 28, 2018 — Meeting Agenda Package

Highlights

Renewed Math Strategy Update

In a previous report, the Board of Trustees was made aware of the capacity-building priorities for 2017-2018, rooted in Ontario’s Renewed Mathematics Strategy (RMS). The report presented to the Board on May 14, provides an update on the implementation of the RMS in WCDSB schools January. The collaborative efforts of educators in the WCDSB ensure the six components of Ontario’s Renewed Mathematics Strategy are fully realized, and continue to show growth in measurable ways. A number of success stories are highlighted in the report.

Moving forward, the WCDSB’s Renewed Math Strategy will support staff to:

• Continue to build capacity with Elementary Math Lead Teachers, and leverage this learning to support whole school capacity in mathematics
• Deepen an understanding of the intentional intersection of content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge and technological knowledge to maximize student learning and achievement
• Continue to seek opportunities for Elementary Math Lead Teachers to build whole school capacity at their school sites
• Continue to explore in secondary schools how observations and conversations can be used to triangulate student achievement data
• Continue our intentional attention to building cross-panel professional relationships and improving our understanding of big ideas within the continuum.

The full report is provided on pages 19-26 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

School Travel Planner Update

Local governments — including school boards — have identified traffic flows around school sites to be problematic in the areas of congestion, parking, and pedestrian safety. Practices to manage traffic flows vary by school and by school board. It was agreed that a plan to address these issues was important, and that all stakeholders held some responsibility in this area.

The School Travel Planner has been in place now for two years and has been a very welcomed addition and support to all participating partners in the Region. The partners are:

• Waterloo Catholic District School Board
• Waterloo Region District School Board
• City of Kitchener
• City of Cambridge
• City of Waterloo

The Province, through Green Communities Canada, has taken great interest in the way Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region (STSWR) has rolled out the school travel planning program. Green Communities Canada has agreed to fund additional positions at STSWR in hopes of identifying a sustainable and effective model for other school boards and municipalities to follow as they embark upon active school travel programs.

Another exciting initiative being undertaken by the Waterloo Catholic District School Board is a system-wide refresh of bike racks, scooter racks, and storage for skateboards. It is hoped that these types of initiatives will remove barriers for active travel to school. More details will follow on this initiative as the project unfolds in the coming months.

Special Education Plan Update

In accordance with Ontario Regulation 306, the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) is required, every two years, to prepare and approve a report on the special education programs and special education services provided by WCDSB, and to submit it to the ministry. Each board is required to maintain a special education plan, to review it annually, to amend it from time to time to meet the current needs of students with special needs, and to submit any amendment(s) to the Minister for review.

One of the purposes of a school board’s Special Education Plan is to inform the Ministry of Education and the public about special education programs and services that are provided by the board in accordance with legislation and ministry policy on special education.

WCDSB builds capacity, skills and knowledge in educators to ensure that high quality programs and services are provided for our students. The Special Education Liaisons (SELs), the Chief Social Worker, Principal of Special Education and Senior Manager of Student Services play a pivotal role in building capacity with educators in our community who have the most contact with our highest needs students.

We are continuing to foster a system of inclusion that nurtures the whole student, ensuring wellness across their development; spiritually, emotionally, socially, physically as well as academically.

In compliance with Ministry priorities, the WCDSB Multi Year Strategic Plan (MYSP) and the WCDSB Board Improvement Plan for Student Achievement (BIPSA), students with an Individual Education Plan (IEP) — particularly students with a learning disability — has been a focus for professional development for our WCDSB staff. Building independence and resiliency in our students continues to be a priority to ensure positive outcomes for our students, so they are contributing and caring citizens upon graduation from WCDSB.

To read the full report, please visit pages 10-38 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Energy Conservation Plan

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board has a long history of environmental protection and awareness, and of innovative action toward sustainable operations. The Board’s collective dedication for creating a better future for its students, staff, and community members stems from a deep appreciation of God’s world. WCDSB conservation measures to date are a broad sweep of inspirational ideas. The way in which these initiatives have been adopted and supported across the Board is a direct result of the Board’s successful history and optimism for the future. While these strategies have provided excellent resources for staff, if we are to truly “live our mission” then green thinking must be woven throughout all future planning and day-to-day operations. An action-based, goal-oriented Energy and Environmental Plan is needed.

The WCDSB Energy Conservation and Demand Management Report is written to satisfy legislative requirements as they relate to energy conservation, local commitments made to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), a need to address budget pressures and the current state of our environment — supporting the creation of a sustainable future for younger generations, and in the context of the requirements contained in the Multi-Year Strategic Plan.

WCDSB is actively addressing long-term sustainability in the following key areas: Energy & Water; Purchasing & Waste; Buildings & Grounds; Food & Drink; Inclusion & Participation; and Local Well- Being. This is in keeping with the guidance of Pope Francis in his historic encyclical, Laudato Si’ – OnCare for our Common Home, as well as WCDSB’s own mission and vision.

In 2017, the Board’s Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan was rewritten to align with the requirements of Ontario Regulation 397/11. The Regulation requires boards to publish data on energy conservation practices, and to set targets and a plan for energy management and usage reduction. WCDSB’s plan is updated annually, to reflect energy-conservation related work that has been completed, newly planned work, and to refresh tables that show annual spending.

To read the full report, please visit pages 39-72 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

For further information regarding the Board’s commitment to environmental education, stewardship and sustainability, please visit the WCDSB EcoZone.

Student Trustees Report

Student Trustees Kate Jamieson and Meghan Nemeth presented their monthly report on activities in WCDSB’s secondary schools – with special emphasis on Catholic Education Week, and the annual election of secondary school co-presidents. Their full report is available on pages 81-82 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Upcoming Board Meetings

Special Public Board Meeting: Monday, June 4, 2018

Regular Public Board Meeting: Monday, June 18, 2018

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board, representing more than 96,000 Catholic school supporters, operates 49 schools and four adult education facilities, serving more than 40,000 elementary, secondary and continuing education students in Waterloo Region – continuing a 182-year tradition of quality, inclusive, faith-based education. Follow us on Twitter: @WCDSBNewswire – #WCDSBAwesome.

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For more information, please contact:

John Shewchuk – Chief Managing Officer | (519) 578-3660 | john.shewchuk@wcdsb.ca

It’s very true when we say our #WCDSBAwesome @WCDSBNewswire schools “welcome the world”!

Two years ago, Maroush was a newly-arrived government assisted refugee at Reception House Waterloo Region. On May 29, 2018, she and her St. David CSS project partner Shealynn, presented their $5,000 Youth Philanthropy Initiative Award (YPI) to Reception House!

Every year, our WCDSB Newcomer Reception Centre (@WCDSBNewcomer) welcomes dozens and dozens of newcomer students into our #HeartOfTheCommunity school system. Much of that work is done in partnership with Reception House.

The Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) grants hundreds of thousands of dollars to community-based social service charities each year — 100% decided by thousands of high school students in the program’s school-based philanthropy project. YPI is offered free of charge to secondary schools, with one major enrolment requirement: it must be provided inclusively to all students across a grade level, as a marked project within any mandatory course. YPI currently works with secondary schools in Canada, Scotland, New York City and Northern Ireland.

The annual Links FORE Learning Golf Classic is one of the signature events each year for the Waterloo Region Catholic Schools Foundation. This year’s tournament on Thursday, August 23 at the Conestoga Golf & Country Club, marks the 17 annual edition of this not-to-be missed WCDSB gathering.

CLICK HERE for the registration form.

Proceeds from the tournament help the Foundation fund activities in its three focus areas:

• supporting program enhancements important to our Catholic education community but no longer viable through Government funding
• supporting equity and opportunity for all our learners
• supporting the Faith component of Catholic education

Waterloo Region, ON – Nine Waterloo Catholic District School Board schools have been awarded “Healthy Schools” certifications by the Ontario Physical and Health Education Association (OPHEA). Four WCDSB schools received Healthy Schools certifications in 2016-17.

GOLD LEVEL

• St. Benedict CSS
• Resurrection CSS
• St. Joseph CES
• St. Elizabeth CES

SILVER LEVEL

• St. David CSS
• Holy Rosary CES
• St. Margaret of Scotland CES
• St. Nicholas CES
• St. Michael CES

Quick Facts

• Participating schools across Ontario completed the 6-Step Healthy Schools Process, which aligns with the Ministry of Education’s Foundations for a Healthy School This process guides a school community through planning and implementation of a range of activities for a selected priority health topic. The process is annual, repeating each school year, and flexible for all communities across Ontario to sustain year over year. School teams focus on one of the following six health topics:
  • Physical Activity
  • Healthy Eating
  • Personal Safety and Injury Prevention
  • Growth and Development
  • Mental Health
  • Substance Use, Addictions and Related Behaviours

While a healthy school community aims to promote health in all six of the interconnected health topics, selecting a priority health topic based on each school community’s needs and assets helps focus the work of the school team. By focusing on one health topic comprehensively across as many of the five Foundations for a Healthy School areas as possible, schools are better positioned to have a deeper impact on their broader school communities.

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board, representing more than 96,000 Catholic school supporters, operates 49 schools and five adult education facilities, serving more than 40,000 elementary, secondary and continuing education students in Waterloo Region – continuing a 182-year tradition of quality, inclusive, faith-based education. Follow us on Twitter: @WCDSBNewswire – #WCDSBAwesome.

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For more information, please contact:

John Shewchuk – Chief Managing Officer

(519) 578-3660 | john.shewchuk@wcdsb.ca