NewsWire Archives - Waterloo Catholic District School Board

Child and Youth Care Worker, Educational Assistant & Personal Support Worker Appreciation Day

To help every student realize their full potential to transform God’s world, we depend on the support and guidance of parents and caregivers, and of every staff member that touches the lives of our students.

Supporting student independence to graduation is an important component within our inclusive education model at the Waterloo Catholic District School Board. It is vital for our students to learn independent skills, to interact socially and engage with their peers, and to receive intellectual growth opportunities so that they may reach their highest level of God-given potential.

Today, we at WCDSB would like to recognize some of those staff members that work with our students who receive this support throughout their learning journey at WCDSB.

Today, we celebrate the Educational Assistant, the Personal Support Worker, and the Child and Youth Care Worker with an Appreciation Day to recognize their contributions and endless efforts to support the needs of our learners.

Whether the need be academic, social, emotional, or behavioural, the EA, PSW, and CYCW are there to support and to commit themselves to the needs of all.

We are partnering with CUPE Local 2512, to initiate and mark a day of appreciation for these skilled people who with their skill, knowledge, and expertise make our organization a stronger and better place for our students to thrive.

We encourage you to join our WCDSB community in showing your appreciation for this important employee group.

wcdsbcmo2019-01-18T09:45:22+00:00January 18th, 2019|

Registrations Now Open for ARTrageous!

ARTrageous!

All epic artists have been ARTrageous in their own time. Grade 7&8 Students will be inspired to create, plan and explore their own unique style during the two day program. Register online by Friday Jan 25th http://bit.ly/wcdsbartrageous

wcdsbcmo2019-01-17T13:35:28+00:00January 17th, 2019|

New WCDSB Multi-Year Strategic Plan

The new 2018-2021 WCDSB Multi-Year Strategic Plan was presented to the Board of Trustees on Monday, January 14, 2019.

The work of developing this Strategic Plan commenced in the spring of 2018, under the direction of the Board of Trustees, at which time stakeholders were engaged in a survey that asked them to reflect both on the current MYSP and their vision for our priorities going forward. This plan has been positioned as an extension of the 2015-2018 plan and finds its roots in that work. The Strategic Priorities identified by the previous Board of Trustees have remained core to this document, but the two Strategic Directions for each priority and the corresponding goals represent new work and visioning. An Executive Summary of the plan is available by clicking HERE.

In the fall of 2018 the Senior Team worked with the above framework to develop the comprehensive new MYSP. A significant debt is owed to the Senior Team who worked diligently to ensure that priorities and goals were responsive, and would propel the board forward. Further consultation took place with stakeholders in the early fall to inform the refinement of that work and all administrators were given the opportunity for final feedback before the plan was finalized.

Our sincerest thanks to everyone who has had a contributing voice in the development of our new 2018-2021 Waterloo Catholic District School Board Multi-Year Strategic Plan: Living in Faith. We believe it will provide us the direction and the framework to guide our Board forward as one of the true leaders and innovators in Catholic Education in the world.

Loretta Notten, Director of Education Bill Conway, Chair of the Board

wcdsbcmo2019-01-15T10:31:30+00:00January 15th, 2019|

French Immersion Registration online January 7-31

Attention all Senior Kindergarten Parents and Guardians,

This is a reminder that registration for the French Immersion lottery will be open from January 7-31, 2019. Interested families may register on the WCDSB website:
https://www.wcdsb.ca/programs-and-services/fsl/

If you have not had an opportunity to attend one of the French Immersion Parent Information Meetings, the final one will be held at St David CSS. 4 High St. Waterloo, on Monday January 14 from 6-7pm.

wcdsbadmin2019-01-02T12:33:26+00:00January 2nd, 2019|

Special Christmas Message from the Director of Education

“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” – Matthew 1:23

As we prepare to go our separate ways, we anticipate all the moments which so characterize this season and which make us feel more in relationship with those we love. As we journey to Bethlehem, I offer thanks for the year we have had, and in particular, for opening months of our 2018-19 school year. There is so much that makes the various people who make up our board unique, and yet we are all held together by one remarkable thread – our support and advocacy for the children and schools we serve, and our faith which guides us.

As Director I have a privileged position to see a wide breadth of the goodness that happens in our board. Consistently I am amazed by the gestures large and small that make such a difference to so many. Whether it be through a thoughtful act for just one child in a challenging spot, to a school-wide charitable event, to dedication to extra-curriculars or support of our fellow colleagues. You live out our vision, acting as the hands, feet and heart of Jesus in our various WCDSB communities.

A true highlight of the past year was our grounding in the new pastoral letter Renewing the Promise which has become a foundational cornerstone for our work in Catholic education, and specifically here at WCDSB. As I reflected upon that I took pride in how strongly we reflect “a community that builds relationships”. There are those we know who are suffering due to loss or personal circumstance, but we find ways to hold these people “in the palm of our hand”. We create moments for families, empower children and youth, find the face of Jesus in those we serve and we make a difference. Many will know a happy Christmas because of your efforts.

In the New Year we will transition from our current Pastoral Plan and Year of Faith to our new Pastoral Plan and The Year of Belonging. The journey of the cross, which has been exemplified by the Pilgrimage Cross these past 14 months, begins with the nativity and now we slow our pace to remember the greatest gift ever given. The promise of new hope and all that is possible. We are called to belong to a community that forms joyful disciples – called to bear witness to the Good News.

So as we embark on this time with family and friends, let us not forget the reason for this season. Inundated with visits to make, gifts to wrap, parking spots to be had, decorations to perfect, dishes to prepare, then wash, and credit card balances that often leave an imbalance in our own lives, let us do our best to remember the hope, peace, joy and love that the season is really all about.

We are a system with a difference and as we hasten toward the manger, let us quiet our hearts and open our minds to the joy that is Christmas, to the simple pleasures that delight and to the miracles of the season. If we do so, perhaps we will be fortunate to return in 2019 with a renewed spirit, called to our vocation of service and faith formation.

May we look to forward to 2019 with anticipation and hope. May it bring a year of health, happiness, wisdom and peace. On behalf of the senior team, may each of you encounter the love of the Christ Child now and throughout the coming year.

Sincerely,

Loretta Notten
Director of Education

wcdsbadmin2018-12-21T11:01:13+00:00December 21st, 2018|