The Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) Club at St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School continues to shine bright, spreading joy and compassion across our community. On Friday, March 28, 2025, 50 enthusiastic students took their mission of kindness to Kitchener’s Fairview Park Mall — and they made a beautiful impact.

Armed with roses, sweet treats, and heartfelt tags that read “You’ve been touched by a random act of kindness — pass it on,” students approached shoppers, staff, and passersby with one simple goal: to brighten someone’s day.

And brighten they did — over 800 people were surprised with a smile, a treat, and a moment of connection. Many recipients shared how much they needed that small gesture, reminding us all how powerful kindness can be.

“Our hope is to brighten the day of members of our community, while encouraging others to pass on kindness,” said teacher and club leader Shawna Kropf. “We are hoping it creates a little kindness movement in our region, and the students are very excited about it.”

The success of this initiative is a testament to the compassionate leadership of teachers Shawna Kropf, Karen Drummond, Katarina Luke, and Jessica Srouji. Bright lights in both the St. Mary’s and WCDSB communities, they continue to inspire a new generation of changemakers.

To the students of the RAK Club and to the educators who lead it — thank you. You’re showing us that when kindness is shared, it multiplies. And right now, the world could use more of it.

Dear WCDSB community,

We wish to inform you that Robert Sikora has stepped down from his role as Chair of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, effective immediately. He will continue to serve as a Trustee.

In the interim, Vice-Chair Linda Cuff will serve as Acting Chair until a new Chair is elected.

A Special Board Meeting has been scheduled for April 14, 2025. At that time, Trustees will follow the procedures outlined in the Board’s by-laws to elect a new Chair.

We thank Mr. Sikora for his service and leadership.

Sincerely,

Linda Cuff, Acting Chair, Waterloo Catholic District School Board
Tyrone Dowling, Director of Education, Waterloo Catholic District School Board

Board of Trustees Meeting: Monday, March 24, 2025 @ 6:00 p.m. – Agenda: 2025-03-24_Board-of-Trustee Agenda

Location:  1st floor Board Room, Catholic Education Centre, 35 Weber Street, Kitchener

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On Ash Wednesday, secondary students from St. Mary’s High School, St. Benedict’s, Monsignor Doyle, Resurrection, and St. David’s gathered in Hamilton for a special Ash Wednesday Mass with Bishop Crosby.

As the beginning of Lent marks a time of prayer, reflection, and service, it was fitting that these young people were given the opportunity to deepen their faith and commitment to others. During the Mass, students were commissioned to be prophets of hope, answering the call to bring light and inspiration to their schools and communities during this Jubilee Year.

A highlight of the day was the presentation of the School Board Pilgrimage Cross, which now stands in the Catholic Education Centre as a powerful symbol of hope for both the Church and the world. This cross serves as a reminder of the role our students play in spreading kindness, compassion, and faith throughout their Lenten journey and beyond.

A passion for photography and a keen eye for nature have earned Simon Daub, a Grade 12 student at St. David Catholic Secondary School, a national award in the EcoSchools Canada 2023-24 Bondar Challenge.

Simon’s winning photograph, Make Way for Goslings, was taken at Lakeside Park in Kitchener, a spot he and his mother frequently visit to capture images of wildlife. Determined to get the perfect shot, Simon got low to the ground and spent 30 minutes observing and photographing the young goslings. The result? A stunning image that tells a simple but meaningful story about the individuality of each bird.

“One of my favourite parts of this photo is how every gosling has its own personality—some walking in a line while one confidently leads the group,” Simon explains. “I love the simplicity of the shot and how it highlights the goslings. If I could change one thing, I might have captured them in grass to add even more of nature’s beauty to the frame.”

Simon’s photo and artist’s statement are featured on the Bondar Challenge webpage, highlighting his talent among student photographers across Canada.

The Bondar Challenge, inspired by Dr. Roberta Bondar, Canada’s first female astronaut and an accomplished fine art photographer, encourages students aged 11-18 to explore nature through photography and videography.

This opportunity was introduced to St. David students thanks to EcoSchool teacher mentors Lauren Randall and Kristen Dietrich, who alerted Photography teacher Will Knapp about the competition. Mr. Knapp encouraged students to submit their work, earning St. David EcoSchools points for their participation. Given the success and enthusiasm from students, St. David will be participating again next year.

Simon’s achievement is a testament to his dedication to photography and his passion for capturing nature’s beauty. Congratulations, Simon!

The Bondar Challenge 2024-25 is now open for submissions! Learn more and enter here: The Bondar Challenge | EcoSchools Canada

We are pleased to announce the initiation of the Southeast Galt Boundary Review, which aims to establish the attendance boundary for the new Southeast Galt Catholic elementary school, planned to open in September 2026. This review will also consider adjustments to the boundaries of Holy Spirit Catholic Elementary School (CES), St. Anne (C) CES and St. Vincent de Paul CES, to accommodate the new school and manage enrolment pressures.

Public Input Opportunities:

We value the input of our school communities and invite you to participate in the boundary review process. Here are the key dates and ways you can get involved:

1. Email Feedback:
   • Dates: March 5, 2025 – May 26, 2025
   • Email: SoutheastGalt@wcdsb.ca
   • Details: Send your comments and suggestions to our dedicated email address.
2. Online Public Engagement Survey:
   • Dates: March 5, 2025 – April 11, 2025
   • Details: Share your feedback through our online survey, which will be available on our dedicated boundary review webpage.
3. Catholic School Advisory Committee (CSAC) Meetings:
   • St. Anne (C) CES School Community: Wednesday, March 19, 2025
   • Holy Spirit CES School Community: Tuesday, March 25, 2025
   • St. Vincent de Pau CES School Community: Tuesday, March 25, 2025
   • Details: Planning staff will present the Initial Boundary Review Report and gather input from the school communities.
4. Drop-In Open House:
   • Date: Tues. April 9, 2025, 4-8pm, Monsignor Doyle CSS Cafeteria, 185 Myers Rd, Cambridge
   • Details: Join us for a drop-in open house where information in the Initial Boundary Review Report will be available, and feedback will be solicited from school communities. This is an opportunity to ask questions and provide input directly to staff.

We encourage members of the school community to participate in this important process. Your input is important in helping us create a boundary plan that best meets the needs of our students and families.

For more information, please visit the Southeast Galt boundary review webpage https://www.wcdsb.ca/about-us/accommodations/southeast-galt-boundary-review/ or contact us at the email address provided above.

Thank you for your engagement and support.

On Pink Shirt Day, schools across the Waterloo Catholic District School Board embraced unique and meaningful ways to take a stand against bullying and promote kindness, love, and acceptance. At St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Elementary School, the youngest students led by example, proving that kindness knows no age.

The Kindergarten Kindness Art Gallery was a vibrant and joyful celebration of creativity and compassion. The classroom was transformed into a colourful showcase of heart-filled paintings, carefully decorated kindness rocks, and imaginative plasticine and stick creations. Kindness chains dangled from the doorway, representing the bonds we build through caring actions. Every piece was unique, reflecting the young artists’ understanding of kindness and how even small actions can make a big difference.

Excitement filled the air as the kindergarteners proudly presented their work. Older students visited the gallery, pausing to admire the thoughtful creations and share words of encouragement. The kindergarteners enthusiastically took on the role of tour guides, pointing out their masterpieces and explaining what kindness meant to them. Seeing their confidence and pride grow throughout the day was truly heartwarming.

More than just an art display, the Kindergarten Kindness Art Gallery was a reminder of the power of kindness and creativity. It brought the school community together, inspiring students of all ages to share kindness in their own ways.

A special thank you to Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Khani, Mrs. Salek, and Mrs. Brubacher for guiding our youngest learners on this beautiful journey of kindness!

Special Board of Trustees Meeting: Monday, March 3, 2025 @ 6:00 p.m. – Agenda: 2025-03-03_Special-Board-of-Trustee_Agenda

Committee of the Whole Meeting: Monday, March 3, 2025 to follow Special Board meeting – Agenda: 2025-03-03_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…”.)