Message from the Minister of Education
Please click HERE to read a special back-to-school message from the Minister of Education.
Catholic Board Elects Two New Trustees
Trustees of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board have elected Shannon Nash and Hans Roach to fill two vacant seats on the Board of Trustees, representing Kitchener/Wilmot. The election was held during a public meeting on Monday, August 30, 2021 at the Waterloo Region Catholic Education Centre.
There were 19 registered candidates.
Under the Education Act, when a trustee vacancy occurs, the Board of Trustees must undertake a process to identify a qualified person to serve the remainder of the former Trustee’s current term of office. The Board of Trustees has traditionally used a candidate application / interview process to fill vacant seats.
The students, staff and Trustees congratulate new Trustees Nash and Roach, and thank all those who applied to serve our Catholic schools.
WCDSB COVID-19 Operational Guidelines & Updated Daily School & Child Care Screening
As we get ready to head back to school, we are truly looking forward to a year that allows us to embrace a renewed love of learning, within our faith-based communities.
We remain very grateful for your continued support as we navigate life in the COVID-19 era, and remain ready and willing to assist you as we transition back to what will undoubtedly be a #WCDSBAwesome year!
Please review our full Operational Guidelines to ensure you understand how we are ensuring a safe and happy return to school.
In addition, please be aware of the ongoing expectation that all students, staff and visitors are expected to each day complete the required provincial government COVID-19 Daily Screener online, or download and print a hard copy for daily reference.
List of Candidates to Fill WCDSB Trustee Vacancies
The next meeting of the Board of Trustees (Committee of the Whole) is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. — Monday, August 30, 2021 at the Waterloo Region Catholic Education Centre (35 Weber St. W., Unit A, Kitchener, ON – Boardroom (1st Floor) – Sitting room only due to COVID-19 restrictions).
The purpose of the meeting is to hear presentations by candidates registered to fill two vacant seats on the Board of Trustees, representing Kitchener/Wilmot.
The meeting will be immediately followed by a special meeting of the Board of Trustees, at which the Board will elect the two new Trustees.
The candidates for the vacant Trustee seats are listed in alphabetical order, below.
| First Name | Last Name |
| Wendy | Ashby |
| Vincent | Carere |
| Joseph | Devasia |
| Kathy | Doherty-Masters |
| Mac | Graham |
| Roach | Hans |
| Michael | Juvatopolos |
| Renee | Kraft |
| Andrew | McAlorum |
| Iris | Miltenburg |
| Shannon | Nash |
| Ilidia | Sa Melo |
| Maxime | Salman |
| Joseph | Scarfone |
| Cheyenne | Sexton |
| Kelly | Steiss |
| Bernadette | Vanspall |
| Valerie | Vaz |
| Jon | Zagaja |
Important Message from the Director of Education Re: Back-to-School Protocols
Dear WCDSB Community,
The last days of summer are winding down and we know that everyone’s thoughts have turned to the return to school. We cannot wait to welcome all our staff and students back! We hope you have had a safe, restful and enjoyable summer. This letter brings a few important updates about our return and provides a link to a much more detailed overview of our Operational Guidelines.
Return to In Person Learning
All schools will be open this September and St Isidore (our virtual school, for those who enrolled last June) will operate dedicated classes at the elementary level. We will use a hybrid model in secondary for those students who have selected online learning for this year. For our elementary students, their classroom is their main cohort, but students will be able to access specialized supports where needed. In secondary – it will be a 2 period day. Each class will be 150 minutes, with a 40 minute lunch in between.
Vaccination
On August 17th the Government of Ontario announced that they (and we by extension) will implement an immunization disclosure policy for all publicly funded school board employees and licensed child cares. For those staff who cannot attest that they are fully vaccinated, they will be completing regular testing before reporting to their school or workplace. The Chief Medical Officer of Health and Waterloo Region Public Health also strongly endorse all students ages 12 and older to access vaccination.
Masking
Students from K to 12 will continue to wear masks. An exemption form is required for any student in grades 1 to 12 who is unable to wear a mask. We will be strongly supporting this precaution, as Public Health and provincial guidance suggests that outside of vaccination, it is our best strategy to promote a healthy and safe environment for all. We ask you to work with us to support students in understanding why we wear a mask and how to do so safely. Those requesting an accommodation under the Human Rights Code should submit their exemption request to their school Principal.
Hand Hygiene and Distancing
We are pleased to share that there will be more access to resources and learning materials. We will take a cautious approach but students will be sharing more objects within their classroom and have access to our learning commons spaces (libraries), so hand hygiene and distancing will remain important practices. School staff will work with students to reinforce the strong habits that ensure a robust and safe learning environment for all.
Daily Screening
All staff and students are still required to complete daily screening, using the Ontario School Screener. The tool is being updated to reflect the new protocols and we will share it and post it in our Operational Guidelines as soon as it is available. This request is extremely important. Any individual who is symptomatic should not come to school, even if they believe it is not COVID-19.
Lockers, Lunches and Recess
- The use of lockers and cubbies will be permitted this year. Once again hand hygiene will be critical, students must be masked at all times in these areas and there is a 5 minute time limit at a locker and students should avoid congregating.
- In secondary there will be some limited use of the cafeteria for selected classes; other students will have the option to eat in their classroom or leave the school building for the lunch period. There will be no food service in the secondary cafeterias.
- Students in K-8 benefit from their breaks, activity and social time at recess. Masks do not have to be worn outside for recess, but it is always an option to do so.
Learning Kits for next year
Finally, just a short word to say that as shared last spring, we will be providing students and families from grades JK – 12 with WCDSB Learning Kits. It is a small way to ensure heath and safety, while saying to you that you matter to us! We value your faith in WCDSB and we cannot wait to welcome you back!
Please review our full Operational Guidelines to ensure you understand how we are ensuring a safe and happy return to school.
We are truly looking forward to a year that allows us to embrace a renewed love of learning, within our faith-based communities. We remain every grateful for your continued support and remain ready and willing to assist you as we transition back to what will undoubtedly be a #WCDSBAwesome year!
Sincerely
Loretta Notten
Director of Education
Upcoming WCDSB Board Meeting
The next meeting of the Board of Trustees (Committee of the Whole) is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. — Monday, August 30, 2021 at the Waterloo Region Catholic Education Centre (35 Weber St. W., Unit A, Kitchener, ON – Boardroom (1st Floor) – Sitting room only due to COVID-19 restrictions).
The purpose of the meeting is to hear presentations by candidates registered to fill two vacant seats on the Board of Trustees, representing Kitchener/Wilmot.
The meeting will be immediately followed by a special meeting of the Board of Trustees, at which the Board will elect the two new Trustees.
Agendas:
Special Board of Trustees Meeting
Other Information:
General Information About WCDSB Board Meetings
Information About the Board of Trustees
(Agenda files can be large. If you are experiencing issues downloading a file, right click on the link and choose “Save Target As…”.)
LAST CALL — Links fore Learning Golf Classic … The Tradition Continues!
The 19th Annual Links fore Learning Golf Classic … the tradition continues on Thursday, August 19, 2021, at the Conestoga Golf & Country Club.
The event is sponsored by Waterloo Region’s Catholic Schools and the Catholic Community Foundation of Waterloo Region (formerly the Waterloo Region Catholic Schools Foundation).
The programing will align with Region of Waterloo COVID-19 protocols but, be assured, this will be another exceptional, unique, experience.
The cost is still $150/golfer and registration is easy and convenient … just visit www.ccfowr.ca/news-&-updates.
For information, contact Ms. Jody Fritz, tel: 519.578.3660 ext.2373 or email: jody.fritz@wcdsb.ca.
International Languages Secondary School Credit Teacher – Japanese Language
International Languages Secondary School Credit Teacher – Japanese Language Course Codes: LKJ BD, LKJ CU, LKJ DU
St. Louis Adult Learning and Continuing Education Centre
Posting Number: AC-2021-115
The Board conducts intentional recruitment and selection as it seeks to achieve a state of greater equity for employees and students and to diversify its workforce.
All qualified applicants are welcome and encouraged to apply and applicants may choose to indicate if they are from a group who has experienced racial or social discrimination. Self-identification data will be used as a consideration in this posting. Aggregate data will be stored anonymously to support improvements to the Board’s hiring processes.
General Description of Duties:
- Deliver the secondary school international language curriculum in a classroom or virtual, face to face setting (depending on public health direction) – Japanese
- Developing course materials and curriculum content in accordance with the Ministry of Education Curriculum document for International Languages gr. 9-12: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/secondary/classiclang912curr.pdf and ensure proper planning and follow up for the academic progress of all students
- Identifying students’ individual learning needs and using a variety of instructional strategies including small group, individual, whole class, and co-operative learning experiences
- Evaluating the progress of students and discussing results with students and parents
- Creating annual reports of students’ performance and challenges, with recommendations for improvement
- Ensuring a safe academic environment conducive to learning in class and online
- Promoting positive attitudes towards, and encouraging enthusiasm for language learning
- Participating in staff meetings, educational conferences, instructor training workshops, and extracurricular cultural events and activities
- Utilize Virtual Platforms in the online teaching, if necessary, with the Google brand (specifically Meet, Docs, Slides, Forms), YouTube videos
- Create a lesson from a PowerPoint or Google slide show, add voice if you wish to send the file to students.
- Utilize Google Meets to deliver the teaching of reading story/literature, demonstration/writing, reading aloud and conversation with the students
- Engage students in communicative, real life, task-based language activities which emphasize the 3 strands of oral, reading and writing
Minimum Requirements:
- Hold a current Ontario College of Teachers Certificate of Qualification (If no candidates with an OCT apply, other candidates will be considered)
- Intermediate & Senior teaching qualifications in the credit language
- Demonstrable evidence of instructing in the credit language –Japanese
- A certification in language instruction from an accredited College or University would be an asset
Salary Level
- Certified rate $45.34 per hour plus Stat and Vacation Pay
- Uncertified rate $34.88 per hour, plus Stat and Vacation Pay
Hours of Work: September 29, 2021 – May 25, 2022 (evening classes Wed – 5:30pm- 9:00pm)
Location: Wednesday evening at Main Campus – 80 Young St, Kitchener or on line
Qualified applicants are invited to submit a resume and covering letter along with a copy of a current Ontario College of Teachers Certificate of Qualification, Practice teaching reports, Undergraduate and, if applicable, postgraduate university transcripts, Teacher Performance Appraisal (TPA) summative reports or most recent performance appraisals.
Applications will be received through Apply to Education at www.applytoeducation.com or via email at recruiting@wcdsb.ca
Please include your first and last name and the posting number (provided above) in the subject line.
In the application process, identify your qualifications and abilities, such as relevant experience to perform the duties of this job. Include your resume, covering letter and diplomas/certificates in your application.
Incomplete applications may not be considered. Further information on the application process can be found at: https://www.wcdsb.ca/careers/how-to-apply/
Applications will be accepted until: September 1, 2021
Only those candidates selected for an interview will be notified.
To request this file in large print, please email aoda@wcdsb.ca. If you require a disability related accommodation to participate the recruitment process, please contact us at (519) 578-3677, extension 2368 to discuss your needs under the Human Rights Code. Responses to inquiries will be provided within 72 hours.
At WCDSB, we are committed to respecting your privacy, and will take appropriate measures to protect any personal information you may share with us through the job application process. All personal information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and will be used to determine qualifications for employment. For more information about the Board’s Privacy Policy, please contact our Privacy Officer at 519-578-3660 Ext. 2381.
The successful candidate will be required to produce a satisfactory Criminal Background Check. For further information refer to policy APS 038 on the website of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board.
Special Message from the Waterloo Region Children and Youth Planning Table (CYPT)
An open letter to the young people, parents and those parenting in Waterloo Region:
This past year has been hard. Really hard. You have all been asked to carry so much. For some, this has meant the chance for new skills, and new interests to grow. And for many, it has meant a roller-coaster ride of emotions, struggles to make it through some days, and in some cases, grief and real loss – of family, of friends, of opportunities.
We see you. And we are in awe of all of you. We are so very grateful that you are here, just as you are, and that you are part of this community.
Young people – you are surviving a global pandemic as a child or youth! None of us adults will be able to say the same. You have wisdom and insights from this time that the rest of us will never have in the same way. You are all remarkable and hold a strength that is unique and amazing.
Parents and those parenting – some say parenting is the hardest job out there. And that was before managing a pandemic was added to the list! What you have done is amazing.
As we look ahead, even during hard times, we can’t help feeling hopeful. We have hope for a community that sees and supports the struggles that are still on your shoulders. Hope for a community that sees and celebrates all that you have achieved this past year. Hope for a community that cares deeply for our young people. Hope for the chance for adults and young people to work together. And hope to build a future where we all feel valued and that we belong.
With great respect, we wish all of you a summer of connection, well-being, and peace. Please know that many groups are meeting often over the summer to address the needs of families and young people to feel safe, well and that they belong in Waterloo region. If you want to reach out at any point and share what you think the community needs with these groups, please email cyptwaterlooregion@gmail.com
With gratitude,
The Steering Committee of the Children and Youth Planning Table (CYPT)
WCDSB Summer Mental Health Supports
We are excited to share that once again this summer, the Ministry of Education has made it possible for WCDSB School Social Workers to provide short-term mental health and well-being support to WCDSB students. We will also work with WCDSB students and families in preparation for the transition to school in September 2021.
Should you wish to connect with a WCDSB School Social Worker, please email: WCDSBsocialwork@wcdsb.ca.
This email address will be monitored Monday through Friday, 8:30AM to 4:30PM. Your request for support will be responded to within 48 hours, excluding weekends.
Please note that this is not a crisis support service. If you, or a loved one, are in crisis, call HERE 24/7 at 1-844-437-3247 or go to your nearest hospital.
Summer Mental Health support will be available July 5 to August 27, 2021.
