Website News

Meetings

Committee of the Whole Board Meeting

Monday, May 13, 2019 – Meeting Agenda Package

Public Board Meeting

Monday, May 27, 2019 — Meeting Agenda Package

Highlights

School Travel Planner Update

Managing traffic flow around school sites, ensuring pedestrian safety, demonstrating respect for neighbours and their properties, and a continued interest in the mental and physical health of our students have ‘driven’ the need for centralized resources to support schools and communities.

The School Travel Planner has been in place now for three 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

School Travel Planning and the Active and Safe Routes to School initiative have blossomed across the province as a leading practice that is good for kids and their communities.

Highlights of the past year include:

• Working with municipalities and townships to increase the availability of crossing guards when weather conditions are not ideal
• Working with schools and families to increase active travel to school
• Working with administrators, Board planning staff, and municipalities to improve traffic flow and safety at school sites
• Designating six new schools at ‘Active Communities’
• Training students as ‘Trailblazers’ – leaders in walking to school
• Planning and organizing walk to school days – Winter Walk Day, International Walk to School Day, and Walk in their Sneakers Day
• Data collection and development of outreach programs

On May 13, 2019 the architect of our local school travel planning, Leslie Maxwell, provided the Board of Trustees additional highlights of the team’s work in our schools over the past year. The full report is available on pages 8-25 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Numeracy Update

The WCDSB’s most recent update on numeracy initiatives across the school system was presented on May 13, 2019. The report provided updated information with respect to the following:

• Elementary and Secondary Math Lead Teacher
• Professional Learning Opportunities for Mathematics Teaching & Learning
• Instructional Coaches’ Collaborative Inquiries
• Gap Closing Teacher
• Cross-Panel Financial Literacy Initiative

Throughout this school year, various networks in mathematics took place in an equitable manner. Each school in both panels took part in the Math Lead Teacher learning community in order to build system capacity in mathematics K-12. Additionally, numerous after-school professional learning sessions were offered to educator audiences from K-10. Our focus of deepening pedagogical content knowledge continues to drive professional learning as it relates to our Board Improvement Plan for Student Achievement (BIPSA) priorities. In moving forward, the board plans to expand financial literacy integration to more educators, continue to support the Ministry focus around fundamentals of math, and capitalize on the distributed leadership already in place.

The full report is available on pages 26-30 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Special Education Plan Update

All school boards are required every two years to prepare and approve a Special Education Plan, reporting on the special education programs and special education services they provide, and to submit it to the Ministry of Education. A key component of this process is the Special Education Staff Development Plan.

The goal of the Special Education Staff Development Plan is to build capacity, skills and knowledge for administrators, teachers (classroom and Special Education teachers), Educational Assistants and professionals to ensure that high quality programs and services are provided for our students. The aim of the review is to ensure that certain standards are maintained across the province in the development and provision of special education programs and services. Where the ministry determines that a board’s plan does not comply with the standards, the ministry will require the board to amend its plan. Amending the plan will include responding to identified omissions. Boards will make the necessary changes and submit the amendments to the ministry the following year.

The WCDSB closely monitors how students on IEP’s are achieving, particularly in the area of numeracy. The Student Services Department, in collaboration with Program Services, strive to provide timely learning opportunities across a wide range of audiences in feedback gathered through surveys, data collection and audits. We utilize technology, expertise, guest speakers and collaboration as a means to foster engagement in the learning process. Success is measured through the use of logic models.

As of January 22, 2019, approximately 13% of students in Elementary (2,352) and 19% of students in Secondary (1,648) are supported with an IEP (Figure 1). Relative to two years previous (2017), we have proportionally fewer students with an IEP, when there were 14% of students in Elementary and 24% of students in Secondary.

The accompanying graphic illustrates the Special Education Staff Training planned for 2019-20.

The full update is available on pages 16-22 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Energy Conservation Plan

Ontario school boards are required to prepare a 5-year energy conservation and demand management plans for the period 2018-19 to 2023-24. School boards must produce a document that outlines their progress against the plan that was completed in the previous reporting period (ending 2017-18). This includes:

• the energy management measures that were implemented from fiscal year 2013-14 through fiscal year 2017-18; and
• the actual energy conserved against the stated annual and cumulative energy conservation goals.

In addition, each plan must set out the Board’s energy management strategies for next five years. It must include:

• the proposed measures to reduce energy consumption;
• the annual and cumulative conservation goals; and
• the demand management strategies.

Through our Environmental Education, Stewardship and Sustainability policy, the 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’ – On Care for our Common Home as well as WCDSB’s own mission and vision.

To address climate change and associated negative impacts, in the fall of 2016, the WCDSB established a target to reduce its energy use by 1% (661,755 ekWh) annually from the 2013-14 level by 2023. In addition, as part of the Regional Carbon Initiative, in the fall of 2015 the WCDSB became an observing member of Sustainable Waterloo Region and in December 2016 the Board became a pledging partner to reduce 20% of its GHG emissions from 2014 levels over a 10-year period.

To meet this target, WCDSB has implemented conservation measures through design, construction, as well as operation and maintenance of facilities. Additionally, a renewed focus has been placed on behavioural measures with programs targeted to staff and students across the system. Since the 2013-2014 fiscal year, the board has invested $22,300,000 in diverse energy reduction strategies such as the upgrade of mechanical and HVAC equipment, new rooftop units, new roofs, new windows and doors, environmental programs, workshops and staff training.

To view the full plan please see pages 23-57 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Board Chair’s Update

Each month, Board Chair Bill Conway reports on the activities of the Board of Trustees. The report for May 2019 is available on page 62 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Student Trustees Report

Student Trustees Izabella Tyc and Meghan Nemeth presented their monthly report on activities in WCDSB’s secondary schools. The report is available on page 61 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Upcoming Board Meetings

Regular Public Board Meeting

Monday, June 17, 2019

St. Benedict CSS, Cambridge

Special Public Board Meeting

Monday, June 24, 2019

St. Benedict CSS, Cambridge

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 183-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

Waterloo Region, ON – The students, staff and trustees of Waterloo Region’s Catholic Schools proudly congratulate Waterloo Fire Rescue Chief Richard Hepditch as the school board’s 2019 Distinguished Graduate Award honouree. The award will be presented on Tuesday, June 11, 2019.

QuickFacts

♦ A graduate of St. David Catholic Secondary School (he also attended the former St. Louis CES and St. Michael CES in Waterloo), Richard was named Chief of Waterloo Fire Rescue in May, 2014. Prior to becoming Chief, he held numerous roles including Captain, Community Emergency Management Co-ordinator, and Deputy Chief. Before joining Waterloo Fire Rescue, Richard was a primary-care paramedic for Region of Waterloo Paramedic Services and taught for more than a decade in Conestoga College’s pre-service firefighter education and training program.

♦ Richard is a member of the Waterloo Region Children’s Safety Village governing committee and is a founding member and co-chair of Waterloo’s Real Men Can Cook charity event. He was recognized as one of the Waterloo Region Record’s “Top 40 Under 40” in 2010, and received Conestoga College’s Alumni of Distinction Award in 2011.

♦ Noteworthy among Richard’s many accomplishments is his work in the community helping feed the hungry. Through events such as “Fitness Feeds the Community” and the “Fire and Police to Food Bank 365” program, Richard’s support for the Foodbank of Waterloo Region has helped ensure hunger is seen as a critical issue 365 days a year – not just during special seasons. Thanks to his efforts, Foodbank donations can be made at any fire or police station in Waterloo Region any day of the year.

Quotes

“Needless to say, it is always gratifying for us to see our graduates accomplish great things in their careers. But in Richard’s case, it’s not just his exemplary career of public service – where he serves as a role model, mentor and personal inspiration to so many – that we celebrate. We especially celebrate his work in helping feed Waterloo Region’s hungry, and his willingness to step forward to support those who are less fortunate. There are few people in Waterloo Region or anywhere else in Ontario who can match Richard’s profile as a model Catholic school graduate.”

~~ Loretta Notten, Director of Education

Related Links

WCDSB Distinguished Graduate Award Honourees

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board, representing more than 96,000 Catholic school supporters, operates 52 schools and five adult education facilities serving more than 40,000 elementary, secondary and continuing education students in Waterloo Region – continuing a 183-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

If your child is starting Kindergarten in September and is eligible for transportation, join Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region (STSWR) on June 5, 2019.

The First Rider Program introduces new riders to the school bus and teaches them how to be a safe and responsible rider. Families will learn how to board, ride, and get off the bus safely and become familiar with transportation procedures for Junior and Senior Kindergarten students.

Register for this free event on the STSWR website

Waterloo Region, ON – Fourteen Waterloo Catholic District School Board schools have been awarded “Healthy Schools” certifications by the Ontario Physical and Health Education Association (OPHEA). Nine WCDSB schools were certified last year, while four made the mark in 2016-17.

The school board saw a significant increase in the number of schools achieving the GOLD standard in 2018-19 – moving from four schools last year to 12 schools this year.

And all five WCDSB secondary schools were certified, with four of them reaching GOLD standard.

Quick Facts

GOLD

Christ the King Catholic Elementary School

Holy Rosary Catholic Elementary School

Monsignor EA Doyle Catholic Secondary School

Resurrection Catholic Secondary School

St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School

St. David Catholic Secondary School

St. Elizabeth Catholic Elementary School

St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School

St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Elementary School

St. Michael Catholic Elementary School

St. Nicholas Catholic Elementary School

St. Peter Catholic Elementary School

SILVER

St. Boniface Catholic Elementary School Silver

BRONZE

St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School Bronze

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

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board, representing more than 96,000 Catholic school supporters, operates 52 schools and five adult education facilities serving more than 40,000 elementary, secondary and continuing education students in Waterloo Region – continuing a 183-year tradition of quality, inclusive, faith-based education. Follow us on Twitter: @WCDSBNewswire – #WCDSBAwesome.

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The Skills Ontario Competition is Canada’s largest skilled trade and technology competition. Skills Ontario is dedicated to the promotion of viable career options in the skilled trades and technologies to youth in Ontario.

Between May 6-8, 2019, Skills Ontario is expecting 35,000 spectators to watch more than 2,400 of the brightest young people in the province compete in one of the 69 skills contests offered.

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board would like to congratulate the following students as they embark on their Provincial Skills journey.  We wish them luck and confidence, as they are reminded that they are all capable of amazing things!

The road to the Skills Ontario Competition has provided many experiential-based opportunities for the students within the Waterloo Catholic DSB community – and we congratulate all of the students noted below for their efforts!

In conclusion, we wish to thank all the leads, chairs, mentors, and teachers who supported our students along the way! These opportunities would not be feasible without your support and guidance.

Leonard Bumbacco — Student Achievement Consultant

Earlier this year, the Waterloo Catholic District School Board established the new Pope Francis Award for Ecological Leadership.

This important new piece of our staff recognition program annually recognizes up to three school staff members / volunteers who actively demonstrate a love for creation and care for the planet in all their interactions — people who initiate or lead environmental projects of all kinds.

In his encyclical Laudato Si’ (On Care for our Common Home), Pope Francis reminds us that “Along with the importance of little everyday gestures, social love moves us to devise larger strategies to halt environmental degradation and to encourage a ‘culture of care’ which permeates all of society” (#231).

The Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations ask that all graduates be “responsible citizen[s] who respect the environment and use resources wisely.”

And the WCDSB’s own Multi-Year Strategic Plan asks all staff to “promote stewardship of the earth and its resources” and to “implement the core teachings of Laudato Si’”.

The inaugural recipients of the Pope Francis Award for Ecological Leadership are:

Cynthia Brown: Library Tech — Holy Spirit CES

Kathy Doherty-Masters: Volunteer — St. Bernadette CES

Jennifer Venditti: Teacher — St. Elizabeth CES

Meetings

Committee of the Whole Board Meeting

Monday, April 8, 2019 – Meeting Agenda Package

Public Board Meeting

Monday, April 29, 2019 — Meeting Agenda Package

Highlights

Adult Education Update

Based on adult education research reports spanning over the last decade, the social, economic and health and wellness impact of adults earning a high school diploma or participating in ‘second chance’ post-secondary education has proven to be extremely beneficial. Students experience improved opportunities in the labour market, with lower chances of unemployment and higher status jobs. Intrinsic benefits include increased confidence, motivation and improved awareness, overall social well-being and interest in lifelong learning.

For more than 30 years, and most dramatically in the last 10 years, our St. Louis Adult Learning & Continuing Education programs have committed to supporting adults to earn secondary school credits toward an OSSD, develop literacy and basic skills, gain practical employment skills and improve English language proficiency. St. Louis adult programs directly connect with these social wellness and economic impacts, so no one gets left behind – a WCDSB strategic focus for the next 3 years.

The current Provincial Adult Education Strategy aims to find efficiencies and best practices among regional adult education providers. Indirectly, St. Louis has also been a support to children under 18 who have benefitted from additional literacy and numeracy programs, summer school credits, learning languages and early childhood development.

A comprehensive report presented to the Board of Trustees on Monday, April 8, 2019 covered the following key areas:

• Secondary School Credits (SSC)
• Core Essentials –Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS)
• Personal Support Worker (PSW)
• Hairstyling / Barbering
• Culinary Arts
• English Language Programs (LINC & ESL)
• International Languages –Elementary (IL)
• Literacy & Numeracy, Continuing Education
• Childminding (Care for Newcomer Children – CNC) and Licensed Child Care

The full report is available on pages 7-14 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Safe and Accepting Schools

At the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, we believe that every student has a right to learn in a safe, caring and supportive environment. Our learning environments foster positive Christ-centered relationships that are at the heart of all our efforts to promote student achievement and well-being. The WCDSB vision for safe and accepting schools clearly aligns with the publication of Achieving Excellence: A Renewed Vision for Ontario Education, wherein the Ministry of Education made a commitment to every student in the province of Ontario. Regardless of ‘ancestry, culture, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, language, physical and intellectual ability, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, socio-economic status or other factors’, all students should be able to access the curriculum, feel safe at school, and have a sense of belonging.

In addition to this, the Ministry of Education also introduced Ontario’s Well-Being Strategy for Education: Discussion Document which has also served to guide our Safe and Caring Schools focus in WCDSB.

There are four key components at the foundation of Ontario’s well-being strategy:

• Positive Mental Health
• Safe and Accepting Schools
• Healthy Schools
• Equity and Inclusive Education

On Monday, April 8, 2019 the Board of Trustees received a detailed report on the Safe and Accepting Schools portion of the strategy.

One example of ongoing success in this key area is illustrated by the school board’s suspension and expulsion data.

Overall, the WCDSB is trending downwards in terms of the overall number of suspensions over time (1492 suspensions in 2012-2013 school year vs. 945 suspensions in the 2018/2019 school year). The recidivism rate for suspensions also continues to be on the decline in both elementary and secondary schools. And, finally, in secondary schools, we are observing 49% fewer suspensions over time.

In addition to suspension / expulsion data, the report also looked at:

• Alternative Suspension Program
• Board use of various data platforms and predictive models
• Cannabis education
• Umbrella Project
• Board partnership with Community Justice Initiatives (CJI)

To read the full report, please see pages 15-24 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Long-Term Accommodation Plan (LTAP)

The purpose of the Long-Term Accommodation Plan (LTAP) is to provide an update on enrolment status, demographic trends as they relate to enrolment, and future accommodation initiatives including boundary changes, school closures, new schools, and additions/renovations.

The LTAP includes recommendations for:

• Land acquisitions (purchase)
• Land disposition (sale)
• Capital projects (additions, new schools, major renewal projects)
• Accommodation solutions (boundary changes, school closures, portables, partnership agreements)

All recommendations are subject to approval by the WCDSB Board of Trustees as per Board Policy IV010: Facilities/Accommodations – with the exception of specific renewal (major repair) projects.

The full LTAP is available on pages 25-142 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Information Technology Strategic Plan: 2019-2024

The 2019-2024 Information Technology Strategic Plan was presented to the Board of Trustees on April 29, 2019.

The plan is divided into the following key focus areas:

• Community Engagement
• Infrastructure
• Pedagogy
• Process Optimization
• School Technology Refresh
• Staff Development

The following chart offers a glimpse at the ambitious scope of work on tap for the duration of the plan.

The full plan is available on pages 22-73 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Board Chair’s Update

Each month, Board Chair Bill Conway reports on the activities of the Board of Trustees. The report for March 2019 is available on page 77 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Upcoming Board Meetings

Committee of the Whole Board Meeting

Monday, May 13, 2019

St. Mary’s High School, Kitchener

Regular Public Board Meeting

Monday, May 27, 2019

St. Mary’s High School, Kitchener

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 183-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