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IMPORTANT! Updated Closure Information Concerning Strike Action on Tuesday, February 4, 2020

January 30, 2020

The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) has announced that all of its members will be engaging in a one-day strike on Tuesday, February 4. This decision affects all Catholic district school boards in Ontario.

As a result of this strike, all Waterloo Catholic District School Board elementary and secondary schools will be closed on February 4.

All WCDSB extended day programs will be open for the day as usual (7 a.m. to 6 p.m.) for students currently registered in the program.

Community use of schools activities will continue as scheduled.

ADDITIONALLY – As a result of pending strike action announced today by the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation (OSSTF), all of the WCDSB’s St. Louis Adult Learning & Continuing Education Centres campuses will also be closed on February 4 — except for all PSW (Personal Support Worker) programs that will be running as per the normal schedules and locations.

As before, we remain hopeful the government, OECTA and OSSTF will return to the bargaining table quickly and will come to a fair and respectful agreement that serves the best interests of our students.

January 30th, 2020|

Special Message from the Board of Trustees

January 30, 2020

At the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, we are grateful for the quality, inclusive, faith-based education provided to our students.

We are proud and thankful to all stakeholders for their contribution to the education provided in our Catholic schools across Waterloo Region and Ontario.

As elected representatives for the WCDSB our primary focus is and always has been on student achievement, well-being and the preservation of Catholic education. Student success is achieved when all board staff, including, but not limited to, teachers, administrators, senior administration and support staff work collaboratively with one another, families, students and the broader community. As a system, we are dedicated to creating a safe and welcoming place for all learners, where all are called to belong and for this, we are thankful.

This is certainly a challenging time for education in Ontario, which is why we will continue to advocate on behalf of students, families and staff to receive the funding and support needed for success. As a Board of Trustees, we believe education must be seen as an investment and a priority.

We hope that there is a return to the bargaining process and that all work collaboratively to reach a resolution that puts our students’ success and well-being first, while continuing to improve upon our world-class education in a responsible, respectful and equitable manner.

Bill Conway, Chair — Waterloo Catholic District School Board

(On Behalf of the WCDSB Board of Trustees)

January 30th, 2020|

WCDSB Schools Closed on Tuesday, February 4, 2020

The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) has announced that all of its members will be engaging in a one-day strike on Tuesday, February 4. This decision affects all Catholic district school boards in Ontario.

As a result of this strike, all Waterloo Catholic District School Board elementary and secondary schools will be closed on February 4.

All WCDSB extended day programs will be open for the day as usual (7 a.m. to 6 p.m.) for students currently registered in the program.

Secondary school credit courses, hair styling courses and culinary arts courses offered at the WCDSB’s St. Louis Adult Learning & Continuing Education Centres campuses will be cancelled on February 4. St. Louis guidance and correspondence services will also be unavailable on February 4. All other St. Louis programs will be open and running on their normal schedules.

Community use of schools activities will continue as scheduled.

OECTA’s previously announced administrative job actions will remain in effect before and after February 4.

As before, we remain hopeful the two sides will return to the bargaining table quickly and will come to a fair and respectful agreement that serves the best interests of our students.

January 28th, 2020|

WCDSB Board Meeting Bulletin — January, 2020

Meetings

Committee of the Whole Board Meeting

Monday, January 13, 2020 – Meeting Agenda Package

Public Board Meeting

Monday, January 27, 2020 — Meeting Agenda Package

Highlights

Healthy Active Living

WCDSB’s commitment to Healthy Active Living among our students continued to be strong in the 2018-19 school year. This year’s report draws attention to a number of key advancements and a great set of celebratory achievements:

Looking ahead in 2019-20, schools will continue to be supported with Healthy Schools planning as the St. Mary’s family of schools will be the last family brought into the Region of Waterloo Public Health nurses support model. The Don’t Walk in the Hallway program will be rolled out in all schools. The new PPM 158, School Board Policies on Concussions, requires significant attention regarding concussion education, training and tracking within our system. Professional development will continue throughout all elementary school levels as the new Health & Physical Education curriculum dictates. All outdoor education teachers in the secondary school panel will undergo rigorous retraining as required every three years.

The full report is available on pages 8-11 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Mathematics Update

The report presented to the Board of Trustees on January 13, 2020 provided updated information with respect to the following:

  • Math Lead Teacher (Elementary)
  • Mathematics PD Day (Nov. 15, 2019)
  • Math Coaching Update for Targeted-Support, Board-Identified & Intermittent schools
  • Mathematics Leadership Learning Series for elementary principals
  • Priorities within Secondary Math
  • Next Steps for Math Professional Learning: Elementary & Secondary

 

The report is highly detailed, with numerous charts and graphs, and can be viewed on pages 12-18 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Strong Start Program

For fifteen years, the Waterloo Catholic District School Board has worked with the Strong Start Charitable Organization as a community partner in raising children’s literacy levels and more effectively utilizing our volunteer allies. In 2004, the Letters, Sounds and Words program was first offered in five schools within the Waterloo Catholic District School Board. It has now grown to all 43 elementary schools. Strong Start began in Waterloo Region and has now been adopted by seven other school boards. In 2014 the WCDSB awarded its Community Partner Award to Strong Start.

The report presented to Board of Trustees on January 27 focused on the following key Strong Start programs:

  • Letters, Sounds, and Words (LSW)
  • Get Ready for School (GRFS)
  • Baby Connections

The full report is available on pages 26-28 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Update on Property Matters and Major Construction

The report presented to Board of Trustees on January 27 provided information on the status of vacant properties and those that are being considered for purchase. It also provided information on major construction.

Key areas of focus were:

  • Capital Priority Requests
  • Property Disposition
  • New Site Acquisitions
  • Major Construction Projects
  • Proceeds of Disposition

The full report is available on pages 29-32 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Leadership Strategy Update

The Ontario Leadership Strategy was developed in 2008-2009 to foster leadership of the highest possible quality in schools and school boards. School and system leaders play a critical role in creating the conditions of success, increasing student achievement, reducing gaps in student achievement and increasing public confidence in publicly funded education. As part of the Ontario Leadership Strategy (OLS), each district in the province had been provided funding and support to develop and implement a Board Leadership Development Strategy (BLDS). While the BLDS is no longer financially supported through Ministry of Education funding, the WCDSB maintains that our goals mirror the goals of the OLS – that is, to:

  • attract those contemplating the vocation of leadership to the roles;
  • develop personal leadership resources in individuals and promote effective leadership practices in order to have the greatest possible impact on student achievement and well-being; and
  • develop leadership capacity and coherence in organizations to strengthen their ability to deliver on education priorities.

Our comprehensive leadership plan includes:

  • Catholic Leadership Series: Developing the Leader Within, Authentic Leadership and Advanced Leadership
  • Induction Series
  • Innovation Series
  • Catholic Leadership Series- Theology on Tap Sessions
  • New Teacher Induction Program

The Life-Long Learning Series was put on hold this year to review delivery format and potential offerings.

The full report is available on pages 66-73 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 September 2019 is available on page 36 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Upcoming Board Meetings

Committee of the Whole Board Meeting

Monday, February 10, 2020

Waterloo Region Catholic Education Centre

Regular Public Board Meeting

Monday, February 24, 2020

Waterloo Region Catholic Education Centre

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board, representing more than 96,000 Catholic school supporters, operates 48 schools and four adult education facilities, serving more than 40,000 elementary, secondary and continuing education students in Waterloo Region – continuing a 184-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

January 28th, 2020|

Upcoming Board of Trustees Meeting – Monday, January 27, 2020

The next meeting of the Board of Trustees is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. — Monday, January 27, 2020 — at the Waterloo Region Catholic Education Centre.

Meeting Agenda

General Information About WCDSB Board Meetings

Information About the Board of Trustees

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board, representing more than 96,000 Catholic school supporters, operates 48 schools and five adult education facilities serving more than 40,000 elementary, secondary and continuing education students in Waterloo Region – continuing a 184-year tradition of quality, inclusive, faith-based education. Follow us on Twitter: @WCDSBNewswire – #WCDSBAwesome.

January 24th, 2020|

Introducing: 40,000 Journeys!!

There are more than 40,000 students and staff learning and working in Waterloo Region’s Catholic schools – and each one has their own unique story to tell.

So…we’re very proud to be launching a new website feature called – 40,000 JOURNEYS.

Here’s our introductory VIDEO.

Be sure to bookmark the page and check 40,000 Journeys frequently. You’ll see why learning and working in Waterloo Region’s Catholic schools really is the journey of a lifetime!

Tweet using the hashtag #WCDSB40000Journeys

 

January 15th, 2020|

Important Update re: WCDSB Extended Day Programs on January 21

Important Update: On January 21, 2020 all WCDSB extended day programs will be OPEN for the day as usual (7 a.m. to 6 p.m.) for students currently registered in the program.

A previous communication indicated extended day programs would not operate that day.

An updated version of that earlier message is provided below.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

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WCDSB Schools Closed on Tuesday, January 21, 2020

The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) has announced that all of its members will be engaging in a one-day strike on Tuesday, January 21. This decision affects all Catholic district school boards in Ontario.

As a result of this strike, all Waterloo Catholic District School Board elementary and secondary schools will be closed on January 21.

Secondary school credit courses offered at the WCDSB’s St. Louis Adult Learning & Continuing Education Centres campuses will be cancelled on January 21, but all other St. Louis programs will be open and running on their normal schedules.

All WCDSB extended day programs will be open for the day as usual (7 a.m. to 6 p.m.) for students currently registered in the program.

Community use of schools activities will continue as scheduled.

OECTA’s previously announced administrative job actions will remain in effect before and after January 21.

As before, we remain hopeful the two sides will return to the bargaining table quickly and will come to a fair and respectful agreement that serves the best interests of our students.

January 14th, 2020|

Bishop’s Banquet — Tickets Now Available

Tickets are now available for the annual WCDSB Bishop’s Banquet — Tuesday, May 5, 2020 @ Resurrection Catholic Secondary School in Kitchener.

FOR TICKETS & INFORMATION CONTACT MS. JODY FRITZ:

TEL: 519.578.3660 EXT. 2373 OR EMAIL: JODY.FRITZ@WCDSB.CA

A CHARITABLE RECEIPT  WILL BE ISSUED FOR A PORTION  OF THE TICKET PRICE

January 14th, 2020|

WCDSB Schools Closed on Tuesday, January 21, 2020

The Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) has announced that all of its members will be engaging in a one-day strike on Tuesday, January 21. This decision affects all Catholic district school boards in Ontario.

As a result of this strike, all Waterloo Catholic District School Board elementary and secondary schools will be closed on January 21.

Additionally, all WCDSB extended day programs will also close for the day.

Secondary school credit courses offered at the WCDSB’s St. Louis Adult Learning & Continuing Education Centres campuses will be cancelled on January 21, but all other St. Louis programs will be open and running on their normal schedules.

Community use of schools activities will continue as scheduled.

OECTA’s previously announced administrative job actions will remain in effect before and after January 21.

As before, we remain hopeful the two sides will return to the bargaining table quickly and will come to a fair and respectful agreement that serves the best interests of our students.

January 14th, 2020|

Money 101: Free Workshop for Parents

Money 101: What you need to teach your kids about money!
A Personal Financial Literacy Presentation

“Control your money or it will control you!”

Money-related stress is overwhelming many Canadian families:

  • 41% of Canadians rank money as their greatest stress
  • 46% of Canadian employees say financial stress is impacting their workplace performance

Join us for a fast-paced 90-minute presentation that is guaranteed to increase your level of financial literacy so that you can help your kids manage their money throughout their lives.

Here’s what session attendees said after seeing a recent ‘Money 101’ presentation:
“Dynamic! Realistic! Practical!”
“Awesome! Thank you for some real advice at a level I could understand!”

Topics will include:

  • Think ‘local’ for your post-secondary pathway!
  • Debt matters – credit cards, mortgages and lines of credit
  • I deserve a new car – NOT
  • I’ve saved…now tell me how to how to invest!
  • Use what they give you – RESP, TFSA & RRSP accounts

Three evening presentations (7:00 – 8:30 pm) to choose from:

  • Wednesday, January 22, 2020 at St. Benedict C.S.S.
  • Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at St. Mary’s C.S.S.
  • Monday, February 10, 2020 at St. David C.S.S.

Registration Details: Please register online or via email diana.bumstead@wcdsb.ca by noon on the school day before the presentation to reserve your spot.

Presented by Fred Masters, President & Founder, Masters Money Management. Mr. Masters is a financial literacy expert guest speaker with three decades of experience teaching senior finance courses and is a licensed mortgage agent. He was Head of Business & Co-op at Resurrection prior to retirement. Follow @MastersMoney101 and visit www.mastersmoneymanagement.ca for further details.

January 13th, 2020|

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