Committee of the Whole Board Meeting: Monday, November 4, 2024 @ 6:00 pm – Agenda: 2024-11-04_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
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Effective immediately, the area previously designated as “Bused to Blessed Sacrament” is directed from Blessed Sacrament Catholic Elementary School to John Sweeney CES.
This adjustment was approved by Executive Council on October 22, 2024, and involves the area bordered by Bleams Road to the north, Strasburg Road to the east, a natural environment area to the south, and Fischer Hallman Road to the west. No students currently reside in this area.
The decision to redirect this area is part of our ongoing efforts to manage school boundaries efficiently and to prepare for future residential development in the region. This change ensures that the Blessed Sacrament CES community is not unnecessarily involved in the Rosenberg boundary review.
We are pleased to announce the initiation of the Rosenberg Boundary Review, which aims to establish the attendance boundary for the new Rosenberg Catholic Elementary School, planned to open in September 2025. This review will also consider adjustments to the boundaries of John Sweeney CES and St. Josephine Bakhita CES to accommodate the new school and manage enrolment pressures.
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:
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 Rosenberg boundary review webpage https://wcdsb.ca/about-us/accommodations/rosenberg-boundary-review/ or contact us at the email address provided above.
Thank you for your engagement and support.
At the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB), we believe our Catholic schools should be the heart of the community, where every student feels they belong and can succeed. It's important for us to regularly assess how well we're achieving this vision.
In 2021, following the Ontario Anti-Racism Act (2017), we conducted our first student census. Since then, we've been analyzing the data to understand how students are experiencing our schools. This work helps us focus on student success and creating a welcoming environment for everyone.
This October, we shared the results from the 2021 Student Census and Student Outcomes. These reports combine census data with key student information, such as well-being, EQAO scores, graduation rates, IEP support, and suspension rates. The census aims to combat systemic racism and promote racial equity in our schools.
You can access the student census outcome data here.
We'll conduct another Student Census in 2024-2025, and the data will be used to update our findings and support the Ministry of Education's new Student Achievement Plan (SAP). This plan focuses on improving academic skills, preparing students for the future, and fostering student well-being. All future reports on student outcomes and census data will align with this SAP framework.
As we move forward, WCDSB will consult with partners throughout the 2024-2025 school year to gather input on how we can continue to enhance student success. In 2026, we'll welcome the community to a large town hall, followed by several smaller gatherings across the region and in the townships where WCDSB schools are located. These meetings are an opportunity for parents, caretakers, and community members to share their thoughts and ideas, helping to shape the future of our schools and support our students' success. More details will be shared in the coming months.
Community engagement is essential to our mission. Your input helps shape the future of our schools and the success of our students. By working together, we can create learning environments where all students feel supported, safe, and able to thrive. Every voice matters, and we value the role you play in helping our students reach their full potential.
St. Louis Adult Learning and Continuing Education is more than just a place to learn—it’s a hub for community connection and support.
As a meaningful conclusion to their fall semester on Friday, October 24, students in St. Louis’ culinary program showcased their skills by preparing nutritious soups for the Tiny Home Takeout initiative, supporting those in need within the Kitchener community. This opportunity allowed students to make a meaningful impact by applying what they’ve learned in a real-world setting, reflecting St. Louis’ commitment to fostering not only individual growth, but also a strong sense of social responsibility.
Through their participation, St. Louis students gain valuable hands-on experience in the culinary arts, building the skills they need for future careers while making a difference in the lives of others. Guided by their educators and mentors, students take pride in every step of the process—from preparation to serving—knowing that their contributions provide warmth and nourishment to those facing food insecurity. For these students, the experience embodies St. Louis’ values of “Hope, Opportunity, and Success for All,” inspiring them to pursue their personal goals while giving back to their community.
As St. Louis looks to the future, its focus remains on empowering students to make a difference beyond the classroom. By blending education with service initiatives like Tiny Home Takeout, St. Louis ensures that students graduate with skills, experience, and a strong sense of community purpose.
Board of Trustees Board Meeting: Monday, October 28, 2024 @ 6:00 pm – Agenda: 2024-10-28_Board-of-Trustee 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…”.)
WATERLOO REGION, October 16, 2024—The Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) is excited to announce the start of construction on a new school located at 20 Woolner Trail, Kitchener. This school, which will serve students in Grades 7-12, has been designed with a capacity of 1,400 pupil places and is set to open in September 2026.
The three-story building will feature an artificial turf sports field and is designed to create a positive and engaging learning environment for students. This project will help meet the growing educational needs of the community.
At today's groundbreaking ceremony, WCDSB leaders were joined by WCDSB Trustees, facilities staff, and City of Kitchener Councillors to celebrate this important milestone.
Councillor Dave Schnider, Trustee Conrad Stanley, Director Tyrone Dowling, Trustee Kathy Doherty-Masters, Councillor Stephanie Stretch, Trustee David Guerin
"We are excited to break ground on a school that will not only meet the educational needs of our growing community but will also serve as a vibrant centre for student achievement and well-being," said Tyrone Dowling, Director of Education. "This new facility reflects our commitment to creating inclusive, innovative spaces where every student can thrive spiritually, academically, and socially."
Director Tyrone Dowling
The WCDSB is grateful to the Government of Ontario for its generous support in funding this project and thanks the City of Kitchener and Regional Municipality of Waterloo for their support in advancing approvals for the new school.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Lema Salaymeh
Senior Manager of Communications
Waterloo Catholic District School Board
Email: communications@wcdsb.ca
Check out our new playground! A big thank you goes out to the Polar Bear school community, Love My Hood, the Knights of Colombus, and CSAC (parent council) for all their hard work and support in our fundraising efforts!
Dear WCDSB Community,
We are excited to announce that, for the second year in a row, students across the Waterloo Catholic District School Board will be participating in a special fundraising campaign to support A Better Tent City in Kitchener-Waterloo and The Bridges in Cambridge. These organizations are dedicated to providing shelter and essential services to the most vulnerable members of our community.
The fundraiser will kick off just in time for Thanksgiving and run for five weeks, from October 11 to November 18, 2024. This initiative is not only about raising funds but also about raising awareness of the critical work these organizations do. By supporting A Better Tent City and The Bridges, we help shed light on the issue of homelessness in our community.
This year, we will have one full-sized tiny home spending one week at each of our secondary school properties. In addition, some of our talented students have constructed nine replicas of tiny homes, which will each spend one week at various elementary schools. This creative and hands-on approach helps our students connect with the cause while raising funds and awareness in a meaningful way.
This effort aligns closely with our Catholic Social Teachings, reminding us of our responsibility to help those in need and foster a community built on justice, compassion, and love. Together, we can make a meaningful difference for those in our community who are most in need.
We encourage everyone to participate and help make this initiative a success within our school communities. Please stay tuned for events at your school throughout the next five weeks and follow our social media accounts to find out which of our secondary schools the tiny home will be visiting each week.
To donate, please click here and support this vital cause.
Thank you for your participation and for helping to make this fundraiser a success!
As Thanksgiving approaches, we are reminded of the importance of gratitude and reflection. With September behind us and Thanksgiving just ahead, it’s a perfect time to reflect on the exciting kickoff to the 2024 school year. The past month flew by, filled with energy, new initiatives, and community-building events, marking a busy and successful start across the Waterloo Catholic District School Board.
Grounded in our faith, Thanksgiving reminds us to reflect on the many blessings we’ve been given and to share them with others. It calls us to extend our hands and hearts to those in need. Many of our schools have embraced this spirit by organizing food drives in response to the growing issue of food scarcity affecting many in our region. These efforts beautifully reflect the spirit of charity that is at the heart of our Catholic community.
In that same spirit, we are once again teaming up with St. Mary, Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows parish (Kitchener) and launching a system-wide fundraiser to support A Better Tent City and Bridges (Cambridge), focusing on helping those experiencing homelessness. As we gather with our loved ones to celebrate this season of gratitude, we also recommit ourselves to serving and uplifting the most vulnerable in our communities.
Wishing you and your family a joyful Thanksgiving, filled with peace, gratitude, and God’s blessings. May this season renew our commitment to faith and service, as we continue to foster a caring and compassionate community for all. We hope you spend your Thanksgiving weekend surrounded by those you love and take the opportunity to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for.
Tyrone Dowling
Director of Education
