The Waterloo Catholic District School Board joins Catholics around the world in mourning the passing of our Holy Father, Pope Francis.

As the first Jesuit and the first pope from the Americas, Pope Francis will be remembered for his quiet strength, pastoral heart, and unwavering call for the Church to lead with compassion, accompany the vulnerable, and care for our common home.

Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis embodied a spirit of mercy—urging us to choose empathy over judgment and to walk alongside those often left at the margins. With Laudato Si’, he called the world to see environmental care as a moral duty. In every act of leadership, he uplifted the dignity of the poor, the displaced, and the forgotten.

We give thanks for a life poured out in service to God and humanity—a life marked by tenderness, conviction and unwavering hope.

May he rest in peace.

Dear WCDSB community,

We wish to inform you that on April 14, 2025, Linda Cuff stepped down from her role as Vice-Chair of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board. She will continue to serve as a Trustee.

The Board of Trustees will elect a new Vice-Chair at the April 28, 2025 Board Meeting, in accordance with the Board’s by-laws.

We thank Ms. Cuff for her leadership and dedicated service.

Sincerely,
Renée Kraft, Chair, Waterloo Catholic District School Board
Tyrone Dowling, Director of Education, Waterloo Catholic District School Board

I would like to extend heartfelt Easter greetings to all members of our school communities. 

Easter is the cornerstone of our Catholic faith—a sacred time that celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the enduring promise of hope and renewal. As we witness the early signs of spring, we are reminded of God’s grace at work in the world around us and within each of us. 

Throughout the Lenten season, we journeyed together in prayer, reflection, and sacrifice—grounded in our identity as people of the Paschal Mystery. As an Easter people, we now look forward with joy to the light and renewal that the Resurrection brings. Easter reminds us that even in our most challenging moments, we are never alone. Christ’s victory over death is a promise of new beginnings for each of us. 

This season invites us to reflect on our personal and collective journeys—to find strength in our faith, comfort in our communities, and joy in the simple blessings of each day. Just as Christ’s Resurrection brought light into the world, we are reminded that hope can rise even in the most difficult moments. 

Let us continue to nurture learning environments rooted in dignity, inclusion, and compassion—places where each student feels seen, supported, and empowered to flourish. Guided by our shared values of love, forgiveness, and service, may we work together to build a future filled with purpose and promise. 

May the peace and joy of the Risen Christ fill your hearts and homes this coming Easter. Wishing you and your loved ones a safe, blessed, and joy-filled Easter season. 

Tyrone Dowling
Director of Education

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we wish to inform the community that the Board Meeting scheduled for Monday, April 28, 2025, will be relocated to Resurrection Catholic Secondary School.

As this meeting coincides with the federal election, and given that the Catholic Education Centre is adjacent to a polling station, the relocation has been made in the spirit of being good neighbours and to help ensure unimpeded access for voters.

We appreciate your understanding and look forward to welcoming attendees at the alternate location.

We are proud to celebrate Jody Brown, whose dedicated work as a Graduation Coach for Black Students has made a meaningful impact on students, schools and the broader community. In his role, Jody supports students by affirming their identities and cultures through culturally responsive and relevant pedagogy. He serves as a mentor, advisor and advocate—building strong relationships with students, families, and educators alike.

In recognition of his significant contributions to the Region of Waterloo and to Canada, Jody has been awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal. This prestigious honour reflects his steadfast commitment to equity, education and service.

Thank you, Jody, for your outstanding leadership and for embodying the values we hold dear. We are grateful for all that you do and proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition.

Special Board of Trustees Meeting: Monday, April 14, 2025 @ 6:00 p.m. – Agenda: 2025-04-14_Special-Board-of-Trustee_Agenda

Committee of the Whole Meeting: Monday, April 14, 2025 to follow Special Board of Trustees – Agenda: 2025-04-14_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…”.)

Please join us at the drop-in open house. A new OPTION 3 has been developed and will be shared at the open house. OPTION 3 information has also been added online and the survey deadline has been extended. 

• Date: Wednesday, April 9, 2025 
• Time: 4-8pm 
• Location: Monsignor Doyle CSS Cafeteria, 185 Myers Rd, Cambridge 

For more information please visit the Southeast Galt Boundary Review webpage or share feedback via the online survey before April 13th or email SoutheastGalt@wcdsb.ca  

Today, we were thrilled to walk through the new St. Patrick school — built on the original site of the former St. Patrick school — and take in the incredible progress made so far.

This transformative project has been made possible through the support of the Province of Ontario, which provided $27.5 million in capital funding. The new facility will offer modern learning spaces and much-needed pupil places to serve our growing community.

During the walkthrough, our guests had the opportunity to see firsthand the exciting developments taking shape. The school is on track to open its doors to students in September 2025.

We were pleased to welcome several community leaders for the walkthrough, including City of Kitchener Councillors Stephanie Stretch and Dave Schnider, Region of Waterloo Councillors Colleen James and Matt Rodrigues, along with Trustees Tracey Weiler, Kathy Doherty-Masters, Bob Sikora and David Guerin. School Administrator Erin Stevens and key members of the WCDSB facilities team were also in attendance.

We were especially pleased to welcome Lori Prospero, CEO of Rising Oaks Early Learning Centres, which will operate within the school and offer 88 licensed childcare spaces to local families.

The countdown is on — we’re excited to welcome students into a fresh, modern learning environment that will serve the community for years to come.

Families interested in joining our vibrant school community are encouraged to register today.