This week, students at St. Daniel Catholic Elementary School rolled up their sleeves and got their hands dirty—literally—for a greener tomorrow. With the generous support of volunteers from the Grand Valley Construction Association and Sustainable Waterloo Region, the schoolyard is now home to a newly planted microforest.

Microforests are small plots of land restored to a natural state through the planting of native trees and shrubs. Though they can be as compact as a city lot, their ecological and social benefits are anything but small. These tiny forests are powerful tools for urban greening, biodiversity, and environmental education.

Thanks to Sustainable Waterloo Region’s contributions, including the trees themselves, students from every classroom had the opportunity to participate in this hands-on learning experience. Throughout the morning, they took turns planting seedlings, spreading mulch, watering, and tidying the area. Along the way, they learned about the role trees play in protecting the planet and the care required to help them thrive.

In total, 100 native trees and shrubs were planted as part of the project. This included 15 red maples, 20 sugar maples, 20 trembling aspens, 15 white birches, and 30 redbud shrubs—each chosen for their ability to thrive in our local environment and contribute to a healthy, diverse ecosystem.

Volunteers reminded students that, just like them, young trees need daily care and attention to grow strong. Inspired by this message, students have committed to watering the microforest on sunny days, playing a key role in helping it take root and grow strong.

We are deeply grateful to Sustainable Waterloo Region and the Grand Valley Construction Association for making this meaningful project possible.

Thanks to their partnership, St. Daniel’s students have planted more than trees—they’ve planted hope for a brighter, greener future.

Committee of the Whole Meeting: Monday, May 12, 2025 @ 6:00 p.m. – Agenda: 2025-05-12_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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The Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) is committed to being the Heart of the Community, providing Success for Each and A Place for All. As we reflect on the implementation of our current Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP) (2022–2025), we are also beginning the important work of developing a new plan to guide our priorities in the years ahead.

We are inviting staff, parents, guardians, caregivers and community members to complete a single, combined survey that will support both reflection and renewal. This survey includes two parts:

• Part One assesses our progress on the current MYSP (2022–2025)
• Part Two gathers input to help shape our next MYSP for 2025 and beyond

Why Your Input Matters

Your feedback will help us:

• Evaluate the impact of our current MYSP
• Identify emerging priorities and shared values
• Develop a renewed strategic plan that reflects the needs and aspirations of the WCDSB community

Survey responses will be reviewed to identify key themes that will support recommendations and decision-making by the Board of Trustees and senior leadership.

Survey Details

• Open from: May 1 to May 23, 2025
• Estimated time to complete: 10–15 minutes
• Who may participate: Parents/guardians, caregivers, Trustees, Parish members, Faith-based partners, and community members (one response per person)
• Participation: Voluntary and anonymous

You may exit the survey at any time. Responses are not connected to your name or school, and you will not be asked to provide any identifying information. Please do not include the names of individuals in your responses. Once submitted, responses cannot be changed.

All responses will be compiled into a summary report. To protect privacy, results will be shared in aggregate only, and small groups (fewer than 10 participants) will not be identified in any reporting.

The survey is administered by WCDSB in alignment with the Education Act, Section 169.1, and in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA s.28(2)) to support the development of our MYSP. The results will be analyzed by facilitators at Maximum City and reported in summary form to the Board of Trustees and senior staff.

Access the survey here: WCDSB MYSP Feedback Survey

If you have any questions, require assistance completing the survey, or would like to request a translated version, please contact: research@wcdsb.ca.

Thank you for taking the time to contribute to this important process. Your voice will help guide the next chapter of Catholic education in Waterloo Region—one rooted in faith, equity, and excellence.