Today, on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) joined partners Cambridge Memorial Hospital (CMH), Project SEARCH, and KW Habilitation to celebrate the launch of a new branch of the transformative Project SEARCH school-to-work program in Cambridge.

Originally introduced at St. Mary’s General Hospital in 2024, Project SEARCH Waterloo Region is a dynamic collaboration between WCDSB, St. Mary’s General Hospital, and KW Habilitation. The program is specifically designed for students with intellectual developmental disabilities in their final year of secondary school, offering a 10-month journey that combines work experience, employability and life skills training, and employment planning and support.

The success of the initiative was highlighted earlier this year when WCDSB proudly celebrated the graduation of its second cohort of Project SEARCH interns on June 25, 2024.

Now expanding to CMH, this life-changing program will offer students a unique opportunity to gain hands-on work experience. Over nine months, interns will rotate through various departments at the hospital, including Food Services, Housekeeping, Stores, Administration, Medical Day Clinic, and Diagnostic Imaging. Guided by dedicated mentors and trainers, the interns develop crucial skills and build confidence, equipping them for meaningful employment opportunities in the future.

“We are so impressed with the overall inclusive culture of Cambridge Memorial Hospital,” said Rachel Agley, Project SEARCH Skills Trainer at KW Habilitation. “Project SEARCH has been widely accepted and has already made a great impact on our interns. We are so excited to see our interns grow and support them in finding employment in their community.”

The WCDSB is proud to celebrate this milestone and the continued commitment of Project SEARCH to fostering inclusivity and opportunity for all students. On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we honour the transformative power of partnerships and the promise of a brighter, more inclusive future for our students.

At St. Dominic Savio Catholic School, soccer isn’t just a game – it’s an opportunity to foster leadership, inclusion, and teamwork. For junior students, the love for soccer is evident, but differing skill levels on the field sometimes left players feeling discouraged during lunch recess games.

Recognizing the need for a more inclusive environment, a group of Grade 8 students stepped up with an innovative idea: mentorship through soccer. With their leadership and the support of Vice-Principal Karen de Jong, the students launched a program to encourage and train their younger peers in a safe, fun, and supportive way.

The Grade 8 mentors paired up with Grade 4 and 5 students to teach the fundamentals of soccer while emphasizing fairness, teamwork, and sportsmanship. To enhance the experience, the school provided essential supplies, including whistles, referee vests, and red, yellow, and blue cards, allowing the mentors to not only coach but also referee games.

The lunchtime sessions are now abuzz with activity as the Grade 8 students dedicate their breaks to guiding junior players, building their confidence, and teaching them the skills to enjoy the game fully. Through this program, the younger students have gained the knowledge and confidence to participate, while the Grade 8 leaders have earned widespread admiration for their initiative.

At St. Dominic Savio, the power of mentorship is shaping not just great soccer players but also compassionate leaders of tomorrow.

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) continues to foster a vibrant Model United Nations (MUN) program, empowering students to engage with global issues, develop critical thinking, and hone their public speaking and negotiation skills.

This year marked a milestone for WCDSB’s MUN community. While students from all five high schools actively participated in local conferences, nine exceptional students from St. David and St. Mary’s took their skills to the global stage from November 1-9, 2024. They attended a prestigious MUN event in Manizales, Colombia, hosted by Colegio San Luis Gonzaga. This conference underscored WCDSB’s commitment to fostering global citizenship and providing impactful experiential learning opportunities.

The students’ performance was nothing short of remarkable, with six participants earning top honours:

• Raven Leach (St. David): Best Delegate
• Connor Foran (St. David): Best Speaker
• Kate McGovern (St. David): Best Opening Speech
• Zac Sharma & Jared Kiers (St. Mary’s): Outstanding Delegate Recognition
• Alisson Leon-Pina (St. David): Resolutive Delegate

For the participants, the experience was transformative. Reflecting on the trip, Connor Foran shared, “Opportunities like this allow students to engage and learn on a global scale. We collaborated to address critical world issues, forging bonds not only within our Canadian team but also with our Colombian peers, who showed us incredible kindness inside and outside the conference room.”

Tess McGovern highlighted the real-world connections fostered by the event: “This trip contextualized the global issues we simulate in MUN. It showed the tangible impacts of developed nations on the developing world, encouraging us to adopt a globally minded perspective in our everyday lives.”

Accompanying teacher Mr. Kraehling emphasized the program’s broader impact: “Traveling to Colombia was an unforgettable learning experience for our students. It broadened their perspectives, deepened their understanding of global issues, and built lifelong friendships. This opportunity not only enhanced their education but also prepared them to navigate and appreciate diverse cultures.”

The trip to Colombia exemplifies WCDSB’s dedication to preparing students to thrive as globally conscious citizens. The students’ outstanding achievements and the profound insights they gained reflect their passion, talent, and determination. We are incredibly proud of how they represented our community on the international stage.

This experience will enrich their education and inspire them to make meaningful contributions. We look forward to seeing what they achieve as future leaders.

Last week, St. John’s Catholic Elementary School held an exciting assembly that left a lasting impression on students and staff. The event focused on anti-bullying but added a creative and cultural twist that engaged the entire school community.

The highlight was a special guest: Babarinde, an award-winning motivational speaker, musician, and storyteller. Born in Nigeria, West Africa, Babarinde is a Griot—a traditional African historian and storyteller. His powerful presence and talents captivated the audience. One of his career highlights is performing for Nelson Mandela in 1990 at the University of Lagos, an experience he described as unforgettable.

During the assembly, Babarinde used the power of music, storytelling, and African cultural traditions to educate students about the importance of respect, kindness, and inclusion. The session also included an energetic drum performance featuring the djembe—a traditional West African drum made of wood, ropes, and goat skin. 

The event was not only educational but also deeply inspiring, offering students a chance to connect with global cultures while reinforcing key values like empathy and acceptance. 

Through this unique assembly, St. John’s Catholic Elementary School demonstrated its commitment to creating a positive, inclusive environment for all. This was more than an anti-bullying presentation—it was a celebration of cultural richness and the power of music and storytelling to bring people together. 

Board of Trustees Meeting: Monday, November 25, 2024 @ 6:00 p.m. – Agenda: 2024-11-25_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…”.)

This month, we had the pleasure of visiting Holy Rosary Catholic School in Waterloo, where we met someone who plays an important role in supporting students and families: YMCA Settlement Worker Kulubrehan Abraham. It was immediately clear, through our conversations with the school administration, that Kulubrehan has made a big impact on the school’s diverse community, especially with students who are new to Canada.

Kulubrehan is part of the YMCA of Three Rivers and works through the Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) program, which is funded by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). He is one of six Settlement Workers supporting WCDSB schools across the region. These workers partner with school staff to help meet the unique needs of newcomer students and their families. They also connect schools with outside resources and community supports, assisting with things like housing, healthcare, and other settlement needs. SWIS workers play a key role in building understanding between families and schools, helping to create an environment that welcomes and values everyone’s cultural backgrounds.

At Holy Rosary, Kulubrehan works closely with students who have recently immigrated, offering them support and a listening ear as they settle into life in Canada and at WCDSB. His kind and understanding approach ensures that students feel valued and supported in their new school community.

Kulubrehan Abraham with Zion Hamde, Hailu Hailu, Sinit Gebrelibanos, Senbetu Mahder and Enismos Mengestab

Kulubrehan and his YMCA SWIS colleagues are an important part of helping newcomer families feel welcomed and supported at WCDSB. His work has helped create a more inclusive and caring environment at Holy Rosary, giving students the confidence to thrive in their new home. We are grateful for the positive difference he makes every day and proud to celebrate the YMCA Settlement Worker program’s impact in our schools.

Event Details: 

• Date: Wednesday, November 27, 2024 
• Time: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM – drop in anytime, no formal presentation 
• Location: John Sweeney CES, 185 Activa Ave, Kitchener 

During the open house, you will have the chance to ask questions one on one and provide input directly to Staff Committee members. For more information, please visit the Rosenberg Boundary Review webpage or share feedback via the online survey until November 29th or email rosenberg@wcdsb.ca. 

Kitchener, Ontario – On November 18, 2024, the Board of Trustees of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board elected Cambridge/North Dumfries Trustee Robert Sikora as Chair of the Board and Waterloo/Wellesley/Wollwich Trustee Linda Cuff as Vice-Chair of the Board. 

The Board of Trustees is comprised of the following representatives: 

Cambridge / North Dumfries 

David Guerin
Marisa Phillips
Robert Sikora 

Kitchener / Wilmot 

Kathy Doherty-Masters
Winston Francis
Renee Kraft
Tracey Weiler 

Waterloo / Wellesley / Woolwich 

Linda Cuff
Conrad Stanley 

Student Trustees 

Allison Berwick
Matteo Leone 

Media Contact:
Lema Salaymeh
Senior Manager of Communications
Waterloo Catholic District School Board
Communications@wcdsb.ca