The Education Act requires school boards to develop multi-year plans that are three years or more in scope.

The WCDSB’s 2022-2025 Multi-Year Strategic Plan is aimed at achieving the Ministry of Education’s goals of increased student achievement and well-being — and equity, inclusion and opportunity for all students – while simultaneously animating the vision of the board, upholding the principles of our Catholic Social Teachings and positioning all students to meet the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations.

The last WCDSB Multi-Year Strategic Plan reached its conclusion in 2022.

In the Spring of 2022, the WCDSB conducted a stakeholder survey to determine what should remain from the previous plan, and what should be the essential elements of the next MYSP.

There was broad consensus that the existing WCDSB Mission, Vision & Beliefs should remain unchanged.

There was also broad consensus that the following key areas of focus were essential to student success and wellbeing:

• Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) for Students and Staff
• Well-Being for Students and Staff
• Learning Recovery / Achievement

A further key consideration was to ensure the new plan had clear and obvious links to other critical board plans, including;

• Pastoral Plan
• Board Improvement and Equity Plan (BIEP)
• School Improvement and Equity Plan (SIEP) – Available via Individual School Websites
• Mental Health & Well-Being Strategy

Finally, a foundational aspect of the plan is that each Strategic Direction will bring an intentional focus on three specific, yet inter-related audiences:

• Students
• Staff
• Parents / Families / Community

The three Strategic Directions are:

• Awaken to Belong
• Ignite to Believe
• Strengthen to Become

The actions articulated within each of these Strategic Directions will be monitored and evaluated on an annual basis using a variety of data sources and evidence-based indicators.

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 186-year tradition of quality, inclusive, faith-based education. Follow us on Twitter: @WCDSBNewswire – #WCDSBAwesome.

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Congratulations to Resurrection CSS student Caitlin Kraemer and former WCDSB student Ava Murphy for their success so far at the Women’s Under-18 World Hockey Championship in Sweden.

Caitlin leads Canada in scoring in the tournament with six goals and an assist in three games, following Canada’s 3-1 victory over the United States on January 11.

Ava (with a goal and assist) was the star of last year’s gold medal winning 3-2 victory over the United States.

We wish Caitlin, Ava and the entire National Team all the best as they head into the semi-finals on January 14.

It’s Time to Sign Up for School!!

Peace as Christmas 2022 arrives!  We are Advent people, and we are called to AWAKEN – “It is now the moment for you to wake from sleep”. (Romans 13:11) 

As we long for our Saviour to once again come to us at Christmas, we celebrate all we have in common across the WCDSB family – our shared faith, our shared mission and our shared hope. 

Our WCDSB students and staff members have been so busy during this Advent Season living the true meaning of Christmas.  Advent is a time to embrace acts of sharing.  We thank and applaud our amazing staff members for their dedication, enthusiasm and leadership during a time of year that can be very intense on every level.

Our world is an increasingly challenging one, and we recognize that many in our midst are struggling.  Christmas is a time to focus on our shared humanity, our desire for connection and our need to come together to celebrate, to reflect and to worship. May we never lose sight of those in our midst and beyond who need our help.  Our faith calls us to support one another as we journey. 

On behalf of the WCDSB Board of Trustees, we wish you much peace as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.  May you feel the joy and hope that Christmas brings, both now and throughout 2023.

Board of Trustees — Waterloo Catholic District School Board

Tracey Weiler – Chair

Kathy Doherty-Masters – Vice-Chair

Wendy Ashby – Trustee

Linda Cuff – Trustee

Sally Fuentes – Trustee

David Guerin – Trustee

Renee Kraft – Trustee

Marissa Phillips – Trustee

Bob Sikora – Trustee

Dear Parents & Guardians,

As the season of Advent draws to a close and we eagerly await Christmas and the celebration of the birth of Jesus, we reflect on the year 2022 with mixed emotions.

While the challenges of COVID-19 remain with us, we have been fortunate these last few months to see our schools begin to return to more normal routines.

It has been a long and difficult journey – and I thank all families for your patience, understanding and cooperation as we continue to travel that winding road together.

The education of children and youth is strongest when families and schools work together in a true partnership.

If COVID has taught us anything, it is that time spent with family and friends is very precious.

May each of you and your families enjoy a beautiful and blessed Christmas season together.

Of course, the Christmas season, for many reasons, is not a time of joy for many people.

As a people of hope, we not only ask you to join us in praying for all those who are suffering, but also for peace on Earth – in 2023, and forever.

Merry Christmas! And all best wishes for a happy, healthy, and successful 2023!!

Sincerely,

Tyrone Dowling – Director of Education