We are pleased to share that Angela McHardy and Jordan Figueiredo have been appointed as Superintendents of Learning with the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, effective August 24, 2026.

Angela joins us from the London District Catholic School Board. She is recognized for her experience in special education, inclusive practices, and faith-centered leadership, and has led diverse school communities while advocating for equitable outcomes and high achievement for all learners. As Principal of Amethyst Demonstration School, Southwestern Ontario’s provincially designated Tier 3 intervention school, she led specialized programming for some of Ontario’s highest-needs learners, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams on evidence-based intervention models that strengthened literacy and numeracy outcomes. She serves as the Elementary Principal Representative on SEAC and is an instructor for CPCO’s Special Education for Administrators program.

Jordan is known to many as a dedicated and respected faith-filled leader, most recently serving as Principal of St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School in Cambridge, where he led the school through a period of significant growth and transformation. He is known for creating cultures of belonging, collaboration, and innovation, and has a long-standing commitment to coaching and mentorship, recently completing his term as President of District 8 Athletics. Through his leadership on board-level committees, including the current Multi-Year Strategic Plan, Jordan has helped lead system improvement and alignment.

Please congratulate Angela and Jordan on this well-deserved appointment. We look forward to the continued impact they will make in service of our students, staff, and school communities.

Dear Students and Families,

As this school year comes to a close, I want to take a moment to thank you for being such a meaningful part of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board community.

This year has been filled with learning, growth, achievement, friendship, faith, and service. As I reflect on my first year as Director of Education, I am struck most by the people I have had the privilege of meeting. I visited each of our 52 schools twice this year, and in every building, I was welcomed with warmth and generosity. I had the joy of reading to students, visiting classrooms, attending events, and witnessing firsthand the incredible things happening each day across our system. Our students inspired me at every turn.

To our students, congratulations on everything you have accomplished this year. Whether you learned something new, overcame a challenge, discovered a passion, helped a friend, served your community, or simply gave your best each day, you should be proud. Your curiosity, kindness, resilience, and talents make our schools vibrant communities of learning, faith, and belonging, and I am grateful I had the chance to see that up close.

To our families, thank you for your partnership, your trust, and your presence in the life of our schools. The success of our students is made possible through the strong connection between home, school, and parish. We do not take that trust lightly, and we are committed to honouring it every day.

This year, we also brought our new Multi-Year Strategic Plan to life. Learn, Serve, Belong, with faith at the centre, is the commitment that guides everything we do, and I saw it lived out beautifully in our schools and communities throughout the year. I am deeply proud of what we have built together, and I look forward with great hope to what lies ahead in 2026-2027.

To our graduates, congratulations as you celebrate this important milestone. We are proud of all you have accomplished and excited for the opportunities that await you. Wherever your next steps lead, know that you will always be part of the WCDSB family.

As we enter the summer months, I hope this season brings rest, joy, and treasured time with family and friends. I encourage our students to keep exploring, reading, creating, and playing. Some of life’s best learning happens beyond the classroom walls. As people of faith, we give thanks for the many blessings of this school year and look ahead with hope and excitement to the year to come. May God continue to watch over and bless each of you throughout the summer.

On behalf of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, thank you for a wonderful year. We look forward to welcoming you back in September.

Wishing you a safe, joyful, and blessed summer.

With gratitude,

Annalisa Varano
Director of Education/CEO

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board’s 2026-27 School Year Budget was approved by the Board of Trustees on Monday, June 22, 2026.  

The Budget Book can be accessed by visiting this link: 2026/2027 Budget Report.   

Quick Facts  

The overall budget is as follows:  

• Total Operating: $451.8M — ($5.6M change from 2025-26)  
• Total Capital: $90.4M — ($14.3M change from 2025-26)  
• Total Operating & Capital: $542.2M — ($19.9 M change from 2025-26)  

As always, budget decisions are guided by the key priorities captured in the following plans, which include:  

• Multi-Year Strategic Plan * 
• Board Improvement and Equity Plan  
• Long-Term Accommodation Plan  
• Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan  
• Information Technology Strategic Plan  

Key funding areas of the operating budget include:  

• Classroom Staffing — $223.7M  
• Learning Resources — $57.3M  
• Special Education — $53.7M  
• School Facilities — $56.4M  
• Student Transportation — $14.8M 
• Board Administration — $12.5M  
• Pupil Accommodation — $4.9M 
• Other — $28.4M 

The budget contains provisions for:  

• New Classroom Supplies for elementary teachers ($750/teacher) and new Consistent Curriculum resources 
• Increased costs for non-staffing areas such as utilities, portables, student transportation, texts and supplies 
• Continued support for math and mental health 
• Continued support for identifying and assisting students with reading difficulties and students with special needs 
• Outfitting two new schools scheduled to open September 2026 

* The proposed budget is informed by the Board’s 2025–2030 Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP) and guided by its three pillars: Learning, Serving, and Belonging, with faith at the centre. The MYSP provides focus and direction for nurturing student achievement, wellbeing, equity, and public trust, while remaining grounded in our Catholic Graduate Expectations and Catholic Social Teachings. 

Something special is brewing at Sir Edgar Bauer Catholic Elementary School.

The Brew Crew, a student-run café guided by staff member Jen Hamilton, is giving students hands-on experience that stretches well beyond the kitchen. Through the program, students are building financial literacy, communication skills, and the kind of quiet confidence that comes from knowing your work matters.

What started as a small initiative selling pre-packaged baked goods has grown into a full café operation. Over time, students took on greater responsibility, learning to follow recipes independently, bake items from scratch, and prepare grilled cheese for their staff. Each new skill has deepened their sense of ownership over the program.

For many participants, the sessions are a highlight of the school week. Students take pride in their contributions, collaborate as a team, and engage with staff in new ways, all of which has translated into greater confidence and connection at school.

The Brew Crew’s impact also extends into the wider community. This year alone, students have donated over $150 to Tiny Home Takeout and $100 to Nutrition for Learning, living out the spirit of service that is at the heart of Catholic education.

“One of the most important parts of this program is giving back to our community,” said Hamilton. “Our students are proud to know that their work is making a real difference. It helps them see that even small actions can have a big impact.”

That lesson, that each of us has something to offer, is one students at Sir Edgar Bauer Catholic Elementary School are learning not just in the classroom, but in every bite they serve.

Upcoming Agenda:

Board of Trustees Meeting: Monday, June 22, 2026 @ 6:00 p.m. – Agenda: 2026-06-22_Board-of-Trustee Agenda

Location:  1st floor Board Room, Catholic Education Centre, 35 Weber Street, Kitchener

Livestreaming of Board Meetings

Board meetings are open to the public. You may attend in person or watch live here: https://wcdsb.ca/about-us/meeting-information/board-meeting-live-stream/

General Information About WCDSB Board Meetings

Information About the Board of Trustees

There is something special about watching a seed you planted yourself grow into something real. For Grade 3 students at St. Aloysius Catholic School, that lesson took on even deeper meaning during their return visit to Trinity Village Care Centre’s Adult Day Program on June 10.

Having already planted seeds back in the classroom and watched them sprout on their windowsills, students were ready for the next chapter: heading outside to get their hands dirty alongside their senior friends. Together, they weeded garden beds and planted potatoes, tomatoes and sunflowers, picking up conversations right where they had left off during earlier visits.

The experience is rooted in the Ontario Grade 3 Science curriculum’s Plants and Soils unit, but for teacher Mr. Schindler, it has always been about so much more than expectations on a page.

“It ties in perfectly with my Grade 3 expectations for science, soil and plants,” he said. “What I love about this program is that students get a chance to get their hands dirty and apply what they learned in class. My favourite part is watching my Grade 3 students interact with the residents at Trinity. It just makes me happy.”

His students seemed to agree. As they tended to the garden beds, they also reflected on something they had come to understand through their growing things: that plants, like people, need love and care to truly thrive.

Participants in the Adult Day Program worked right alongside the students, sharing stories and continuing friendships that have been quietly deepening across visits. The intergenerational setting turned a science lesson into something much richer, with students practising empathy, communication and genuine connection in real time.

St. Aloysius Catholic School is grateful to the staff at Trinity Village Care Centre for their warm welcome and continued partnership, and to the members of the Adult Day Program for the gift of their time, their stories and their friendship. It has made for an experience that both generations will carry with them long after the garden grows.

Upcoming Agenda:

Special Board of Trustees Meeting: Wednesday, June 17, 2026 @ 6:00 p.m. – Agenda: 2026-06-17_Special-Board-of-Trustee Agenda

Location:  1st floor Board Room, Catholic Education Centre, 35 Weber Street, Kitchener

Livestreaming of Board Meetings

Board meetings are open to the public. You may attend in person or watch live here: https://wcdsb.ca/about-us/meeting-information/board-meeting-live-stream/

General Information About WCDSB Board Meetings

Information About the Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board is pleased to announce that Annalisa Varano has been appointed to the permanent position of Director of Education, Chief Executive Officer, and Secretary of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board. 

Since assuming the role on an interim basis in September 2025, Annalisa has led our system with clarity of purpose, deep faith, and a genuine commitment to the students, staff, and families we serve.  

In collaboration with the senior team and the Board of Trustees, she supported the development and successful launch of our new Multi-Year Strategic Plan, “Learn, Serve, Belong”. She was also instrumental in the unveiling of our new Pastoral Plan. Both plans are integral frameworks that place Faith at the centre of everything we do. She has also supported the development of a robust monitoring strategy that will guide our system through the next five years, ensuring that we remain accountable to the communities we serve and grounded in the vision we have set together. 

Please join us in congratulating Annalisa Varano as she continues to lead our board into its next chapter.
 

Renée Kraft
Chair of the Board
Waterloo Catholic District School Board

Helmets on, kickstands up. The Cycling Smarts Pilot Program rolled into St. Nicholas Catholic Elementary School on June 1, and we were lucky enough to be there for tarmac day to see our Grade 5 students put their new skills to the test. 

The energy on the pavement was incredible. Students were beaming as they practiced signaling their turns, navigating cones, and growing more confident with every loop. Some were seasoned riders. Others were learning to balance on two wheels for the very first time. All of them were having a blast, picking up safety tips, and making memories that will stay with them long after the program wraps. 

Cycling Smarts is more than a few days of riding. It is a thoughtful introduction to safe, confident urban cycling, designed to meet every student where they are. The curriculum blends classroom lessons with hands-on practice, covering everything from core riding mechanics to road safety rules, navigating intersections, and developing a defensive riding mindset. Best of all, the program is offered at no cost to families and welcomes every student, including those with mobility needs and those who have never ridden a bike before. 

None of this would be possible without our incredible partners. We are deeply grateful to the City of Waterloo, the Waterloo Region District School Board, Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region, and The Working Centre for bringing this program to life for our students.

The timing could not be more fitting. This week is also Bike to School Week across Waterloo Region, a community-wide celebration that invites students to feel the wind in their hair, try riding to school for the first time, learn new skills, or simply have fun exploring their neighbourhoods on two wheels. Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region (STSWR) has teamed up with the cities of Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo, along with the Region of Waterloo, to sponsor a host of prizes for participating students, including 30 Dairy Queen gift cards and 10 active transportation prize packages. Families can learn more and join in at stswr.ca. 

What we saw at St. Nicholas this week is just the beginning. We are looking forward to watching Cycling Smarts roll out to more schools across both Waterloo Region school boards in the coming school year, giving more students the chance to discover the freedom, confidence, and joy that comes with riding a bike.

A new cycling education program is rolling into local elementary schools this June. 

The Cycling Smarts Pilot Program is a collaboration between the City of Waterloo, the Waterloo Region District School Board, the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region, and The Working Centre. The program teaches Grade 5 students how to ride safely and confidently in an urban environment. The program is offered at no cost to families and is designed to include all students, including those with mobility needs and those who have never ridden a bike before. 

“Learning does not stop at the classroom door, and neither does our commitment to our students,” said Annalisa Varano, Director of Education of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board. “The Cycling Smarts Pilot Project is a powerful reminder of what becomes possible when school boards, municipalities, and community organizations come together around a shared belief in young people. Our students will gain practical skills, build resilience, and develop a deeper connection to the community they call home. At the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, we are honoured to be part of that journey.” 

“The Cycling Smarts Pilot Program is a great example of how strong community partnerships create meaningful opportunities for students,” said Scott Miller, Chief Executive Officer of the Waterloo Region District School Board. “This program will give students the opportunity to build confidence, independence and practical life skills in a safe and supportive environment. Regardless of their experience or ability, students will develop healthy habits, strengthen their sense of belonging in the community, and gain the skills they need to navigate their world safely and confidently.” 

Early access to cycling education is a proven way to build lifelong active transportation habits. Cycling is a healthy, affordable and accessible way for children and youth to get around, and the City of Waterloo’s growing network of urban cycling routes gives them real options to do so. Learning to ride at a younger age also builds a sense of freedom and agency that organizers hope every participating student will carry with them. By reaching children whose parents may not cycle themselves, the program helps provide access to active transportation and supports local efforts toward Bicycle Friendly Communities recognition. 

“It’s with future cyclists in mind that we continually expand our active transportation network. The City of Waterloo is recognized as a Gold Bicycle Friendly Community with over 230 km of trails, bike lanes and signed bike routes connecting cyclists to key destinations in the city. Cycling supports a healthy lifestyle, environmental sustainability and provides more options for getting around,” said Chris Hodgson, Manager, Active Transportation at the City of Waterloo. 

“I’m so glad that Cycling Smarts is bringing comprehensive cycling education to Grade 5 students in the City of Waterloo, and I know first-hand how valuable this experience can be for kids,” said Philip Martin, founder of Cycling Into The Future, the program after which Cycling Smarts is modelled. “This training will help older children ride more safely in their communities, and it will provide many other benefits — physical activity, an earth-friendly way to get around, something fun to do with friends. I’m grateful that The Working Centre and the City of Waterloo are picking up where Cycling Into The Future left off.” 

“Recycle Cycles is thrilled to be partnering on this pilot program, and the response from the schools has been amazing,” said Cassandra Polyzou of The Working Centre. “Our team is really excited to share their love of cycling with the kids and leave them with valuable skills to stay safe on the road.” 

The Cycling Smarts curriculum blends classroom lessons with on-the-bike practice. Students learn the core mechanics of riding alongside the road safety rules and shoulder-checking habits that keep them visible and aware. They practice navigating intersections and roundabouts, positioning themselves safely around parked and stopped vehicles, and applying a defensive-riding mindset that will serve them well beyond the classroom.  

“Children deserve to travel public spaces with their families and independently, as their maturity allows, and Cycling Smarts helps them develop the skills and awareness to do so,” said Keith Prudham, General Manager of Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region. “We are excited to work with this partnership to make it happen.” 

Cycling Smarts will run at St. Nicholas Catholic Elementary School from June 1 to 5 and at Lincoln Heights Public School from June 15 to 19. Two additional schools are expected to provide the program in the fall. 

Media Contact:  

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

Estefanía Brandenstein
Communications Officer
Waterloo Region District School Board
Estefania_Brandenstein@wrdsb.ca 

Stacey Abbott
Corporate Communications Manager
City of Waterloo
Stacey.Abbott@waterloo.ca