Last night, St. David Catholic Secondary School received a special delivery – the tiny home that toured all our secondary schools during the Homes for Hope fundraiser made its final stop. The occasion? A heartfelt promise kept by St. David’s administrative team. They had pledged to spend a night in the tiny home if their students reached their ambitious $5,000 fundraising goal.

True to their word, school administrators Erin Riley, Christine Bencina, and Patrick Eby bundled up and braved one of the coldest nights in recent months to sleep out in the tiny home. Their efforts were a testament to the incredible generosity of the St. David school community and the unwavering dedication of teacher Alyssa Zaborowski and her Student Activity Council (SAC) team, who worked tirelessly to promote the cause and ensure the fundraising goal was met. Amazing work, team!

The Homes for Hope initiative, supported by the Waterloo Catholic District School Board community, raised an impressive $8,500. The campaign concluded with a memorable sleepout involving 200 students at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School. The funds raised will support individuals in our community who are underhoused, addressing a growing and urgent need.

We are so proud of our students for showing compassion and solidarity with those experiencing homelessness. A heartfelt thank-you to our entire WCDSB community for your generosity—you made this incredible achievement possible!

Special Board of Trustees Meeting: Thursday, December 12, 2024 @ 7:30 p.m. – Agenda: 2024-12-12_Special-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

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December 12, 2024

• Due to the current weather conditions, ALL SCHOOL BUSES, TAXIS AND SPECIAL EDUCATION ROUTES are cancelled.
• All Schools are OPEN.
• All Extended Day Childcare Programs are OPEN.
• St. Louis online, daytime, and evening classes are open at all locations.
• Community Use Programs are able to operate.

This week, we had the privilege of attending the dress rehearsal for Footloose: The Musical! at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School. With over 117 students and staff collaborating since September, this marks the fifth full-length musical Bennies has produced since 2019—and it’s nothing short of extraordinary!

From dazzling performances to meticulous set designs, the production showcases the incredible talent and dedication of the St. Benedict community. If you’re looking for an unforgettable evening of theatre, this show is a must-see.

Showtimes:

• Thursday, December 12 at 7:00 PM
• Friday, December 13 at 7:00 PM
• Saturday, December 14 at 7:00 PM

Tickets are $10 each and available to the public through School Cash Online. Don’t wait—secure your seats here: St. Benedict Footloose Tickets.

Don’t miss out—this amazing production is bound to leave audiences inspired and entertained. See you at the show!

Board of Trustees Meeting: Monday, December 9, 2024 @ 6:00 p.m. – Agenda: 2024-12-09_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…”.)

December 5, 2024

• Due to the current weather conditions, ALL SCHOOL BUSES, TAXIS AND SPECIAL EDUCATION ROUTES  are cancelled.
• All Schools are OPEN.
• All Extended Day Childcare Programs are OPEN.
• St. Louis online, daytime, and evening classes are open at all locations.

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.