Meetings

Committee of the Whole Board Meeting

Monday, September 9, 2019 – Meeting Agenda Package

Public Board Meeting

Monday, September 23, 2019 — Meeting Agenda Package

Highlights

Inaugural Service Learning for Credit Course

For the past number of years, WCDSB has given high school students the opportunity to have an experience in the global south, specifically in the Dominican Republic. The purpose of the trip is to seed students for service in the context of international and intercultural dialogue. The overall impact for students and staff who have had this experience has been consistently positive. That said, there has never been an opportunity to connect this experience to a credit bearing course experience.

In the 2018-19 school year, St. Benedict CSS and Monsignor Doyle CSS ran the Board’s inaugural three-credit service-learning experience. Students spent the year planning for their trip through local encounters and fundraising activities. In the second semester they began their formal course work which was intended to strengthen their knowledge base about the country they would visit (Kenya) — as well as the various dynamics impacting the specific community which they would visit. Seeing and understanding the interconnection of education to health, water, food and opportunity were critical points of learning. Mapping to a religion, social justice and co-op credit, students were able to experience a transformative learning experience which really does reflect our Board’s mission statement that “we educate and nurture hope in all learners to realize their full potential to transform God’s world.” This first group of students were pioneers in exploring the infinite possibilities that are borne of service learning for credit programs. This coming year Resurrection CSS will participate in the experience.

The full report is available on pages 8-9 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Summer Boost Program Report

The goal of Summer Boost is to provide an exciting educational program aimed at improving the numeracy and literacy skills of students through:

• Having a variety of opportunities for hands on learning from science experiments to trips to the Outdoor Education center and Library;
• Serving healthy snacks daily and engaging in regular physical activity that emphasizes teamwork, skills and fair play;
• Engaging in fun literacy/numeracy activities at school and home with family members as part of the Home Numeracy/Literacy Program;
• Receiving an integrated arts education – as cooperative activities are designed each week to promote creative thinking and expression through music, drama and visual arts;
• Accessing technology including chromebooks;
• Making new friends and developing a belief in themselves as learners through the power of perseverance.

In 2018 a total of nine classes, divided equally among three school sites, served 135 students.

The full report is available on pages 12-25 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Board Improvement Plan for Student Achievement (BIPSA) Update

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board’s Board Improvement Plan for Student Achievement (BIPSA) sets specific operational direction to ensure that the key components outlined in the WCDSB’s Multi Year Strategic Plan as well as other relevant initiatives and priorities are addressed.

Updated annually and responsive to shifting contexts and needs throughout the year, the BIPSA reflects our system’s continued commitment to improved student achievement and wellbeing. It assures that the board’s mission, “As disciples of Christ, we educate and nurture hope in all learners to realize their full potential to transform God’s world”, is embedded in all we do. It is rooted in the evangelical vision of Catholic education which is beautifully defined in our Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations (OCSGEs).

The Board Improvement Plan for Student Achievement provides the framework for each school’s School Improvement Plan for Student Achievement (SIPSA). The SIPSA allows for a more nuanced and focused plan that meets the specific needs of our unique and diverse school communities, each of which has its own metrics and targets that are monitored throughout the year and revised annually.

Key aspects of the 2019-2020 BIPSA are:

• A call to “Know our learners”; “Respond to their needs”; and “Monitor our progress”
• A focus on assessment for learning
• A greater emphasis on leveraging technology to accelerate learning
• A prioritization of experiential learning opportunities across all Pathways
• A re-emphasis of Global Competencies that connect and align world-wide instructional priorities and OCSGEs
• Greater attention to responsive small group instruction in math
• Fostering math conceptual retention by building connections between math concepts

The 2019-2020 BIPSA takes the form of a two-sided “placemat”. This attention to brevity and clarity is intended to lead to greater engagement by all stakeholders and achievement by our students. The BIPSA can be read or approached in distinct manners and reflects a core focus, namely that we are committed to a) knowing our learners, b) responding to their needs, and c) monitoring their progress.

To view the full plan please see pages 26-30 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Enrolment Update

Elementary

Budget Projection = 16,900

September 9, 2019 = 16,908

September 12, 2018 = 16,271

The year over year change is +637 elementary students. The change over the projected enrolment in the 2019-20 school year budget is +8 elementary students.

Kindergarten enrolment in September 2018 was 3,133. Kindergarten enrolment in September 2019 is 3,322, a year over year increase of 189 students.

The schools experiencing the largest increases in enrolment are:

• John +87
• Daniel +54
• Agnes +54
• Gabriel +49
• Anne (K) +46
• Dominic Savio +35
• Paul +32

Secondary

Average Daily Enrolment Budget Projection = 6,775

Average Daily Enrolment 2018-2019 = 6,550

Average Daily Enrolment Projected with September 13, 2019 Full Time Equivalents = 6,800

The Average Daily Enrolment projection will be calculated again after October 31, 2019.

The year over year increase in enrolment in both elementary and secondary is projected to be 887 students.

To view the full report please see pages 27-28 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Summer Construction Update

During the 2018-2019 school year, numerous construction projects were undertaken at many schools throughout the Region. All projects were funded by the Ministry of Education and were associated with building renewal, school priorities and capital projects. School renewal projects which capture non-building envelope items such as painting, flooring and millwork, totaled approximately $3.49 million. School condition improvement (SCI) which includes repairs to building components, improving accessibility and energy efficiencies totaled approximately $5.44 million. The majority of the work was carried out during an eight-week period over the summer months.

In addition to the school construction projects, a full renovation to the office spaces as well as mechanical, electrical and HVAC upgrades continue at the CEC. The majority of the renovations will be completed by September 30. The Parish Hall/New Board Room will be completed for November 1, 2019.

To view the full report please see pages 19-23 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Changes to HPE/Sex Ed Curriculum

In 2015, the Ontario Ministry of Education introduced an updated Ontario Curriculum, Grades 1-8: Health and Physical Education, with significant revisions to the Human Development and Sexual Health strand. In Catholic schools, the content about human sexuality is not delivered as part of the Health and Physical Education program, but rather is incorporated as one aspect of the Family Life Curriculum. While the majority of content introduced in the 2015 version of the provincial HPE curriculum was already a part of FLE curriculum, additional resources were developed in 2015-2016 to ensure full alignment with the curriculum requirements of the day. Changes recently introduced to the HPE curriculum will continue to be fully addressed through the Family Life Education program in a way that is consistent with Church teachings, and our faith tradition. We teach the curriculum established by the Ministry of Education, and curriculum across all subject areas through the lens of our Catholic faith.

The revised curriculum largely restores the content put in place in 2015, with some further updates, and some modest changes:

• The 2015 Curriculum had three strands (A: Active Living; B: Movement Competence: Skills, Concepts and Strategies; C: Healthy Living). Additionally, the curriculum identified “Living Skills”, with a note that the skills expectations were addressed across the HPE curriculum and that they should be assessed and evaluated within the other three strands.
• The 2019 curriculum has 4 strands (A: Social Emotional Learning Skills; B: Active Living; C: Movement Competence: Skills, Concepts and Strategies; D: Healthy Living. “Social Emotional Learning Skills” is introduced as an additional strand, replacing “Living Skills” expectations.
• The 2019 document includes concussion education from kindergarten through to grade 8 including explicit education on Board concussion protocols.
• Concentrated focus towards online safety and bullying from kindergarten through to grade 8.
• Concentrated focus on vaping education from kindergarten through to grade 8.
• The 2019 curriculum expectations in the Healthy Living strand focuses on five health topics:

✔ Healthy Eating

✔ Personal Safety & Injury Prevention

✔ Substance Use, Addictions & Related Behaviours

✔ Human Development & Sexual Health

✔ Mental Health Literacy (New – 2019)

To view the full report please see pages 24-26 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Capital Priorities

The Ministry of Education has requested business case submissions for capital project funding. The submission deadline is September 30, 2019. Board staff will be submitting six capital priorities to the Ministry of Education.

East Kitchener — New 1400 pupil place school (400 Elementary and 1000 Secondary) to alleviate enrolment pressure at St. Mary’s HS, St. Daniel, Saint John Paul II, St. Anne Kitchener, and Canadian Martyrs. Proposed opening: 2022-2023

Huron-Brigadoon — New 564 pupil place school. Proposed opening: 2021-2022

St. John — Addition – 8 classrooms + childcare. Proposed opening: 2021-2022

Southeast Galt — New 350 pupil place school. This is part of a joint partnership with WRDSB and the City of Cambridge. Proposed opening: 2023-2024

St. Agnes — Addition – 8 classrooms + gymnasium + library. Proposed opening: 2020-2021

Rosenberg — New 400 pupil place school + community centre. The City of Kitchener is interested in partnering with WCDSB to construct a community centre along with the school. Proposed opening: 2023-2024

To view the full report please see pages 29-31 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Board Chair’s Update

Each month, Board Chair Bill Conway reports on the activities of the Board of Trustees. The report for September 2019 is available on page 32 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Upcoming Board Meetings

Committee of the Whole Board Meeting

Monday, October 7, 2019

St. Benedict CSS, Cambridge

Regular Public Board Meeting

Monday, October 28, 2019

St. Benedict CSS, Cambridge

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board, representing more than 96,000 Catholic school supporters, operates 49 schools and four adult education facilities, serving more than 40,000 elementary, secondary and continuing education students in Waterloo Region – continuing a 183-year tradition of quality, inclusive, faith-based education. Follow us on Twitter: @WCDSBNewswire – #WCDSBAwesome.

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For more information, please contact:

John Shewchuk – Chief Managing Officer | (519) 578-3660 | john.shewchuk@wcdsb.ca

Last spring Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region (STSWR) hosted a First Rider Program at seven schools throughout the Region of Waterloo open to all junior and senior kindergarten students. The First Rider Program is a safety program introducing new riders to the bus and how to be a safe and responsible rider. An interactive video is followed by a bus safety demonstration and a short ride on the school bus.

If your child was unable to attend or is newly eligible for transportation this short video may be helpful for you and your child. https://vimeo.com/229625011

The 2019-20 school year is just around the corner – and registering to attend one of Waterloo Region’s 44 Catholic elementary schools and five Catholic secondary schools has never been easier. In fact, a quality, inclusive, faith-based education is now just a click away thanks to the Waterloo Catholic District School Board’s Online Registration system.

QUICKFacts

~~ Parents can access the Online Registration form by clicking on the Register for School link on the WCDSB Homepage and then choosing either Kindergarten Registration, Elementary Registration or Secondary Registration. The link to Online Registration can be found on each page under the “Registration Options”

~~ Children born in 2015 are eligible for Year 1 Kindergarten.

~~ Children born in 2014 are eligible for Year 2 Kindergarten.

~~ When registering your child to attend a Catholic elementary school you must be prepared to provide proof of the child’s date of birth and either the child’s Catholic baptismal certificate or the Catholic baptismal certificate of at least one parent or guardian.

~~ If you are non-Catholic, but wish to explore a Catholic education for your child(ren), please review the WCDSB Admissions to Catholic Elementary Schools policy. Our secondary schools are open to students of all faiths.

~~ For information about WCDSB’s Extended Day Program, please click here: Extended Day Program.

~~ For information about French Immersion programs in Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge, please click here: French Immersion Registration Information.

~~ And don’t forget about the wide variety of adult learning opportunities available via our St. Louis Adult Learning & Continuing Education Centre!

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board, representing more than 96,000 Catholic school supporters, operates 49 schools and five adult education facilities serving more than 40,000 elementary, secondary and continuing education students in Waterloo Region – continuing a 183-year tradition of quality, inclusive, faith-based education. Follow us on Twitter: @WCDSBNewswire – #WCDSBAwesome.

Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region’s Student Login Portal allows parents to retrieve their child’s busing information for the first day of school. It will be open to families beginning Monday, August 19th.

Parents can login and view their child’s transportation details by going to www.stswr.ca and following these easy steps:

• Click on “Student Login”
• Enter your child’s Ontario Education Number (OEN)
• The OEN can be found on your child’s report card
• Numbers only, no space, no dash
• Enter your child’s birth date (dd/mm/yyyy)
• Enter your child’s street number (house number only)
• Select the school your child is attending from the drop down menu

If you are having difficulty with the Student Login Portal, please CLICK HERE.

Waterloo Region, ON – The Waterloo Catholic District School Board proudly announces the launch of its innovative new Global Leadership in the 21st Century course.

Quick Facts

• Global Leadership in the 21st Century – which will be running at Monsignor Doyle Catholic Secondary School in Cambridge in the 2019-20 school year — is a one semester five-credit course combining Economics, International Business, Political Science, World Issues and English.

• The course is a uniquely designed experience in which one class of students will remain together each day for the entire semester. This immersive style of learning will allow for more in-depth, challenging and engaging lessons, while also providing students the opportunity to focus on their futures in a more informed and creative environment.

• Global Leadership students will use the latest in professionally developed eLearning simulations and role-play, as well as real world challenges and case studies connecting students to leaders in their community, their nation and even the planet at large. Students will learn how to face the challenges that await them as global citizens, and how to develop real solutions for their world.

• The course is a university preparation course which will assist students in developing the competencies and skills necessary to succeed at the post-secondary destination of their choosing. Competencies of communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity will be core to the learning.  Skills related to effective case study writing, essay writing, various report styles, research and public speaking will be an asset.

Related Links

Monsignor Doyle Catholic Secondary School

WCDSB International Education Program

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board, representing more than 96,000 Catholic school supporters, operates 48 schools and five adult education facilities serving more than 40,000 elementary, secondary and continuing education students in Waterloo Region – continuing a 183-year tradition of quality, inclusive, faith-based education. Follow us on Twitter: @WCDSBNewswire – #WCDSBAwesome.

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For more information, please contact:

Dan Witt — Principal, International Education

(519) 578-3660 Ext. 2537 | Dan.Witt@wcdsb.ca

Waterloo Region, ON – Fourteen Waterloo Catholic District School Board schools have been awarded “Healthy Schools” certifications by the Ontario Physical and Health Education Association (OPHEA) – including all five WCDSB secondary schools.

Nine WCDSB schools received Healthy Schools certifications in 2017-18.

Quick Facts

• Participating schools across Ontario completed the 6-Step Healthy Schools Process, which aligns with the Ministry of Education’s Foundations for a Healthy School resource document. This process guides a school community through planning and implementation of a range of activities for a selected priority health topic. The process is annual, repeating each school year, and flexible for all communities across Ontario to sustain year over year. School teams focus on one of the following six health topics:
  • Physical Activity
  • Healthy Eating
  • Personal Safety and Injury Prevention
  • Growth and Development
  • Mental Health
  • Substance Use, Addictions and Related Behaviours

• While a healthy school community aims to promote health in all six of the interconnected health topics, selecting a priority health topic based on each school community’s needs and assets helps focus the work of the school team. By focusing on one health topic comprehensively across as many of the five Foundations for a Healthy School areas as possible, schools are better positioned to have a deeper impact on their broader school communities.

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board, representing more than 96,000 Catholic school supporters, operates 48 schools and five adult education facilities, serving more than 40,000 elementary, secondary and continuing education students in Waterloo Region – continuing a 183-year tradition of quality, inclusive, faith-based education. Follow us on Twitter: @WCDSBNewswire – #WCDSBAwesome.

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For more information, please contact:

John Shewchuk – Chief Managing Officer

(519) 578-3660 | john.shewchuk@wcdsb.ca

The Education Act requires school boards to develop multi-year plans that are three years or more in scope. The plans provide focus and direction to the board to achieve Ministry of Education goals and, equally as important, articulate the vision of the school board.

In June of 2018 the Board of Trustees accepted the final report card on the 2015-2018 Multi-Year Strategic Plan. Within that work was found stakeholder feedback regarding our previously identified Mission, Vision, Beliefs and three core Strategic Priorities.

There was a high affirmation rate for each, and thus it was identified at that time that those would remain constant and provide a foundational framework for a new strategic plan that was approved in December, 2018.

Informed by the MYSP survey completed in the spring of 2018, the June 2018 MYSP report card, and a number of conversations throughout of the fall of 2018, the Director and Senior Staff worked to identify both new Strategic Directions and corresponding goals for each of the three pre-identified strategic priorities.

There was an eye toward reducing the number of strategic directions and the number of goals. Nine strategic directions were reduced to six and 32 goals were reduced to 17.

Each of the six identified Strategic Directions of the MYSP have two to four goals which provide a focus to assist in the attainment of our Mission and Vision. For each of those goals, there are also a number of finite actions that were identified within the plan, that are seen as integral to the attainment of the articulated goals.

Each of the WCDSB staff departments responsible for the MYSP’s goals has completed a Strategic Direction Action Status Report in which they have reported back on the activities undertaken under the auspices of the strategic direction priority area.

As we navigate the early months of our 2018-2021 Strategic Plan, we find that four of six Strategic Directions and 15 of 17 goals are progressing at an optimal level, having been rated at “Green” or “Effectively Meeting Standard”.

Two of the six Strategic Directions have some combination of “Green” (Effectively Meeting Standard) and “Orange” (Approaching Criteria), with the majority still being “Green”, as only two of 17 goals have been deemed to be “Orange.

There are no goals that have been assessed at “Red” (Not Meeting Criteria).

To review the detailed Report Card, please CLICK HERE and proceed to page 32.

We will be working diligently to ensure the forward momentum currently being experienced is maintained in the coming year. This will require a strong culture of collaboration, collective efficacy, high expectations and innovation.

There are many points of celebration and there is clear direction in terms of the work for the year ahead. We can be most proud that our Vision and Mission – which are firmly rooted in our faith and gospel values – are recognized as our strongest or most clearly affirmed indicator.

Waterloo Region, ON – Trustees of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board have approved the Board’s $299.9 million 2019-20 school year budget.

Government policy changes involving class sizes, reduction in per-pupil funding, and cancellation of the Local Priorities Fund have led to an overall reduction across the school system of approximately $10 million, impacting staff as well as student programming and resources.

The government continues to consult with stakeholders on specific policy changes. As a result, further funding amendments may be introduced in the coming months.

Quick Facts

• The overall budget is as follows:
  • Total Operating: $278.9 M (+ $5.6 million)
  • Total Capital: $20.9 M (+ $2.2 million
  • Total Operating & Capital: $299.9 M (+ $7.8 million)

• Some of the strategies used to balance the budget include:
  • Reduction of support staff and academic staff throughout the system
  • Reduction of school budgets
  • Reduction of maintenance budgets
  • Deferral of equipment purchases including laptops, Chromebooks, vehicles, furniture, and custodial equipment
  • Reduction of departmental PD budgets and PD requiring release time

• Further, a spending freeze was implemented in 2018-19 to increase surpluses available for 2019-20 and future years, should they be needed.

• While the depth and breadth of the proposed reductions may seem daunting, WCDSB Senior Administration believes the school system is resourced in a way that provides students with opportunities, experiences, and instruction that are the envy of most jurisdictions in the world.

• The WCDSB continues to be proud of our strong graduation rates and EQAO scores, a diverse and supported student population whose families value faith-based education, and staff committed to student success and wellness.  Additionally, enrolment continues to grow at record rates, with a projected 3.3% increase over 2018-19 and a gain in student market share over 2017-18.

Related Links

WCDSB 2019-20 School Year Budget Package

WCDSB 2018-2021 Multi-year Strategic Plan

Ontario Grants for Student Needs

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board, representing more than 96,000 Catholic school supporters, operates 48 schools and five adult education facilities serving more than 40,000 elementary, secondary and continuing education students in Waterloo Region – continuing a 183-year tradition of quality, inclusive, faith-based education. Follow us on Twitter: @WCDSBNewswire – #WCDSBAwesome.

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For more information, please contact:

Shesh Maharaj — Chief Financial Officer

(519) 578-3660 | Shesh.Maharaj@wcdsb.ca