WCDSB Board Meeting Bulletin — May, 2018
Meetings
Committee of the Whole Board: Monday, May 14, 2018 – Meeting Agenda Package
Public Board Meeting: Monday, May 28, 2018 — Meeting Agenda Package
Highlights
Renewed Math Strategy Update
In a previous report, the Board of Trustees was made aware of the capacity-building priorities for 2017-2018, rooted in Ontario’s Renewed Mathematics Strategy (RMS). The report presented to the Board on May 14, provides an update on the implementation of the RMS in WCDSB schools January. The collaborative efforts of educators in the WCDSB ensure the six components of Ontario’s Renewed Mathematics Strategy are fully realized, and continue to show growth in measurable ways. A number of success stories are highlighted in the report.
Moving forward, the WCDSB’s Renewed Math Strategy will support staff to:
- Continue to build capacity with Elementary Math Lead Teachers, and leverage this learning to support whole school capacity in mathematics
- Deepen an understanding of the intentional intersection of content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge and technological knowledge to maximize student learning and achievement
- Continue to seek opportunities for Elementary Math Lead Teachers to build whole school capacity at their school sites
- Continue to explore in secondary schools how observations and conversations can be used to triangulate student achievement data
- Continue our intentional attention to building cross-panel professional relationships and improving our understanding of big ideas within the continuum.
The full report is provided on pages 19-26 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package
School Travel Planner Update
Local governments — including school boards — have identified traffic flows around school sites to be problematic in the areas of congestion, parking, and pedestrian safety. Practices to manage traffic flows vary by school and by school board. It was agreed that a plan to address these issues was important, and that all stakeholders held some responsibility in this area.
The School Travel Planner has been in place now for two years and has been a very welcomed addition and support to all participating partners in the Region. The partners are:
- Waterloo Catholic District School Board
- Waterloo Region District School Board
- City of Kitchener
- City of Cambridge
- City of Waterloo
The Province, through Green Communities Canada, has taken great interest in the way Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region (STSWR) has rolled out the school travel planning program. Green Communities Canada has agreed to fund additional positions at STSWR in hopes of identifying a sustainable and effective model for other school boards and municipalities to follow as they embark upon active school travel programs.
Another exciting initiative being undertaken by the Waterloo Catholic District School Board is a system-wide refresh of bike racks, scooter racks, and storage for skateboards. It is hoped that these types of initiatives will remove barriers for active travel to school. More details will follow on this initiative as the project unfolds in the coming months.
Special Education Plan Update
In accordance with Ontario Regulation 306, the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) is required, every two years, to prepare and approve a report on the special education programs and special education services provided by WCDSB, and to submit it to the ministry. Each board is required to maintain a special education plan, to review it annually, to amend it from time to time to meet the current needs of students with special needs, and to submit any amendment(s) to the Minister for review.
One of the purposes of a school board’s Special Education Plan is to inform the Ministry of Education and the public about special education programs and services that are provided by the board in accordance with legislation and ministry policy on special education.
WCDSB builds capacity, skills and knowledge in educators to ensure that high quality programs and services are provided for our students. The Special Education Liaisons (SELs), the Chief Social Worker, Principal of Special Education and Senior Manager of Student Services play a pivotal role in building capacity with educators in our community who have the most contact with our highest needs students.
We are continuing to foster a system of inclusion that nurtures the whole student, ensuring wellness across their development; spiritually, emotionally, socially, physically as well as academically.
In compliance with Ministry priorities, the WCDSB Multi Year Strategic Plan (MYSP) and the WCDSB Board Improvement Plan for Student Achievement (BIPSA), students with an Individual Education Plan (IEP) — particularly students with a learning disability — has been a focus for professional development for our WCDSB staff. Building independence and resiliency in our students continues to be a priority to ensure positive outcomes for our students, so they are contributing and caring citizens upon graduation from WCDSB.
To read the full report, please visit pages 10-38 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package
Energy Conservation Plan
The Waterloo Catholic District School Board has a long history of environmental protection and awareness, and of innovative action toward sustainable operations. The Board’s collective dedication for creating a better future for its students, staff, and community members stems from a deep appreciation of God’s world. WCDSB conservation measures to date are a broad sweep of inspirational ideas. The way in which these initiatives have been adopted and supported across the Board is a direct result of the Board’s successful history and optimism for the future. While these strategies have provided excellent resources for staff, if we are to truly “live our mission” then green thinking must be woven throughout all future planning and day-to-day operations. An action-based, goal-oriented Energy and Environmental Plan is needed.
The WCDSB Energy Conservation and Demand Management Report is written to satisfy legislative requirements as they relate to energy conservation, local commitments made to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), a need to address budget pressures and the current state of our environment — supporting the creation of a sustainable future for younger generations, and in the context of the requirements contained in the Multi-Year Strategic Plan.
WCDSB is actively addressing long-term sustainability in the following key areas: Energy & Water; Purchasing & Waste; Buildings & Grounds; Food & Drink; Inclusion & Participation; and Local Well- Being. This is in keeping with the guidance of Pope Francis in his historic encyclical, Laudato Si’ – OnCare for our Common Home, as well as WCDSB’s own mission and vision.
In 2017, the Board’s Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan was rewritten to align with the requirements of Ontario Regulation 397/11. The Regulation requires boards to publish data on energy conservation practices, and to set targets and a plan for energy management and usage reduction. WCDSB’s plan is updated annually, to reflect energy-conservation related work that has been completed, newly planned work, and to refresh tables that show annual spending.
To read the full report, please visit pages 39-72 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package
For further information regarding the Board’s commitment to environmental education, stewardship and sustainability, please visit the WCDSB EcoZone.
Student Trustees Report
Student Trustees Kate Jamieson and Meghan Nemeth presented their monthly report on activities in WCDSB’s secondary schools – with special emphasis on Catholic Education Week, and the annual election of secondary school co-presidents. Their full report is available on pages 81-82 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package
Upcoming Board Meetings
Special Public Board Meeting: Monday, June 4, 2018
Regular Public Board Meeting: Monday, June 18, 2018
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 182-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
