Meetings

Committee of the Whole Board Meeting

Monday, February 6, 2023 – Meeting Agenda Package

Regular Public Board Meeting

Monday, February 27, 2023 — Meeting Agenda Package

Highlights

Early Years Report

On February 6, 2023 the Board of Trustees received a report providing information and updates with respect to the early years partnerships across Waterloo Region and the Kindergarten program, as we all work together to support the growth and development of students through the pedagogical approaches outlined in The Kindergarten Program 2016 and the How Does Learning Happen? document.

Specifically, the report covers:

• The Kindergarten Program: Play-based and Inquiry Learning
• Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
• Faith, Self-Regulation and Well-Being
• Assessment and Evaluation
• Supporting the Transition into Kindergarten

The report is available beginning on page 7 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Extended Day Update

The WCDSB’s Extended Day Program is an integral part of the Early Learning Kindergarten program and is led by Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECEs). The program is funded by parent fees and set on a cost-recovery model. It is optional for parents and offered by boards where there is sufficient demand to make the program viable at individual school sites.

The WCDSB Extended Day Programs will be licensed with the Ministry of Education (Licensed Child Care Programs) with a target date of September 2023. Upon receipt of licensing, the program will be eligible to participate in the CWELCC (Canada Wide Early Learning and Child Care) program.

The Extended Day Program was not viable at seven schools for the 2022-2023 school year. A program is deemed non-viable if it has less than ten students enrolled.

• Holy Rosary CES, Waterloo
• John Sweeney CES, Kitchener
• Gregory CES, Cambridge
• Luke CES, Waterloo
• Margaret CES, Cambridge
• Augustine CES, Cambridge
• John CES, Kitchener

The Board’s 36 remaining elementary were deemed viable.

In coming months, current student ratios of 1:15 will be adjusted to 1:13. Staff working in WCDSB Extended Day programs will be trained in Standard First Aid/CPR-Level C. Additional training dates have been booked to ensure all CUPE members are given the opportunity to be trained.

Additionally, food handling training and recertification for all licensed classrooms and the ECE supervisors will begin and an additional ECE Supervisor will be hired to support the implementation of licensing requirements for September 2023.

The report is available beginning on page 13 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region (STSWR) Annual Update

The General Manager of STSWR presents an annual report to the Board of Trustees summarizing the activities, initiatives, performance metrics, and future plans of the organization.

The 2021-22 school year was an eventful year for STSWR, given the priority placed on increased cleaning of buses between runs, bus driver shortages and absences, fluctuating costs of fuel, and disruption to the information system used by STSWR to plan and manage routes.

Key 2021-22 Highlights:

Safety

• Increased the number school buses with seatbelts to 27 as part of a multi-year seatbelt implementation plan
• Delivered school bus safety training to students using newly developed on-line modules given in-person training was not possible
• Continued roll-out of the ‘Drive to 5’ program to reduce traffic around schools, improve pedestrian safety, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and provide an opportunity for physical exercise for students
• Worked with municipalities to implement pedestrian safety-related improvements around our schools
• Developed new kindergarten pickup and drop off routines to improve safety

Operations

• Average ride time – 13 minutes one way
• Customer surveys reveal an overall satisfaction rate of 4.07 out of 5.
• 38,000 individuals with students attending schools in the Region are signed up for late bus notifications
• Driver shortages and absences caused 192 interruptions to service (bus later than 50 minutes) • Fuel increases caused a financial shortfall of $1.3M as compared to the 2021-22 budget. Funds will be transferred by the province to offset this shortfall

Major priorities for 2022-23 include:

• Bus driver attraction and retention
• Expanding the number of buses with seatbelts
• STSWR in partnership with bus operators will pilot a new style of stop arm on buses. This stop arm is larger, longer, stronger, and more prominent. The intent is to increase visibility of the arm for motorists and also provide a physical barrier to driving by while students are exiting the bus.

The report is available beginning on page 20 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Guarding Minds Update

In spring 2021, the WCDSB administered its Workforce Census in response to the Ontario’s Education Equity Action Plan (2017) and the Ontario Ministry of Education Policy/Program Memorandum 165 issued February 2021. Collecting this data was also a priority in the WCDSB’s 3-year Pastoral Plan.

The goal of this Workforce Census was to assess diversity at the Board, identify gaps in representation, and to develop strategies to ensure this Board is an equitable and healthy environment for all staff regardless of one’s background or status.

Based on the data from our respondents, Executive Council made 10 recommendations. These were presented at the October 25, 2022 Board of Trustees meeting. One of the recommendations was as follows:

“We recommend administering the Guarding Minds at Work Survey (i.e., the complete scan) yearly, except during census years. We recommend the first administration of the complete scan take place in Fall 2022. The Guarding Minds at Work survey was open for completion by all staff from October 24, 2022 and closed on November 14, 2022”.

Results of the Guarding Minds at Work survey have been shared with stakeholders (i.e., Administrators, Association Chairs/Co-Chairs and Union Presidents/Vice Presidents). Each stakeholder group has been engaged to undertake an initiative in response to the survey results. A Board-wide committee will be established to develop school-based initiatives in response to the survey results. The Superintendent of Human Resources will work with the HRS team, the Equity team and other stakeholders to develop a central strategy to support employee wellness.

The report is available beginning on page 23 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

2023-2024 Budget Estimates Update

As the annual school year budget planning process rolls out, management presents a monthly update to the Board of Trustees detailing the progress made to date. The second such update was presented on February 27.

As always, the flow and pace of budget planning is largely dependent upon the date of release of the Grants for Student Needs (GSNs) by the government. Consequently, board management may need to alter timelines depending on the timing and content of Ministry of Education budget announcements.

The report is available beginning on page 26 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

School Naming: Huron Brigadoon

The selection of a school name is a significant step in the process of establishing a new school community. Within a Catholic school community, the school’s name is intended to forge a connection with a saint or other significant Catholic individual or tradition, whose gifts/meaning will provide a focus for the school and kindle a unique identity and spiritual bond for the students and staff.

The process for naming schools is outlined in APF013 — Naming of Schools & Dedications Within Board Facilities.

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board is excited to open its newest school in September 2023 in the Huron Brigadoon neighbourhood. It will welcome students from the boundaries of St. Kateri CES, Blessed Sacrament CES, Our Lady of Grace CES, and John Sweeney CES.

Via a public survey which ran from February 3 to 12, 2023, stakeholders were invited to provide input on the names of four Saints who were vetted for consideration based on their attributes and virtues, ones that we would endeavor to see represented in our WCDSB students and a model for our school. Approval of the Saint names for consideration was granted by his excellency, Bishop Douglas Crosby, OMI, of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Hamilton.

A total of 368 responses were received, with solid representation from parents, students and staff.

The virtues that were drawn from the historical context and contributions of each of each saint were as follows:

St. Andre Bessette: Perseverance, determination, strength, inclusivity and kindness and a strong devotion to faith.

St. Anselm: Personifies great courage and outstanding scholarship.

St. Catherine of Siena: Care for others, advocacy for the rights of women, the poor and the vulnerable.

St. Josephine Bakhita: Resilience, advocacy for the rights of women and children, faithfulness, forgiveness, and hope.

The top three names in order of preference based on stakeholder input were:

1. Josephine Bakhita
2. Catherine of Siena
3. Andre Bessette

When correlating the results of the survey, St. Josephine Bakhita was most often named as a first choice.

On February 27, 2023 the naming committee recommended the new school be named St. Josephine Bakhita Catholic Elementary School.

(Sculpture: “Let the Oppressed Go Free” by Timothy P. Schmalz)

The report is available beginning on page 43 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Board Chair’s Update

Each month, the Chair of the Board reports on the activities of the Board of Trustees. Chair Tracey Weiler’s report for February 2023 is available on page 55 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Student Trustees Update

Student Trustees Chloe Armstrong and Anika Fejerpataky presented their monthly update – covering activities in WCDSB’s secondary schools. It is available beginning on page 51 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Upcoming Board Meetings

Committee of the Whole Board Meeting

Monday, March 6, 2023 — Waterloo Region Catholic Education Centre

Regular Public Board Meeting

Monday, March 27, 2023 — Waterloo Region Catholic Education Centre

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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Nominations are open for the annual WCDSB “Distinguished Graduate Award”, “Community Partner Award” and “Chair’s Award”. Information about the awards (including the Distinguished Graduate Award nomination form) is available HERE. There are no nomination forms for the Community Partner and Chair’s Awards.

Sandra Quehl enjoyed a 30 plus year career in IT Leadership in K-12 school boards in Ontario.

Following a successful start to her career as a developer of HR / Payroll software with Molnar Software, Sandra’s first school board position was with the York Catholic DSB.

She finished her career at the Waterloo Catholic DSB, where she served as CIO for 25 years.

Upon retirement, Sandra worked for ECNO as the Director of Customer Solutions for a year, then was appointed Executive Director in September 2016, retiring from ECNO in September 2019.

Sandra passed away in August, 2022.

To many of the women leaders in K-12 IT in Ontario, Sandra was a mentor and role model. She lived a life and shared the virtues of equity, diversity and the role of women in leadership.

The ECNO Community named the award after Sandra to recognize outstanding female leadership in K-12 IT in Ontario.

This award is presented when appropriate, at the Annual ECNO Conference.

The next meeting of the Board of Trustees (Committee of the Whole Board) is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. — Monday, February 6, 2023 at the Waterloo Region Catholic Education Centre.

Meetings

Committee of the Whole Board Meeting

Monday, January 9, 2023 – Meeting Agenda Package

Regular Public Board Meeting

Monday, January 30, 2022 — Meeting Agenda Package

Highlights

French as a Second Language (FSL) Update

English-language school boards in Ontario are required to provide students with a minimum of 600 hours of French instructional hours by the end of elementary school. In Secondary, one FSL credit (110 hours) is compulsory for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). A second FSL course can be counted towards the compulsory credits required for the OSSD.

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board currently offers three program options for French as a Second Language:

• Core French
• Advanced Placement French
• French Immersion

Below are some of the highlights and key accomplishments of the various FSL programs:

French Immersion

This Regional Program is currently offered at the following sites:

• St Peter (Grades 1-3) – Legacy exception students in Gr 4-8 go to OLOF
• St Luke (Grades 1-4) – Legacy exception students in Gr 5-8 go to SEB
• Holy Rosary (Grades 1-4) – Legacy exception students in Gr 5-8 go to SEB
• Our Lady of Fatima – OLOF — (Grades 1-7)
• St Anne K (Grades 1-8)
• Sir Edgar Bauer – SEB — (Grades 1-8)

Cultural Experiences

More than 1300 students participated in French cultural experiences such as the Au Canada Project, Adventures and Dancing with the Franco Super Stars, Mike Ford’s Troubadour performance, and Voyageur Games with Perspectives Education. This combination of virtual and in-person adventures were subsidized through the Federal Official Language’s in Education Program (OLEP) Agreement with the Province of Ontario.

Professional Development

• 79 FSL teachers participated in voluntary board-level Professional Development activities, almost all of which were after school or on weekends. Professional Development topics included how to make assessment and evaluation fair when assessing skills like speaking to interact, classroom management in itinerant situations, preparing for effective Parent-Teacher meetings, mentoring new FSL teachers and preparing for de-streaming in grade 9 classrooms.

• Twenty-one FSL teachers attended virtual conferences led by OMLTA, ACPI, and AIM on evenings and weekends.

• A team of FSL secondary teachers worked on a de-streaming Grade 9 Summer Project to support other FSL teachers.

• The WCDSB hosted a week-long DELF training for FSL teachers in Boards associated with the Ministry of Education’s West Regional Office.

The report is available beginning on page 10 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Healthy Active Living Report

The 2021-22 school year saw a return to more familiar routines in the Health & Physical Education world. Students were back inside the gymnasium, using equipment and further exploring physical activity patterns that were so desperately needed.

The focus of the 2021-22 year centred on the reestablishment of norms within the gymnasium that were rooted in self-regulation, cooperation, and collaboration. These ideas became a focus point within the following three priorities:

1. Mental Health & Well-Being
2. Resource Support
3. Outdoor Education

Mental Health & Well-Being

Collaboration with the Mental Health Lead at WCDSB increased during this past school year. The first project was the purchasing of bathroom wall frames for all our Secondary school bathrooms as well as our intermediate bathrooms in our elementary schools. The intention of these wall frames is to provide students with a visual reminder of important things connected to their mental health and well-being. During the year, a series of posters will be rotated through these frames rooted in cannabis and vaping education as well as spaces in which students
can reach out for help regarding their own mental health.

This year also saw the completion of the purchasing of resources used to support teachers with the addition of the Social-Emotional Learning Skills (SELs) in the Health & Physical Education curriculum. The Kindergarten program will be supported with the Lucy Tries Sport Series

Resource Support

The return to more traditional Physical Education classes in 2021-22 was welcomed by so many for so many reasons. This development provided a great opportunity for educators to use physical activity to re-establish norms for large and small group interactions within the gymnasium that would then transfer to our classrooms and school yards. In September of 2021, the Primary Planning Time team was provided with the opportunity to learn from our
Senior Manager of Equity, Lynn Garrioch on how cultural appropriation and micro aggressions need to be considered within the Arts and Health & Physical Education world.

Materials were also purchased to provide schools with a chance to engage students with an ExBeats Kit. What is ExBeats? Think DrumFIT… students will use drumsticks and yoga balls to elevate their heart rate in physical activity while integrating the music and dance curriculum. These materials were purchase in the Spring of 2022 and are now active in our system. This is another great way to provide physical activity
opportunities in non-traditional ways.

Finally, the 2nd annual School Step Challenge took place from February 9th to March 9th, 2022.

Outdoor Education

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board has enjoyed a positive and healthy relationship with Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) for many years. Our students attend outdoor education programming that aligns with our curriculum in a variety of different grades and GRCA is one of our most prized community partnerships.

As classes did not start going to Laurel Creek and Shade’s Mills for our Outdoor Education programming until January 2022, our contract was prorated with the GRCA. As such, there were funds available for use for additional outdoor purposes this past year. Ten of our educators chose to attend professional development opportunity on a Saturday in May with the Canadian Intramural and Recreation Association (CIRA), an additional four took an Additional Qualification (AQ) in Health & Physical Education and 18 teachers and administrators registered for an online professional development course titled “Green Exercise: The Gateway to Social Emotional Learning”.

Additionally, the Outdoor Education teachers in our Secondary system, recertified themselves with Wilderness First Aid Association (WFAA) so they can continue taking our students on excursions as part of our Outdoor Education program. This process is required to happen every three years. Fifteen teachers took part.

The report is available beginning on page 14 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Leadership Strategy Update

The Ontario Leadership Strategy was developed in 2008-2009 to foster leadership of the highest possible quality in schools and school boards. The WCDSB maintains that our goals mirror the goals of the OLS – that is, to:

• attract the right people to leadership roles;
• develop personal leadership resources in individuals and promote effective leadership practices to have the greatest possible impact on student achievement and well-being; and,
• develop leadership capacity and coherence in organizations to strengthen their ability to deliver on education priorities.

Although the Ministry funds have been discontinued, WCDSB has prioritized leadership development to ensure that we are supporting and developing aspiring leaders in our organization. The Board Leadership Development Strategy Goals for the Waterloo Catholic District School Board are the following:

Overall Goal

Develop leadership capacity to support the achievement of goals outlined in the Multi-Year Strategic Plan and the Board Improvement and Equity Plan (BIEP).

Goal One

Create and promote leadership opportunities that engage all school and system leaders in order to strengthen staff capacity for instructional and spiritual leadership, to enhance organizational effectiveness, and to support succession planning as defined by research, Strong Districts and their Leadership and the Catholic Leadership Framework.

Goal Two

School and system leaders in the WCDSB will develop the capacity to appropriately respond to the needs of learners by fostering a holistic view of student learning that encourages shepherd, servant and steward leadership.

Goal Three

Create and provide opportunities for enhancing leadership capacity for the entire system by engaging in active professional lifelong learning, equity training, faith formation, mentorship, and coaching.

In Fall 2022, senior staff and administrators participated in a 12-hour online workshop on Decoding Race. This workshop helps leaders create cultures of belonging to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion skills, knowledge, and capacities. The focus of this workshop is Whiteness, privilege, and positionality.

Senior leadership and school administrators will continue to build capacity by exploring inequitable situations through case studies and inquiry. As we begin to recognize inequities in our workplace and our schools, we will explore ways to minimize those inequities.

The report is available beginning on page 18 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Property and Major Capital Construction Update

Annually a report is provided to the Board of Trustees summarizing various property transactions that have occurred in the past year and that are anticipated to occur in the near future. The report also includes a summary of major construction projects, and is divided into the following categories:

• Property Disposition (Sale)
• Property Acquisition
• Major Construction Update

The former St. Boniface CES site in Maryhill was declared surplus to the needs of the Board in 2021. The property consists of a school building on 9.29 acres of land plus a 0.35 acre vacant residential lot. Both parcels will be sold through a competitive bidding process in 2023.

The Property Acquisition portion of the report provides details on the following projects:

• East Kitchener Grade 7 to 12 School
• Southeast Galt School Partnership (with City of Cambridge & WRDSB)
• Rosenburg (Southwest Kitchener)
• Rosenburg West (Southwest Kitchener)
• Doon South (Southwest Kitchener)
• Baden
• North Cambridge

The Major Construction Update portion of the report provides details on the 8-classroom & gym expansion at St. Agnes CES in Waterloo and construction of the new Huron Brigadoon elementary school in Southwest Kitchener.

The report is available beginning on page 29 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Early Literacy Strategy

In the spring of 2022, the Ministry of Education released: Effective Early Reading Instruction: A Guide for Teachers outlining updates to our Language Curriculum in the area of building
foundational early reading skills.

Our early literacy work aligns with evidence-based practices as outlined in this guide to support the development of early word foundational skills as one part of a literacy rich, culturally responsive, student-centered literacy program.

The report presented on January 30, 2023 provided a variety of details in the following key areas:

• System Professional Development
• School-based Professional Development
• Student Centred Instruction

The professional development was focused on:

• Cross-Curricular Connections and Integrated Learning
• Culturally Responsive Pedagogies
• Indigenous Education
• Social Emotional Learning

The report is available beginning on page 33 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Board Chair’s Update

Each month, the Chair of the Board reports on the activities of the Board of Trustees. Chair Tracey Weiler’s report for January 2023 is available on page 44 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Student Trustees Update

Student Trustees Chloe Armstrong and Anika Fejerpataky presented their monthly update – covering activities in WCDSB’s secondary schools. It is available beginning on page 41 via this link: Meeting Agenda Package

Upcoming Board Meetings

Committee of the Whole Board Meeting

Monday, February 6, 2023

Waterloo Region Catholic Education Centre

Regular Public Board Meeting

Monday, February 27, 2023

Waterloo Region Catholic Education Centre

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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The next meeting of the Board of Trustees is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. — Monday, January 30, 2023 at the Waterloo Region Catholic Education Centre.

Agenda:

Public Board Meeting

Other Information:

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…”.)