June 12th, 2020

It’s hard to believe that there are only two weeks left in the school year! As we reflect on these last months, we are overwhelmed with gratitude for the efforts of all of our students, their families and our staff, as you have all navigated the past ten weeks.

As we enter these final weeks, we remain focussed on ensuring connection with students and families. Families can expect that educators will continue to connect with students in ways that engage them through to the end of June 26 and offer feedback where appropriate. While report cards are still being finalized, teachers will be facilitating activities that promote the learning and engagement of students.

The entire Waterloo Region District School Board is excited to celebrate the achievements of all of our students, from our Kindergarten to Grade 12 graduates. In the coming days, keep your eyes and ears open for signs of our celebration on our schools and throughout the community and if you spot one, be sure to share it on social media using the hashtag #WRDSBgrad and tag @wrdsb on Twitter and Facebook, or @wr_dsb on Instagram.

Although we don’t yet know what school will look like in September, we do know that safety will remain a top priority. We await direction from public health and the Ministry of Education and will put all necessary measures in place to protect all those in our schools. We are committed to keeping you informed and will provide updates as this process develops.

Connecting from a Distance

As you know, this video series showcases WRDSB educators who have adjusted their typical in-person classes to a distance learning setting.

This week, we talked to Vicki Page, a Hairstyling and Aesthetics teacher at Glenview Park SS. She tells us how she has shifted her traditional hands-on learning class environment with tools and manikins to a self-care, well-being approach. Distance learning has allowed Page and her students to focus on these topics while preparing her students for a future beyond WRDSB.

As the world moves into a new normal, Page also emphasized the need for heightened health and safety training and has introduced an industry-leading certification.

Confirm Your Address for Report Card Delivery

With the end of the school year fast approaching, report cards for both elementary and secondary students will be produced and distributed, but instead of students bringing their report card home, schools will be using Canada Post to mail the report cards directly to you at home.

To ensure that the report card is sent to the correct address, we need your help. If you have moved within the past school year, especially since March 13, and the school is not aware of your new address, we need you to contact the school office staff to update your home address in our student information system. To make sure that our system is updated in time for the mailings, we ask that you contact the school by Thursday, June 18, 2020.

More information on how to get in touch with your school.

Retrieving personal items from your school

Starting the week of June 15, WRDSB students and families will have the opportunity to safely empty their lockers and retrieve personal items from their schools. Families can expect to receive information directly from their school about the retrieval process, including the dates and times families should arrive at their school.

More information on how to retrieve personal items from your school.

We want to hear from you

As school closures and distance learning continue, we are working hard to find ways to continue to support you and ensure you’re getting the information you need. To help us, we invite you to fill out this survey. We look forward to compiling the data and will share back what we’ve heard from you along with the next steps.

WRDSB@Home

As part of our ongoing efforts to support and improve the distance learning experience for our students and their families, new at-home activities focused on a variety of subjects continue to be added every day during the week.

Tech@Home

Don’t forget about Tech@Home. This website contains resources to help students and families troubleshoot technical problems they may be experiencing.

Thank you for your continued collaboration and we look forward to our last two weeks together this school year, and more importantly, to celebrating the achievements of our students – each and every one.