We are committed to a culture of transparency and accountability. We recognize that achieving the desired outcomes of our strategic plan will require much more than developing goals and establishing targets. Our ability to monitor the implementation of our work and make use of evidence and data to inform our decisions and strategies will be central to the effective completion of our strategic plan.
In addition to making consistent use of evidence and data to monitor our work, we will prioritize the wellness of our staff and students. We will work collaboratively to improve our learning and working environments in the best interest of student and staff well-being.
Mathematics
Increase the percentage of students achieving at provincial standard by 8 per cent yearly on Grade 3, Grade 6 and Grade 9 applied EQAO mathematics assessments for three years.
We believe mathematics is an essential skill vital to our students’ future successes. Through a variety of tools and teaching approaches, our teachers encourage students as they develop a deep understanding of math. Many of the strategies we have identified to support this goal are already well underway. See how far we have progressed on each of our goals.
Though we have all continued to navigate a global pandemic, the WRDSB’s focus on mathematics has not wavered. Our educators and students continue to impress with their innovation in the classroom, and with their passion for using math to help solve real-world problems. Dina Orucevic, a Grade 12 student, used her passion for STEM to create an app to help drivers reduce their emissions while searching for an available parking spot. Hardit Singh, a Grade 10 student, focused his sights on improving global eye health with his invention of the Speculor device. Ashley McCarl Palmer’s innovation in her physics classroom garnered national attention, as she inspires the next generation of physicists and engineers.
Graduation Rates
Within 3 years we will increase our five-year graduation rate by 5 per cent through the implementation of an evidence-based K-12 strategy.
We want to support every student in reaching their potential and graduating. This support is being offered in many ways to meet a student’s individual learning needs. We have developed several strategies that are now in place to continue to improve our graduation rates.
Through 2021, our entire system shifted from in-person to remote learning a number of times, but we worked to ensure that student learning was not interrupted by these important public health measures.
Our Information Technology Services teams demonstrated their passion for innovation by becoming the first school board in Canada to introduce Azure Virtual Desktops – a technology that allows students to access a high-performance complete modern desktop computer from any device, anywhere with an internet connection. Through AVD, students have equal access to tools such as AutoCad, Adobe Creative Suite, and the Microsoft Office Productivity Suite, all without needing physical access to a computer lab.
As we support students to reach the finish line on their pathways to graduation, we also celebrate them when they arrive at their journey’s end. Each of our 16 secondary schools worked hard over a number of months planning their end-of-year celebrations for their graduating students – we know the graduates and their families so appreciated the chance to recognize their accomplishments while abiding by health and safety guidelines.
In addition to school-level activities, the WRDSB couldn’t help but share just how proud we are of our graduates across Waterloo Region. It was hard to miss our excitement and pride, as our visual campaign extended to the sides of buses, to digital billboards, to the radio airwaves.
Well-Being
All students and staff will be supported and affirmed in the areas of cognitive, emotional, social and physical well-being with the acknowledgement of how these contribute to self and spiritual well-being.
We believe that a collaborative approach is needed to provide positive learning environments for all students. Our staff, families and caregivers are partners in every student’s learning journey. We have implemented strategies that support the well-being of all of our partners.
We embrace an attitude of care and support when it comes to our students and staff. It’s clear to see that they carry these same goals with them in their learning and work in our schools.
In February, we spoke with two student members of Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate and Vocational School (KCI)’s African Heritage Club, Imani and Rahaf about what Black History Month means to them. The club organized a weekly virtual conference series, in addition to posting a selection of engaging and educational content on their Instagram account in February. Both students talked about the importance of continuing this learning and growth year-round, and not just for Black History Month.
Also in February, Shreya Gupta, a Grade 6 student, fundraised for Pink Shirt Day with her book, Flamingo Feet. The book tells the story of Aria, a young girl who encounters and overcomes bullying in her jazz dancing classes. All proceeds raised by the sales of the book throughout the month of February were donated to support anti-bullying work
Anna, a Grade 12 student at Bluevale Collegiate Institute (BCI) put her hair on the line to raise funds for Rainbow Railroad, an organization that helps LGBTQI people seek safe haven from violence and persecution. Quickly surpassing her first goal of $1,000 nearly 8 times over, Anna was excited to get out the hair clippers in support of a cause she cared about.
