Operational Goals
The Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) is committed to a culture of transparency and accountability. We recognize that achieving the directions set out in 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 mental health and well-being of WRDSB students and the staff who serve them. We will work collaboratively to improve our learning and working environments in the best interests of all students, staff and community members. We understand that critical to building trust and confidence in our work, is our ability to report and share our progress on outcomes. This is a commitment we will continue to uphold.
Mathematics
We know that mathematics is an essential skill, vital to WRDSB students’ future success. Through a variety of tools and teaching approaches, educators encourage students as they develop a deep understanding of math. A range of the strategies we have identified to support this goal are already well underway.
As we emerge from a global pandemic, we are encouraged to see continued evidence that the WRDSB’s focus on mathematics education has continued undeterred. 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.
Secondary students put their mathematics, engineering and problem solving skills into action as part of the Waterloo High School Electric Vehicle Challenge at the University of Waterloo in May of 2022. In the Elementary Remote Learning School, students took part in Dell Technologies’ Girls Who Game program to learn more about the opportunities available to them in science, technology, engineering and math. Neil Mitra, a former WRDSB student innovating the future of blood testing in response to cardiac events, reflected on how what he learned at Waterloo Collegiate Institute prepared him for success after graduation as he studies Engineering at the University of British Columbia.
Graduation Rates
We aim to support every student in reaching their fullest potential and reaching graduation. This support is being offered in many ways to meet a student’s individual learning needs. In 2022, we were pleased to see data from the Ministry of Education showing that the number of WRDSB students who graduate in five years increased 2.2% to 85.9%, and the number of students who graduate in four years increased by 4.7% to 76.5%.
We also saw the welcome return of in-person commencement and graduation ceremonies, many of which were well-attended by proud parents, caregivers and extended families. Students at the Huron Heights Secondary School commencement ceremony in October 2022 reflected on how they were already seeing how what they learned at school was helping to give them a head start on their post-secondary pathways.
Students across the WRDSB are supported in preparing for whatever that pathway might be, from the workplace, to an apprenticeship, to college or university. At Cameron Heights Collegiate Institute (CHCI), students in welding class had the chance to learn from former CHCI students who are now pursuing careers in the manufacturing field at Conestoga College. They helped to demonstrate just how many options were available to support them in pursuing a career as a welder.
One such opportunity is a co-operative education placement. Secondary students across the WRDSB take part in co-op placements, both during the school year and over the summer, to gain practical workplace experience. Co-op placements help students gain a better understanding of their chosen post-secondary pathway and build relationships with future employers while they’re still in high school.
Co-op isn’t just for students who are interested in the trades - placements can take students to a whole range of fields and industries, from marketing in a real estate office, to the computer science department at the University of Waterloo (UW). Ethan Warren, a student at Elmira District Secondary School did just that for his co-op placement, taking an active role helping to improve user experiences at UW. Warren encourages anyone who is interested to explore the possibilities available with co-op.
“If you have any idea of what you want to do as a career, give it a shot,” said Warren
Well-Being
We believe that a collaborative approach is needed to provide positive learning environments for every student we serve. We work together - with staff, families, parents and caregivers - as partners in every student’s learning journey and we are committed to supporting the well-being of all involved.
Students are embraced with an attitude of care and support in the WRDSB, and in turn, they reflect these same values on their peers and community. We saw this at Groh Public School with the overwhelming response by students to the launch of a new Kindness Club. Nearly 200 students showed up for the first meeting, all eager to engage the whole school and the surrounding community in spreading kindness.
We know that when students thrive, experience joy and have their well-being supported, their ability to achieve academic success is increased. In April 2022, as one part of our efforts to support this for all students, Black students, staff and community members from across the WRDSB came together to highlight student voice and Black Brilliance at the Black Artist-in-Residence Showcase at Eastwood Collegiate Institute.
Students are also driven to help support well-being through education. Hana Adham was a Grade 12 student at Laurel Heights Secondary School, who saw an opportunity to help educate the educators about how they can make their classrooms spaces where every student feels seen, safe and supported. Hana led a virtual conference for teachers at her school and created an anti-racism suggestion sheet, with a goal to reach even more teachers looking to make changes to create a more inclusive classroom.
