A secondary school information meeting for Sir John A Macdonald SS will take place December 14, 2011 beginning at 6:45pm. The meeting will take place at the school, located at 650 Laurelwood Drive in Waterloo.

The International Languages program provides opportunities for students to learn a language at the elementary or secondary school (high school credit) level, at a variety of sites around the Region.

Do NOT call Day School Staff for information. Call Continuing Education at 519-885-0800.

2015-2016 School Year Registration Procedure

Classes begin on Saturday, September 19, 2015 and run until Saturday, June 18, 2016.

All classes for the 2015-2016 school year are offered subject to sufficient enrolment.

Students who miss the spring registration will be able to register for language classes that have sufficient enrolment at the school locations on Saturday mornings, starting September 19, 2015.

Elementary students may start at any point throughout the school year. Students must be 4 years of age by Thursday, December 31, 2015 to be eligible.

Secondary credit students must be registered and attend class by Saturday, October 3, 2015. No new registrations will be accepted after that. Attendance is critical for credit classes, and students who miss more than 4 classes during the year may not be eligible to earn their credit.

To Register, please bring:

1. Proof of Birth and Citizenship – one of the following:
   • a Canadian Birth Certificate or Baptismal Certificate
   • a Canadian Passport (not a Canada Visa within a passport)
   • Canadian Citizenship Card
   • Confirmation of Permanent residence Form 5292
   • Permanent Resident Card

   If you cannot produce one of these documents, please contact 519-885-0800.

2. A current CCS or Transcript (Secondary Credit Courses only) available from their day school guidance office.

Fees

If you are currently a fee paying student in your day school, please contact the WRDSB Enrolment/International Student Intake Officer at 519-570-0003 x4350. There maybe a student fee assessed by the Parent Cultural Association, which vary by language groups, and is not required to participate in the education program.

Adult fees may apply in some situations, call for more information.

Schedule

• Elementary classes run Saturday mornings, 9:00 to 11:30 a.m., from September 19, 2015 to June 18, 2015 (excluding holiday weekends)
• Secondary classes run Saturday mornings, 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., from September 19, 2015 to June 18, 2016 (excluding holiday weekends)

Course Cancellation Policy – Courses listed will be offered provided there are sufficient registrants and/or qualified teachers available. That is, some of these languages MAY NOT be offered, depending on final registration numbers.

For any information during the week, please call: Continuing Education at 519-885-0800.

Deadline: May 29
Amount: $300
Application Form: Kinsmen Club of K-W Application Form
Website: www.kinclubs.ca

Sponsor Information

K-W Kinsmen Club
108 Sydney Street South
Kitchener, ON
N2G 3V2

Canadian Headquarters
Kinsmen & Kinette Clubs of Canada
1920 Hal Rogers Drive
PO Box KIN
Cambridge, ON
N3H 5C6

Toll Free Phone: 1-800-742-5546
Fax: 1-519-650-1091
Email: kinhq@kinclubs.ca

Description of the Award

This award is given to the graduating student who is continuing in post-secondary education in the following year and who, in the opinion of the Principal and staff, has “served the community’s greatest need”. A scholarship of $300.00 will be awarded to a student from each secondary school in Kitchener and Waterloo including W.O.D.S.S.

The concept of the scholarship is to promote active community participation among the student population in the K-W area.

In October 2013, many WRDSB employees at various school sites were able to give a substantial amount of money to the United Way during their ‘Give – Volunteer – Act’ campaign, which ran from October 10 to 18, 2013.

The organization congratulated the top 3 performing Cambridge elementary schools, K-W elementary schools, and high schools at the Rep Social by presenting the school representatives with a certificate, along with a note outlining how their donation made a difference. They also received some cool United Way swag. In addition, 500 WRDSB employees donated a total of $115,350 toward the campaign.

Congratulations to the following schools for being the top 3 in their categories:

High schools:

Preston High School – $3,959

Bluevale Collegiate Institute – $ 2,946

Sir John A. McDonald Secondary School – $ 2,603

Cambridge:

Ryerson Public School – $3,028

Clemens Mill Public School – $2,617

Silverheights Public School – $2,496

KW:

Sandhills Public School – $6,453

Laurelwood Public School – $3,404

Lackner Woods Public School – $2,739

This year, the WRDSB/United Way ‘The Power of Many’ employee giving campaign is well underway, kicking-off October 10. They are hoping to increase their donor base by asking for a small donation from a lot more people, with a goal of $140,000. Visit the United Way of KW for more campaign information.

Lackner Woods PS receiving their award.

Ryerson PS are honoured with their award.

Silverheights PS are presented with their award.

On the first Wednesday of November every year, The Learning Partnership holds Take Our Kids to Work™ day. More than 250,000 grade nine students spend the day in the workplace of a parent, relative, or friend. This event allows students to experience and explore the world of work as they begin to consider possible career paths.

Take Our Kids to Work day is Wednesday, November 5.

Students should visit the Guidance Department of their school to pick up a consent form. These forms must be returned to the student’s counsellor by Tuesday, November 4.

Visit The Learning Partnership website for further information about this event.

WHAT IS OYAP?

The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) is a School to Work program that opens the door for students to explore and experience apprenticeship skilled trade career opportunities, starting in Grade 11 or Grade 12, through the Cooperative Education program.

Students can become registered apprentices and work towards becoming certified journey persons in a skilled trade while completing their secondary school diplomas.

Over 22,000 students participated in OYAP in 2013/14 and almost 5,000 of those OYAP students had Registered Training Agreements.

If your child is interested in trying an apprenticeship program, visit the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program for more information or download the Ontario Ministry of Education – Pathways to Apprenticeship.

“You will never know how high you can reach, how far you can go, how much you can do until you try. ~ Believe in yourself and believe in your dreams. ~ You just might surprise yourself and surpass your original goal. Reach as high as you can!” (National Calendar Day, 2015).

April 14 is National “Reach As High As You Can” Day, but WRDSB high school students are celebrating this day all week! Through a variety of business visitation activities, students will enrich their learning and decision making process as they prepare to transition to post-secondary studies and the workplace.

We appreciate the organizations who have allowed us to extend the walls of our classrooms to connect students to real world experience. Through the generosity of our hosts, students will engage with Employer partners to reinforce the relevant attitudes, skills and knowledge required for success. Students will refine career goals, and gain valuable information to support ongoing education and career life planning.

Follow @WRDSB on Twitter, using hashtag #WRDSBReachHigh, as we highlight activities and events throughout the week.

Cst. T. Murawsky and Molly Kimpel emphasize the importance of keeping a clean Facebook profile when looking for a job.

Sgt. J. Davis describes her career journey to SJAM students.

We are excited to share that of the 12 winners of the Ontario Principal Council (OPC) scholarship award, eight were WRDSB students! Congratulations to:

• Cole Graham of Glenview Park Secondary School
• Natasha Morgan of Sir John A. MacDonald Secondary School
• Michael Potworka of Waterloo-Oxford District Secondary School
• Jacob Schumann of Forest Heights Collegiate Institute
• Emily Staines of Cameron Heights Collegiate Institute
• Steven Thompson of Grand River Collegiate Institute
• Christopher Williamson of Waterloo-Oxford District Secondary School
• Brittany Wright of Sir John A. MacDonald Secondary School

The students received their awards at the WRDSB System Leaders Meeting last week from Chairperson Kathleen Woodcock, John Bryant, director of education, and Tina Rowe, vice-principal of Eastwood Collegiate Institute.

About the OPC Scholarship

Each year, the OPC scholarship is available to children of full OPC members that are graduating from secondary school. They also must demonstrate excellence in academics, be involved in extra-curricular activities within their school, and contribute to their broader communities through volunteer work.

The scholarships are awarded and funded through the local OPC executive, who also review the applications.

Congratulations to our OPC award winners!

On the first Wednesday of November every year, The Learning Partnership holds Take Our Kids to Work™ day. More than 250,000 Grade 9 students spend the day in the workplace of a parent, relative, or friend. This event allows students to experience and explore the world of work as they begin to consider possible career paths.

The 21st annual Take Our Kids™ to Work day is Wednesday, November 4.

Students should visit the Guidance Department of their school to pick up a consent form. These forms must be returned to the student’s counsellor by Tuesday, November 3.

Visit The Learning Partnership website for further information about this event.

At the beginning of November, Glenview Park Secondary School (GPSS) principal Kelly Kempel, and Sir John A. MacDonald Secondary School (SJAM) principal Kathy Young, hosted a group of principals from China for an engaged in leadership discussions. The gathering was part of a school exchange program put together by the Ontario Ministry of Education and the Ontario Principals’ Council (OPC). The purpose of the program is to introduce Chinese principals to the leadership programs in Ontario and build international networks.

The first day involved collaborative meetings learning about the education systems in China and Ontario, with Ontario Ministry of Education staff, including Deputy Minister of Education George Zegarac.

The following day, three principals from the Jiangsu province of China enjoyed a full day visit to GPSS. Student leaders welcomed their guests and had the opportunity to discuss the similarities and differences in the educational systems. Two surprising differences that caught the attention the GPSS student leaders: 1) Chinese high school students attend 8 hours of class each day, and 2) the principals shared that Jiangsu province is a leader in Chinese education with 3.59 million students in high school alone, and having schools averaging over 2000 students in each. Wow! That’s a lot of students.

Both Kelly and Kathy were extremely honoured to welcome their visitors, and the valuable learning opportunity it brought.

WRDSB staff and students with visiting Chinese delegates at GPSS.

At Sir John A. MacDonald Secondary School (SJAM), everyone believes that all students have the right to access all programs and experiences regardless of their financial situation.

To help level the playing field, SJAM student council and staff have developed a charitable program called, Charity Begins at Home. This initiative raises money and distributes the funds to all SJAM students in need, helping to eliminate financial barriers for all experiential learning activities.

The funding model for this program is primarily student and staff driven, with the school’s major fundraising event for each year being their Christmas Auction. The event is a silent auction with the items brought in by staff, students and community members. Some of the great gifts that were up for grabs were: restaurant gift cards, Kitchener Rangers tickets, event passes, staff time or talent (homemade meals for department, handyman services, cookies and cake, etc.), and student art.

We’d like to congratulate SJAM on a job well done – in one day, they raised $5,026!

Some amazing silent auction items.

Amazing student art that was up for grabs during the silent auction.

For school addresses and telephone numbers please see our school listing.

(*) Movable wall to Multi-Purpose Room
(+) No change rooms

Single Gyms and General Purpose rooms may not be suitable for adult sports. Please call the school custodian to arrange to view the gym space to ensure it is adequate for your activity.

Kitchener Locations

Waterloo Locations

Cambridge Locations

North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot and Woolwich Locations

At the May 9 Committee of the Whole Meeting, ten students were awarded the 2015-16 Linda Fabi Bursary.

The bursary provides funding for students who are planning to pursue a trade through college or apprenticeship. Students were nominated for the Bursary by a teacher, and the following characteristics were taken into consideration:

1. The student’s key characteristics
2. An example of how the student has demonstrated perseverance, or has overcome obstacles or made a remarkable comeback during their high school career
3. A staff member’s recommendation

An adjudication committee consisting of Chairperson Kathleen Woodcock, Vice-Chair John Hendry, Past Chair Ted Martin, and former Director of Education Linda Fabi selected ten students to receive the award.

This year’s recipients are, Nghi Mai of Forest Heights Collegiate Institute, Abdul Haleem Syed of Galt Collegiate Institute, Patricia Bowering of Glenview Park Secondary School, Ryan Heidman of Grand River Collegiate Institute, Cassandra Shantz of Grand River Collegiate Institute, Valerie Wissmach of Grand River Collegiate Institute, Jonathan Osborne of Huron Heights Secondary School, Aidan Fife of Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate Institute, Simon Boa of Sir John A Macdonald Secondary School, and Cameron Birk of Southwood Secondary School. Congratulations!

About the Award:

The Linda Fabi Bursary was established by the Board of Trustees in celebration and recognition of the many contributions and achievements of Linda Fabi during her tenure as Director of Education for the Waterloo Region District School Board. The total amount of the Bursary is up to $2,000, which is to be presented annually to students of the Waterloo Region District School Board. Depending on the number of applicants, this award can be divided so that a number of eligible applicants can be recognized.

Recipients of the 2015-16 Linda Fabi Bursary pose with Chairperson Kathleen Woodcock and former director of education Linda Fabi.

As our education system kicks off the 2016-2017 school year, we are excited to share that eight WRDSB students are winners of the Ontario Principals’ Council (OPC) scholarship award! Congratulations to:

• Tara DeBoer of Grand River Collegiate Institute
• Julie Enns of Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate & Vocational School
• Emma Hatcher of Sir John A. MacDonald Secondary School
• Robert Leung of Waterloo Collegiate Institute
• Conrad Lovell of Grand River Collegiate Institute
• Samuel McCuaig of Grand River Collegiate Institute
• Kogan Shantz of Waterloo-Oxford District Secondary School
• Erin Wilson of Galt Collegiate & Vocational School

The students received their awards at the WRDSB System Leaders’ Meeting on August 31, 2016 from Chairperson Kathleen Woodcock, John Bryant, director of education, and Tina Rowe, vice-principal of Eastwood Collegiate Institute.

On behalf of the WRDSB, we wish them all the best in their post-secondary studies!

About the OPC Scholarship

Each year, the OPC scholarship is available to children of full OPC members that are graduating from secondary school. They also must demonstrate excellence in academics, be involved in extra-curricular activities within their school, and contribute to their broader communities through volunteer work.

The scholarships are awarded and funded through the local OPC executive, who also review the applications.

Congratulations to all our OPC award winners!

Take Our Kids to Work day is a program designed for Grade 9 students to experience “A day in the life” of a profession or workplace. The goal of the program is to help Grade 9 students to make connections between school and the world of work, as they begin to think about possible career pathways. Grade 9 students may spend the day in the workplace of a parent, relative, friend or volunteer. This experiential learning program, supported by The Learning Partnership, takes place annually on the first Wednesday of November, which this year is Wednesday, November 2, 2016.

To find out more information about participating in the program, Grade 9 students or their parents should contact the Guidance Department at their school.

For more information on Take Our Kids to WorkTM day, visit the Learning Partnership website.