June 9th, 2021

We know that this has been an extraordinarily difficult year for our students. As the school year comes to a close, the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) will be celebrating all of our students through a variety of events.

Each of the 121 schools across the WRDSB are busy making plans for end-of-year activities. We want to give students and staff a chance to connect and end this challenging school year in a positive way, while also recognizing the need to ensure that all health and safety standards are maintained. We believe we can look forward to a summer of more opportunities for socializing and fun because of the sacrifices we have made as a community.

Incorporating recent guidance from the Ministry of Education which allows for controlled in-person gatherings, we will be providing the following opportunities for year-end connections for WRDSB students.

Year End Connections for Elementary Students

As always, classroom teachers are planning for a virtual end-of-year wrap up where they celebrate their classroom community, the learning, and the connections with and among students. In addition to this, on June 24, 25, and 28, classes will be invited to come to their home school either by car or on foot. Student learning will be supported asynchronously for these three days, to allow staff to support these in-person connections with students while ensuring health and safety measures are in place. Schools will develop a schedule for each class and communicate the details to students and families once finalized.

These on-site visits will also allow an opportunity for students to collect any remaining personal belongings, as well as to return school-provided devices and learning materials. Students currently in the Distance Learning Program, who have a school-provided device, will be invited at a scheduled time to return their device to their home school. We’re asking that families please remember to bring these items with them at their scheduled time.

Recognizing Students Transitioning to New Schools in Grade 6 or 8

We also want to recognize our students in Grade 6 and Grade 8 who will be transitioning to other schools next school year. As we have messaged previously, schools have organized unique virtual celebrations for grade 6 and grade 8 students on the following dates:

• Grade 8 students will be recognized on Tuesday, June 22, 2021
• Grade 6 students will be recognized on Thursday, June 24, 2021

Grade 6 and 8 students enrolled in our Distance Learning Program this school year will be included in their home school events.

Families and students can expect to receive more details about these events from their home school.

Year End Connections for Secondary Students

As we finish the school year, our focus will remain on supporting student learning and ensuring the health and safety of all in our school communities. With this in mind, secondary students can expect to connect with their teachers and classmates virtually to say goodbye and celebrate their accomplishments this past school year. This will allow for these typical year-end connections to take place, while ensuring we uphold our commitment to health and safety.

Graduating Grade 12 Students

We cannot forget about those students who will be completing their learning journey with the WRDSB this year. Celebrating our Grade 12 graduates is important to all of those who played a role in getting our students to this point. Each of our 16 secondary schools has been working hard for months planning end-of-year celebrations for their graduating students, and we know students and families are excited to take part. Families and students can expect to receive more details about these events from their home school.

In addition to school-level activities, the WRDSB will again be sharing just how proud we are of our graduates across Waterloo Region. It will be hard to miss this acknowledgement of our WRDSB graduates, as our visual campaign extends from the sides of buses, to digital billboards, to the radio airwaves. Keep your eyes and ears open so you can share in the celebration of our students’ accomplishments.

Share with us how proud you are of our students too! When sharing on social media, be sure to tag @wrdsb on Twitter and @wr_dsb on Instagram and include the hashtag #WRDSBcelebrates.

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