A Message from Director of Education
jeewan chanicka
The 2023-24 Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) Annual Report highlights the work of students, staff and community members in support of the six strategic directions laid out in our Strategic Plan. It focuses on telling the stories behind the Board Improvement and Equity Plan (BIEP), as we work together in service of supporting student achievement and well-being.
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I am proud of all of the work we accomplished together in the 2023-24 school year. We shared a collective vision for Transforming Education and create an education system that serves all students. We also invited thought leaders, educators and students to join us in the DreamEd conversation to dream about an education system that centres student voice and prioritizes equitable opportunities and outcomes for students.
In the second year of the implementation the WRDSB Strategic Plan and Conditions for Learning, we continue to prioritize evidence-based instructional practices.
We aligned the Board Improvement and Equity Plan with the Ministry of Education’s Student Achievement Plan. We also built on our commitment to ensuring that identity and social location no longer predict outcomes for students, WRDSB’s North Star. We have summarized our performance indicators and reflected on the outcomes of the strategies and actions we put in place.
EQAO Assessments
We continue to grow as a district to build a better and stronger public education system that works for all children.
As we continue on this trajectory of growth we are shifting pedagogical practices in math and literacy, we know that there will be some opportunities and challenges. Research on organizational change suggests that implementation dips occur when organizations such as our school board engage in these full-scale, system-wide changes.
We also know that students are still recovering from the learning loss experienced as a result of the global pandemic. Something that we take seriously and continue to prioritize as we work on a system that is focused on both student achievement and well-being.
However, as we build the capacity of educators and system leaders, we are noticing increased confidence in teaching a structured approach to literacy and targeted interventions and tiered instructional strategies to support math learning.
We know there is still work to do, as evidence in the 2023-24 Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) results. We continue to set high expectations for all students and these EQAO results highlight areas for each school to focus on to enhance and further improve student learning and well-being. But this is only one piece of the broader picture. We also look to other data points, including the Acadience Early Screener, reading diagnostic assessments (e.g., Oral Reading Fluency, Core Phonics etc.), and math assessments (e.g., Leaps and Bounds and centrally developed diagnostics), as well as observation, conversation, and demonstrations of student learning, to build a more comprehensive understanding of student learning.
Read more about the WRDSB’s 2023-34 EQAO assessment results.
Student Achievement
We know it will take time to see system-wide changes, but we are proud of the feedback we are receiving from students, families and staff on how the evidence-based approach to literacy and math instruction and interventions are fostering a love of learning.
At the heart of the work of every WRDSB staff member is supporting student academic achievement and well-being. We are committed to creating welcoming and inclusive schools where all students can feel a sense of belonging and thrive.
In 2023-24, we publicly shared two multi-year plans that are leading our work to support literacy and math:
WRDSB continues its multi-year plans to overhaul our approach to teaching literacy - an approach that spans Kindergarten to graduation. Our work to implement the Structured Literacy Multi-Year Plan is guided by:
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Ontario Human Rights Commission’s Right to Read Report
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Ministry of Education directives and curriculum
Educators are building students’ learning and experiences to:
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Develop foundational reading skills
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Progressively increase fluency
We know that developing literacy skills at a young age has lifelong impacts. This is why we are focused on students reading at grade level by the end of Grade 2 and have built this focus area into our Board Improvement and Equity Plan. To do this work, we are building administrator and educator capacity and we are pleased with the results to date. Teachers who completed professional learning reported feeling more comfortable teaching a structured approach to literacy. Educators feel more competent with how to facilitate the diagnostic assessments.
We continue to see an increase in the number of educators engaging in the implementation of evidence-based approaches to literacy. We are also seeing students demonstrating improvement in their reading skills when using evidence-based reading intervention initiatives (Lexia). The positive responses from educators and students tells us that we are on the right track.
For example, Grade 2 students at Stewart Avenue Public School are approaching reading and writing with a sense of curiosity and exploration, unafraid to make mistakes, ask questions, and learn from one another.
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In the Fall of 2023, we launched the WRDSB Math Achievement Action Plan (MAAP). The objectives of the MAAP are to improve mathematics achievement and success to better prepare students for success in the classroom and in their futures. We focus on a tiered approach which targets the math learning needs of each individual student. The plan is structured on:
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Curriculum implementation
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Educator math content training
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Knowing the mathematics learner
We have placed Grades 7 and 8 math intervention specialists in targeted schools to work alongside administrators and educators to build instructional strategies and support for implementing the MAAP.
The benefits of our focused efforts in improving students’ mathematics literacy include:
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Increased mathematical understanding
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Increased sense of belonging and confidence
Students like those at Huron Heights Secondary School’s de-streamed Grade 10 math class are benefitting from learning experiences offered by small group instruction opportunities. Students have the opportunity to discuss their thinking and learn from each other.
We value families and caregivers as important partners in their children’s education. In order to support school-to-home connections, we provided information and resources to help families support their children’s learning. In May 2024, we launched new resources to support Multilingual Language Learners (MLL), families and caregivers. We also challenged community organizations to join us in A Region that Reads Together, as we all benefit when we support literacy for students and their families in Waterloo Region. Additional math resources for families and caregivers were shared as part of the MAAP. Together, we will help students meet their educational goals and be prepared for their future pathways.
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Suspensions and Expulsions
We continue to take an anti-oppressive, anti-discriminatory and anti-carceral approach to suspensions and expulsions. Furthering administrator and educator capacity in a progressive discipline approach has had positive results. We are fostering a human rights culture at WRDSB so that all students feel a sense of connection and belonging at school. Read the Board Improvement and Equity Plan for specific actions related to suspensions and expulsions.
Mental Health, Well-being and Engagement
Every student and staff member should be provided with positive learning and work spaces that promote their mental health and well-being. We know that students’ mental health has a direct impact on their academic achievement, which is why WRDSB continues to prioritize support and services that will help all students reach their full potential.
This spring, WRDSB students in Grades 4-12 completed the Safe, Caring and Inclusive School Survey. The survey results help us to better understand and respond to the needs of our students.
We continue to see students leading the conversation about their mental health and well-being. In April 2024, approximately 150 WRDSB students from secondary schools across WRDSB gathered for the second annual Student Wellness Conference. Through centring students’ voices in the conference, we equip them with the tools they need to increase their mental health literacy and share information with their peers.
In February 2024, I was honoured to be the keynote speaker and panelist at the Harmony Movement Educators Anti-Racism Conference in Toronto. Joined by a WRDSB social worker and the Psychology and Social Work Lead, we discussed the challenges, barriers and limits of equity and inclusion practice school boards face when working to ensure schools are welcoming to all students.
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We also provide opportunities for students to connect with their peers across the system throughout the school year, such as Black Brilliance and school-based groups (e.g. Affinity Groups, GSAs, Student well-being teams). WRDSB also promotes equity, human rights, inclusion education and understanding through recognition of Dates of Importance and Creed Accommodation Days.
As outlined in our WRDSB Engagement Charter, we commit to transparency, accountability and keeping families informed. Supporting student achievement and well-being is a shared goal with families and community members and we have outlined in our framework to transform education through engagement how we will meaningfully engage in an open, accessible, inclusive and responsive way.
I am thankful for the many ways our communities come together and offer support for students to thrive. In December 2023, the WRDSB community raised more than $46,000 to provide healthy and nutritious foods to students. Waterloo Education Foundation Inc. (WEFI) reaffirmed its commitment to funding our partners at Nutrition for Learning, Food4Kids Waterloo Region and the May Court Club of Kitchener-Waterloo to address food insecurity. WEFI also provided funding to support WEFI Winter Wear, which provides students equitable access to warm clothing. At the end of the school year, we celebrated a successful fundraising campaign for KidsAbility, which raised more than $26,025 to support students and families in Waterloo Region to reach their communication, social, physical and behavioural goals. Thank you to everyone who contributed to make a difference for youth in our area.
Student Voice
Helping students to succeed academically and reach their full potential is at the core of our daily work. WRDSB serves approximately 65,000 students and one of the ways that we are ensuring that we are meeting their needs is by intentionally centring student agency and voice in decisions about their education. By empowering students to take an active role in transforming the education system, they will have an increased sense of connection and belonging, as well as agency in their academic trajectory.
Student Roundtables hosted across the system this year discussed issues that are most important to WRDSB youth. It is an important opportunity for staff to hear first-hand from students how to transform education to better support their learning.
I love every opportunity I have to visit schools and connect with students, staff and families. Last year I invited students in Kindergarten to Grade 12 to submit questions to me to learn more about myself, and the Board’s accomplishments and district plans. We had so many submissions, we had to split it into two video responses!
We are also inviting students to share their experiences and reflections on events happening in their schools and communities through #StudentVoice articles. It is important to bring student voice into the Director’s Office, and we were fortunate to welcome two students into the Communications Department this past year as co-op students and lend their skills and expertise to our work. There are outstanding students in the WRDSB who are demonstrating leadership amongst their peers, receiving international awards, tackling global issues and finding solutions to create change in their communities and beyond.
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Building a Culture of Human Rights
We are building a culture of human rights within the WRDSB. This is not always easy, but it is important work to ensure that all students and staff feel welcome, safe and a sense of belonging. The Human Rights Branch Annual Report is an opportunity for us to share with students, staff and families our progress in this work. We know that we must continue to support staff in their learning journey and to help turn words into actions. Trustees, senior staff, union, professional association leaders and senior management gathered for focused learning about Human Rights. We continue to grow our Sovereignty Affirming and Equity Competencies for system and school leaders, we are moving from learning to embedded practice. We continue to focus on this very important professional development and capacity building because we understand that it is the right thing to do in service of our students, as well as reinforces our obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code.
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From job fairs to recruit Indigenous, Black and racialized employees, updating our hiring policy to support fair, equitable and inclusive hiring, to hosting our first Advancing Anti-Ableism in Education Symposium in May 2024, these are some of the examples of how WRDSB is building a culture of human rights. The results of the 2024 Workforce Census will help to inform whether our actions are making a difference in the demographic makeup of our staff to better reflect the students and families we serve.
These changes are also extending to how we build new schools. For example, we held a land ceremony for the New South Kitchener Elementary School, led by Indigenous Knowledge Keeper Myeengun Henry, before any work began on the site. Board-wide, our Facilities Services Team is busy improving accessibility so that students and families have equitable access to programs and services to all of our buildings. As our website is one of the main forms of communication with students, families and caregivers, we have integrated the AccessiBe Accessibility Interface on our main website and secondary school websites to provide easier access to information based on individual needs, including accessibility modifications to provide more equitable and accessible communications.
There are many more big and small structural and systemic changes that we continue to make in order to ensure create equitable opportunities for students, staff and families in environments free from discrimination or barriers.
Dreaming about the Future of Education
2024 gave us an opportunity to reflect on the work we are doing to shift the organization, update systems and structures and build a shared vision for an education system that prepares students for success towards the 22nd century. To prepare students for life in a globalized society, we aim to be a world leader in transforming education from WRDSB. We released the Transforming Education: How the WRDSB is preparing students for a changing world Thought Paper, which outlines the five areas we believe are necessary for building an education system of the future:
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Building strong foundations for learning
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Centring students and their well-being
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Supporting students’ pathways
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Innovating through design thinking
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Collaborating with families and communities
Our commitment is to change the trajectory of public education and build something new that supports all students to be successful. In order to do this, we have to dare to dream together so we can innovate, transform and create something new for all of us.
As we work together to transform education, we continue to invite others to join our conversation and to dream about what a future education system could and should look like. It has been incredible to watch how educators, industry and thought leaders join the DreamEd initiative to reimagine how we teach and engage students in their learning. I have been speaking with other leaders through the DreamEd Podcast in order to listen and learn from the diverse perspectives and expertise on how to support a 22nd century learner to fulfil their full potential. I encourage you to subscribe and join the conversation!
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Looking Ahead
We accomplished so much during the 2023-24 school year and I am proud of the partnerships between students, staff, families, caregivers and community members to support student success and well-being. Our Strategic Plan, Board Improvement and Equity Plan, Multi-year Structured Literacy Plan and Math Achievement Action Plan have created a solid foundation for the system and we will continue to build capacity, measure our success and share our learning with the community. As partners in education, we continue to work with families, caregivers and community members to support accessible and transparent engagement in their child’s learning.
Together, we will transform education, centre student voice and lead our system from a culture of human rights.
If last year was any indication of what we can do when we work together in service of students, I am excited for what the 2024-25 school year brings.
jeewan chanicka
Director of Education