March 14th, 2025

We want to share an update for Elizabeth Ziegler PS families about:

• The status of the Elizabeth Ziegler PS building
• How students will be able to collect a device to support remote learning
• Our progress towards a return to in-person on April 1, 2025
• Upcoming Community Meeting on March 19

Update About the Elizabeth Ziegler PS Building

Based on the current assessment by the structural engineering firm retained by the board, we are not able to occupy any part of the Elizabeth Ziegler PS building. The City of Waterloo have been involved throughout this process and are supportive of this decision.

Addressing these concerns will take time and the engineers estimate this work could take months to complete. This is a result of the mechanical and electrical connections that run throughout the building, as well as the large pieces of precast concrete and monuments that need to be carefully removed during the repair process.

It is also important to note that the structural engineering firm has not yet completed their assessment, and further concerns may be uncovered. A final report is anticipated in the coming weeks.

As a result, a return to in-person learning will not involve use of the Elizabeth Ziegler PS building for the remainder of the school year.

Devices for Students

Students and families will be able to collect a device for their child(ren) from Elizabeth Ziegler PS on:

• Time: Monday, March 17, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Location: Elizabeth Ziegler Public School (90 Moore Ave S, Waterloo, ON N2J 1X2)

Devices have been labelled for each student, and will be sorted by the first letter of their last name.

• A to L will be available for pickup in Portable 2
• M to Z will be available for pickup in Portable 3

These devices will be temporarily loaned to students to allow them to continue their learning remotely. Technical support is available for families from the Tech@Home website.

Remote Learning from March 18 to 28

Teachers will teach synchronously and will be available to students during regular school hours through their Google Classrooms. Students are invited to participate as they are able.

Families may also choose to support their child’s learning through asynchronous resources from their virtual learning environment, where applicable, and/or WRDSB@Home for resources. Students may also work on previously-assigned work or spend time reviewing material previously covered.

Steps Towards a Return to In-Person Learning

Staff throughout the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) continue to plan for the return of Elizabeth Ziegler PS students and staff to in-person learning.

Students in Congregated Alternative Continuum of Education (ACE) and Enrichment Programs at Elizabeth Ziegler

Families with students in the congregated ACE and enrichment programs will receive additional, specific information for next steps for their students on Monday, March 17, 2025.

Additional Portables Arriving at Elizabeth Ziegler PS

In support of our efforts to return Elizabeth Ziegler PS students to in-person learning, additional portables have already started arriving at the school, with more portables scheduled to arrive over the next few days. Staff and contractors will be hard at work setting up these new spaces, to support students and educators to return to in-person learning.

We made the decision to install 12 portables on Elizabeth Ziegler PS property, the maximum limit that would allow a timely return to in-person learning. More than 12 portables on Elizabeth Ziegler PS property would require extensive infrastructure additions that would delay a return to in-person learning. This means that not all staff and students will be able to remain at Elizabeth Ziegler PS.

Next Steps

The current phase of remote learning is a necessary short-term step in the pathway to returning to in-person learning. As Elizabeth Ziegler PS has more than 500 students, alternative spaces that support the needs of students in surrounding public schools are limited and a thorough planning process is on-going to accommodate all students in-person. The plan will return students to in-person learning on April 1, 2025. (Monday, March 31 is a PD Day)

More information about the details of how students and families will be supported through the return to in-person learning will be shared when it becomes available. Find answers to frequently asked questions on the Elizabeth Ziegler PS website.

We will provide a further update about next steps on Monday, March 17, 2025 and at that time, be able to share the additional WRDSB sites that will be used for in-person learning.

Categories: News