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The Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) is committed to fostering welcoming schools where everyone feels they belong, while upholding the:

  • Ontario Human Rights Code
  • Education Act
  • Safe and Accepting Schools Act
  • Other relevant legislation

Schools are made up of students and families with many different:

  • Backgrounds
  • Beliefs
  • Experiences

We know that families and caregivers teach students about beliefs. Schools work with families and caregivers to help students reach their full potential.

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Role of WRDSB Administrators and Educators

We work together with families and people in the community to support academics and well-being.

Role of Families and Caregivers

WRDSB respects families and caregivers’ belief systems and should inform schools about specific student needs.

 

Role of WRDSB

WRDSB educators teach students age-appropriate information, based on the Ontario curriculum. All school boards must follow this. Families and caregivers can read the curriculum on the Ministry of Education website.

Creed Accommodations

WRDSB supports safe and welcoming schools where all students feel:

  • Welcome
  • Included

We must uphold the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Ontario Human Rights Code and provide creed accommodations within the limits of the Code. According to these a student can express their beliefs based on their creed. Human rights legislation determines the limits to freedom of expression, and this guides our approach. The Board will make reasonable efforts, on an individual basis, to accommodate students within the curriculum.

However, in alignment with the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Board cannot excuse students from learning opportunities which address protected identities, outside of Strand D of the Health and Physical Education curriculum.

How to Get an Exemption from Instruction

Human Development and Sexual Health Expectations for Grades 1-8

The Ontario Ministry of Education allows students to be exempted from Strand D of the Health and Physical Education curriculum for Grades 1-8, at the request of their families and caregivers. The exemption form must be completed every school year.


In all school boards, students cannot be exempted from instruction related to any other expectations in this curriculum or related to expectations in other curriculum subjects. Exemptions may be granted for the entire strand D, but are not granted for specific expectations or topics within the strand.

20 days
Minimum number of days schools will share the Human Development and Sexual Health expectations for the grade prior to the period of instruction.

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Families and caregivers can choose to exempt their child from instruction related to Human Development and Sexual Health. This is done by completing an exemption form (IS-20-HPE) for each child. Verbal requests for exemptions are not accepted.

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Schools will make the exemption form available to families and caregivers each school year.

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Deadlines for completed exemption forms will be clearly communicated to families and caregivers. Notices of changes in dates of instruction will be clearly communicated to families and caregivers as soon as possible.

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There will be no academic penalties for students with a completed exemption form.

Share Your Questions or Concerns

We are committed to working together with families and caregivers, staff and the community to support student achievement and well-being. If you have specific questions about the curriculum or how to support your child’s learning:

  • Speak with your child’s teacher
  • Speak with your school principal
  • Speak with Your School Superintendent of Student Achievement & Well-Being

Learn more about the Process for Addressing Concerns.