Transportation
Wherever possible, active transportation (for example walking or biking) is a preferred method of travel to and from school. However, those eligible students riding the bus or taxi will be required to wear a mask while riding the bus.
Please visit the Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region (STSWR) website for more information on bus times.
Extended Day
Extended Day programs will operate this fall. This includes both Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) and third-party operated programs. Parents can now register and enter care schedules online at https://regionofwaterloo.onehsn.com/.
Please note that care schedules must be confirmed online by August 24 if you require care for the first day of school.
All children in Kindergarten to Grade 6 are required to wear a properly fitted, non-medical or cloth mask while inside, including in hallways. Masks are no longer required outdoors. Staff will work with and approach compliance among younger students with compassion and a focus on education. There will be no disciplinary action for students having difficulty complying.
Parents and caregivers will be required to wear a mask to enter the school when dropping off and picking children up from programs. Hand sanitizer will also be available at entrances for parents to use. Educators will be wearing masks while working in the program and other PPE when appropriate.
Program rates for the 2021-22 school year are available on the Extended Day Programs website. Families can make changes to their Extended Day schedule online using the Region of Waterloo’s OneList. More information on how to register for programs and make changes to schedules is available on our website.
Community Use of Schools
The Board will be focused on opening and supporting our daytime school operations in the Fall. Staff will continue to evaluate the feasibility of opening our schools to community use and provide updates on the Community Use of Schools page on our website.
Outdoor fields and specialty areas such as artificial turf fields remain available for community use through our Rentals Department or the appropriate Municipal office.
Communication
The Waterloo Region District School Board is committed to providing meaningful communication to all parents, guardians, staff, students and stakeholders as we prepare for the upcoming school year. Important information and updates will be provided through our website, school websites and other school communication methods, and social media channels. We encourage our community to check back often for updates.
Budget
Trustees passed the Board’s 2021-2022 school year budget on June 16, 2021. The details of the budget are contained in the budget report.
As we prepare for a safe return to school in September, actions taken to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, support our students and staff, and maintain public confidence, represent the single most important challenge facing the board.
The budget included continued COVID-19 funding to support the Board’s school reopening plans at a total of $12,426,900, outlined below. Half of these amounts have been released to school boards to support school reopening. The Ministry of Education will evaluate the need to release the second half of the funding in December 2021/January 2022.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Additional Staffing (Principals, Vice-Principals, Teachers, DECEs, Custodians) | $8,920,000 |
| Special Education Supports | $372,922 |
| Transportation – Cleaning and PPE | $1,160,000 |
| Mental Health & Well-being Supports | $500,598 |
| School Operations | $863,236 |
| Re-engaging Students and Reading Assessment Supports | $610,144 |
| Connectivity Supports for Remote Learning | TBD |
| Equity Initiatives | TBD |
| Total | $12,426,900 |
The Ministry will also be providing the following COVID-19 supports through the Grants for Student Needs (GSN).
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| English as a Second Language/English Literacy Development (ESL/ELD) | $3,500,000 |
| Technology | $459,000 |
| Mental Health | $187,000 |
| Total | $4,146,000 |
