As an educational system, we are guided by the voices of those we serve: students. Here, you will find a selection of stories where you will be able to hear directly from Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) students about their ideas for how we can better support their learning, and what matters to them as we prepare them to succeed in the 22nd century.


Educating Innovators for a Sustainable Futures

Student puts a leaf on a board that reads "match the leaf to the tree"

Eastwood Collegiate Institute (ECI) hosted the very first United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Expo.

Read more about the collaborative event organized by ECI staff, students, IMPACT (ECI’s climate action club), and the Outdoor and Environmental Education (OEE) Department in Stefanja’s story: Educating Innovators for a Sustainable Future | #StudentVoice


Nuit Blanche: Student-led Art Initiative at Laurel Heights

Laurel Heights Secondary School (LHSS) transformed into a gleaming space of light, noise, and wonder for Nuit Blanche. Through the imagination of 150+ creative students, more than 50 art installations were displayed, ranging from glow-in-the-dark dances; DJ sets; art installations; short films; cafés; shadow performances; and many more.

Learn more about the artistic event at Laurel Heights in Kyo Lee’s story: Nuit Blanche: Student-led Art Initiative at Laurel Heights | #StudentVoice


Northlake Woods Students Celebrate the Holiday Season

Students at Northlake Woods use their voices to celebrate the holidays and learn more about the world.

Learn more about the holidays celebrations at Northlake Woods in Zoey and Sofia’s story: Northlake Woods Students Celebrate the Holiday Season | #StudentVoice


Microforests Bloom New Spaces for Learning

It was an exciting day for Southridge Public School students on Friday, October 27, as we celebrated the new Microforest! During the day, students learned about the environmental benefits of microforests.

Learn more about the microforests at Southridge in Adrija Tiwari and Ruby Finn’s story: Microforests Bloom New Spaces for Learning | #StudentVoice


Students Come Together to Celebrate Islamic History Month

Laurel Heights Secondary School (LHSS) hosted an event celebrating Islamic Heritage Month. The event took place on October 26, and schools all across the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) were invited to attend the event and celebrate with fellow Muslim students.

Learn more about the Islamic History Month event in Khadijah Asif’s story: Students Come Together to Celebrate Islamic History Month | #StudentVoice


Laurel Heights Student Roundtable: Where Ideas Spark and Leaders Connect

More than 120 students and staff from Laurel Heights Secondary School came together at our first roundtable meeting on October 23. Roundtables have been held at Laurel Heights for the past five years.

Learn more about the Roundtable and its impact at Laurel Heights in Kian Mirzaei’s story: Laurel Heights Student Roundtable: Where Ideas Spark and Leaders Connect | #StudentVoice


Laurier Hip-Hop Poetry Workshop


Twelve students from Doon Public School attended a hip-hop workshop with Shad on September 18 at Wilfrid Laurier University. Peliah Haile and Asiya Mohamud, Grade 8 students at Doon Public School, tell the story of their experience.

Read the whole story: Laurier Hip-Hop Poetry Workshop | #StudentVoicee


Fred Fox Visits Breslau Public School


Sylvia Kendall, a Grade 8 student at Breslau Public School shares about a special visitor for the schools Terry Fox Run.

Read the story: Fred Fox Visits Breslau Public School | #StudentVoice


Autism Myths & Facts

Quinn Plummer, a grade 8 student at Northlake Woods Public School and Disability Advocate, felt inspired to help promote acceptance and created a video message to share his personal thoughts on the Myths & Facts about Autism.


In Conversation with Students: An Interview with the Director of Education

Director jeewan chanicka talks to students on a video call.

In October 2021, Amelia and Vivian, two Grade 6 students from Empire Public School in Waterloo, had the chance to ask the Director of Education their burning questions for an article in their school newspaper. For chanicka, it was an opportunity to hear directly from WRDSB students, about what matters to them.

Read the story: In Conversation with Students: An Interview with the Director of Education


Junior Journalists and jeewan

On the left, the two students prepare to interview jeewan, who can be seen on the right.

In December, chanicka was interviewed by Sona and Kayna, two members of the Newspaper Club at Country Hills Public School in Kitchener. List of queries in hand, they dove right in, asking chanicka how he would explain his job to elementary students.

Read the whole story: Junior Journalists and jeewan