Pathways Evening: Materials and Slide Shows

Thank you to all who were able to attend our first annual Pathways Knight!! Thank you also to our community colleagues at University of Waterloo, Conestoga College and the Waterloo Region Business Education Partnership for joining this event. Please check out the QR codes on the poster below for slideshows and additional resources. FIND YOUR […]

Semester 1, Term 1 Report cards – Thursday, November 23rd, 2023

Semester 1, term 1 report cards will be sent home with students on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023. Students with an office homeroom, are asked to pick up their reports at the main office. Please reach out to your student’s teachers if you have any questions or concerns regarding this report.

Launching the WRDSB Math Action Plan

The Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) is committed to supporting increased student engagement and academic outcomes in mathematics. We know that parents, caregivers, staff and community members play a critical role in supporting student achievement and well-being. We are excited to share with you the WRDSB Math Action Plan to support student learning. Helping […]

November 5-11 is Treaties Recognition Week

November 5-11 is Treaties Recognition Week in Ontario. This week aims to: Raise awareness about treaty rights and responsibilities Build understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples It was created in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action in 2016. What Is A Treaty? Treaties are the legally binding agreements that set out […]

Grade 8 Information Nights at WRDSB Secondary Schools

View a translated version of this page: Amharic አማርኛ Arabic عربي Chinese (Simplified) 中国人 Chinese (Traditional) 繁體字 Farsi (Persian) فارسی French Français Gujarati ગુજરાતી Punjabi ਪੰਜਾਬੀ Spanish Española Turkish Türk Ukrainian украї́нська мо́ва Vietnamese Tiếng Việt Grade 8 students across the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) are beginning to look towards the next step […]

Bluevale Presents: Pathways Evening Thursday, Nov. 16th

We are excited to announce our first Bluevale Pathways Evening! Students and their caregivers are invited to join us Thursday, November 16th between 6:30 and 8:00PM . We have a flexible and informative agenda planned: 6:30 PM Welcome in the Cafeteria, Brief introduction to Course Selections and My Blueprint. 6:45-8:00 PM CHOOSE from Optional Presentations […]

WRDSB Remembers and Reflects on Remembrance Day

As we approach Remembrance Day, a day of solemn reflection and gratitude, the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) will honour those who have served during times of war, conflict, and peace on Friday, November 10, 2023. We honour all Canadians who have served and are serving to protect our country. This includes ​​those identifying […]

Holocaust Education Week

Holocaust Education Week (HEW) is recognised the first week of November, this year running from November 1 to 9. In 2023, HEW falls at an incredibly difficult moment for the Jewish community. The content shared during this week may be triggering for some staff and students. However, acknowledging HEW aligns with the Waterloo Region District […]

OSSLT for Secondary Students in 2023-24

To get their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), students in Grades 10 to 12 must meet the literacy graduation requirement. Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) In Ontario, the OSSLT is the standard method used to test students’ literacy skills. Its purpose is to support students to meet the provincial literacy requirement to graduate. Students […]

WRDSB shares 2022-23 Board Improvement and Equity Plan outcomes

The Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) is committed to transforming the education system so that identity and social location no longer predict outcomes for students. The 2022-2023 school year was the first year of implementation of the Board Improvement and Equity Plan (BIEP). The BIEP is what supports the implementation and achievement of the […]

Information Regarding the 2023 Fall Writing of the Literacy Test for BCI Students

On November 14, 15, 20 & 21 all Grade 10 students who are taking English semester 1 will write the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) during the fall administration. We are setting these times so that all students have 150 minutes of writing time if needed. Students who were previously eligible, but have not yet written the test, or who were unsuccessful on their first attempt, will also have an opportunity to write. Students must successfully complete this literacy requirement for the granting of their Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

Key Dates to Note:

  • Nov. 2 & 3 – Optional synchronous drop-in sessions will be provided for students with questions or for those seeking support.
  • Nov. 6th Periods A, B, C, and D – All students writing the test will learn how to write the literacy test using their Chromebooks.
  • Nov. 7 & 8 Periods A, B, C, and D – Grade 10s will be writing the practice test. Instructions will be shared in their English classes.
  • Nov. 14 Literacy Test Day (session 1) for students who have their English class in blocks A, B or C.
  • Nov. 15 Literacy Test Day (session 2) for students who have their English class in blocks A, B or C.
  • Nov. 20 Literacy Test Day (session 1) for students who have an English class in block D.
  • Nov. 21 Literacy Test Day (session 2) for students who have an English class in block D.

How can I help my student prepare for the OSSLT?
Before the Test

  • Encourage your student to participate in preparation offered by the school.
  • Encourage your student to review the format and tools available by previewing the practice test
  • Encourage your student to try the practice test which can be found at HERE.
  • Students eligible for special accommodations will be contacted by the Special Education Department in advance of the test.

The Day of the Test

  • Remind your student to be on time to their English class.
  • Ensure your student has a fully charged Chromebook.
  • Encourage your student to take the full amount of allotted time, each booklet is designed to take 60-75 minutes, but students are allowed to use up to 150 minutes to complete each booklet. They will be given another space to continue to write.
  • Encourage students to reread and check their work.
  • Some students may want to bring a mouse or headphones.
  • Encourage students to do their best.
  • Remind students to bring a book or asynchronous work to occupy their left over time.

Parents and students interested in learning more about the OSSLT are invited to visit the EQAO website at https://www.eqao.com/the-assessments/osslt/. If you have any further questions please contact your Guidance counselor or vice principal.

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Monday, November 13 is a PD Day for all WRDSB students

Monday, November 13, 2023, is a professional development (PD) day for elementary and secondary school staff. Students will not attend school, in person or virtually All board-operated Extended Day and Youth Development programs will be closed About Professional Development (PD) Days PD days are held throughout the school year to provide learning opportunities for school-based […]

November 9 and 10–Exam and Evaluation Days

We would like to remind our families that November 9 and 10 are outlined on our School Year Calendar as Exam and Evaluation days. We will be utilizing these days to support student success in the first reporting period.

  • Some students may need to attend in-person for certain learning opportunities (e.g., missed assessments, catching up with support of their teachers, conferencing with their teacher, credit rescue, leveling up opportunities etc.)
  • Students that are attending on these days, we will be following a week 2 schedule: Periods A, B, D, C.
  • Teachers will communicate directly with those students in their classes who need to demonstrate further evidence of their learning in person.
  • Transportation will continue to run as normal on these days and bell times and periods will occur at the same time. Teachers will be available to the students in the course blocks on the schedule.
  • ACE students will attend school with regular programming and following regular attendance procedures.

We have found these days extremely beneficial in terms of students’ well-being. We hope students use this time productively to support their learning and success in their classes. Please note Monday, November 13th is a PD Day. Regular classes will resume on Tuesday, November 14th. This marks the first day of Term 2 of Semester 1.

Read more about November 9 and 10–Exam and Evaluation Days »

Don’t Miss It: Assistive Technology – Support for Families in Fall 2023

View a translated version of this page: Amharic አማርኛ Arabic عربي Chinese (Simplified) 中国人 Chinese (Traditional) 繁體字 Farsi (Persian) فارسی French Gujarati ગુજરાતી Punjabi ਪੰਜਾਬੀ Spanish Español Turkish Türk Ukrainian украї́нська мо́ва Vietnamese Tiếng Việt Are you looking for ways to support your child with technology? The Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) SEA Assistive […]

Ensuring Safe and Welcoming Spaces for All Students, Families and Staff

In light of the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and the ongoing challenges faced by students and their families, the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) wants to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to making our schools safe and welcoming spaces for all. WRDSB’s primary focus remains on creating inclusive environments where students feel safe, […]

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