Grade 8 Information Nights at WRDSB Secondary Schools

Posted November 6, 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 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

Posted November 3, 2023

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

Posted November 3, 2023

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

Posted November 3, 2023

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

Posted November 1, 2023

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

Posted October 31, 2023

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

Posted October 31, 2023

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

Posted October 30, 2023

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

Posted October 30, 2023

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.

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

Posted October 30, 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

Posted October 30, 2023

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, […]

Community Engagement | Transforming Education Through Engagement

Posted October 27, 2023

At the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) we’re transforming education in partnership with those we serve. Student academic achievement and well-being are at the heart of what we do. We are committed to making our schools places where every student can succeed. However, we know we can’t do this without the partnership of the […]

Wednesday, November 1 is Take Our Kids to Work Day

Posted October 26, 2023

The Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) is pleased to encourage Grade 9 student participation on Wednesday, November 1, 2023 in Take Our Kids to Work 2023. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to see if their employer is taking part in Take Our Kids to Work Day (TOKW). If so, parents and caregivers are invited […]

November Lunch and Learn Sessions for Parents and Caregivers

Posted October 24, 2023

As part of our ongoing efforts to support WRDSB parents, caregivers and families, our psychology staff are offering a number of Lunch and Learn sessions for WRDSB parents, caregivers and family members. These webinars, scheduled over the lunch hour on Wednesdays, aim to equip parents with useful tips and information to assist them in supporting […]

“We Scare Hunger” Food Drive Continues

Posted October 23, 2023

We have raised $860 towards our goal of $1,200.  Last day to donate is October 31st. From Monday, October 16th to Monday, October 30th, we will be having a massive “We Scare Hunger” Food drive competition against three other WRDSB schools (LHSS, WCI & KCI) to support the Food Bank of Waterloo. Students are encouraged […]

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