Monthly Archives: January 2023

Graduation Photos for Grade 8 and SK students will take place at school on March 24th.

During the period of March 29 – April 5, 2023, the Canadian Cognitive Abilities Test Level 10 (CCAT 7) will be administered to all grade 4 students in the Waterloo Catholic District School Board.

The purpose of this board-wide screening of the Canadian Cognitive Abilities Test Level 10 (CCAT 7) is to:

1. Identify cognitive areas of strength and areas of need
2. Provide information about learning style
3. Provide information to teachers to help meet instructional objectives

The CCAT 7 is divided into three sections (verbal, quantitative, non-verbal) and each section has three tests. The CCAT 7 will be administered over a three-day period and each testing session will last about 40 – 45 minutes out of the regular school day.

In June, results of the cognitive achievement in the three batteries will be provided to parents/guardians.

If there are any questions about this assessment, please contact the school.

Students in Grade 7 in the Waterloo Catholic District School Board will be administered the Canadian Achievement Test, Fourth Edition (CAT-4) between April 12 – 19, 2023.

The CAT-4 is a national standardized achievement test designed to measure achievement in the basic skills commonly taught in schools across Canada. The specific skill areas to be assessed include language arts, reading and mathematics. The CAT-4 takes approximately four hours to complete over a three-day period.

The CAT-4 will provide information for parents/guardians, students, teachers and administrators about how well students perform in the basic skill areas. This information will be used to provide direction for curriculum and program delivery at the system, school, and individual student levels.

If there are questions regarding this assessment,  please contact the school, and/or our WCDSB Research Coordinator (Kelly.Roberts@wcdsb.ca).

Hello Dragons!

Just a quick note to thank you all for an incredible start to the school year.  As I transition to my new role with Bruce Grey Catholic, I want to extend my sincere appreciation for the support and care this Dragon nation has extended.  You have all been wonderful partners in your child’s education and I know that you will continue to advocate for high quality, inclusive, Catholic education! As I say good-bye, I would like to welcome in our “new” Administrators who will be running the ship beginning on Monday.  They are both retired WCDSB Principals with a TON of experience and love.  You are in good hands!

Mr. Rob Purificato and Mrs. RomaLee Bumbacco-Sodaro will be in beginning on Monday and will continue to the work we have started this year.  With a strong focus on self-regulation and raising the academic bar, these two are sure to ensure your child gets the best learning environment.  They are both fabulous humans with expertise in teacher efficacy, student achievement and faith foundations.  They will be awesome 🙂

Wishing you happiness,

Marylin Dawson

Good afternoon,

WCDSB has developed an Elementary Athletics Code of Conduct that all players agree to when joining a team and a pregame protocol that will be read before all WCDSB elementary athletic events. Our intention is to ensure the environment in and around our athletic events is a positive and fun atmosphere that is enjoyable for all.

Please see the Code of Conduct and Pregame Protocol below, as you may want or need to review it with your child:

Elementary Athletics Code of Conduct

Pregame Protocol: Team captains will read the following script prior to the game

Home Captain:

We would like to begin today’s game(s) by highlighting a few points from our Athletics Code of Conduct, followed by a prayer.

1. Understand that mistakes are okay and that they are an important part of learning.
2. Remember that participants play for their own enjoyment.

Away Captain:

1. Respect officials and their decisions and encourage participants to do the same.
2. Show respect for your team’s opponents because without them, there would be no game.

Thank you.

Dear God, let me play well but fairly.

Thank you for the thrill of sport

Help me to learn from others during and once the game is over.

Let competition make me strong but never hostile.

Always let me help my opponent up.

Home Captain:

May I never rejoice in the adversity of others.

May I win with dignity and lose with grace.

Remind me that sports are for competition as well as for fun.

If through athletics I set an example,

Let it be a good one.

Amen

Should you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.

Thank you and take care,

Farewell St. Dominic’s community,

I have been blessed to work with and support the St. Dominic’s community over the past two and a half years. You have welcomed me into your community and trusted me to be a part of your child’s spiritual and educational journey. Educating a child is a team effort (guardians, parish, community members and teachers) and at St. Dominic’s I was always impressed at how well these members worked to ensure each and every child reaches their God given potential. This doesn’t come easy, it requires effort, compassion, and a focus on what is best for the child and as I prepare to move from this community and know there will be change, I will rest easy knowing that this is the goal of every staff member at St. Dominic. Your children are in great care. Lastly, I have been blessed to teach a few sections while in my VP role here, and this has really allowed me to make stronger connections with many of our students. Our students here are really amazing, they are creative, hard working, talented, and very helpful. I often say to students, you get what you put into your education and our students put a lot in. They share their talents with the school community and in doing that make our community a special place to be. As I prepare to move on to Monsignor Haller on February 1st, I want to thank you again for being so welcoming and trusting. St. Dominic’s will always have a special place in my heart.

Gary Litschgy