519-745-1201|stlouis@wcdsb.ca

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St. Louis Graduation – the Pinnacle of Resilience

Friday, Nov 8, 2024

Tonight marks the first of two St. Louis graduation ceremonies for the class of 2023-2024. And a St. Louis graduation brings its own kind of inspiration with many stories of resilience woven throughout.

Class of 2024

An astounding 361 Ontario Secondary School Diplomas will be officially conferred and an additional 66 Hairstyling, Barbering and Culinary Certificates will be presented.  Every student in attendance will have their moment to shine and celebrate this milestone with their peers, family, friends and the school community.

We will also acknowledge some exceptional achievements by presenting 3 awards for student excellence – to students who are bound for university, college or the world of work. The loyal support we receive each year from the Canadian Federation for University Women – Kitchener Waterloo allows us to also celebrate the memory of Hildegard Marsden and the accomplishments of 2 more graduands who will be acknowledged for their achievements and pursuit of post-secondary education. One of these recipients, Kira DeGraaf, is also our Valedictorian.

Several years ago, St. Louis staff came together to create an award that spotlighted 1 or 2 students for their determination and hard work. This tradition will carry on again this year.

These traditions and this spirit of determination has ignited others to establish legacy tributes as well.

New Awards

The Catholic Community Foundation of Waterloo Region will be presenting an inaugural award that recognizes 5 St. Louis students who have demonstrated the pinnacle of resilience. Also, for the first time, we will be honouring the accomplishments of an Indigenous student in memory of former WCDSB staff, Melissa Resmer.

Resilience

The recurring theme of St. Louis graduation ceremonies is resilience.

Resilience. It’s a word that captures the essence of the human spirit when we are faced with adversity, challenges or obstacles in life. Our path is rarely fast, smooth, or straight and there are numerous ways that resilience is reflected.  For each St. Louis student, their educational journey will look different, as is the story that brought them to this milestone occasion.

Next time you think of someone with resilience, be reminded that they are doing more than ‘fighting to survive’.  They could be that person making conscious choices and taking action, with such intense focus, sometimes slow and steady, flowing through change, yet never giving up.  They probably show grit, commitment, practice, patience and repetition. Along the way, they develop perspective and pursue continuous growth, sometimes reaching out to others, often paying it forward and helping others. While facing fears head on, often one step at a time, they also realize that to get out of survival mode and become “resilient”, they simply must include time for self-care, be calm and carry on.

The product of resilience is having joy-filled moments like graduation, filled with gratitude to those who helped you along the way. Congratulations to all graduates!

Stay Tuned

Watch for another St. Louis Newswire to learn about next week’s PSW graduation ceremony and the impact the program has had on the lives of PSW students and others in our community.

International Languages Registration is OPEN

As we wind down the end of the school year, start planning for September!

Registration is now open for the 2024-2025 International & Indigenous Languages Program – Elementary (IILE)

Program runs from September to June every year.  IILE is FREE and open to all Elementary students in our community.

18 Languages to Choose From!

With over 18 languages to choose from, children from JK to Grade 8 can be registered to enrol in language classes offered during the school-year.  Participants may already speak the language at home; may wish they could improve their communication with friends or family; or want to learn a new language that would develop varied interests and broaden their perspective of the world. (No previous language knowledge is necessary.)

In our fast-growing and diverse community, school-age children who learn more than one language:

  • build richer friendships, family relationships and community connections
  • develop heritage pride, identity, and embrace various cultures
  • strengthen overall learning through improved writing, thinking and speaking skills

Help your child develop a passion for learning languages through music, games, storytelling, crafts and technology. Students who know more than 2 or 3 languages typically do better in school overall, and are keen to pursue other interests and hobbies with greater achievement.

Register NOW for Elementary Language Program until September 6, 2024.

Wish you learned a language when you were younger?

Secondary School Language Credits are available FREE for youth and adults and six different languages are offered September to June.   Each class is 3 1/2 hours and parking is free at each school location (first come, first served)

Monday Evenings (St. Benedict CSS, Cambridge): Portuguese

Wednesday Evenings (St. Louis – Main Campus, Kitchener): Italian (NEW), Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish 

Saturday mornings (Resurrection CSS, Kitchener): Chinese

The International Languages Secondary Credit Program will help youth and adults:

  • Earn up to three elective secondary credits towards graduation and Ontario Secondary Diploma – even if you are learning for personal interest and already have your high school diploma, this credit class can be added to your transcript upon successful completion.
  • Be better prepared for post-secondary studies in the fields of business, trade and communications
  • Successfully complete the Level D / Level 3 – University course and use it as one of the top six marks for post-secondary entry
  • Develop skills for international/ global employment opportunities
  • Foster global awareness and understanding

At the beginning of Secondary School Credit class, teachers describe course outlines, learning outcomes, class expectations, weekly attendance, assignments and culminating activities.

Interested?

International Languages – Secondary School Credit program is open to:

  • students under 18 currently attending day classes at ANY Secondary School
  • students over 18 currently earning secondary school credits in any other program at St. Louis
  • any adult who is an Ontario resident
  • all students must be be able to attend classes in-person.

Register NOW for Secondary Language Credit classes until September 6, 2024

If you do not see the language you wish to learn, reach out to Susan.ElNagar@wcdsb.ca for more information.

Beacons of Hope – St. Louis

St. Louis Adult Learning and Continuing Education Centres mission is to bring Hope, Opportunity, Success for All  students and the community at large.  From time to time, we are reminded that each of us has the opportunity to be a beacon of hope, open doors of opportunity for someone else, and lift each other up to be the best version of ourselves.

This week we acknowledge Catholic Education, Mental Health Awareness, and National Nurses Week.  All carry similar themes of our humanness and connectedness to bring each other hope, faith, mercy, justice, and joy.  As part of this theme, we have also acknowledged three St. Louis students whom we consider to be Beacons of Hope.  They are our unsung heros and emulate five common characteristics:

  • Humility
  • Empathy
  • Committed to a cause
  • Courage to do the right thing
  • Consistent excellence and teamwork

So whether you are adult student who started a Term 5 secondary school credit course with us yesterday, a prospective PSW or Hairstyling student attending an intake this month, continue progressing with your English language learning, or are thinking to sign up for summer learning … know that the pursuit of possibilities will move you forward. St. Louis is here to support you on this educational journey.

Be inspired by these Beacons of Hope

 

Summer Learning – UPDATE

Waterloo Catholic District School Board is committed to supporting your child’s continued learning.  In July and August this year, there are several FREE* learning options available for elementary and secondary students that will ignite, support and challenge toward student success and preparation for the next grade.

Registration for Summer Learning credit and children’s programs has been open for several weeks and a few programs and sections are now FULL. Registration for all summer programs and courses ends in June.  If a course or program is full, students will be accepted on a waiting list.

 Visit https://www.wcdsb.ca/summer-learning/ for full details.

** All Grade 9-12 summer credit courses and K-8 summer learning programs are subject to change and are based on enrolment and availability**

SPACE AVAILABLE

Gr. 9 Summer Credit course online
  • HIF1OE (Individual and Family Living) (for Grade 8 students entering Gr. 9 at WCDSB secondary school)
Gr. 10 – 12 Summer Credit courses online
Children’s Summer Learning
  • Summer Fun with Languages – JK – Gr. 8 – Tamil and Arabic (St. Francis Campus, 154 Gatewood., Kitchener)
  • Summer Boost – SK – Gr. 6 (Peter CES, St. Bernadette, Sir Edgar Bauer)
  • Summer Expedition for students currently in Grades 6, 7, 8 (St. Mary’s HS and St. Benedict CSS)
  • HeadStart – Afternoon sessions (Resurrection, St. David, St. Mary’s, St. Benedict and St. Vincent de Paul for Monsignor Doyle students)
Summer ESL
  • Registration Opens May 1st for current students and May 8 for new students

WAITING LISTS ONLY

Grade 9 Summer Credit In-person courses
  • TDJ1OI – Exploring Technology Design / Engineering
  • TFJ1OI – Exploring Hospitality and Tourism
  • TGJ1OI – Exploring Communication Technology
  • TXJ1OI – Exploring Hairstyling and Aesthetics
Children’s Summer Learning
  • Summer Fun with Languages – JK- Gr. 8 – Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Spanish, Tigrinya, Traditional Mandarin, Ukrainian
  • HeadStart – Morning sessions at all 5 locations

Easter Greetings and Welcome the Season of Renewal 

Waterloo Catholic Community, 

As we slowly begin our journey into spring – being reminded of life’s continuous cycle of renewal and growth – we are also entering into the holiest days of our Catholic Church year.  

This winter our weather may have been a bit milder, yet its length and unpredictability have presented challenges to many of us. This provides the backdrop of Holy Week, from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, reminding us that the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the promise of new and abundant life and new beginnings are upon us. 

In Pope Francis’ message for Lent he reminded us “to pause in prayer, in order to receive the word of God, to pause like the Samaritan in the presence of a wounded brother or sister [because] love of God and love of neighbour are one love.” This continues for us in the Easter season, and we take time to reflect on those in our community and the world who are without necessary resources for survival, or suffering from violence, including ongoing wars.  

Just as spring kicks off the awakening of nature with vibrancy and new life, Easter invites us to reflect on our own journeys of faith and renewal. This marks a time to rejoice in the blessings we have received and to look forward, with joyful hope, to the opportunities that await us.  

Thank you to our staff for their continued work and the support of our students and their families. Let us continue to cultivate an atmosphere that reflects our Catholic faith’s teachings of love, forgiveness, and service to others. Together, we can inspire hope and foster a community where everyone is empowered to learn and thrive, both inside and outside of the classroom.  

Wishing you and your loved ones a safe, blessed, holy, and happy Easter.  

Tyrone Dowling
Director of Education 

March 28th, 2024