519-745-1201|stlouis@wcdsb.ca

UPDATE Weather Alert – St. Louis CLOSED – Thursday, Feb 13, 2025

UPDATE:

All St. Louis EVENING programs at all locations will be CANCELLED for Thursday,  February 13, 2025. Schools will continue to be closed, today.

These programs include:

  • Personal Support Worker Full-time and Part-time evening class at St. Louis Kitchener Main Campus (check re: work placement dates)
  • Homework Clubs at all participating Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools

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A major winter storm is expected to reach Waterloo Region overnight, bringing hazardous conditions that will make travel unsafe on Thursday, February 13, 2025.

With the safety of students, staff, and families as our top priority, the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB), in collaboration with the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) and Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region, has made the proactive decision to cancel all student transportation and close all schools on Thursday, February 13, 2025.

  • All school buses, taxis, and special education routes operated by WCDSB and WRDSB will be cancelled.
  • All St. Louis Adult Learning and Continuing Education Centres programs and services will be cancelled, and St. Louis sites will be closed.
  • All Extended Day Childcare Programs will be closed.

An update regarding any potential changes to St. Louis evening programs and evening rental permits will be shared tomorrow.

Please stay safe and continue to monitor our official channels for further updates.

St. Louis Evening Closures / Cancellations – February 12, 2025

Due to poor weather conditions, schools are closed this evening. ALL St. Louis evening programs at ALL locations will be CANCELLED for Wednesday, Feb 12 , 2025

These programs include:

  • Personal Support Worker Full-time and Part-time evening class
  • ESL evening classes
  • Student Support Services
  • Secondary School Language Credit classes
  • Navy Co-op program
  • Homework Clubs at all participating Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools

Please check for updates regarding classes tomorrow.

 In future, always check the St. Louis website https://stlouis.wcdsb.ca for cancellation messages. 

For direct updates:

Subscribe to St. Louis Newswire (how to subscribe may be found at the bottom of https://stlouis.wcdsb.ca homepage.)

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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

 

PUBLIC HEALTH – Measles Update – March 25, 2024

MEASLES INFORMATION for Parents/Guardians and Students

Re: Measles Update – March 25, 2024

WHAT IS MEASLES?

Measles is a highly contagious and potentially serious viral infection. There have been recent measles cases in several Ontario jurisdictions and large outbreaks in Europe, the United States and elsewhere. Most cases of measles have been linked to travel outside of Ontario.

Measles can cause serious illness and death. Infants under one year of age, unimmunized pregnant individuals and people with weakened immune systems are at increased risk of complications.

Measles symptoms begin 7 to 21 days after infection and may include high fever, cough, runny nose, red watery eyes (pink eye) and a red rash lasting 4 to 7 days.

What can I do to protect myself and my family?

    1. Ensure you are up to date with measles vaccination, especially ahead of international travel.

Individuals without an immunization record of their measles vaccines may need to repeat vaccination – it is not harmful to receive an additional dose(s).

Children
  • Children receive two doses of measles vaccine as part of routine vaccination, one dose at 12 months of age and a second dose between 4-6 years old
    • Infants between 6-11 months may receive a dose of measles vaccine if travelling (Note: Two additional doses of measles vaccine must still be administered after 12 months of age to ensure long-lasting immunity)
    • Children under 4 years of age who have received one dose of measles vaccine on or after 12 months of age, may receive a second dose of measles vaccine if travelling (Note: there must be 4 weeks separating doses of measles vaccine)

It is important that parents/guardians report their child’s vaccinations to Public Health. Health care providers do not report these vaccinations to Public Health.  Visit regionofwaterloo.ca/vaccines to report your child’s vaccinations.