WCDSB Mission and Vision
Our Mission:
Our Vision:
WCDSB Code of Conduct:
The Waterloo Catholic District School Board recognizes the inherent dignity and worth of the individual. All individuals concerned with the school system -trustees, staff, students, parents, visitors to schools –are subject to the following code of conduct; a code of conduct that will be implemented within the Catholic faith life experience of each school community and consistent with the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations, the Safe School’s provisions of the Education Act and Regulations and the constitutional right of Catholic school boards to manage their schools as stated through section 93 of the Constitution Act, 1867. APC 018 Code of Conduct
EQAO Results
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m
Our Administrative Assistant is Ms. Hadel Jabr. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Between 4:30 p.m. and 8:30 a.m. you may leave a message on our answering machine.
School Hours
Opening Bell: 9:20a.m.
Lunch: 12:05-1:05 p.m.
Dismissal: 3:50pm
Student Drop off & Pick up
Supervision begins on the yard at 8:50am before school. Please do not drop your child off earlier as there is no supervision at the school. Staff supervise the yard at AM/PM recesses, and lunch. Students are expected to leave the school property at 3:50pm dismissal as there is no supervision after school.
If you will be picking your child up after school and you are running late, your child will be waiting for you in the main office. Do not instruct your child to wait for you on the playground as there is no adult supervision.
Important Information
Violent Threat Risk Assessment
Fair notice and process
The WCDSB supports every person’s right to feel safe. We have systems and programs in place in our schools that reinforce this community of safety.
This pamphlet outlines the steps our schools will take in partnership with our community in response to violence, threats and risk to safety in our school communities.
For the entire brochure please click on the link Violent Threat Risk Assessment
Concussion Awareness & Education: Rowan’s Story
In 2013 Rowan Stringer, a 17 year old high school student from Ottawa, lost her life to Second Impact Syndrome; a brain injury caused by suffering a concussion before fully recovering from a previous concussion. In March 2018, the Ontario Government passed Rowan’s Law. As part of Rowan’s law, was the proclamation of Rowan’s Day to occur on the last Wednesday of September each year. The goal for Rowan’s day is to;
- Educate staff and students about Rowan and her story
- Share key messages and education about concussions
- Create dialogue about concussions
- Share resources about concussions and concussion prevention
Please see important resources below to learn more about the signs and symptoms of concussions. Please refer to them as necessary and seek medical attention if you suspect your child may have a concussion .
Student Transportation Services Expectations (bus behaviour)
Please review the following expectations which can be found at Student Transportation Services Waterloo Region
Contact Information
- please inform Ms. Jabr of any changes regarding address, phone number, emergency contact, etc. as soon as possible. It is extremely important that we have current information for each student.
Intent to be absent
- if your child is going to be away for more than 15 consecutive days (e.g., family vacation for a week) please see Ms. Jabr in the office to complete an Intent to be Absent form.
Oral medication
- if your child requires medication while at school it is imperative that a parent/ guardian complete the proper documentation with Ms. Jabr in the office. Student medications must be kept in the main office with proper documentation and a log is kept to indicate when students receive their medication at school.
Extended Day Hours
In the 2022-23 school year, we will be offering Extended Day care at St. Agnes. Students who are registered in this program before school can be dropped off no earlier than 7 a.m. Parents must sign their child in and out each day. Students registered in the after school program must be picked up no later than 6 p.m. For more information about this program click on the following link: WCDSB Extended Day program
NO NUTS permitted in the school
The following information is an excerpt from the board website. For further information about the WCDSB Anaphylaxis policy please reference APH005: Anaphylaxis
Look-A-Like Products To Peanut Butter
(e.g. SchoolSafe Soy Butter – WOWBUTTER; Sunbutter (sunflower seeds); Golden Pea Butter (peas and Omega 3 canola oil)
School Administrator is to communicate to school community to refrain from sending look-a-like products to peanut butter to school with your child.
It is impossible to differentiate between these products and peanut butter; in fact, these products are almost identical in colour, consistency, smell and taste to peanut butter. Therefore, the Board is requesting that parents do not send their children to school with look-a-like products to peanut butter such as “WOWBUTTER”, “PEABUTTER” and “SUNBUTTER” in sandwiches until the products are available in a colour other than tan, the colour of peanut butter. If not already done so, please bring the above information to the attention of your school community via your school newsletter and/or school website.
If a student brings this product into the school, an alternative setting to eat their lunch/snack is to be provided.
Healthy Drinks/ Healthy Active Living
Research shows it is important to keep hydrated throughout the day, and WATER is what children require. Teachers will encourage students to keep water bottles on their desks throughout the day. Students will not be permitted to drink juice, energy drinks, or sodas during instructional time. We are committed to ensuring students have daily physical activity – a healthy body helps build a healthy mind. Please send a refillable water bottle (not breakable) with your child’s name clearly marked.
History
St. Agnes Catholic Elementary School is self-described as the “Little School with the Big Heart.” Over the 55 years that St. Agnes has been open, that moniker has been well earned.
St Agnes was officially opened in December of 1956. It was the fourth separate school to be built in Waterloo. A state of the art, one storey structure, build on a seven acre parcel of land, the original building consisted of six classrooms, a library/storage room, a teacher’s room and a principal’s office. The enrolment for the 1956-57 school year was 110 students, taught by three teachers, one of whom was the Principal, Sister Constantina, who taught a combined Grades 6, 7, 8 class of 32 students. Within two years, the school had grown to 142 students and the first graduating class was promoted to high school. The subdivision in the Northeast end of Waterloo continued to grow rapidly and by 1962 an addition of six more classrooms was added. Enrolment had ballooned to 308 students. In 1965, when enrolment had reached 388 students a gym was added to the school. Over the years, enrolment rose as high as 620 students. Students from St. Louis, St. Thomas and St. Michael enrolled at St. Agnes when their respective schools closed and our boundaries changed. In 1996, when St. Matthew School opened, St. Agnes boundaries changed again. Portables slowly disappeared, and enrolment over the last few years has remained steady at approximately 270 pupils with 29 staff members.
St. Agnes Church was opened in 1969. The relationship that resulted between school, church and community has been a positive one for all stake holders. Beginning in 1964, as the neighbourhood grew and the need arose, Sunday Mass was held in St. Agnes School for those people who did not have a car to attend the parish church of St. Louis. Over the years, St. Agnes School and Church have shared many landmarks in the lives of her families. The receiving of first sacraments, school Masses, school and church socials and involvement by the church pastor and pastoral assistant have created a harmonious and spiritually fulfilling relationship for all.
From the first year St. Agnes School was opened, there have been two directives to which the school has been committed. The first is academic and athletic excellence, and the second is social justice issues. For the first few years, St. Agnes raised money for the Red Cross and African Missions. Throughout the remainder of the century, and into the twenty-first, this blossomed into a commitment to make a difference in both local and global causes, justifying being called “The Little school with the Big Heart.” Awareness of, and fundraising for, third world countries, donations to local charities such as Anselma House, The Light a Tree Campaign by the local Red Cross, a foster child who is supported annually, anti-racism awareness, and candy for children in Haiti have all been donated from the dedicated and aware students of St. Agnes, culminating in the 2010-2011 school year with the building of a school in Kenya through Free the Children.
The halls of St. Agnes have been graced with students who have became local leaders and published authors. Most importantly, the caring and nurturing community of St. Agnes Catholic Elementary School has prepared her students to become life-long learners and active, socially aware citizens shaping a world in which they can make a difference.