April 1st, 2025

Thank you for your ongoing partnership, support and the feedback you have provided as we have worked together to best meet the needs of the Elizabeth Ziegler students, families, staff, and community. The feedback from families and staff has played an important role in helping to determine next steps for the Elizabeth Ziegler school community. 

In this message, we will share the: 

  • Proposed plans for Elizabeth Ziegler students and staff for the 2025-26 school year 
  • Plans we are working on to make this transition as smooth as possible for the Elizabeth Ziegler community

Background 

As we shared last week, the interim report from the structural engineering firm retained by the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) confirms that we will not have occupancy of Elizabeth Ziegler Public School for the 2025-26 school year. 

At this time we have not yet received a final report and this is because of the decision to engage in further consultation between the current engineering firm, an architect and an additional consulting engineer. As a result we will not receive a final report for 4 to 6 weeks. Upon receiving the final report we will then share the findings. 

With this knowledge, staff have been hard at work looking at the available options for the 2025-2026 school year. While exploring options, the key priorities shared from Elizabeth Ziegler staff and families guided our decision-making, these included:  

  • Keeping the Elizabeth Ziegler school community together
  • Minimizing disruption to staff, students, and families
  • Ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of students and staff
  • Providing clarity and certainty for staff, students, and families

Options were also determined by the capacity of available sites and program requirements. 

The Proposed Accommodation Plan for the 2025-26 School Year

After reviewing a range of scenarios for Elizabeth Ziegler PS students and staff for the 2025-26 school year, WRDSB staff have determined the best possible plan that aligns with the above priorities.

The proposed accommodation plan outlined in this update has been provided to the Waterloo Region District School Board Trustees and a final confirmation of the plan will be made in the near future as per Board Policy 4000. 

Why We Will Not Remain at the Elizabeth Ziegler PS Property 

At this time we cannot occupy any part of the Elizabeth Ziegler Public School building, and as a result staff and students will not be able to remain at this location for the 2025-26 school year. 

Moving to Sandowne Public School

For the 2025-26 school year, current Elizabeth Ziegler Public School students will attend Sandowne Public School. This includes: 

  • Full Day Kindergarten 
  • Grade 1 to Grade 6 Regular track (core French) 
  • Grade 2 to Grade 6 French immersion

Transportation to Sandowne Public School will be provided to students residing within the current Elizabeth Ziegler Public School boundary for the duration of the temporary accommodation plan. Siblings of current Elizabeth Ziegler Public School students who register after April 1, 2025, will be able attend Sandowne Public School.

This decision allows Elizabeth Ziegler students the opportunity to remain together at one school.  

To help accommodate the additional Elizabeth Ziegler PS students and staff, 12 portables will be added at Sandowne PS. 

If families are interested in having their child/children attend a WRDSB school other than Sandowne PS they are able to follow the out-of-boundary request process. Limitations to specific schools may apply (i.e. due to enrollment, program requirements) and transportation will not be provided.

Congregated Alternative Continuum of Education (ACE) and Enrichment Classes in the 2025-26 School Year

JW Gerth Public School 

  • Students in the Alternative Continuum of Education (ACE) classes will remain at JW Gerth PS. Grade 6 ACE students currently at JW Gerth PS will be transitioning to other schools per the usual process in the 2025-26 school year

Brigadoon Public School 

  • The Congregated Enrichment class will remain at Brigadoon PS

At this time we are considering how to celebrate Elizabeth Ziegler as a community. This has been a significant transition for students, staff,  families and the extended Elizabeth Ziegler community. Please feel free to send your ideas to the Elizabeth Ziegler administrators. 

Questions? 

We’ve updated the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About the Closure of Elizabeth Ziegler PS.