To help support families and students through the closure of Elizabeth Ziegler PS, we’ve prepared answers to a selection of frequently asked questions. We will continue to update this web page as information becomes available.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About the Closure of Elizabeth Ziegler PS
The decision to close Elizabeth Ziegler Public School has been made based on direction from professional staff and structural engineers to ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff.
Based on the current assessment by the structural engineering firm retained by the board, we are not able to occupy any part of the Elizabeth Ziegler PS building. The 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.
Read the full Elizabeth Ziegler Public School Final Structural Assessment in PDF format.
School closures are disruptive for students and families and we appreciate everyone’s understanding during this difficult time. We are committed to keeping families up to date, as information becomes available.
Based on the current assessment by the structural engineering firm retained by the board, we are not able to occupy any part of the Elizabeth Ziegler PS building. The 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.
Based on the recommendations from the structural assessment report, the WRDSB will proceed with restoring and repairing the original structure. We have engaged with the Ministry of Education to share our proposed next steps and funding opportunities for the restoration of Elizabeth Ziegler Public School are being determined. The WRDSB is committed to moving forward with this project in a timely manner.
While we continue to wait for confirmation from the Ministry of Education our goal is to reopen Elizabeth Ziegler PS on September 1, 2027. We continue to be committed to keeping the Elizabeth Ziegler and Sandowne Public School communities informed as we learn more and will provide an update as new information becomes available.
Read the full Elizabeth Ziegler Public School Final Structural Assessment in PDF format.
Students at Sandowne PS in portables will have access to washrooms in the main school building.
We recognize that this transition may be challenging for students and families. Our aim is to ensure that students remain with their classroom teacher through these transitions. To support this, we have developed a comprehensive plan that prioritizes educational continuity and student well-being.
WRDSB is fully committed to providing the necessary supports to ensure a smooth transition for students and staff and to mitigate the impact on student academics.
We continue to work with school staff to support appropriate curriculum planning to accommodate these changes. Our primary goal is to ensure student and staff safety. Students and staff continue to have access to the outdoor property at the school for outdoor learning opportunities, including physical education.
We made the decision to install 12 portables on Elizabeth Ziegler PS property, the maximum limit that would allow a timely return to in-person learning. More than 12 portables on Elizabeth Ziegler PS property would require extensive infrastructure additions that would delay a return to in-person learning. This means that not all staff and students will be able to remain at Elizabeth Ziegler PS.
After careful consideration, we developed a comprehensive plan to prioritize educational continuity and student well-being. Our aim is to ensure students remain with their classroom teacher through these transitions. Depending on their program, we recognize this may mean students from the same family may be temporarily relocated to separate school sites for the remainder of the 2024-25 school year. We regret any inconvenience this may cause.
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.
Based on the recommendations from the structural assessment report, WRDSB will proceed with restoring and repairing the original structure. We have engaged with the Ministry of Education to share our proposed next steps and funding opportunities for the restoration of Elizabeth Ziegler Public School are being determined. The WRDSB is committed to moving forward with this project in a timely manner.
While we continue to wait for confirmation from the Ministry of Education our goal is to reopen Elizabeth Ziegler PS on September 1, 2027. We continue to be committed to keeping the Elizabeth Ziegler and Sandowne Public School communities informed as we learn more and will provide an update as new information becomes available.
Read the full Elizabeth Ziegler Public School Final Structural Assessment in PDF format.
Read more about the 2025-2026 Return to Learning for Elizabeth Ziegler PS Students and Staff.
We are pleased to share that the Municipal Heritage Committee of the City of Waterloo has approved our heritage permit for the design plans to repair and restore Elizabeth Ziegler PS. This is an important step in the restoration of Elizabeth Ziegler PS.
We have engaged with the Ministry of Education to share our proposed next steps and funding opportunities for the restoration of Elizabeth Ziegler Public School are being determined. The WRDSB is committed to moving forward with this project in a timely manner.
- Review the presentation to the Municipal Heritage Committee of the City of Waterloo
- Read the full Elizabeth Ziegler Public School Schematic Design Report
Read the full Elizabeth Ziegler Public School Final Structural Assessment in PDF format
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.
For the 2025-26 school year, students currently attending Elizabeth Ziegler PS will be registered as students at Sandowne PS.
As of April 15, 2025, new students or internal transfers in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6, residing within the 2024-2025 Elizabeth Ziegler Public School boundary will attend either:
- Empire Public School
- Prueter Public School
The determination of which school the student will attend will depend on their home address.
Transportation to Empire PS or Prueter PS will be provided to qualifying students based on distances outlined in Board Policy 4009 – Student Transportation.
Student transportation information for the 2025-26 school year will not be available until the end of August 2025.
Staff at Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region (STSWR) continue their work updating routes and bus schedules for the upcoming school year. When this information is available, updates will be posted on the STSWR website and social media channels.
We have engaged with the Ministry of Education to share our proposed next steps and funding opportunities for the restoration of Elizabeth Ziegler Public School are being determined. The WRDSB is committed to moving forward with this project as swiftly as possible.
The Board of Trustees for the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) recently approved the 2025-26 budget, with a capital budget of just under $90 million. Capital funding supports the construction of new schools, additions and school renewal projects.
Learn more about the WRDSB budget.