Waterloo Region District School Board

We are pleased to announce that Gary Berscht, OYAP Project Manager, is the recipient of the Klaus D. Woerner Skilled Trades Hall of Fame Award for 2010. This award recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to the advancement of skilled trades and technologies. Gary is the Project Manager for the Waterloo Region District School Board's Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP). Gary has been serving in this role since 1998 and is a former Tech. Director and Transportation Technology teacher. This is Gary’s second major provincial award.

Waterloo Region District School Board employees are making a difference in Waterloo Region.

Congratulations to the following employees for being named part of the Top 40 Under 40 by the Waterloo Region Record:

Deepa Ahluwalia - Equity and Inclusion Officer

George Fletcher - Teacher- Eastwood Collegiate Institute

Nicole Robinson - Equity and Inclusion Officer - Aboriginal Focus

Principal and School Council Chairperson of Meadowlane Public School thank Waterloo Region DSB for their support on restoring their school. “It is amazing what a fresh coat of paint will do for the environment of the school,” says Principal Dennis Siddall. The teachers, parents and students are proud of their surroundings and are determined to work hard with the custodial staff to maintain the building.

Kris Sangers, eLearning Secretary with the WRDSB, was selected as an Olympic Torch Bearer. Kris was selected through the application process with RBC to carry the torch through Woodstock on December 27, 2009.

Martha Deacon, Principal at Doon Public School, was also selected as a Torch Bearer. Martha carried the torch along King Street in Kitchener on December 27, 2009.

We are very pleased and proud to announce that Brent Pavey, a History teacher at Waterloo Collegiate Institute, is one of only seven teachers from across Canada and two in Ontario who are recipients of the 2009 Governor General's Awards for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History.

Laura Hodgins, Superintendent of Education for the Waterloo Region DSB has been awarded an Honorary Life Membership by the Ontario Principals' Council. The award is given to those who have provided exemplary service by advancing or upholding the purpose of the OPC. Laura has been a teacher and principal for the past 23 years and served as president of the OPC from 2008-09. The OPC is a voluntary professional association representing 5,000 principals and vice-principals in Ontario's public elementary and secondary schools.

For several nights ahead of Hallowe’en and again on Hallowe’en night many of our Facility Services Department staff volunteer to help keep our schools and streets a little safer. These employees, driving fully equipped Board vehicles, work closely with Regional Police patrolling school properties and responding to calls from night custodians who need assistance.

At their Celebration Dinner in June, the Waterloo Region chapter ETFO recognized local elementary teachers for their hard work and dedication. Eight awards were given out. Below is a detailed list of the awards and recipients.

Distinguished Teacher Award
Sue Andersen from Clemens Mill PS
Bryan Rankine from MacGregor PS
Senta Ross from Lackner Woods PS
Judy Wagler from Grandview PS (New Hamburg)
Patricia Wilson from Lincoln Heights PS

Waterloo Region Teacher and editor of ETFO INFO John Payne has been presented with the Newsletter Editor's Award. This award recognizes the outstanding work of done by the editors. John works hard to incorporate events that happen in the classroom and within Waterloo Region schools. ETFO INFO is published four to six times a year depending on the events and issues happening locally.

Waterloo Region's Elementary Teacher's Federation has handed teacher James McCormack the Federation's Local Leadership Award. The award recognizes outstanding service and leadership, demonstrated high standards of personal and professional ethics during the previous school year. James is currently serving his seventh year as President of the ETFO in Waterloo Region which represents 2,500 public elementary school teachers.
In addition to receiving this award, James was elected to the excutive of the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario.