Each year, the Waterloo Catholic District School Board proudly announces the recipients of three major awards: Chair’s Award, Community Partner Award and Distinguished Graduate Award.

This year’s recipients of those respective awards are John Dietrich (Principal of St. Mary’s High School), Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows Parish (St. Mary’s Parish), and Dr. Laura Shoemaker (retired WCDSB Superintendent of Special Education).

The Chair’s and Community Partner Awards will be presented virtually on May 13, 2021. The Distinguished Graduate Award will be presented at a suitable time following the conclusion of the current COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

Chair’s Award:

Presented to a person or persons in the school system who has contributed significantly to Catholic Education. It is given annually in recognition of outstanding contributions made to the Catholic school system serving the students, staff and greater community of Waterloo Region or to the betterment of Catholic Education in Ontario in general.

During his almost 30-year career with WCDSB, John Dietrich has served as an Administrator at 4 of the board’s 5 secondary schools, where his organizational, technical and communication skills – as well as his great faith – have served as an inspiration for a generation of educators and school support staff.

Community Partner Award:

Presented annually in recognition of outstanding contributions made by a community partner or agency to the Catholic school system serving the students, staff and greater community of Waterloo Region.

Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows Parish (St. Mary’s Parish) has been at the heart of Waterloo Region’s Catholic community – not to mention the City of Kitchener itself – since 1854. Being a downtown church, the parish has established an impactful ministry in assisting the needs of many neighbours for food, shelter, connection and belonging. The St. Mary’s Kitchen and Tiny Home Takeout initiatives are key examples of that ministry in action.

For more information about Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows Parish, please CLICK HERE.

Distinguished Graduate Award:

Presented to a graduate of more than 10 years from our school system who has demonstrated outstanding examples of the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations. Awarded at the graduation exercises of the recipient’s Secondary School or other appropriate public venue.

Throughout her career, Dr. Laura Shoemaker worked tirelessly to ensure all students with special needs received the individualized programming necessary for them to reach their full potential. Her life’s work – providing a supportive and inclusive learning environment for ALL students — has animated the very best of the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations.

For more information about the WCDSB’s Special Education programs and services, please CLICK HERE.

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The Waterloo Catholic District School Board is pleased to welcome new Superintendents Dr. Jennifer Ritsma and Annalisa Varano.

They replace Superintendents Maria Ivankovic and Richard Olson, who are both retiring.

Dr Jennifer Ritsma joins the WCDSB from the Huron Perth Catholic District School Board.

She began her career as an Educational Assistant and has worked her way up through all roles in school life, to now a Supervisory Officer. Most recently, she has served in elementary school administration, in three different schools.

Jennifer completed her Educational Doctorate in trauma informed schools and systems, focusing on equity and inclusion to impact vulnerable student populations, and currently serves as a Director at the Huron Perth Children’s Aid Society.

Her work has focused on faith formation and instructional leadership, moving and responding to challenging communities through cultures of inclusivity and strategic planning.

Annalisa Varano joins the WCDSB from the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic DSB

She has been a teacher, vice-principal and principal in both elementary and secondary schools, where she was noted for a number of innovative practices that served her school community and students well. Most recently, she has served as the principal of the SMCDSB’s Secondary Virtual School (2,000 students) and of Continuing Education / Adult Education.

Annalisa served as Catholic Principals’ Council of Ontario (CPCO) President in 2019-2020, and is currently on the steering committee at the Institute for Educational Leadership and Chair of the Communications Committee.

She has deep roots in mission trips, pastoral care and professional learning communities, and was noted for transformational projects she has undertaken in her leadership roles.

Waterloo Region’s Catholic schools look forward to Jennifer and Annalisa joining the WCDSB leadership team, and wish departing Superintendents Richard Olson and Maria Ivankovic many years of joyful retirement, following their long and successful careers serving Catholic education and the students of WCDSB.