CTR CATHOLIC BOARD HIGHLIGHTS

The Board heard that Superintendent Holowka met with Bishop McGrattan over the Easter break. Bishop McGrattan was supportive of CTR aligning its faith plan for next year with the Diocesan Renewal with a particular focus on strengthening family life. Also discussed was the formation process of charter schools compared to Catholic schools, and the impact charter schools could have on Catholic education in rural Alberta communities.

Robust support is provided to teachers through Administrative Procedure PER #16 – Teacher Growth, Supervision and Evaluation. The process involves teacher observation by senior administrators, principals, and vice principals and ensures high quality instruction for students. This work has been shared with School Councils and with the Council of School Councils.

Associate Superintendent MacDonald advised that staff members had an opportunity to demo Dossier and are excited for its implementation in 2024-2025. Improved management and tracking of individual support plans will result in meeting the unique needs of each student and will provide significant time savings and effective collaboration of resources.

Associate Superintendent Kilcommons shared that the division received $6,400 from local parishes from Catholic Education Sunday collections. These funds will be distributed to schools on a per student basis and will be spent with religious intent (often in consultation with school councils). Thank you to all local parishioners who contributed!

Alberta Education’s Funding Manual for school authorities requires stakeholder engagement regarding the Four-Year Education Plan. This engagement occurs with staff, parents, and students at Ward Committee meetings, the Council of School Councils, Superchats, and most recently at the Elementary and Secondary Administrators' meeting. Feedback received will be used to finalize the Four-Year Education Plan that will be presented to the Board for approval in May.

Bishop McGrattan recently visited Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Academy and the Shrine Church of Our Lady of the Rockies. Students were given an opportunity to engage with the Bishop, and his ability to interact with students was appreciated. The Bishop is pleased with the school's support of Catholic education. Also discussed was School Council's initiative to bring families to the Parish for pick up of fundraising flowers during Advent and this spring. This has resulted in increased comfort with the Shrine and increased Mass attendance for some families.

Trustee Rude-Volk (Oyen) advised that when installing their new playground, Assumption chose to work with Playworks, because they not only installed their new playground, but took their old equipment and refurbished it for installation in an area less fortunate. Thanks to the efforts of Playworks and volunteers, children in Cambodia are now enjoying a new playground.

Vice Chair Gustafson (Okotoks) advised the Committee recently reviewed Board Policy #26 – School Calendars; Board Policy #27 – Off-Campus Education; and Board Policy #28 – Central Office Department and School Program Reviews. Minor changes to Policies #26 and #27 were approved, while more significant changes to Policy #28 were approved allowing the Board to be more responsive in reviews conducted.

During the April meeting, an update on provincial Catholic education advocacy efforts and divisional and schools plans for Catholic Education Week (May 6-10) were discussed. Cindy Nickerson, Director of Communications, provided an update on the "Telling Our Story" campaign in which inspiring stories of Catholic education are being sought. CTR parents, grandparents, students and staff are encouraged to share here!

ASBA annually awards first-year Kindergarten to Grade 12 teachers with the Edwin Parr Teacher Award from nominations collected from each school division. CTR will host all nominated teachers on May 7th, and ASBA Zone 5 will host successful nominees on May 24th. Six award recipients will then be recognized provincially at ASBA’s Fall General Meeting.

On April 15, 2024, ACSTA hosted an MLA reception in Edmonton, which provided trustees from across the province with an opportunity to engage with the Premier, Ministers and MLAs. Board members were appreciative of this advocacy effort. The ACSTA will next meet on May 23, 2024.

Associate Superintendent Kilcommons advised that the next TEBA meeting will be held on April 29, 2024. Central table negotiations have been initiated and a bargaining list created. It is expected that local negotiations will begin in the fall.

The Board recently accepted the resignation of JD Bogdanowski, Canmore trustee. The Board is grateful for his service. Recognizing the importance of having a local trustee, the Board passed a motion at a subsequent meeting to hold a by-election. The deadline for nominations is May 15 and the election will be on June 13. In the meantime, existing trustees will fulfill associated duties.

by Andrea Keenan

Board Chair and Trustee (Foothills County)

During this past Lent season, I had the opportunity to watch in theatres, “Cabrini.” It is an account of the life of Saint Mother Cabrini and her time in America. I really did not know much about her, but this movie made me realize what an incredible force of nature she was all the while trusting in God’s will – not her own.

Without giving away spoilers from the movie, and just taking the time to research more about Saint Mother Cabrini in this brief time, a few of her strong attributes stuck with me.

First, she was an example of service (as most saints are). However, as an immigrant she reached out to fellow immigrants and those in need. She was an example of how to give selflessly of ourselves, to help others - even if situations were not always favorable.

Second, she valued education. She understood, respected, and recognized the importance of education. She always wanted the best for her wards of whom she and her fellow nuns were in charge. Education was an act of love.

And third, her faith meant everything to her. Despite many hardships and setbacks in life; including her health and every other setback in America, she still relied on God. Not only was she an example of how her faith sustained her, but she quietly evangelized others by being an example of selflessness and perseverance.

Similarly, these attributes are parallel to what Christ The Redeemer (CTR) is known for. First, CTR is a community of service. From senior administration, right down to the volunteer parents at all our schools, everyone gives of their time and talents selflessly. Second, everyone (senior administration, central office, principals, EAs, just to name a few) all value education of the mind and the heart. Everyone wants what is best for each and every student in our division. And third, faith means everything. The Catholic faith within our division is the cornerstone of the commitment to our educational community. Saint Mother Cabrini, despite many setbacks, never left anyone behind. Everyone was always welcome. She lived what our divisional motto is; “Leave Not One Heart Behind.”

The next Board meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at 9:00 am at Sacred Heart Academy, 709A 2nd Street, Strathmore, Alberta.

For any information on items in this publication, please contact Michael Kilcommons, Associate Superintendent, at mkilcommons@redeemer.ab.ca or at 403-938-2659.