STAR Catholic Outreach

Dear STAR Outreach (soon to be St. Maximilian) Families,

As we enter the beautiful season of spring and prepare for Easter, we are reminded of the powerful message of renewal, hope, and new life that this time of year brings. After the quiet reflection of Lent, Easter invites us to celebrate the promise that light always follows darkness and that new beginnings are always possible. In our Catholic tradition, the Resurrection of Christ is the ultimate reminder that hope, faith, and love continue to guide us forward.

Spring also mirrors this message in our daily lives. As the days grow longer and the world around us begins to bloom again, we see signs of growth and renewal everywhere. In our school community, we witness this same spirit in our students as they continue to learn, grow, and work toward their goals.

As we head into Spring Break, it is a wonderful opportunity for students and families to rest, recharge, and spend meaningful time together. When we return, we will be entering the final stretch of the academic year. It is a time when perseverance and focus matter most, and I am continually inspired by the determination and resilience our students show as they work toward completing their courses and preparing for what comes next.

At our school, we remain deeply committed to supporting every student on their unique pathway to success. Whether students are preparing for graduation, continuing their learning journey, or exploring future opportunities, we are proud to walk alongside them during this important time.

As we celebrate Easter, may its message of hope, renewal, and new life bring peace to your homes and encouragement for the journey ahead.

Wishing all of our students, families, and staff a restful Spring Break and a joyful Easter season. 🌷✝️

Grace & peace,
Mrs. Tracy Melnyk
Principal, STAR Catholic Outreach School

March 29 - Palm Sunday

March 30 - April 7 - ✝️ Easter Break - School Closed

April 2 - Holy Thursday

April 3 - Good Friday

April 4 - Holy Saturday

April 5 - Easter Sunday

April 6 - Easter Monday

April 7 - School Resumes

April 24 - No School - PD Day for staff

After a thoughtful process of community engagement and discernment, we are thrilled to share that our new school name — St. Maximilian Collegiate & Learning Centre — has been formally approved by Archbishop Hero.

This new name reflects both our Catholic identity and our commitment to academic excellence, personalized learning, and student success. St. Maximilian Kolbe’s courage, faith, and selfless leadership serve as a powerful model for our school community as we continue to grow and evolve.

We are excited to officially transition to St. Maximilian Collegiate & Learning Centre for the 2026–2027 school year. This transformation marks an important new chapter in our story — one rooted in faith, hope, and a bold vision for the future.

More details about branding, school colours, mascot, and upcoming celebrations will be shared in the coming months. We look forward to this journey together!

FAITH AT THE CENTER, FLEXIBILITY FOR YOUR JOURNEY

At STAR Catholic Outreach, Summer School is an extension of our mission to serve students where they are; academically, personally and spiritually. Grounded in Catholic values, our program recognizes that each learner's journey is unique.

We are very excited to be offering online Summer School Programming starting summer 2026! Students will learn through teacher-led instruction with a faith-based approach that supports the whole student. Flexible online delivery adapts to individual needs.

Program Goals:

• Earn Alberta-approved credits that count toward high school graduation.
• Provides flexible pathways to success.
• Supports credit recovery and academic progress.
• Help students stay on track toward graduation.
• Encourage responsibility, independence and goal setting.

Requirements:

• Must pay non-refundable $50 fee to hold registration.
• Must be available to attend mandatory online meetings DAILY.
• Must have a Chromebook or laptop computer for school work. Phones and tablets are not adequate.
• FULL attendance is REQUIRED! You must be able to commit to the days outlined in your session.

Program Delivery Method:

• Teacher-directed and teacher-led instruction.
• Delivered fully online.
• Combination of synchronous (live) and asynchronous learning.
• Hosted on the CANVAS learning platform.
• Ongoing connection with teachers and the learning community.
• Flexible structure to support individual student circumstances.

Please click here to see course offerings.

Registration Link is HERE: https://forms.gle/yb7ScNP7hphPqjE1A

Students and parents... PLEASE check your PowerSchool portal for your up-to-date grades. We are now mid-week in Module 4. Module 4 is due April 10th and Module 5 is due April 24th. Please reach out to your teacher(s) if you have questions.

HELP US HELP YOU!

Do you own a business or know an employer who could offer meaningful work experience for a student? We are always looking to connect with new partners who are passionate about mentoring the next generation of workers.

If you or someone in your network can provide a supportive and educational workplace, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to us to learn how to get involved and help shape the future workforce.

tracy.melnyk@starcatholic.ab.ca

Start thinking about your next year's schooling. Want to get a jump-start on your post secondary studies? This is for you!

Applications for our Fall 2026 semester are now open. I've included all the information you'll need below as you begin preparing.

Dual Credit Course Information

Attached is our new Dual Credit Guidebook, which includes 26/27 course information, such as delivery model, transferability, and more. If you would like any physical copies mailed to your school division, please let me know.

Our team has also prepared a "Dual Credit Discovery" video presentation that can be shared out with students/families who are looking for more info about these upcoming course offerings.

FORESTRY QUICK CONNECT

May 6 · Northland Forest Products

Forestry Quick Connect will provide hands-on learning, direct engagement with industry professionals, and meaningful mentorship in forestry and environmental careers. This experience is designed to help students explore career pathways, build connections, and make informed decisions about their future.

Contact Nicole Krull for more information

ROOFING TRAINING PROGRAM 18+

March 23 - April 2 · 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM · Alberta Roofing Contractors Association

ARCA is looking to identify 10 – 12 students who are interested in learning more about roofing and gaining practical experience in the trade. They will be facilitating a nine-day employment training program.

Students who participate in this training will be guaranteed interviews at ARCA’s upcoming U21 Hiring Draft on April 7, where roofing employers will be actively hiring. This means there is a high chance students could be hired on the spot for upcoming positions, making this a fantastic opportunity for those interested in entering the building trades or exploring roofing/building trades as a career path.

Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is the collection of principles the Church offers to guide how we live out our faith in society. Rooted in Scripture and Church tradition, these teachings remind us that following Christ isn’t only about private prayer but also about how we treat one another and care for the world.

AT STAR Outreach, we will be focussing on each of the Catholic Social Teachings. This month, we focus on the social teaching of "Peace". God calls us to be peacemakers. Our love for each other demands that we promote peace and justice whenever and wherever we can.

5pm Saturday Evening

9am and 11am on Sunday

Welcome back! Here’s how you can access your Canvas account to get started with your courses:

1. Go to Canvas

   • Open your web browser and go to: https://starcatholic.instructure.com

2. Log in with your STAR Catholic account

   • Enter your STAR Catholic email address (the same email you use for all school accounts).

   • Enter your STAR Catholic password.

3. Access your courses

   • Once you are logged in, you’ll see your Dashboard.

   • Click on your courses to get started.

👉 Tip: If you have trouble logging in, make sure you’re using your STAR Catholic email (not a personal email). If you forgot your password, contact the school office and we’ll help you reset it.

Please see below regarding wonderful opportunities for our Métis students.

Create a MyPass Account

All students require a MyPass account to obtain diploma marks, transcripts and so much more. If you have not created an account, please click on the link below and follow the instructions on how to do so.

Create a MyPass account

Watch the video below on how to get your MyPass Account!

Alberta is blessed with fully publicly funded Catholic education — a unique and hard-won gift safeguarded by generations before us.

It remains one of the Church’s most precious contributions to society: schools where Christ is known and loved, where truth is taught with clarity, and where young people encounter a living faith rooted in tradition.

GrACE’s monthly newsletter strengthens this province-wide Catholic community by lifting up the stories that show Catholic education at its best — classrooms alive with learning, parishes partnering with schools, and educators forming students in mind, heart, and spirit.

Your school’s faith life is the heart of the mission.

Here is the February GrACE News here: https://app.smore.com/n/6ext7

https://www.starcatholic.ab.ca/division/school-board/board-highlights

We are excited to share that the STAR Catholic Central Office has officially moved to a new location in Leduc!

New Location: 6547 Sparrow Drive, Leduc, AB T9E 7C7

Need to get a hold of us?

Call us at STAR Catholic Outreach 780-980-0955

Mrs. Jennifer Nelson - Administrative Assistant

780-980-0955 ext: 1

outreach@starcatholic.ab.ca

jennifer.nelson@starcatholic.ab.ca

Mrs. Tracy Melnyk - Principal & English Language Arts

780-980-0955 ext: 2

tracy.melnyk@starcatholic.ab.ca

Mr. Brandon Geiger - All things Math & Science!

780-980-0955 ext: 3

brandon.geiger@starcatholic.ab.ca

Mr. Daniel Hughes - Social Studies, Religion, Off Campus & Options

780-980-0955 ext: 4

daniel.hughes@starcatholic.ab.ca

📱 Stay Connected with STAR Catholic Outreach!

We love sharing the great things happening in our STAR Outreach community. Be sure to follow us on Instagram @staroutreachschool and on FACEBOOK by searching STAR Catholic Outreach School or tapping the link: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BmmpEgXxF/?mibextid=wwXIfr to see highlights, important reminders, celebrations, and updates from our school.

For the most current and accurate information—including calendars, announcements, and program details—please continue to check our website regularly at https://or.starcatholic.ab.ca/.

Thank you for staying connected and supporting our STAR Catholic Outreach family! 💙✝️