CTR CATHOLIC BOARD HIGHLIGHTS

Superintendent Holowka and Associate Superintendent Kilcommons presented the 2024-2025 Budget to the Board. The budget projects a deficit, which can be primarily attributed to inflationary pressures, rising complexities, and an unanticipated reduction in CTR's Geographical Community Grant. Intentional stewardship of resources will allow priorities to remain on small class sizes and support for complex students. The Board approved the 2024-2025 Budget by motion.

The Board approved year four of the 2021-2025 Four-Year Education Plan for submission to Alberta Education. The Plan sets the direction for the work that will be completed across the division next year. Schools will now develop their own plan in alignment with this divisional plan. Priorities for CTR remain the same, being Catholic Faith, Academic Excellence, and Healthy Schools.

Superintendent Holowka shared with the Board that administration held several engagement sessions with students, parents, parish priests, staff, and school administrators in which feedback was gathered regarding this year's and next year's Four-Year Education Plan. The feedback provided was extremely valuable in setting the direction of the division.

On May 7th, school council chairs, parish priests, principals and senior administration met for the Spring Council of School Councils Meeting. Attendees provided valuable input on the Four-Year Education Plan and on a draft administrative procedure regarding conflict resolution. The Board congratulated the Parents of Distinction who were recognized at that meeting for their efforts.

Associate Superintendent MacDonald shared with the Board that a number of staff received the Sacraments of Initiation into the Catholic faith during Easter. Many of these individuals commented that working at CTR schools had impacted their faith journey. Individuals will be recognized with a card and a bookmark acknowledging their call to faith. Christ The King Academy teacher, Sarah Parkin, shared her faith journey, which can be viewed here.

Associate Superintendent Kilcommons advised that ground was broke at the site of the Holy Cross Collegiate modernization in Strathmore at the beginning of May. It is expected that this work will be completed for the new school year. The project includes the addition of a band room and chapel at Holy Cross Collegiate and restoration of the gymnasium at Sacred Heart Academy to its original size.

David Keohane, CEO of the College of Alberta School Superintendents (CASS), presented the Board with a plaque in appreciation of Superintendent Holowka's impactful leadership as CASS President for 2023-2024. On behalf of CASS, Mr. Keohane presented Dr. Holowka with $1,500 for a student scholarship, which she chose to dedicate to the Ron Schreiber Memorial Scholarship in honour of the Board.

Alberta Education has released the assurance results in the categories of student learning engagement, citizenship, three and five-year high school completion rates, education quality, safe and caring, access to supports and services and parental involvement. CTR continues to demonstrate excellence with results above the provincial average in all categories. However, analysis will be done to identify areas of strength and growth in each school.

The Board joined Paulette Chotowetz (Principal, Sacred Heart Academy) and Tashina Mackenzie (Teacher, Sacred Heart Academy) in the music room where students from Kindergarten to Grade 5 performed portions of their choir spring concert. Faith was joyfully permeated into all songs performed, and Ms. Mackenzie was acknowledged for her work in engaging students.

Trustee de Jong (Brooks) advised that all schools in Brooks are holding student faith retreats. St. Luke's is planning a grad retreat in which all students will have the opportunity to attend a guided five-kilometre hike through Dinosaur Park centered on wellness activities infused with prayers and focusing on the Beauty of Creation. Students from Holy Family Academy, Christ The King Academy, and St. Joseph's Collegiate will also be able to attend faith retreats in their schools with well-known speakers attending.

The Holy Cross Collegiate music program had all their ensembles compete at the Strathmore Performing Arts Festival in April. All groups received “Superior” ratings, including the HS Band, Grade 8/9 Band, Grade 7 Band, HS Drumline and HS World Drumming. The Drumline also competed at the Canadian Drumline Association Competition in Calgary and received third place.

Trustee MacDonald (High River) shared that parents from the School Council of Notre Dame Collegiate (NDC) recognize students at St. Luke's Outreach Centre (SLO) as part of their school community. In fellowship and support, NDC parents prepared treat bags with messages of inspiration for SLO students. Efforts are also made to include SLO students in applicable NDC activities such as their career fair.

The Board acknowledged all Okotoks School Councils for their initiatives that foster a safe and caring environment for their schools. They also acknowledged and congratulated St. Mary's School on their 25th anniversary. Celebrations included a food drive, family picnic, a Living Rosary, and a whole-school end of the day blessing. Students and staff also gathered around the perimeter of the school for the below photo.

Members of the Liaison Committee include ATA teacher representatives, administrative representatives, trustees, and senior administration. Trustee de Jong (Brooks) advised that at their May 6th meeting, topics of discussion from the teacher representatives included classroom complexity, teacher fatigue, and technology. Topics of discussion from the Board included consultation on the Four-Year Education Plan, and planning for the Aspiring Leaders initiative.

The Audit Committee met on May 22nd for an in-depth review of the proposed 2024-2025 budget presented by Director of Corporate Services, Katelyn Nickel, and Accountant, Kirk Orr. Trustees and public members of the Committee appreciated the detail provided and acknowledged the good work of Ms. Nickel, Mr. Orr, and Corporate Services. The review of the budget resulted in the Audit Committee's recommendation to the Board for acceptance of the proposed budget.

Trustee Rude-Volk (Oyen) advised that the Awards Committee met in May to review and recommend to the Board possible CTR nominations for several awards from the Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) and the Alberta Catholic School Trustees' Association (ACSTA). The Board was in agreement with the recommendations for nominees, and as such, nomination forms will be completed and submitted.

The Board's decision to move forward with a by-election in Canmore resulted in the acclamation of Dr. Matthew McIsaac as the new trustee for the Canmore Ward. Dr. McIsaac's term begins on June 1st, and he will assume responsibilities and representation with the Board soon thereafter. The trustees congratulated Dr. McIsaac on his appointment and thanked him for putting his name forward.

Trustee MacDonald (High River) advised that ASBA's Spring General Meeting will occur in Calgary on June 2-4, 2024. In addition to their regular SGM agenda, a ministerial engagement will be held with Minister Nicolaides (Education), Minister Yaseen (Immigration and Multiculturalism), and MLA Petrovic (Parliamentary Secretary for Health Workforce Engagement). Trustees, Associate Superintendent Kilcommons, and Superintendent Holowka will attend the ASBA SGM.

Vice Chair Gustafson (Okotoks) advised that the ACSTA Board of Directors met on May 23 and 24, 2024. Items discussed included Catholic Education Week, ACSTA's media scan, development of a Code of Conduct for ACSTA members, ACSTA's financial audit, next year's speaker series, draft position statements, formation in the province, and their calendar of events for 2024-2025.

Associate Superintendent Kilcommons advised that initial proposals had been exchanged with the Alberta Teachers' Association on May 28th and another meeting will occur on June 7th to obtain clarification and rationale on the proposals. A further consultation with school divisions will occur prior to final negotiations and central table negotiations will occur in the fall.

With this trip being approved in full by the Board, Grade 9 students from St. John Paul II Collegiate will have the opportunity to travel to Greece next Easter. Attending Mass at one of the local churches will be offered to students, along with touring temples, churches, and monasteries throughout Athens, Cape Sounion, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Olympia, And Delphi.

The Board approved eight locally developed courses for use in the division. Seven of these locally-developed courses were renewals (which occur every four years). The eighth course, Introduction to Artificial Intelligence, is a new course to the division and will be introduced in the 2024-2025 school year.

by Mark Chung

Trustee (Drumheller)

God gave us the golden rule “Treat everyone as you would like to be treated by them.”

Have you ever asked to see a manager at a store or a restaurant to compliment a worker? Have you ever said “hi” to a stranger? This is a great way to brighten someone’s day and help remove some of the negativity in the world.

I have been blessed with the opportunity to travel across the province for work. This has allowed me to meet people and explore new communities. I have met amazing people who have all welcomed me and made me comfortable in their town. This has shown me the importance of community.

Working away from home is tough sometimes as I get homesick. I treat everyone around me with respect and try to understand them. It is great that all the people I have met treat me the same way and help make being away from home a little bit better.

With all the current conflicts in the world, we need to remember this rule. It is important to understand how significant this rule is and the effect it has on people we talk to and deal with. This is not an easy task to do as some people are having a difficult time or you might be going through something yourself. The world could use more kindness, and all of us can make a difference with our actions.

The next Board meeting will take place on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at 10:00 am at Assumption Roman Catholic School, Oyen, AB.

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