News Releases for 2011-2012 School Year

News Release Archives

January 30th, 2011

Board Releases Findings of French Immersion Consultation Process

• Board of Trustees Memo regarding the Findings of the
  2011-2012 French Immersion Community Consultation Process
• Findings of the 2011-2012 French Immersion Community Consultation Process
• January 30th News Release - French Immersion Community Consultation
• Click here for more info

November 29th, 2011

Audited Financial Statements for 2010/11 and Updated Budget for 2011/12
The Board of Trustees approved the 2010-2011 Audited Financial Statements at their public Board meeting late this afternoon.  

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2011 Financial Statements

November 17th, 2011

Winter Storm Advisory for Parents
Due to the winter storm warning that is still in effect, the snowfall and wind chill expected to continue into tomorrow morning, we would like to remind parents and guardians that children must be dressed for this cold weather by wearing warm hats, gloves and boots in case they need to wait longer for their bus.  It is important that a child knows to return home or to a pre-selected location if the bus does not arrive within 20 minutes of its scheduled time.

For more information, parents can contact their child’s school or the District’s Transportation Services Department at 780 441-6078.  Transportation Services is open from 7:15 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.  

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November 7th, 2011

EMU (Early Learning Mobile Unit) unveiled for Edmonton Catholic Schools
Edmonton Catholic Schools has launched a new and innovative program designed to create positive learning experiences for children and parents outside of an Early Learning classroom.

The first of its kind in western Canada, the EMU (Early Learning Mobile Unit), meets families in their communities and connects families together while providing a link for these families to existing resources and agencies, in their neighbourhoods. The EMU travels to communities throughout Edmonton and inside the 39' mobile unit is a cozy classroom where a two hour program includes circle and story time, play centres and physical activities.

Click here for more info
Click here for more info

October 18, 2011

Funding Restored to Classrooms for the Benefit of All Students
Edmonton Catholic School District Principals met late this afternoon to learn how the newly restored Education funding will be distributed throughout the District. 

After receiving feedback from principals in the District, a committee was formed consisting of a number of principals representing different levels, a Trustee and senior administration to decide how the funding will be distributed using the following guiding principles for allocating the restored funding:  all funding allocation decisions would be student-centered, restore funding to areas as per the parameters of the funding announcement,  every school receives base funding and then differential funding and schools need to provide an accountability plan for the funds received.

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Letter to Parents

September 21, 2011
At a Special  Public Board of Trustees’ meeting today, trustees passed a motion to approve the building of a new ECS high school completion centre attached to the Clareview Recreational  Centre that is being built by the City of Edmonton.   This innovative project with the City is supported by both Alberta Education and Alberta Infrastructure.  The new High School Completion Centre will serve students throughout the city and be easily accessed from the Clareview LRT station.   As well, students will have access to new recreational facilities, a pool, and a  public library.  The Edmonton Catholic Schools’ area will include a specially designed child care area enabling  many opportunities for Early Learning programming.

With enrolments increasing in both Early Learning and high school programs, and with Alberta Education’s  proposed Education Act ( the compulsory age rising from 16 to 17 years of age, and new funding for 20 and 21 year-old students), we see this as a great opportunity to assist many students who will be accessing these kinds of programs in  future years.

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August 17th, 2011
The Edmonton Catholic School District is pleased to be part of this important initiative as the Community Sustainability Task Force makes decisions that benefit all Edmontonians. 

For more information, visit the City of Edmonton website at www.edmonton.ca/communitysustainability.

  Community Sustainability Task Force August News
  Community Sustainability Task Force June News
 Community Sustainability Task Force May News
 Community Sustainability Task Force April News

June 28, 2011

2011 to 2012 Budget includes Staff Reductions
At a special public board meeting today, the Board of Trustees passed a budget of $353 million for 2011-2012. To ensure that classrooms were not severely impacted, the District has planned a $1.8 million deficit for next year.  To reach the budget target, there will be a number of staff reductions throughout the District in 2011-2012. Approximately 97 certificated FTE (Full Time Equivalent) positions and 63 FTE support staff positions will be eliminated.  In addition, 24 custodial FTE positions will be also be eliminated. 

Read the full News Release here
Click here to View the 2011/12 District Operating Budget

Chair and Vice Chair elected for the Board of Trustees
At today’s Organizational Meeting for the Board of Trustees, the Chair and Vice Chair were selected for the 2011 – 2012 school year. Debbie Engel will continue as Board Chair while Becky Kallal will continue as Vice Chair next year.

Read the full News Release here

New Education Act Information from Alberta Education Minister Dave Hancock:

As you are aware, Bill 18 will be held over until the fall legislative session providing ample opportunity to continue engaging Albertans to gain their insights and ideas about the proposed legislation

Education’s Engage website is open to all Albertans to contribute to the conversation about the Education Act and how we can all move forward to transform our education system.  Visit www.education.alberta.ca/engage to join the conversation.

Additionally, there are a number of information resources available about Bill 18, highlighting what is changing and why. You are encouraged to familiar yourself with these resources by visiting www.education.alberta.ca/educationact for more information.

June 1, 2011
ECSD to recognize Holodomor (Ukrainian Famine Genocide) Memorial Day
The Edmonton Catholic School District has declared the last Friday in November as Holodomor (Ukrainian Famine Genocide) Memorial Day. This recommendation was passed unanimously at tonight's Board meeting.

View the June 1st Newsletter