Superintendent's Message - April 2009

Harry Potter and the Resurrection

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
1 Peter 1:3

We look forward to Easter as the center of our liturgical year; it represents Christ’s ultimate gift to us – new life.  As we celebrate Jesus’ death and resurrection, we do so with gratitude and the certain hope that in Him we will overcome the challenge found in our lives and throughout the world. 

Thank you to the many parents who attended the Mother Margaret Mary Catholic High School information evening on March 5th.  Your comments and suggestions about the school have provided us with invaluable insight as we plan for the school opening in 2012 or 2013.  Information evenings for our other new schools in Rutherford, Terwillegar Towne and The Hamptons, which open in 2010, are planned throughout the month of April.  Please see the ‘New Schools’ section of our website for specific dates, times and locations of these information evenings.

On March 10th, the 120th day of the school year, all schools and District sites commemorated 120 years of Catholic education in Edmonton.  Celebrations and liturgies were held throughout the city as church bells, school bells and the bells at City Hall rang out.  What a long way we have come from that day in 1888 when three nuns from the order of the Faithful Companions of Jesus began teaching 23 Catholic students in a one-room school house.  Today, our Edmonton Catholic School District has over 33,000 students and more than 3000 staff!

I am pleased to announce that our School District will establish a Health Sciences Skills Centre at St. Joseph High School.   Alberta Education is providing our District with $1.2 million to create this centre which will give our students opportunities to pursue careers in the health sciences and achieve both high school and post secondary credits.   

The Minister of Education has announced the initiative “Inspiring Education” which is a dialogue with Albertans on shaping the future of education.  Please check the website www.inspiringeducation.alberta.ca or call 780-427-7219 to participate in these discussions. 

One of the highlights of our school year is the Celebration of the Arts , which brings together talented students from throughout our School District in a wonderful showcase of music, dance, song and the visual arts.  This year the Celebration of the Arts is at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 6th at the Jubilee Auditorium.  Please join us!

I pray that Easter may be a special time of blessings and happiness for each of you.  May your hearts be filled with the joy of the resurrection. 

Sincerely,

Joan Carr
Superintendent