Superintendent's Message - April 2011

Psalm 95 tells us "Oh that today you would listen to his voice!"

Message from Bishop David Motiuk

In our busy lives, with all of the noise that surrounds us day and night, listening for God's voice is sometimes difficult. Is that the reason we sometimes feel "closer to God' when we are on a quiet mountainside or sitting beside a quietly flowing stream, rather than in the hubbub of our day to day lives? However, God doesn't ask us to listen only while we are sitting on that mountainside or by that brook…we are asked to answer His call amidst the other daily challenges we face within our lives. With the celebration of Ash Wednesday, we have entered the season of Lent - a season when we embrace and welcome the opportunity to know God, ourselves and each other in a fresh and vibrant way.

As you, with your families and colleagues, journey through Lent, may you commit and find ways within your daily lives to pray, fast and give alms to the extent that you are able. Father Mike McCaffery in his homily to us on Ash Wednesday suggested that fasting may take the form of 'disconnecting' from all of the technology which surrounds us and 'reconnecting' to family members for a period of time each week. He went on to say that fasting is not only what may or may not enter our mouths, but what comes out of our mouths as well. Please check out the various Lenten activities that are available in your children's schools.

Thank you to all parents and other supporters who attended the Public Engagement Meeting and who have already responded to their MLAs in support of the Board of Trustees' lobby of the Alberta Government. Input gathered from the Feb. 24th meeting along with proposed next actions by the Board of Trustees can be found at: Click here. Should you require further information on the postcard campaign or wish to get other family members or friends involved, please visit the District website for more information: Click here

At the March 8 Public Board Meeting, the District signed a Memorandum of Understanding with APEGGA (Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta). The intent of the Memorandum is to promote interest in mathematics and sciences and to provide opportunities for more proactive and innovative activities with our students and the organization. We are the first District to formalize a partnership with APEGGA.
The Board of Trustees and administration have developed the District Plan for Continuous Growth, 2011-2014. To align with Alberta Education goals, this plan consists of three broad goals which are permeated throughout by our Catholicity:

Goal One: Success for every student
Goal Two: Transformed education through collaboration
Goal Three: Success for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students

For more details: Click here

In order to gather input from parents and school administrators, Archbishop Smith has asked that schools encourage parents to complete an Archdiocesan survey at the following link: Click here

With the recent Provincial Budget announcement, administrators at both the District and school levels are working diligently to prepare budgets with the aim to minimize the impact on programming for our students. More information will follow.

In the words of Elizabeth-Anne Stewart, "Free us from all that binds us, O Lord, that we may share in your resurrection." May you and your family enjoy the peace of the Risen Christ during this holy Easter Season!

Sincerely,

Joan Carr
Superintendent