Superintendent's Message - September 2007

Prayer for a New School Year

  Spirit of God, fill our hearts with a desire to seek truth and rejoice in beauty.
Help us to know what is pleasing to you and to understand
what is right and good in your sight.
Give us the spirit of learning, that we may please you
by our thoughts and love you in your creation.
Give our staff your constant encouragement and guide them in their good work.
Spirit of God, make us effective witnesses of your truth to all those lives we touch.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen

As we begin a new school year, I would like to welcome students and families who are new to our District and welcome back all of our current students! I wish all students a year filled with faith, hope and love.

We have been busy preparing for the 2007-2008 school year! During the summer months, very ambitious school renovation and maintenance projects have been completed at many of our schools, portables have been installed and school staffs have been meeting to make plans for the upcoming school year. The modernization of St. Francis Xavier High School and construction of the new field house at that school are well underway. Planning for our three new schools in west and southwest Edmonton has begun and the excitement is growing.

As we work to implement our District goals for the 2007-2008 school year, I am guided by the words of Micah (6:8) to act justly, to love faithfully and to work humbly with our God. As your superintendent I will focus on the following priorities this school year:

• Ensure that the best in programming and services is offered to our special needs, Aboriginal and “regular stream” students.
• Increase efforts to ensure that all students complete high school.
• Enhance the safety of our staff and students.
• Enhance the cleanliness, operations and maintenance of our school buildings.
• Continue to build relationships and partnerships with external organizations and institutions.

By working together, I am confident that the 2007-2008 school year will be a happy and productive one for all our students!

Sincerely,

Joan Carr
Superintendent