Superintendent's Message - September 2009

New Beginnings
and Monarch Butterflies

“Be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead.”
(1 Peter 1:6 adapted)

Recently, I had the opportunity to see and hear the sheer delight expressed by a youngster who is anxiously getting ready to enter grade one this year. As we, the staff, students, and parents prepare to begin another school year together, may all of us take a piece of this simple “uplifting joy” into our school sites. I would like to welcome all families that are new to our district and to welcome back all those whom we have had the pleasure to serve in previous years. My wish for you this year is that you will be conscious of God’s great love as lived out in our daily relationships with others who come into our lives.

The summer weather has provided much time for the ongoing construction and modernization occurring in many of our school sites.  Following are short updates of some of the projects:

• Edmonton Catholic Schools’ three new schools (Monsignor Fee Otterson, Monsignor William Irwin and Sister Annata Brockman) continue to be under construction with school opening dates for these sites remaining for September, 2010.  Presently, these three schools have their exterior work completed and construction is taking place inside in each of the sites.
• The major modernization at Archbishop MacDonald High School is well underway with the project presently on budget and on schedule. Class disruption during the 2009-10 school year will be kept to a minimum with full project completion expected by September, 2010.
• The construction is progressing on the field house at St. Francis Xavier High School with a projected date of October, 2009 to have that building completely enclosed.  Occupancy and use of this new field house is scheduled for September, 2010.

Thank you to our Facilities Services staff who also worked in many schools this summer to complete upgrading projects. 

I would also like to commend our custodial staff members who worked so diligently throughout the summer to clean and renew our schools, and to the other staff members who have efficiently closed off one school year and prepared the systems and environments to welcome our students for another year.

In district satisfaction survey results for 2008/09, each group - staff, parents and students – showed increases in satisfaction affirming that their school provided a good learning environment and most importantly felt that their school or site embraced faith and learning and celebrated its Catholic identity in a number of ways.

These results continue to underpin our 2009-2010 District Plan for Continuous Growth – celebrating and promoting our Catholicity in a responsive and responsible manner, and providing high levels of student learning with an emphasis on success for the First Nations, Metis and Inuit students we serve. As well, the health and safety of all students and staff continue to be a high priority as all district personnel will work closely with Alberta Health Services to strive for the highest level of compliance and provide parents with ongoing communication regarding the H1N1 virus.

Along with the Board of Trustees, I have developed the following goals to support the District Plan for Continuous Growth:

• Develop plans for greater community engagement in Catholic education
• Continue to implement strategies for high school completion with a focus on Aboriginal students, ESL students and at risk students
• Develop instructional leadership along with its dimensions for the 21st century learner
• Facilitate the implementation of Cycle 4 AISI projects
• Continue to foster relationships/partnerships with external organizations and institutions
• Prepare for further financial challenges in preparation of the 2010-2011 District budget.

I, along with the staff of Edmonton Catholic Schools, look forward to working with you this year as we serve each of your children with a rich, faith filled education.  May God bless each of you as we journey together this year.

Sincerely,

Joan Carr
Superintendent