Superintendent's Message - September 2010

“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.”
(Jeremiah 29:11)

Message from Father Mike Mireau

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all staff, students and their families to the 2010-2011 school year. For the first time in the history of Edmonton Catholic Schools, one of our schools, St. Catherine School, is on a different schedule for the school year, as it is piloting the concept of “year round schooling” for our District. St. Catherine School’s first day of school was August 9th. Our three new schools, Sister Annata Brockman, Monsignor William Irwin, and Monsignor Fee Otterson are also opening their doors for the first time and joyfully accepting students and their families, as they begin to develop their new school communities. As well, plans for the official opening of the Field House at St. Francis Xavier High School, and a celebration to signify the completion of the major modernization of Archbishop MacDonald High School are well underway. The partnership with the City of Edmonton for the High School Completion Center in Clareview is entering the design phase.

Thank you to our Facilities Services staff, custodial and maintenance service workers who have spent many hours this summer doing repairs, cleaning and preparing our school/sites for another school year. The cleanliness of our schools continues to be an area on which parents and other visitors to our schools remark favorably.  This is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of this group of employees, and I commend them for this.

The administration of Edmonton Catholic Schools has developed a District Plan for Continuous Growth 2010-2013. More information on each of the following goals:

• GOAL ONE: CELEBRATE AND PROMOTE CATHOLIC EDUCATION
• GOAL TWO:  PROVIDE HIGH LEVELS OF STUDENT LEARNING
• GOAL THREE:  SUCESS FOR FIRST NATIONS, MÉTIS AND INUIT (FNMI) STUDENTS
• GOAL FOUR:  BE A HIGHLY RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE CATHOLIC DISTRICT

can be found by reading District Plan for Continuous Growth .

Along with the Board of Trustees, I have developed goals to support the District’s Plan which include some new directions for Religious Education with our District Chaplain Fr. Mike Mireau, hosting a nationally-advertised Catholic Schools’ conference in November, continuing to focus on providing high levels of learning for all 21st century learners, and continuing to foster partnerships with others while maintaining financial stability and safety and wellness for staff and students.

May God continue to bless each one of you as we, the staff of Edmonton Catholic Schools, continue to serve the needs of your children in a faith-filled learning environment.

Sincerely,

Joan Carr
Superintendent