November 2024 Message
The school year is well underway, and these last few weeks have certainly been busy for Edmonton Catholic Schools. As always, for this November Message I will highlight a few recent events through Pope Francis’ lens of truth, goodness, and beauty.
TRUTH. Each spring, schools develop their School Plan for Continuous Growth for the upcoming year. These build on the strengths of the school community while addressing areas of need. The overall planning framework comes from our Division Plan for Continuous Growth, which specifies four priorities:
- Living our Faith
- Learning Excellence
- Organizational Excellence
- Embracing Diversity
As part of this planning process, there are several sources of data that help us identify each school’s strengths and areas of need. Each fall, we receive two such reports from Alberta Education. One report contains our Provincial Achievement Test and Diploma Examination results. The other is our Alberta Education Fall Report, which provides data on student achievement, high school completion rates, as well as several other measures, many of which are derived from the Alberta Education Assurance Survey completed every winter by students, parents/guardians, and teachers. School staff carefully analyze the survey data in these reports to determine how to best utilize their school’s resources to maximize student growth and achievement. Principals will share these findings with their School Council before Christmas break.
The ECSD Annual Survey is another source of data that schools use to develop their School Plan for Continuous Growth. Between November 25 and December 13, students from grades 4 to 12, parents/guardians, and all teaching staff will receive instructions on how to complete the ECSD Annual Survey, which collects feedback on various aspects of their school and the Division.
GOODNESS. One of my favourite parts of my role is visiting schools and observing the countless good deeds done by staff, students, and families. These school visits are an important part of the Assurance cycle ECSD uses to ensure we achieve our high standards for Catholic education. Over the course of the upcoming weeks, I, or one of the Superintendents, will visit every school in the Division to dialogue with staff about student growth and achievement. It is heartwarming to witness the welcoming, caring and inclusive culture within our schools and to see the good work that is taking place in our classrooms and beyond every day.
BEAUTY. I recently attended the Convocation Liturgy at Newman Theological College to celebrate with our staff members who recently completed their Master of Religious Education degree. Newman Theological College provides teachers and administrators the opportunity to immerse themselves in a deeply intellectual faith experience. During the Liturgy, as I admired the stunning architecture of the chapel and listened to the melodies of the choir, I was overcome by the beauty that abounds in the Catholic tradition. Indeed, I encourage each of you to find time this fall to somehow immerse yourself in the beauty of our faith.
While we give thanks to God for moments of beauty, November is a month to also reflect on moments of sadness and struggle. Whether we are marking the solemn memorials of Remembrance Day and the Holodomor, or are witnessing the tragedies of current conflicts, we must remember that Jesus calls us to be agents of peace. By sharing God’s love and praying for peace, we can work together to create a world of peace and harmony.
Sincerely,
Lynnette Anderson
Chief Superintendent
- To see our upcoming Division events, visit ecsd.net/calendar.
- Read A Meal of Love and Connection, written by Fr. Glenn McDonald, CSB