The Messenger - December 2023

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Notable News From the Edmonton Catholic Schools' Board of Trustees

Message from the Board Chair

As we celebrate the Advent season and prepare our hearts in anticipation for the birth of Jesus Christ, I am blessed to share some notable news from your Board of Trustees. My Trustee colleagues and I have had an exciting first quarter of the school year, and as we joyfully reflect on some of the highlights from the past few months, we look forward to an exciting and prosperous New Year.

We want to express our deep gratitude to our families for making Edmonton Catholic Schools the choice for their children’s education, and our staff for the passion and dedication that you bring to your vocation. ECSD proudly serves over 47,000 students in 94 schools and represents a remarkable diversity of educational opportunities for students and their families desiring an excellent faith-infused education. Without question, faith-based education in ECSD and throughout our province is vibrant and dynamic!

We attribute our success to our extraordinary students, families, and staff for their unwavering commitment to our Division. It is a privilege to once again serve as Board Chair and the Board of Trustees thanks each of you for being an inspiration and ensuring excellence in all that you do.

The Board of Trustees and Chief Superintendent wish you all a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.

Trustees Advocate to Government for More Funding to Deal with Rising Enrolment

The Board of Trustees actively carries out focused advocacy work throughout the year on behalf of Edmonton Catholic Schools to raise awareness of the needs of our students, staff, and Division through continued communication with Provincial and Municipal levels of government. On November 28, Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides joined Board Chair Sandra Palazzo at Holy Child Catholic Elementary School to announce additional funding to deal with rising enrolment in school divisions. The funding may be used to hire additional teachers, and classroom support staff to manage class sizes.

“We are pleased with this announcement. We strive to accurately forecast our enrolment projections from year to year, but immigration and migration are often unpredictable. By removing the 2% threshold and recognizing each and every new student, we will receive more funding and be better able to manage the demands of a growing population,” shared Board Chair Sandra Palazzo.

“Every dollar we invest in our students and schools is an investment in Alberta’s future. We want to see the best for our province, and an excellent, well-funded education system will get us there. The students of today will drive the economy of tomorrow. The better we serve them; the stronger Alberta will be.” 

Edmonton Catholic Schools’ enrolment has increased by over 4,500 students in the past two years, and we have grown by over 2,000 students compared to last year's count, which is an increase of 5.5%. This statistic makes it clear that an ever-increasing number of families are entrusting our Division with the amazing and sacred responsibility of educating their children and helping them to grow to their fullest potential. Our Board is committed to advocating for our students, families, and staff and to raising awareness for the urgent need for new schools and changes to the Weighted Moving Average funding model.

Celebrating 135 Years of Catholic Education

Our Division is proud that this year we mark the 135th anniversary of Edmonton Catholic Schools. The spark of Catholic Education in our city was ignited in 1888 when three sisters from the Faithful Companions of Jesus arrived and began teaching the first 23 students in a small schoolhouse. From this foundation, our Division has grown and today ECSD proudly serves over 47,000 students in 94 schools and represents a remarkable diversity of educational opportunities for students and their families desiring an excellent faith-infused education.

Trustees were excited to not only gather in prayer with all our schools and sites for a Liturgy of the Word but to also share a special video that encapsulates the essence of the faith journey in our schools. We invite you to watch and share this video with your friends, family, and fellow parishioners. Our light shines ever brighter and the future truly is brilliant at Edmonton Catholic Schools. Enjoy!

Division Ignites Success with ASBA Community Engagement Award

At the Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) Fall General Meeting, Edmonton Catholic Schools was honoured to receive the 2023 Community Engagement Award for work on the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism (EDIAR) Strategic Plan.

The EDIAR Strategic Plan included a three-phase engagement process and saw the voices of diverse groups being heard as we created a vision for what the policy should be –students, administrators, senior leaders, employee groups, of our equity-seeking groups, our Truth and Reconciliation Advisory Circle, our EDIAR Advisory Group, and our dear Strategic Planning Committee.

Release of the Division Provincial Achievement Test and Diploma Mark Results

At the November 8 Special Public Board Meeting, the Board reviewed the Division’s 2022-2023 PAT and Diploma examination results. Board Chair Sandra Palazzo noted that, “Our PAT and diploma exam results tell a story of dedication and achievement. Our students have had a rich learning experience, and it shows.”

Our students had a higher participation rate than the provincial average in all grades 6 and 9 subject areas. They also exceeded the provincial percentage of students achieving the Acceptable Standard in all subject areas (100%.) Of note were the Grade 9 Standard of Excellence achievements in English Language Arts, French Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies.

ECSD has likewise exceeded the provincial percentage of students achieving the Diploma Examination standards, both at acceptable standard and the standard of excellence in: English Language Arts 30-1 and 30-2, French Language Arts 30-1 and Science 30.

This vital information is an important touch point for schools to monitor and adjust their work in their goals for their School Plans for Continuous Growth.

Construction Update: Blessed Carlo Acutis Catholic High School and St. Josephine Bakhita Catholic Elementary/Junior High School

Work has officially started on two much-anticipated new school projects in our Division. Construction crews are on the ground at both Blessed Carlo Acutis Catholic High School in Castle Downs and St. Josephine Bakhita Catholic Elementary/Junior High School in Lewis Farms.

Once complete, Blessed Carlo Acutis will welcome 1,300 students and offer an array of programming in state-of-the-art facilities. St. Josephine Bakhita is slated to open in 2025 with a capacity of 905 students. For more updates on these two schools and to learn more about upcoming school projects, click here.

Minister Nicolaides Joins ECSD Students at the Annual Cross Country Run

Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides and Board Chair Sandra Palazzo joined the fun on Monday, September 25 at the 34th annual Elementary Cross Country Run at Rundle Park. Over 3,000 students from 68 schools participated in the two-day event which has become a beloved ECSD tradition, celebrating community and promoting an active lifestyle. The Minister and Board Chair Palazzo along with students, staff, and families cheered on participants as they navigated their way through the course. Congratulations to all the ECSD runners!

Empowering our Students: Trustees Bless New Outdoor Classroom Sites

The Board is proud to support the Division’s efforts to grow the quantity and quality of outdoor experiences for our students. ECSD has been busily hosting opening celebrations for eight outdoor classrooms this fall. In providing more engaging outdoor learning environments, these schools join the 22 other Division schools already participating in the initiative. Congratulations to all our schools that have been blessed with new outdoor learning spaces!

Closing the Book on Another Read in Week

Read in Week is one of the most treasured events of the school year and provides many opportunities for schools to build and enhance their relationship with their school community through the love of reading.

Read in Week 2023 was no exception and saw Trustees out in classrooms across the Division, reading to students during the week-long events. We hope our learners gained an appreciation of the power of stories to teach lessons, broaden perspectives, and foster empathy.

Career and Bridging Fair Helps Shape Future for Students

Trustees enjoyed the first-ever ECSD Career and Bridging Fair held at Lumen Christi Catholic Education Centre. 16 schools and nearly 1,000 attendees participated in the one-day event that saw over 40 organizations - including professional associations, unions, government organizations, and private companies - provide information to support our students in their journey beyond high school. Highlights included a panel for our Braided Journeys students, which featured ECSD alumni who are now trailblazing as vendors, information about various careers and post-secondary programs, insights into post-high school paths for Inclusive students, and a dive into French language opportunities. Interactive stations, like VR simulators and a photo booth, added an extra layer of fun and discovery for students and families! The event reflects the Division’s dedication to providing comprehensive support for students transitioning from high school.

Our Commitment to Hearing Student Voices

Our students are at the core of all the work the Board of Trustees do and the Board embraces every opportunity to engage with the students of our Division, as that connection is vital. The Board’s Division-wide Student Voice meetings are one avenue that provides Trustees with meaningful experiences and purposeful dialogue specifically with our High School students. The Trustees met for the first time with Student Voice representatives in October and again in November and will do so on three more occasions over the school year to hear the thought-provoking perspectives and concerns of students. The Board would like to thank our students in advance for sharing the voice of their peers on a variety of topics of importance. It is this type of engagement that helps define the important role of Trusteeship and the impact of the decisions made at the Board table to ensure student success.