Notable News From the Edmonton Catholic Schools' Board of Trustees 

Message from Board Chair Sandra Palazzo

As another school year draws to a close, we find ourselves reflecting with gratitude on the many moments that have shaped our Edmonton Catholic Schools community over the past several months. This year has brought both opportunities and challenges, but through it all, we have continued to witness the strength of our students, the dedication of our staff, and the unwavering support of our families and parish communities.

Throughout this newsletter, you will read about some of the important work that has taken place across our Division. From advocating for additional classroom supports and celebrating investments in school infrastructure, to recognizing student faith leaders and honouring the remarkable contributions of our retirees, these stories reflect the many ways Catholic education continues to thrive in Edmonton.

As Trustees, we are privileged to see firsthand the extraordinary work taking place in our schools each day. We have celebrated students who lead through faith and service, marked important milestones in school communities, and witnessed exciting progress as we continue to plan for the future through new school projects and site blessings. These moments remind us that Catholic education is not simply about buildings or programs—it is about people. It is about forming young people who know they are loved by God, who understand their responsibility to serve others, and who are equipped to make a positive difference in the world.

As we conclude the school year, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all Edmonton Catholic Schools staff. This year has not been without its challenges. Across our Division, staff have responded to growing enrolment, increasing classroom complexity, and the ever-changing needs of students with professionalism, compassion, and unwavering dedication. Whether in classrooms, offices, school libraries, learning commons, maintenance shops, board offices, playgrounds, or hallways, our staff have continued to place students at the centre of all they do. Their commitment to Catholic education and to the success and well-being of every child is a gift to our entire community.

I would also like to thank our families for the trust you place in Edmonton Catholic Schools. Your partnership is essential to the success of our students and strengthens the vibrant faith-filled communities that make our schools so special.

As summer approaches, may it provide an opportunity for rest, renewal, and time with those you cherish most. May God bless our students, families, staff, and parish communities with peace, joy, and safe travels throughout the summer months. May He refresh your spirits, strengthen your faith, and prepare us all for the opportunities and blessings that await in the year ahead.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, thank you for another wonderful year of learning, faith, and community. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in September.

Resources for Growing Classrooms

As Trustees, one of our key responsibilities is advocating for the resources our students and staff need to succeed. In Edmonton Catholic Schools, this advocacy is especially important as we address class size and classroom complexity to ensure every student has the support they need to thrive.

Through ongoing discussions with the Government of Alberta, Trustees have highlighted the need for additional staffing to match the growth in our student population. We are pleased that the province has responded by providing funding for Classroom Complexity Teams. Each team will include one teacher and two educational assistants, and teams have been allocated to elementary schools based on classroom complexity data. Prioritizing the highest complexity classrooms in the earliest grades reflects a shared commitment to early intervention, which trustees have long emphasized as essential for student success.

This month also brought encouraging news with the Province’s recent class size reduction grant announcement. Edmonton Catholic Schools is grateful to be included in this important investment, which will support our ongoing efforts to address enrolment growth and respond to the increasingly complex needs of students in our classrooms. Investments that help reduce class sizes create more opportunities for meaningful student support, stronger learning environments, and enhanced student well-being.

ECSD is grateful to receive funding for 42 Classroom Complexity Teams, and we look forward to the positive impact these additional resources will have on students and staff. While these announcements represent meaningful progress, Trustees remain committed to ongoing advocacy to ensure schools have the supports necessary to meet the needs of all learners. We will continue encouraging the Province to build on these investments through Budget 2026 and future funding

Trustees Advocate for Classrooms and Community During Grant Presentation

The Board of Trustees was pleased to welcome Minister Searle Turton to the Division for the presentation of a Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) Large Grant in the amount of $765,687 in support of the Rundle Heights School Artificial Turf Field project.

This significant investment will help create a high-quality outdoor recreation facility that will benefit students, families, and the broader community as the new Rundle Heights School opens. The artificial turf field will provide a publicly accessible space for sport, recreation, wellness, and community connection, ensuring the site serves both the school and surrounding neighbourhood for years to come.

Trustees were grateful for the opportunity to recognize and thank the Government of Alberta for its support of this important project. Investments in community infrastructure such as this help create welcoming spaces where students can learn, play, and build meaningful connections beyond the classroom.

The visit also provided Trustees with a valuable opportunity to discuss the needs of Edmonton Catholic Schools directly with Minister Turton. Building on ongoing advocacy efforts related to enrolment growth, class size, and classroom complexity, Trustees highlighted the importance of continued provincial investment to ensure students and staff have the supports and resources they need to succeed.

As Trustees, advocacy remains one of our most important responsibilities. We are committed to working with all levels of government and community partners to ensure Edmonton Catholic Schools students have access to both exceptional learning environments and strong community spaces that support their growth, well-being, and success.

Planning for Growth & Renewal

As Edmonton Catholic Schools continues to grow, the Board of Trustees remains committed to advocating for the school spaces students and families need today and in the future. Board Chair Sandra Palazzo joined provincial leaders on March 9 at St. Carlo Acutis Catholic High School—a new Edmonton Catholic school that will welcome students this September—for the Government of Alberta’s recent capital announcement. During the event, the Province approved planning funding for three Edmonton Catholic Schools priority projects that will support both growing communities and established neighbourhoods across our city.

The approved projects include:

• New Catholic High School – Windermere: This school will open with space for approximately 1,800 students, with capacity to expand to 2,400 as the community grows. It will serve families in one of Edmonton’s fastest-growing areas, providing local access to Catholic high school programming. Currently, students in this area attend Mother Margaret Mary Catholic High School or Father Michael McCaffery Catholic High School.
• New Catholic K–9 School – Kirkness: This school will serve the Kirkness and Horse Hill communities, helping to relieve enrolment pressures in Northeast Edmonton. Even with the planned opening of Crystallina Nera Catholic Elementary/Junior High School in 2028, the Northeast sector is expected to remain near full utilization, and the new school will support sustainable access to local Catholic education.
• Replacement School – St. Alphonsus Site: Planning has also been approved for a replacement K–9 school at the St. Alphonsus site. This project focuses on renewing aging infrastructure in a mature community and providing students with a modern, accessible learning environment.

Board Chair Sandra Palazzo shared:

"These projects reflect the real pressures families are experiencing across our city. This planning funding represents a clear commitment to delivering Catholic education close to home and allows us to move these priority projects forward with confidence."

The planning phase allows the Division to begin essential preparatory work so the projects are ready to move forward efficiently once construction funding is confirmed. While planning does not allow construction to begin immediately, it is a critical first step to advance site work, design, and readiness so these projects can move efficiently through provincial programs such as Schools Now.

With enrolment in Edmonton Catholic Schools now exceeding 51,000 students—an increase of over 17% in five years—and many schools operating beyond capacity, these planning approvals are essential to ensure families have continued access to Catholic education close to home. The Board of Trustees will continue advocating for projects that support student success, strengthen communities, and ensure families have access to faith-filled learning environments for generations to come

Reminders to School Councils – Annual Report and ASCA Membership

As we draw near the end of the school year, we would like to remind all School Councils to submit their annual report that summarizes both the membership and activities of the School Council to the Board of Trustees. The report is an opportunity for each School Council to reflect on the work done throughout the year, such as advising the principal, fostering parental involvement, and supporting the school’s faith and learning environment.

The annual report will include, but is not limited to:

• Information on the members of the executive for the 2025-26 school year.
• A summary, in point form, of highlights or activities of the School Council, if any.
• Financial overview summarizing finances handled by the School Council, if any.
• A confirmation that the $500 Alberta School Council Engagement (ASCE) Grant was spent on expenditures allowed by Alberta Education. If the answer is no, any unspent amount will be reimbursed to Alberta Education. School Councils are strongly encouraged to spend the $500 grant before August 31, 2026.

ASCA Membership Request

School Councils are reminded to enrol for the Alberta School Councils' Association (ASCA) membership for the upcoming year by visiting the ASCA website and completing the online "Request for Membership" form. The Division will cover the membership fee based on your request through this form, and your membership will become effective immediately upon completing the application. You can enrol at any time during the year. Please note that schools are no longer automatically enrolled, as was the case in previous years.

ASCA member school councils are entitled to:

• Vote on any agenda item at any General Meeting of the Association
• Vote for candidates for President, Vice-President, and Directors
• Have an eligible Parent School Council member stand for election to the Board of Directors
• Speak to any agenda item at General Meetings of the Association;
• Participate on Board committees as invited;
• Participate on the School Council Engagement Task Force;
• Pay reduced fees, if any, for attendance at ASCA events;
• Examine the books and records of the Association.

In addition, ASCA Member School Councils will continue to have access to resources and materials specifically designed to assist school councils in fulfilling their legislated responsibilities, increase parent engagement, and support and enhance student achievement on the ASCA Members Only portion of the ASCA website.

Celebrating our Retirees at the Annual Retirement Gala

One of the great joys of serving as Trustees is the opportunity to recognize the dedicated staff members who have helped shape Edmonton Catholic Schools over the course of their careers. On May 21, Trustees had the privilege of celebrating ATA, AUPE, Unifor, and Out of Scope staff members at the annual Retirement Gala and thanking them for their years of faithful service to students, families, and school communities.

Our retirees have served in many different roles, some as teachers, educational assistants, custodians, administrative professionals, school leaders, and support staff, but they share a common commitment to Catholic education and student success. Through their dedication, compassion, and care, they have helped create welcoming learning environments where students could grow academically, spiritually, and personally.

The impact of their work extends far beyond the classroom. They have built relationships, supported families, nurtured faith, and contributed to countless moments of learning and growth that have shaped generations of Edmonton Catholic Schools students.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those retiring this year. We thank them for their service, their commitment, and the lasting difference they have made in our Division. As they begin this new chapter, we wish them every blessing and continued joy in the years ahead.

Walking with Students in Faith Leadership at the Lumen Christi Awards

One of the highlights of the spring for Edmonton Catholic Schools Trustees was hosting the fourth annual Lumen Christi Student Faith Leadership Awards on April 8 and 9. This special event brought together students, families, school staff, and Trustees to celebrate young people who are making a meaningful difference in their school communities through faith, service, leadership, and compassion.

Each Edmonton Catholic school nominated one student whose actions and example reflect the values at the heart of Catholic education. Over the two-day celebration, Trustees had the privilege of recognizing 95 students from across the Division for the many ways they share their gifts, serve others, and help strengthen the Catholic identity of their schools.

For Trustees, events like these provide a valuable opportunity to connect directly with students and families and to witness firsthand the impact of Catholic education in our schools. Hearing students' stories and learning about the ways they live their faith through acts of kindness, leadership, and service is both inspiring and affirming.

The Lumen Christi Student Faith Leadership Awards are a reminder that Catholic education is about much more than academic achievement. It is about forming young people who lead with faith, compassion, courage, and a commitment to serving others. Trustees were honoured to celebrate these remarkable students and congratulate their families, whose support and encouragement help nurture these gifts.

We are incredibly proud of all of this year's recipients and grateful for the positive example they provide to their peers and school communities.

Celebrating Our Legacy and Building for the Future

This year, Trustees have had the privilege of joining many school communities as they celebrate significant milestones in the history of Catholic education. From anniversary celebrations honouring decades of faith-filled learning to the recent blessing of the future St. Genevieve Catholic School site and the upcoming blessing of the future St. Patrick Catholic School site, these moments remind us of both the rich legacy of our Division and the exciting future that lies ahead.

School anniversaries provide an opportunity to reflect on the generations of students, staff, families, clergy, and parish partners who have helped shape our Catholic schools. They are a celebration of the faith, learning, service, and community that have been at the heart of Catholic education for decades. Just as importantly, they are a reminder of the trust families continue to place in Edmonton Catholic Schools to nurture both the minds and hearts of their children.

At the same time, site blessings for future schools represent the next chapter in that story. The blessing of the future St. Genevieve Catholic School and the upcoming blessing of St. Patrick Catholic School are important milestones that reflect the continued growth of our Division and our commitment to ensuring students and families have access to Catholic education close to home. These future schools will serve growing communities while continuing the mission that has guided Catholic education in Edmonton for generations.

Whether celebrating a school's history or marking the beginning of a new one, each of these occasions highlights the strength and vitality of Catholic education in our city. Trustees are grateful to all those who contribute to our school communities and remain committed to supporting learning environments where faith can flourish, students can thrive, and the legacy of Catholic education can continue for generations to come.

June 17, 2026
Public Board Meeting

June 21, 2026
National Indigenous Peoples Day

June 23, 206
Last Day of Instruction

July 2, 2026
First Day of Summer School

August 17, 2026
First Day of Instruction - Year Round Schools 

August 19, 2026
First Riders Learn to Ride the Bus

September 2, 2026 
First Day of Instruction - Traditional Calendar Schools 

September 7, 2026
Labour Day

September 30, 2026
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - No classes

To see our upcoming Division events, visit ecsd.net/calendar.