The Messenger - March 2025

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Notable News From the Edmonton Catholic Schools' Board of Trustees

Message from the Board Chair

As we welcome the season of renewal, we take pride in celebrating the ongoing commitment of our Trustees, staff, students, and partners in the pursuit of excellence in Catholic education. From honouring Trustee Debbie Engel for her years of dedicated service to our community to advocating for the construction of new schools to meet our students’ growing needs, the Board remains focused on fostering strong, faith-centred environments.

We are also excited to celebrate a decade as one of Alberta’s Top Employers, which highlights the commitment of our Division and the supportive work environment that continues to nurture the next generation of leaders. Furthermore, our Trustees recently attended the ACSTA Symposium, reinforcing our commitment to servant leadership and our role as stewards of hope.

Together, we continue to serve our students and communities with compassion, purpose, and faith, and we look forward to the ongoing journey of growth, service, and excellence.

Honouring Trustee Debbie Engel’s Dedication and Service

At the January Public meeting, the Board of Trustees had the pleasure of honouring our very own Trustee Debbie Engel, who was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

An excerpt from her citation reads as follows:

Debbie Engel dedicated 26 years to serving the Edmonton community through her work on the Catholic School Board, including roles as Board Chair and Vice-Chair. Beyond her Board duties, she is an active volunteer on various community Boards and is deeply involved in her church, local schools, and broader community. Debbie has consistently advocated for new schools, and education funding, striving to improve the lives of those she serves. Her commitment is evident in her frequent participation in fundraisers and community events, making her a well-known and respected figure in Edmonton.

The King Charles III Coronation Medal commemorates the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, which took place on May 7, 2023. The medal is awarded to those individuals who have made significant contributions to Canada or a particular province, territory, region, or community in Canada or attained an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada.

Congratulations, Trustee Engel!

Trustees Share their Support for Faith and Wellness in Catholic Education

At the January 29, 2025 Public Meeting of the Board,Trustees approved the Growing in Mind, Body, and Spirit Through Catholic Education report, which highlights the Division’s commitment to nurturing students and staff in mind, body, and spirit by integrating faith into school life and promoting wellness.

The report focuses on how Edmonton Catholic Schools is advancing Goal F1: Students and staff will grow and develop in mind, body, and spirit as part of its Plan for Continuous Growth 2023-2026 (Year 2). Established by the Board of Trustees for this three-year planning cycle, Goal F1 has two overarching key strategies to support achieving that goal:

Ensure that the communal nature of our Catholic faith is an active priority in our school/site life.
Provide opportunities for students and staff to engage in faith-infused learning and activities that explore the spiritual, mental, and physical dimensions of wellness.

The report outlined the collaborative efforts of Religious Education Services and Human Resource Services’ Well-Being Framework, demonstrating how Edmonton Catholic Schools integrates faith and wellness to support the holistic development of its community.

Trustees Champion New Schools to Meet Growing Demand

The Board is excited to share that the Alberta Government has approved full construction funding for two new Kindergarten to Grade 9 Catholic Schools in West Laurel and River's Edge.

Both these projects received design funding in the March 2024 budget. With all permits and sites ready for construction, they qualified for the School Construction Accelerator Program, receiving full construction funding.

As of September 29, 2024, ECSD has reached an enrolment of 50,107 students, marking a 4.9% increase from the previous year. With an overall utilization rate of 100%, the need for additional school spaces has never been more pressing. The new Catholic schools in West Laurel and River's Edge will provide 1,900 additional student spaces, alleviating enrolment pressures on nearby schools and ensuring that Catholic education remains accessible to families in these areas.

"We are incredibly grateful to the Alberta Government for investing in Catholic education and supporting our rapidly growing student population. These new schools in West Laurel and River's Edge will provide much-needed learning spaces, ensuring our students have the high-quality Catholic education they deserve," said Board Chair Sandra Palazzo.

The Board continues to advocate for the needs of our Division, ensuring that our students, families, and staff have the resources and opportunities they deserve. Looking ahead, Trustees will continue to prioritize advancing our efforts to secure modern and welcoming schools that meet the needs of our growing student population. We will also ensure continuous growth and improvement and champion enhanced services and programming for all students. Furthermore, with rapid enrolment, we’ve seen an unprecedented demand for teachers and support staff, and we are committed to working with our partners to attract and retain exceptional educators who will support our students’ learning and well-being.

Celebrating 10 Years as One of Alberta’s Top Employers

ECSD is proud to celebrate 10 years as one of Alberta’s Top Employers! This year, the application process required the submission of detailed information about our practices in 10 domains: Work Environment; Work Atmosphere and Communications; Health Benefits; Financial Benefits and Compensation; Family Friendly Policies; Programs for Experienced Employees; Employee Engagement; Training and Development; Vacation Policy and Paid Days Off; and Community Involvement. Here are a few examples of the new developments that we highlighted for this competition year:

Our enrolments continued to grow, surpassing 48,500 students at the beginning of the 2023-24 school year, and our staff continued to welcome them with joy to the beauty of Catholic education.
ECSD was recognized with the Alberta School Boards Association’s Community Engagement Award for work that flowed from the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-racism (EDIAR) Strategic Plan. This award recognizes a school board’s commitment to fostering meaningful connections with their communities.
Our elementary teachers successfully implemented new curriculum from Grades 4-6, and Learning Services was well prepared to support the implementation of the draft Social Studies curriculum this past fall.

We applaud every one of those who have contributed to our achieving this designation. ECSD is fortunate to have a staff who serve in a vast array of roles, bring Catholic education to life, and nurture our students to reach their fullest potential.

To mark this milestone, we’ve created a special video to recognize this achievement – enjoy!

Teaming Up for Student Success

At Edmonton Catholic Schools, our commitment to partnership and social justice is at the heart of everything we do. Teaming up with the Oilers Entertainment Group, our Division came together for two exciting games in support of the Edmonton Catholic Schools Foundation. With nearly $1,600 already raised to benefit students in our schools directly, this partnership is making a real difference for our students!

The excitement kicked off as the Edmonton Oil Kings took on the Calgary Hitmen, with Board Chair Sandra Palazzo and Chief Superintendent Lynnette Anderson taking centre ice for a ceremonial puck drop. The ECSD All-City High School Choir lifted their voices in a moving performance of our national anthem, while students from Mother Margaret Mary Catholic High School inspired the crowd with intermission performances.

The Board of Trustees is proud to support initiatives that strengthen our schools and uplift students. By working together, we are building a stronger, more compassionate community.

Score clock screen with Chair Palazzo and Chief Superintendent dropping the puck

Chair Palazzo and Chief Superintendent Anderson dropping the puck

Chair Palazzo and Chief Superintendent Anderson with a group of student performers

Answering the Call: Trustees Strengthen Leadership at ACSTA Symposium

Trustees recently attended the 2025 ACSTA Symposium, an inspiring weekend focused on servant leadership. The event brought together Archbishop Emeritus Thomas Cardinal Collins, Archbishop Richard Smith, bishops, trustees, administrators, leadership teams, and keynote speakers, all engaging in meaningful conversation on the mission of Catholic education. Guided by the theme, "Answering the Call with a Servant's Heart," attendees reflected on their responsibilities as stewards of hope, emphasizing their commitment to effective governance and nurturing a vibrant, faith-centred community.

The symposium offered invaluable insights for our Board. Through in-depth discussions and shared experiences, Trustees acquired practical tools and strategies to enhance our responsibilities, ensuring that Catholic education remains strong, relevant, and grounded in faith for future generations. This gathering not only bolstered our leadership skills but also deepened our dedication to serving as stewards of hope within our school communities.

Trustee Thibert and Archbishop Smith selfie

Trustees and Chief Superintendent selfie

Trustees Serve with an Open Heart at Ronald McDonald House

Trustees recently volunteered at Ronald McDonald House, preparing and serving dinner for families staying there. This act of service allowed us to connect with those in our community and offer a tasty meal to those facing a challenging time. Volunteering is an essential part of our faith. It is a reminder that, as stewards of hope, our role extends beyond education, and we are dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of those around us.

Ronald McDonald House group photo 2

Ronald McDonald House group photo 3

Celebrating Community Engagement and Leadership: A Look at Recent Trustee Involvement

The past few months have allowed Trustees many opportunities to participate in various school and community events, including Black History Month celebrations that honour the theme Black Legacy and Leadership: Celebrating Canadian History and Uplifting Future Generations. These events provide important opportunities to reflect on the contributions of Black Canadians, past and present, while inspiring future generations to lead with courage and purpose. Additionally, Trustees have had the chance to participate in Pink Shirt Day initiatives that promote kindness and anti-bullying efforts, open houses, as well as School Council meetings. These occasions are a testament to the strength of our communities, and we look forward to continued engagement with our students, families, and staff in more important celebrations.

Trustee Harris selfie at a meeting