CTR CATHOLIC BOARD HIGHLIGHTS
from Board Meeting held on February 17, 2022
BOARD APPROVES THE 2022-2023 CALENDAR
The development of school calendars involves as an extensive consultation process across CTR. Deputy Superintendent Behm referred the Trustees to Administrative Procedure General Administration #06 – School Calendar Development, which outlines calendar criteria. The calendar was presented at all school council meetings, Ward meetings, to the Liaison Committee, and at administrative meetings. Staff consultation was completed through administrators. The Board passed a motion, approving the calendar, but the calendars for The Centre For Learning@Home and the Assumption School in Oyen will be presented for Board approval at a later date.
The calendar for CTR's traditional schools can be found by clicking the button below.
INTERNATIONAL TRIPS
The Board discussed the issue of when CTR might restore international travel. The Board tabled this item for their March meeting, at which time they will discuss the possibility of reinstating international travel for student groups. The first step of reinstating travel would be allowing local schools to begin tentative planning for trips to take place in the spring of 2023. Given the continued uncertainty, if the Board allows planning for trips to continue, Board approval will be conditional on both insurance and low-risk cancellation provisions being in place.
CANMORE WARD COMMITTEE HIGHLIGHT
Trustees were disappointed to hear that a new modular classroom at Our Lady of the Snows (OLS) Catholic Academy has been further delayed, possibly until mid April. The province has run into supply chain and construction issues. This exacerbates existing space issues, as both OLS and the Francphones we share the building with are facing significant space issues under the challenges of growing school populations. The Board also discussed concerns about the future, as the Town of Canmore has no future school sites identified and both OLS and the Francophone school are approaching capacity.
DRUMHELLER WARD COMMITTEE HIGHLIGHT
During the Omicron wave, teachers were required to give up their preparation time to cover the classes of colleagues and spend additional time assisting absent students to catch up upon return to school. The staff at St. Anthony’s School (Drumheller) were deeply appreciative of the Board’s actions to gift them with time to compensate them for their increased workload due to the pandemic. They were particularly pleased that the Superintendent himself shared the news live on Zoom.
ÉCOLE GOOD SHEPHERD SCHOOL GYMNASIUM
Board Chair, Andrea Keenan, reached out to the Minister of Education’s office in follow up to a letter previously sent regarding the replacement of the gymnasium at École Good Shepherd School. The subject of the letter was to advocate for the cancellation of the disruptive gymnasium project, and to replace this project with the construction of an entirely new facility in the D’Arcy Ranch subdivision. The Ministry advised that a response was still pending.
EXPLORATION OF PRE-KINDERGARTEN AND BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE
Board members learned that administration is exploring the possible expansion of programming to better serve families. Consideration is being given to introducing both pre-kindergarten programs and before and after school care at targeted schools. Administration is exploring the possibilities and will provide information to the Board for consideration as it becomes available.
CTR CATHOLIC'S BENEFIT PROGRAM
Board members were presented with the statistical summary for the Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan. The summary affirms that not only does CTR staff have a very comprehensive program, but that it is also being accessed by a significant number of staff and family members. Numbers indicate that CTR staff and family members are turning to CTR’s provider – Homewood Health – at two to three times the provincial average. Wellness experts suggest that a high level of access is an indicator of organizational health. High access to such programs illustrates that staff know where to turn when they desire supports ranging from counseling to legal information, financial direction, nutritional advice, and more!
COMBATTING RACISM
The Board received an update on CTR’s Many and One initiative, which is designed to promote inclusion and eliminate racism. Led by Lindsay Avramovic (Director of Catholic Education), the divisional committee has identified over 10 ideas schools can adopt to address issues of racism and discrimination. Trustees also learned that the most recent initiative is an online event which will be held in all schools on March 21. Guest speaker Aubrey Noronha will speak to students four times during the day, sharing an age-appropriate message to each grade division. There will also be a special online presentation in the evening for parents and families. Mr. Noronha has extensive experience as a youth counselor and speaker on anti-racism. A poster with event information is linked below.
SCHOOL OPERATING BUDGETS ARE SOUND
Each school has an annual operating budget based on student enrolment. These funds are used for programming needs such as textbooks, office supplies, classroom supplies, and photocopying. Trustees were pleased to learn that although we are only 55% of the way through the school year, principals have typically expended less than 50% of their funds. This is a strong indication that schools are well funded.
FOUR-YEAR EDUCATION PLAN
Dr. Scott Morrison (Superintendent) reminded Trustees that the Four-Year Education Plan is due in May. Last year the plan took on a new format as directed by Alberta Education and it can be found here. As this is the second year of a four-year plan, Dr. Morrison shared that the plan will remain largely unchanged. CTR’s current priorities remain relevant, targeting the needs identified within the organization. Major themes include faith, student mental health, staff wellness, new curriculum, literacy, inclusion, and Foundational Knowledge about First Nations, Metis, and Inuit.
CATHOLIC EDUCATION PROGRAM REVIEW
The Board approved the selection of Jennifer Woo, Father Troy Nguyen, and Huy Nguyen to lead a review of CTR’s Catholic Education Program. Mrs. Woo formerly held a senior role in Catholic education with Calgary Catholic Schools, Father Troy is a priest at St. James Catholic Church in Okotoks, and Mr. Nguyen works in Catholic education out of Bishop McGrattan’s office. Mrs. Woo will develop the scope of the review within five broad areas identified in consultation with Bishop McGrattan. Bishop McGrattan was also involved in the personnel selection process and supports this review. The report will be presented to the Board and broader community before the end of the school year.
CAPITAL RESERVE BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS
Trustees gave general assent to a draft plan for spending some capital reserves over the next five years. The plan includes putting money aside to manage our unsupported capital assets, such as the Catholic Education Centre, Saint Luke’s Outreach Centres, The Centre For Learning@Home, and the St. Thomas Centre space. Other considerations include substantial resources for items such as technology, furniture, and equipment. The plan will be formalized in May in the Four-Year Education Plan.
BOARD MEDIA TRAINING
Cindy Nickerson (Coordinator of Communications) informed the Trustees that arrangements have been made for a communications expert to lead the Trustees in a session at the March Committee of the Whole meeting. Mr. Ted Flitton specializes in branding, crisis management, public relations, and reputation management. Information will be provided to assist the Trustees in their communication with media, school councils and community members.
BOARD STANDING COMMITTEES
Since the last Board meeting, Trustee representatives attended at the following meetings: the Faith Committee, Alberta Catholic School Trustees' Association and Alberta School Boards Association. Their reports follow.
FAITH COMMITTEE MEETING
The Faith Committee meeting focused on Faith Day which will highlight three keynote speakers: Father Nathan Siray (Canmore), Father Cristino Bouvette (Calgary), and Father Troy Nguyen (Okotoks). Teachers have also volunteered to lead breakout sessions. Faith Day will be conducted online because of Covid and will be a one-day event on Wednesday, February 23rd. The day prior has been allocated by the Board as a day in lieu to honour teaching staff and their extra efforts during the Omicron wave. As always, a special effort will be organized to raise funds for Feed the Hungry with a goal of raising $6,000. Other items discussed included review of the pastoral reference process for new teachers, the faith survey, Religious Education textbooks, the Trustee Faith Retreat, Catholic Education Week, the SPICE Conference, and the ACSTA’s Blueprints conference.
ALBERTA CATHOLIC SCHOOL TRUSTEES' ASSOCIATION (ACSTA)
Trustee Salm (Strathmore) is the President of the ACSTA. Trustee Salm reported that the recent meeting included two days for members of the Board of Directors. Highlights of the meeting included Dr. Bonnie Annicchiarico, who spoke to the provincial Grateful Advocates for Catholic Education (GrACE) efforts and Bob Murray, a governance and political expert, who spoke to governance at ACSTA. Although the budget was not approved at the Fall Annual General Meeting, the Association is currently able to draw on substantial reserves to manage.
ALBERTA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION (ASBA) ZONE 5 REPORT
Trustee Salm (Strathmore) reported that one of the topics discussed at the February 4th meeting was charter schools and the support they receive from the province.
Another topic discussed was Alberta’s 20-year Strategic Capital Plan that has been produced which focuses largely on infrastructure. It appears that partnerships and collaborative efforts will be broadly embraced. It was noted that CTR’s proposal for a new school in D’Arcy Ranch (Okotoks) has already included many conversations around a pre-dedicated shared site in partnership with Foothills School Division and the Town of Okotoks. ASBA Zone 5 is expecting the Minister of Education, the Honourable Adriana LaGrange, at the March meeting where it is anticipated that she will be looking for general feedback on all aspects of the province’s education system.
TRUSTEE'S CORNER
“Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing frighten you. All things are passing away. God never changes.” - St. Teresa of Avilia.
When I read this little meditation passage from Living with Christ (February 14th), it spoke volumes to me of how we are to trust completely in God’s infinite love for each one of us!
The Covid-19 pandemic and the angst it has created in families, communities and countries, threat of war, hunger, poverty and so many other issues affecting our world, and the resulting unease and disorder each causes, and unfortunately what so many people are experiencing and witnessing today. Similarly, throughout history, different tribulations and events have occurred in some form or other throughout mankind’s existence and will likely continue while we as humans inhabit the earth.
Despite the difficulties, challenges and worries we face each day let us not forget St. Teresa’s words; God is Love……God never changes! Through prayer, asking for the intercession of the Blessed Mother and the Saints, celebration of the precious sacraments of Holy Eucharist and Reconciliation we can begin to enjoy the peace of mind, heart and soul and feel less burdened with the events and challenges that cause us to be disturbed and frightened.
May the upcoming Lenten 2022 season be filled with peace and a reflective spiritual renewal. May the Holy Spirit inspire Christlike actions in what we say and more importantly in what we do as we journey forward in our daily lives! Peace!
NEXT BOARD MEETING DATE
The next Board meeting will take place on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at 9:00 a.m., at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Academy, 3100A Stewart Creek Drive, Canmore, AB T1W 3M6.
Board of Trustees
Andrea Keenan, Chair, Foothills County
Harry Salm, Vice Chair, Strathmore
Andrew Gustafson, Okotoks
Mark MacDonald, High River
Mark Chung, Drumheller
John de Jong, Brooks
Michelle Rude-Volk, Oyen
Channin Liedtke, Canmore
Superintendents
Dr. Scott Morrison, Superintendent
Vincent Behm, Deputy Superintendent
Michael Kilcommons, Associate Superintendent
Mariette Moss, Associate Superintendent
Directors
Katelyn Nickel, Director of Corporate Services
Dawn Quinlan, Director of Human Resources
Dave Lunn, Director of Facilities
Cora-Leah Schmitt, Director of Student Services
Cheryl Kuemper, Director of Learning
Lindsay Avramovic, Director of Catholic Education
For any information on items in this publication, please contact Michael Kilcommons, Associate Superintendent, at mkilcommons@redeemer.ab.ca or at 403-938-2659.