EICS Board Highlights
June 20, 2018
EICS Connections - a look back over the amazing work of this past year
Attached is a video that celebrates and highlights the extraordinary work that was accomplished this past year through Connections. The entire EICS community - parents, staff, and students - should be proud of what we have accomplished. This past year we focused on establishing a strong foundation for the Connections project throughout our Division. Now, with solid footing, we can look forward to building and strengthening more Connections in the next school year.
https://animoto.com/play/VeQtjULNpC8F71I91yHXag
At the June 20 Board Meeting, Trustees were presented with feedback from EICS Staff on the Connections Project throughout the year. Feedback on the Connections Project was extremely positive. Staff also provided meaningful suggestions on how to build upon the Connections Project in future years.
Superintendent's Report
- Linking Generations reports another successful year and the program continues to grow. In 2014 Linking Generations had 150 seniors and students connecting through the Intergenerational programs. This 2017-2018 program year they had 245 seniors and youth connecting each week or bi-weekly for visits. The program has recorded 4836 volunteer hours so far this year. In addition to their regular programming, Linking Generations will pilot a new Volunteer Grandparent program beginning September 2018.
- EICS is up-to-date and prepared for the upcoming Cannabis Legalisation later this year. Revisions to the necessary Administrative Procedures have been completed - including the new Administrative Procedure: Drugs and Alcohol.
- The 2017-2018 school year is almost over. We wish all of our students, staff and families an enjoyable and blessed summer.
Elk Island Catholic Schools and the Valeda House Challenge
At the beginning of the school year, Elk Island Catholic Schools adopted Valeda House, a ministry of Catholic Social Services, as it's faith theme for the entire year. The faith theme is used in our division to inspire each and every one of us to do better - by making our communities stronger and more enriched.
With operations entirely dependent on donations, CSS issued a call for support. Some may even call it a challenge, or a mission. EICS saw it as such and answered that call. Students, teachers, staff and parents joined forces to be a Valeda House champion; proving, once again, that we are stronger together as a faith community - rather than separate and apart.
Challenge Accepted
By simply answering the call to the challenge, our EICS community was given a real opportunity to help give the moms and babies at Valeda House a better start in life as a family.
We are EICS!
The results of our hard work and dedication have finally paid off with over $32,000 in cash and in-kind donations - and the number continues to rise with additional fundraising efforts still ongoing!
Each school within our division came up with creative ways to raise funds for this worthy challenge - from bake sales and performing arts presentations to student art auctions and read-a-thons. Our community of schools raised money and collected or purchased numerous, in-kind donations, including: furniture, cribs, formula, toys, diapers and blankets. Every single school - the parents, students and staff - rose above and beyond expectations, and for this, we are overjoyed.
Our 2018 challenge to support Valeda House and Catholic Social Services was a success; however, continued support is needed to ensure Valeda House is successful. Our mission does not end with the school year - there are more moms with new babies that need Valeda House support. Let’s continue to keep Valeda House and all who they serve in our prayers.
Staff from Archbishop Jordan, Sherwood Park, after volunteering their time to help landscape Valeda House
Students from Ecole Pere Kenneth Kearns, Sherwood Park
Students from St. John XXlll, Fort Saskatchewan after a successful fundraiser
Students from St. Theresa, Sherwood Park
Students from St. John XXlll, Fort Saskatchewan
Students from Our Lady of Mount Pleasant, Camrose, during a Flower Fundraiser
New Chair and Vice-Chair for EICS Board of Trustees
Elk Island Catholic Schools’ (EICS) Board of Trustees formally elected, by acclamation, Ted Paszek as Board Chair during the Organizational Board Meeting. Additionally, Jean Boisvert was elected Vice-Chair. These individuals will lead the Board of Trustees for the 2018-2019 school year.
The entire EICS board and administration conveyed their immense gratitude to past-chair Trustee Justine Wright for serving and leading the EICS Board for over three years with such efficiency and grace.
Ted Paszek, EICS Chair, has served as a Trustee intermittently for the past three decades and is aretired Catholic teacher and Catholic school principal. Ted is the former president of the Alberta Catholic School Trustees’ Association and has served as past president of the
Canadian Catholic School Trustees’ Association. Ted has completed his doctorate in
educational policy studies at the University of Alberta in 2012 and is a sessional lecturer in
Catholic educational leadership at Newman Theological College. Ted’s four children are
graduates of EICS and four of his nine grandchildren attend Catholic schools in Sherwood Park.
Jean Boisvert has served as a trustee for over 10 terms on the EICS Board of Trustees. He
has extensive volunteer and board involvement at the local, provincial and national level
and previous business experience as a manager with Telus/AGT. Jean and his family have
called Sherwood Park home for many years and he has volunteered with many community
organizations and charities during this time.
EICS Board of Trustees
Michelle Szott - Board Vice-Chair - Sherwood Park: michelles@eics.ab.ca
Ron Baier - Trustee - Camrose: ronb@eics.ab.ca
Ted Paszek - Trustee - Sherwood Park: tedp@eics.ab.ca
Jean Boisvert - Trustee - Sherwood Park: jeanb@eics.ab.ca
Le-Ann Ewaskiw - Trustee - Sherwood Park:
le-ann.ewaskiw@eics.ab.ca
Teresa Makowecki - Trustee - Vegreville: teresa.makowecki@eics.ab.ca
Email: eicstalks@eics.ab.ca
Website: www.eics.ab.ca
Location: 160 Festival Way, Sherwood Park, AB, Canada
Phone: (780) 467-8896
Facebook: facebook.com/ElkIslandCatholicSchoolDivision
Twitter: @eicstalks