CTR CATHOLIC BOARD HIGHLIGHTS
from Board Meeting held on May 28, 2020
CLOSURE OF ST. LUKE'S, DRUMHELLER
After a careful and considered review, a motion was passed to close St. Luke’s Outreach School in Drumheller. Trustees made the decision with heavy hearts. At a community engagement last month there seemed to be renewed interest in local efforts to increase enrolment, but the numbers did not materialize. Trustee Domingo lamented the timing, and the fact that there is never a good time to negatively impact students. Trustee Salm suggested that perhaps the town was only big enough for one outreach program, while Trustee Van Donzel inquired about a possible transition plan for students from St. Luke’s to St. Anthony’s School. Administration explained that the impacted students would be welcome at St. Anthony’s and the principal will be making contact with each of them.
BOARD VOTES TO JOIN A NEW INSURANCE COLLECTIVE
The Finance Department engaged in a seven month process to determine the best insurance option for CTR after a substantial and unanticipated increase in insurance premiums in October 2019. Their strong recommendation was to have CTR conclude their insurance relationship with the Alberta School Board Insurance Exchange (ASBIE) at the end of the current term, and to initiate a formal agreement with the Alberta Risk Managed Insurance Consortium (ARMIC). Trustee Salm offered that the presentation was thorough and compelling. The Board passed two resolutions, one to leave ASBIE and another to join ARMIC.
PROMOTION OF REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM (RAP)
Trustee de Jong made a plea to promote the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) in our schools. He spoke to the need for trades people in the future, and our call to meet the needs of all students even more broadly. Trustee Rude-Volk added that choice is most important, but whichever direction we go, schools have to provide support. Trustee Van Donzel echoed this sentiment, and said that the motivation of students, identification of supportive businesses, and an enthusiastic staff member are all critical factors. Trustee Salm agreed with promoting RAP, but not at the expense of a broad liberal arts education. Associate Superintendent Moss was charged with investigating CTR’s use of RAP and determining what the barriers might be to expanded enrollment.
THREE YEAR EDUCATION PLAN
DID YOU KNOW THAT . . . .
to be a Catholic educator
is a sacred privilege and an awesome responsibility. (Groome, 2002).
Catholic education = unity
in diversity. A natural theology lending appeal to people of many traditions, simply on human grounds. (Groome, 1998).
a philosophy of Catholic education
contributes to a spiritual vision of education that is humanizing - a curriculum that educates Life for All always promoting the value of the person. (Groome, 1998).
BOARD STANDING COMMITTEES
Grateful Advocates of Catholic Education (GrACE) CTR
Trustee Keenan shared that the committee last met virtually on May 4th. Mrs. Keenan said that both the recent Council of Councils Meeting and Catholic Education Week were conducted largely through Social Media, and were very successful. GrACE CTR has future plans to engage further with parish priests, to increase exposure of their professional video, to reach out to youth groups, and to collaborate more with other Catholic school divisions.
Faith Committee
Trustee Keenan confirmed earlier discussions indicating that Faith Days next year will have a different look. Faith Days will continue to be a two-day event, but will take place in local communities, following a divisional plan. The cost was a consideration in deliberations, but teachers requests to avoid being away from their homes for four days (Teachers Convention in Calgary follows Faith Days in Okotoks). This is a decision for next year only.ALBERTA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION ZONE 5
Foothills Trustee Andrea Keenan, said that the Spring Annual General Meeting will be held through Zoom. Several policy positions will be discussed by our local Board in preparation for the meeting, including a proposed cut of 3% for school division annual dues and a discussion around the new funding model that includes a Weighted Moving Average (WMA) of student enrolment to determine divisional funding.
In terms of recent provincial ASBA developments, Mrs. Keenan reported that the Edwin Parr Award winner is yet to be announced. ASBA executive has been involved in re-entry plans for schools in September, but there are currently no decisions, and there was an update from the province on what the Funding and Assurance plan will look like in the future.
ACSTA DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Trustee de Jong reported on the ACTA’s May meeting, and let the group know that the ACSTA executive was pursuing an initiative called Going Forward Together: restructuring the board to ensure effective and responsive leadership. If approved by the membership, the new governance structure would streamline the executive team, while allowing for broader representation through an Advisory Board. Trustee De Jong was also pleased to report that Stacey MacNeil was the successful candidate for the position of a provincial curriculum developer, noting that Ms. MacNeil is a CTR teacher.
SUPERINTENDENTS' REPORTS
Associate Superintendent Mariette Moss shared the following with trustees:
- An overview of our current distance learning scenario. A survey three weeks into class cancellations suggested that 92% of parents are satisfied or very satisfied with CTR’s efforts.
- During this pandemic and the age of social distancing some of our more vulnerable students are experiencing enhanced challenges. Mrs. Moss was pleased to share that some of our personnel had enhanced supports in response. Many virtual supports have been identified, such as book clubs, virtual school tours for new students, movie groups, virtual workout, science club, and board games, to name only a few opportunities that have been created.
- Online classes will be brought to a close on June 19, allowing the remainder of the month to collect and assess final projects and assignments, compose report cards, and to allow for the collection of resources back to the schools.
- It appears that summer school will move forward at St. Joseph’s Collegiate, Notre Dame Collegiate, Holy Trinity Academy, and the Centre For Learning@HOME. The schools are preparing for online learning, under direction from the province.
- Parents have called schools and are very thankful for the efforts of staff, but predictably, there are many questions regarding what education will look like this Fall. Mrs. Moss is leading the senior administrative team in planning for September. The preliminary re-entry plan for September has been a topic of intense conversation for weeks. Although CTR is working on our own comprehensive plans, direction from Alberta Health Services and Education Ministry will dictate the parameters we will work within. CTR will be prepared for all the possibilities in the fall. Trustees Salm and Van Donzel queried about other, more specific considerations, such as the future of optional courses, and the challenges of a second wave. Mrs. Moss was able to assure them that all aspects of programming, and health and safety are included in the detail of the planning.
Associate Superintendent Vincent Behm reported on the following:
- A report from the College of Alberta School Superintendents called Supporting a Focus on Wellness Across Alberta School Authorities. The data shared in indicates that measures CTR has taken to support staff are among those regarded as the most effective.
- Mr. Behm was pleased to tell the Trustees that staffing for the 2020-2021 school year was drawing to a close. The Human Resources department has successfully filled most positions anticipated, despite some significant budgetary challenges. Staffing allocations in our schools should ensure a continuance of exemplary instruction and comfortable student to staff ratios.
- In anticipation of COVID-19 implications into the new school year, five superintendents of human resources in a host of Zone 5 divisions meet regularly to discuss how to best serve our staffs around common HR topics, such as future illness, Occupational Health and Safety concerns, and accommodations for possible work conditions.
- Educational Assistants are an integral part of regular education, and we look forward to their return to our schools. Mr. Behm and his team are deep into transition plans back into the classroom for our Educational Assistants who were laid off due to funding reductions.
Associate Superintendent Michael Kilcommons reported on the following:
- He is looking forward to the next step in local bargaining with the Alberta Teachers Association in the last days of May. He was hopeful that the intervention of a mediator at the request of the ATA can bring a quick and satisfactory resolution to the process.
- The Covid-19 provincial shut down postponed a vote in Oyen to establish Catholic school boundaries, and the related benefits, including accessing transportation funds. In the last week, the Ministry indicated that they believe the beginning stages of re-opening the province can provide an opportunity to revisit the process. Mr. Kilcommons anticipates that a vote by Catholic electors in the areas surrounding Oyen can be scheduled for late June. When the date is set, Catholic electors will be notified and strongly encouraged to attend and vote.
- Premier Jason Kenney announced a Capital Maintenance Renewal (CMR) fund for the province. It is an economic stimulus allocation to provide funds for construction, and school divisions will be the recipient of a good portion, to ensure that our buildings are maintained and upgraded. Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools has been declared eligible for a significant sum – over $2.6 million – to enhance our facilities.
Superintendent Dr. Scott Morrison referenced four points. :
- Full day kindergarten is an option in some of our communities where space and programming can be accommodated. The province only allocates funds for half day kindergarten, so where it exists, the school division has subsidized the program. As of this fall, it may be necessary for parents to pay a cost recovery fee for this optional program.
- High Schools in CTR are offering creative solutions to conduct online graduations. Schools are planning in-person gatherings to follow in October or December if conditions allow for them.
- Each year in November we celebrate Catholic Education Sunday. The diocese allocates a good portion of the weekly collection back to the division. This year $11,000 was split proportionately to support schools’ efforts to promote faith.
- The Centre For Learning@HOME (CFL) has engaged in non-primary enrollment agreements with three school divisions thus far. Non-primary means that the students are enrolled in other school divisions, but will take one online course through the CFL. This initiative by the education ministry will ensure that students in other jurisdictions will have access to high quality online instruction, regardless of location and program conflicts.
WARD COMMITTEE REPORTS
The communities of Canmore, Strathmore, and Drumheller hosted Ward meetings since the last Board meeting. The minutes with more detail are attached to the Board Meeting agenda on our website. The meeting summaries follow.
Canmore Ward:
This Ward includes Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Academy.
Faith: Despite being limited to having 15 contractors on-site at any given time, the Church will still be ready this spring.
Learning: Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Academy runs a program called Tech Tuesdays where parents are given support in using various distance learning technology.
Safe and Caring: Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Academy runs a program called Wellness Wednesdays in which they share information about mental health.
Stewardship: The School Council has cancelled most second-semester fundraising. However, they fundraised for the next calendar year and this proactive practice has protected them financially.
Strathmore Ward:
This Ward includes Sacred Heart Academy and Holy Cross Collegiate.
Faith: The school division is going to redeploy its cleaners to do cleaning and disinfecting between Masses. Father thanked the division effusively because CTR Catholic is such an amazing division.
Learning: Sacred Heart Academy teachers are taking advantage of all of the numerous free professional development sessions being put on during the pandemic.
Safe and Caring: Holy Cross Collegiate is preparing a video for Grade 7 orientation, including, but not limited to, a tour of the school.
Stewardship: o The principals were very pleased with the direction given by the division and the division's communication. We did not waste any of our “human” resources as a result.
Drumheller Ward:
This Ward includes St. Anthony's School.
Faith: Online faith opportunities (e.g. daily rosary) are robust, and this is the most focused Catholic Education Week they have had.
Learning: The school has focused on dedicating extra support to students with special needs and working collaboratively to improve the quality of work. The educational assistants are volunteering their time.
Safe and Caring: Two students who were being disciplined revitalized the use of the Buddy bench as a project focused on restorative practices.
Stewardship: The Ward expressed its deep appreciation to Chair Pat Doyle, who has been an exemplary Chair. Pat will step aside but remain on the School Council to mentor the new Chair Pella Ledrew. The School lent out 100 Chromebooks.
WARD COMMITTEE WISH LISTS
THORNTON REPORT
A recent report from the Education Ministry highlighted some inconsistencies that might occur in Board Governance, and issues for which a Board should have oversight. Trustee from High River Joanne Van Donzel requested information and assurance regarding some aspects of decision making by administration.
One topic of discussion was the new Board Office and St. Luke’s Outreach School that are being built in Okotoks, and the question of whether due diligence had been exercised to ensure it is a responsible investment. Administration reminded the Board that the investment funds were coming from accumulated capital reserves that were designated for a building that is not funded by the province. Owning a building will result in savings of over a quarter million dollars a year in lease payments, and those saving can be directly applied to operations in schools. The partnership with the Town of Okotoks and the joint venture agreement vetted by several lawyers will further protect the division’s interests.
TRUSTEE'S CORNER
The Body of Christ
I am quite sure that we have all wondered what God is telling us over the past couple of months. In fact, I assume most of the world has been asking deeper questions as we sit in isolation and try to make sense of the “new normal.” Whether it is in our homes, or in our hearts, we have been forced into our own personal retreat. It has been a time of getting back to the basics including the physical basics of food, health, and strangely tracking each roll of toilet paper in our homes.
One thing that is true, as Catholics, we were made for this moment! When we are surrounded by more questions than answers, when we need to focus on the weak and vulnerable, and when the spiritual basic gifts of Faith, Hope, and Charity become the building blocks of community. How great is our God that freely provides these three gifts to us and how great are our communities in need of these exact gifts!
It has been challenging to witness that almost nothing can be accomplished these days without the help of others. In order to practice safe distancing, and follow the new rules, we are not able to just head out and handle things on our own. Now, it is about teamwork with a common goal that gets things done. Your ability to create online education in the matter of a few weeks is an amazing example of how gifted this Division and its members have always been. For me, I have witnessed a living example of The Body of Christ.
Each of your talents and unique abilities have come together to form The Body of Christ in our Division. Each hand and arm reaching out to our parents and children during this time of need. This has been beyond education and has also included the physical, mental, and spiritual needs of our community. From food hampers, to the strong emotional support of students, parents, and staff, many great accomplishments have occurred based on the talents and treasures of this living Body of Christ.
On May 30 we celebrated the Consecration Mass of Our Lady of the Rockies Shrine in Canmore. As a gift to our Mother of Jesus, we look up with great Hope, Faith and Charity in this Diocesan Shrine to a stronger future. This mass is also symbolic of the June reopening of all our Churches in the province to celebrate the Eucharist – The True Body of Christ. The union of our actions to our complete submersion with Christ in the Eucharist.
As you now receive the Eucharist, may you be blessed with strength and gratitude, in the knowledge and experience of God’s love in your lives. Thank you so much for all that you have done and accomplished these past few months. God Bless you all!
Remember that Trustee biographies are available on CTR’s website at: http://www.redeemer.ab.ca/Trustees.php.
NEXT BOARD MEETING DATE
The next Board meeting will take place on Thursday, June 25, 2020, 10:00 a.m., at 1 McRae Street, Okotoks, AB.
Board of Trustees
Ron Schreiber, Chair, Okotoks
Joanne Van Donzel, Vice Chair, High River
Andrea Keenan, MD of Foothills
Harry Salm, Strathmore
Mark Chung, Drumheller
John de Jong, Brooks
Michelle Rude-Volk, Oyen
Vijay Domingo, Canmore
Superintendents
Dr. Scott Morrison, Superintendent
Michael Kilcommons, Associate Superintendent
Vincent Behm, Associate Superintendent
Mariette Moss, Associate Superintendent
Treasurer/Directors
Jerry Bagozzi, Treasurer
Dawn Quinlan, Director of Human Resources
Dave Lunn, Director of Facilities
Cora-Leah Schmitt, Director of Student Services
Cheryl Kuemper, Director of Learning
Lindsay Fagan, 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.