CTR CATHOLIC BOARD HIGHLIGHTS

In alignment with the Premier's mandate letter, CTR is working to create dual credit opportunities for students in various communities. Potential programming includes a practical ranching school in Strathmore, a power engineering offering, and an ecotourism offering in Canmore. A new venture in Okotoks in partnership with the Town and post-secondary institutes is also being explored.

To be responsive to artificial intelligence (AI), an administrative procedure (AP) has been drafted and will be shared by administrators in schools for feedback from teaching staff. This AP, along with existing APs, will provide guidelines regarding the use of AI for teachers and students in a professional and ethical manner while ensuring data privacy. Staff will also receive professional development on AI at their PD Day on February 3rd.

Division staff will come together for Faith Days with the theme of Joyful Witness and in celebration of CTR's 30th anniversary. A Mass with Bishop McGrattan and parish priests will begin Day 1 with keynote speaker Michael Chiasson to follow. On Day 2, staff will hear from peers on faith topics with almost 50 sessions being offered.

The Board expressed their gratitude to the Minister of Education for the financial assistance provided to supplement CTR's insurance premiums which increased following the flood of 2013. Premiums are slowly decreasing given the time that has elapsed and thanks to the work of the Alberta Risk Managed Insurance Consortium to which CTR belongs. The additional one-time funds recognizes that CTR's premiums remain higher than other divisions of a similar size.

Associate Superintendent MacDonald shared that CTR is committed to ensuring that every student receives the support they need to strive academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually. Members of Student Services work with students and families to deliver services in psychology, occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, mental health, education support, vision support, off-campus education, and English as an additional language support.

By motion, the Board approved the updated Three-year Capital Plan, which now includes as its third priority funding for pre-planning of a new high school in Okotoks to respond to higher than anticipated enrolment increases. A new high school in Brooks remains the first priority, and a permanent addition to Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Academy in Canmore remains the second priority.

As per Board policy, the Career and Off Campus Program Review occurred last year with recommendations being made. Associate Superintendent MacDonald provided an overview of the actions taken, including PD sessions held for career counsellors, development of shared resources and a common framework, and fostering student awareness of opportunities. Efforts will continue to implement all recommendations.

Trustee Chung shared that parental involvement at St. Anthony's School remains strong, with results well above the provincial average on the assurance survey. Examples of this involvement include School Council's encouragement of fundraising beyond the school to support the community, and parents, grandparents, and other volunteers regularly in the school making a difference for all students.

Faith results for Assumption Roman Catholic School were outstanding, with 100% of parents, teachers and students being satisfied with how they have grown as a Christian and with what is being taught in religion classes. Similarly, 100% of parents, teachers and students support the religious celebrations held. The Board congratulated the school community for this achievement!

The Board heard that students at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Academy believe that the quality of education is strong, as demonstrated in the Alberta Education Assurance Survey. This is also evident in the PAT and diploma results, which are well above provincial results in acceptable and excellence categories in Grades 6, 9 and 12.

The Faith Committee recently met to discuss CTR's 2024-2025 faith plan, CTR's three-year faith theme, the work of the Many & One Committee, Faith Days, and Jubilee Plans. The Board was pleased to hear that the Many & One initiative on Catholic Social Teachings developed to combat racism and discrimination is making a noticeable difference for staff and students.

The Board was supportive of the Awards Committee's recommendations for recipients of the St. John the Apostle Honorary Life Membership Award. This award is presented to retired employees who have shown to be exemplary Catholic/Christian role models and who have made significant contributions through their exemplary work ethic. Recipients will be recognized at Faith Days.

Chair Keenan confirmed that the Board's strategic planning to date included a review and update of the Board's priorities, vision and mission, and the approval of a new Board evaluation framework which will be utilized in the spring. Towards the end of the year, the Board will review the framework for the Superintendent evaluation and ward committee meeting structure for next year.

Associate Superintendent Kilcommons provided the Board with the financial update for the first quarter for 2024-2025. Additional funding received in July 2024 and additional one-time grants recently announced by the Alberta government combined with continued prudent spending should result in the division ending the fiscal year in a better than anticipated financial position than originally budgeted.

By motion, the Board approved in full St. Anthony's School's trip to France during Easter of 2026 for Grades 9-12 students. The Board also approved in principle St. John Paul II Collegiate's trip to France during Easter of 2026 for Grade 9 students. That trip will now be presented to the Okotoks Ward I Committee for approval on February 13, 2025.

by Mark MacDonald

Trustee (High River)

Are you a Joyful Witness? This is the theme and challenge of our upcoming Faith Days celebrations and is a call to all of us to be present for others and bring joy to their lives. The month of January brings renewal on many levels. January is a traditional month of making resolutions and making change and there are many transitions, changes and opportunities unfolding in our world of education and faith as well. As the Christmas Liturgical season ends, we now transition to Ordinary Time. During these transitions we take the time to “renew” ourselves with commitments to making things better in our lives and the lives of others. In the busy pace of this month, take the time to be a Joyful Witness for yourself and for others. Our Board of Trustees has a similar “Joyful Witness” focus as we look forward, in gratitude, to many blessings and the growth of our school communities and how we can renew our dedication to the faith development, educational goals, and social goals of all our students. In addition, our Board of Trustees continues to advocate in many ways to promote and protect Catholicity in our schools, both locally and provincially, and to support the goals of our Board and division leadership team.

The year 2025 is a hallmark time in our history as Christ The Redeemer celebrates 30 years of Catholic education across our communities with more information forthcoming on this special anniversary. In addition, our Trustees look forward to engaging in our CTR Faith Days 2025 with its theme of Joyful Witness and focusing on the second year of our three-year Faith Plan, Faith Seeking Understanding, with the theme of Encountering Truth through Faith and Reason. January is also a focused time for our high school students as they prepare for upcoming final and diploma exams. We offer our best wishes for success to these students! On behalf of our Board, I also want to thank teachers and parents for their excellent work in supporting these students.

‘For you will be a witness for Him to everyone of what you have seen and heard.’ Acts 22:15

I wish all of you a joy-filled and blessed 2025 as we continue our journey together as Joyful Witnesses.

The next Board meeting will take place on February 27, 2025, at 9:00 am at the Catholic Education Centre, #301 - 23 Riverside Drive, Okotoks, AB.

For any information on items in this publication, please contact Michael Kilcommons, Associate Superintendent, at mkilcommons@redeemer.ab.ca or at 403-938-2659.