Superintendent Message: Nov. 12-15
SUPERINTENDENT MESSAGE
Inspired by Christ on a Journey to Encounter, Nurture, and Serve.
Inspiré par Dieu dans une Aventure à Découvrir, Grandir, et Servir.
November 12 - 15, 2024
Good morning,
I hope you had a restful break and were able to recharge. As we return, Sr. Admin wants to express our gratitude for welcoming us into your school communities during the Remembrance Day ceremonies. It was truly moving to see the meaningful ways you brought this day to life for students and families, honouring those who sacrificed for us. Thank you, especially for involving students in the Honour Guard. At one school, I met a proud mom who shared how much it meant to watch her son in his first year as a Cadet. She said it was one of the most memorable Remembrance Day ceremonies they’d experienced as a family. Through your thoughtful prayer, music, and visuals, you created a space for all of us to pause and reflect on the bravery and selflessness that allows us to live in peace today.
This week also marks Métis Week, a time to honour the Métis people and the strength of their history, culture, and contributions. The Métis community, with their shared stories, continue to inspire a journey of reconciliation for us all. Archbishop Smith reminds us of our call to listen, learn, and work together in rebuilding the relationships affected by the legacy of Residential Schools. This call to reconciliation brings us closer to a future built on respect and unity.
On Wednesday, November 13, we celebrate World Kindness Day—a beautiful reminder of Jesus’s call to care for all, especially the most vulnerable among us. Jesus’s words to “invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind” speak to a powerful and compassionate way of life. Your efforts to lift those in need make a difference every day. Thank you for fostering kindness in our communities.
Blessings,
Kathleen Finnigan, Superintendent
With sincere gratitude, we thank our faith mentors for their invaluable involvement and unwavering commitment to Red Deer Catholic’s Faith Formation program. Their support for our beginning teachers is a true blessing, and it has made a remarkable difference in teachers’ journey of growth and faith.
RDCRS Faith Mentors are dedicated to nurturing a Christ-centered foundation for our new teachers which has strengthened teaching practice and deepened beginning teachers' connection to our faith communities. The time, energy, and care the faith mentors have invested have truly set new teachers on a path where they can share their faith and inspire our students with confidence and love.
We are thankful for their commitment to building a vibrant, faith-filled environment within our schools. We are grateful for their presence and support in the program. Many thanks go out to:
- Angela Ward, St. Patrick’s Community School
- Kelly Jacobson, St. Francis of Assisi Middle School
- Vanessa Letourneau, École Secondaire Notre Dame High School
- Renee Bowers, St. Thomas Aquinas Middle School
- Stacey Martz, Holy Family School
- Lorelei Whittemore, Father Henri Voisin School
- Joel Peterman, École Our Lady of the Rosary School
- Josh Keith, École Secondaire Notre Dame High School
Lest We Forget
Your Input is Needed!
Planning to attend either of next week's RDCRS Board of Trustees Engagement Sessions? This Backgrounder Document provides information on what will be discussed both evenings as well as an opportunity to ask a question before the event.
The document can be found here.
#WeAreRedDeerCatholic #CommunityEngagement #EducationMatters
November 8, 2024
Education News Canada - RDCRS picks up a BRAVO Award
The Albertan - Program offers Catholic students construction skills
November 7, 2024
Red Deer Advocate - Red Deer Catholic, Eagle Builders launch construction camp
rdnewsNOW - RDCRS and Eagle Builders launch construction camp for high school students
November 6, 2024
The Global Education Station - Innovative Strategies for Safe and Effective Remote Teaching
November 4, 2024
Sunny 94 - RDCRS students advance in RDP Health Care program
November 1, 2024
The Albertan - Olds school community supports youth battling blood cancer
In This Edition
- Strengthened in Spirit Faith Report
- Indigenous Education Services
- Upcoming Events
Strengthened in Spirit Faith Report
Created by Tammy Chrusch’s grade 5 class at Holy Trinity Catholic School.
Indigenous Education Services
Click here to download a PDF copy of the newsletter.
Upcoming Events
St Martin de Porres School proudly presents "Faith News"
LIVE from the Faith News Studio comes a Heavenly News broadcast originating inside the Pearly Gates, hosted by two angelic News Anchors, Cameron Flowers and Summer Showers. Bringing some of your favourite Bible Stories to life, our newscast flows back and forth between top-flight Bible news coverage by Cameron and Summer to stellar on-the-ground reporting by our roving angel duo, Chera Bim and Sara Fim. Clever, snappy dialogue and fun, catchy, Biblically-based songs help tell the stories of Noah (with a little help from Mrs. Noah), Joshua (at the Battle of Jericho), Queen Esther, Moses (including an important conversation where Moses asks Pharaoh to “let my people go”), Abraham and Sarah, and, direct from the New Testament, Ananias and Saul/Paul.
FNN – The Faith News Network – spotlights all the best in Heavenly headlines; builds faith through real, Bible-based news stories; inspires through sharing the encounters of real Bible heroes and encourages us all to believe anything is possible when we follow God’s plan for our lives.
We are so proud of our students for their hard work and dedication to this show. At St Martin de Porres School, our love of God and Fine Arts is showcased in this production as our students share their gifts while sharing fantastic, faith-affirming truths that only come from God’s Word.
RDCRS teachers and students are invited to attend our November 28 matinee at 1:30 pm on the Main Stage in the Arts Centre at Red Deer Polytechnic. Please note tickets are FREE!
Please RSVP to Dorice de Champlain if you would like to attend with your class! When responding please include your grade, your school and the number of tickets you are requesting! We look forward to welcoming you! The running time is approximately 45 minutes.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.
Five Guys Burgers and Fries are at it again!
On November 14th, if you dine at Five Guys Burgers and Fries, 20% of your purchase will go toward building our Inclusive Playground!
This is a perfect opportunity to have a night off from cooking supper while supporting a playground where ALL of our students can play together.
Just show them this graphic or tell them you are here to support St. Teresa! Thank you for your support—every bite makes a difference!
Thank you to Five Guys and those of you who joined us in September, where we raised over $630.
Variety - the Children's Charity of Alberta
#InclusivePlayground #Fundraiser #CommunitySupport
Jays Care Affiliate Schools
Team up with the charitable arm of the Toronto Blue Jays to launch award-winning extracurricular programs in your school! It’s FREE, easy, and there is no previous baseball experience necessary!
Jays Care Foundation is looking for teammates as we build a roster of dedicated educators across Canada who are committed to making a meaningful impact in their students' lives. It's FREE and easy to become a Jays Care Affiliate School:
- Join us for a virtual training session
- Find at least 10 students interested in participating in introductory softball/baseball programming
- Commit to at least 8 weeks of extracurricular programming (1-2 hours a week)
As a Jays Care Affiliate School, we’ll send you a FREE specialized equipment kit, Blue Jays t-shirts and hats for your students, a best-in-class program manual, and we’ll be there to support you every step of the way. It’s really that easy! Explore our programs below to find out which extracurricular program(s) your school is eligible to apply for.
Calling all volunteers!
Give the gift of time at this year’s Festival of Trees and make a direct impact on improving cardiac care in Central Alberta!
We need 1,000+ volunteers to fill 1,476 shifts. Join us in a fun and rewarding adventure at reddeerfestivaloftrees.ca.