Trustees Share their Support for Faith and Wellness in Catholic Education
At the January 29, 2025 Public meeting of the Board,Trustees approved the Growing in Mind, Body, and Spirit Through Catholic Education report, which highlights the Division’s commitment to nurturing students and staff in mind, body, and spirit by integrating faith into school life and promoting wellness.
The report focuses on how Edmonton Catholic Schools is advancing Goal F1: Students and staff will grow and develop in mind, body, and spirit as part of its Plan for Continuous Growth 2023-2026 (Year 2). Established by the Board of Trustees for this three-year planning cycle, Goal F1 has two overarching key strategies to support achieving that goal:
- Ensure that the communal nature of our Catholic faith is an active priority in our school/site life.
- Provide opportunities for students and staff to engage in faith-infused learning and activities that explore the spiritual, mental, and physical dimensions of wellness.
The report outlined the collaborative efforts of Religious Education Services and Human Resource Services’ Well-Being Framework, demonstrating how Edmonton Catholic Schools integrates faith and wellness to support the holistic development of its community.
Trustees Champion New Schools to Meet Growing Demand
The Board is excited to announce that the Alberta Government has approved full construction funding for two new Kindergarten to Grade 9 Catholic Schools in West Laurel and Rivers Edge.
Both these projects received design funding in the March 2024 budget and with all permits and sites ready for construction, they qualified for the School Construction Accelerator Program, receiving full construction funding.
As of September 29, 2024, ECSD has reached an enrolment of 50,107 students, marking a 4.9% increase from the previous year. With an overall utilization rate of 100%, the need for additional school spaces has never been more pressing. The new Catholic schools in West Laurel and Rivers Edge will provide 1,900 additional student spaces, alleviating enrolment pressures on nearby schools and ensuring that Catholic education remains accessible to families in these areas.
"We are incredibly grateful to the Alberta Government for investing in Catholic education and supporting our rapidly growing student population. These new schools in West Laurel and Rivers Edge will provide much-needed learning spaces, ensuring our students have the high-quality Catholic education they deserve," said Board Chair Sandra Palazzo.
The Board continues to advocate for the needs of our Division, ensuring that our students, families, and staff have the resources and opportunities they deserve. Looking ahead, Trustees will continue to prioritize advancing our efforts to secure modern and welcoming schools that meet the needs of our growing student population. We will also ensure continuous growth and improvement and champion enhanced services and programming for all students. Furthermore, with rapid enrolment, we’ve seen an unprecedented demand for teachers and support staff, and we are committed to working with our partners to attract and retain exceptional educators who will support our students’ learning and well-being.
Celebrating 10 Years as One of Alberta’s Top Employers
ECSD is proud to celebrate 10 years as one of Alberta’s Top Employers! This year, the application process required the submission of detailed information about our practices in 10 domains: Work Environment; Work Atmosphere and Communications; Health Benefits; Financial Benefits and Compensation; Family Friendly Policies; Programs for Experienced Employees; Employee Engagement; Training and Development; Vacation Policy and Paid Days Off; and Community Involvement. Here are a few examples of the new developments that we highlighted for this competition year:
- Our enrolments continued to grow, surpassing 48,500 students at the beginning of the 2023-24 school year, and our staff continued to welcome them with joy to the beauty of Catholic education.
- ECSD was recognized with the Alberta School Boards Association’s Community Engagement Award for work that flowed from the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-racism (EDIAR) Strategic Plan. This award recognizes a school board’s commitment to fostering meaningful connections with their communities.
- Our elementary teachers successfully implemented new curriculum from grades 4-6, and Learning Services was well prepared to support the implementation of the draft Social Studies curriculum this past fall.
We applaud every one of those who have contributed to our achieving this designation. ECSD is fortunate to have a staff who serve in a vast array of roles and who, bring Catholic education to life and nurture our students to reach their fullest potential.
To mark this milestone, we’ve created a special video in recognition of this achievement – enjoy!
Teaming up for Student Success
At Edmonton Catholic Schools, our commitment to partnership and social justice is at the heart of everything we do. Teaming up with the Oilers Entertainment Group, our Division came together for two exciting games in support of the Edmonton Catholic Schools Foundation. With nearly $1,600 already raised to benefit students in our schools directly, this partnership is making a real difference for our students!
The excitement kicked-off as the Edmonton Oil Kings took on the Calgary Hitmen, with Board Chair Sandra Palazzo and Chief Superintendent Lynnette Anderson taking center ice for a ceremonial puck drop. The ECSD All-City High School Choir lifted their voices in a moving performance of our national anthem, while students from Mother Margaret Mary Catholic High School inspired the crowd with intermission performances.
The Board of Trustees is proud to support initiatives that strengthen our schools and uplift students. By working together, we are building a stronger, more compassionate community.
Answering the Call: Trustees Strengthen Leadership at ACSTA Symposium
Trustees recently attended the 2025 ACSTA Symposium, an inspiring weekend focused on servant leadership. The event brought together Archbishop Emeritus Thomas Cardinal Collins, Archbishop Richard Smith, bishops, trustees, administrators, leadership teams, and keynote speakers, all engaging in meaningful conversation on the mission of Catholic education. Guided by the theme, "Answering the Call with a Servant's Heart," attendees reflected on their responsibilities as stewards of hope, emphasizing their commitment to effective governance and nurturing a vibrant, faith-centered community.
The symposium offered invaluable insights for our Board. Through in-depth discussions and shared experiences, Trustees acquired practical tools and strategies to enhance our responsibilities, ensuring that Catholic education remains strong, relevant, and grounded in faith for future generations. This gathering not only bolstered our leadership skills but also deepened our dedication to serving as stewards of hope within our school