On January 9, 2023, Regular Public Meeting of the Board, the Greater St. Albert Catholic School Division Board of Trustees approved the decommissioning of École Father Jan Community School and the consolidation of École Marie Poburan (EMP), École Father Jan (EFJ), and École Secondaire Ste. Marguerite d’Youville (ESSMY) into a single-track French Immersion Campus at the EMP (K-4) and ESSMY (5-9) sites, respectively, effective at the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year.
Our single-track French Immersion Campus will be one-of-a-kind and a chance to continue our mission of offering excellent education.
We hope to bring the best parts of all three schools into the new French Immersion campus, with a vibrant shared culture in a new community.
Check out the Q&A below for additional information.
What does French Immersion Campus mean?
The French Immersion Campus means bringing the best parts of École Marie Poburan, École Father Jan and École Secondaire Sainte Marguerite d'Youville into one single-track French Immersion campus. The campus will focus on collaboration, community, continuity and being better together! Two schools, one community...
Will the consolidated schools have new names?
During the community engagement that began last March and concluded in December, we repeatedly heard support for the idea that the French Immersion Campus is indeed the creation of a new community by blending three school communities and their respective cultures, students, staff, and families together. As a result, a new name and logo have been created for the Kindergarten-grade 4 campus.
The name École Sacré Coeur embodies the school’s deep devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, symbolizing our commitment to faith and community. It serves as a testament to the strong sense of togetherness and collaboration among our dedicated staff, students, and families.
What are the new bell times for the two schools?
Start times at both sites of the French Immersion Campus will be closely aligned to facilitate the consolidation of bus transportation routes for students. Combining both school communities will allow multiple bus routes, which will maintain reasonable travel time throughout the city.
École Sacré Coeur
Bus drop off - 8:10 am
Classes start - 8:20 am
Dismissal bell - 3:00 pm
Buses depart - 3:10 pm
École Secondaire Sainte Marguerite d'Youville
Bus drop off - 8:05 am
Warning bell - 8:12 am
Classes start - 8:15 am
Dismissal bell - 2:50 pm
We are excited about the opportunities and efficiencies the unified bussing and aligned start/end times will afford students, staff, and families.
Please note bell times are subject to change.
Childcare
Division and school administration have been in discussions with SIGIS. Although the locations of exact rooms are yet to be determined, we can assure our French Immersion families that we are working with SIGIS to ensure that all students will be accommodated between the two sites at our French Immersion Campus.
Nature Kindergarten
Nature Kindergarten
The Nature Kindergarten Program, which is currently housed at École Father Jan for French Immersion students in St. Albert, will continue to be offered at the K-4 site. We know that the area surrounding the school will be conducive to a unique and exciting Nature Kindergarten experience for our students.
Play Structures at École Father Jan
Play Structures at École Father Jan
School and Division administration is reviewing the feasibility of moving portions of the existing play structures from the EFJ site to the French Immersion Campus. We will keep you informed as we move forward.
