Superintendent’s Update: Students, Parents/Legal Guardians, and Staff

Dear Students, Staff, and Families of Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools…as we continue to grow together, we are truly privileged to joyfully serve each and every one of our students and families. We are grateful for the opportunity to nurture a learning environment filled with faith, love, and compassion, where each community member can feel cherished and supported.

In the coming days, as schools celebrate the festive spirit of Halloween, we are also reminded of the significance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. These solemn feasts invite us to honour the lives of saints who inspire us and to remember all those who have gone before us in faith. While our students enjoy the fun and creativity of Halloween, we also take time to recognize and reflect on these holy days, drawing closer to our call to be compassionate, hopeful, and faithful in our daily lives.

Thank you for being part of this vibrant community. May we continue to grow in faith and love, supporting one another with joy and gratitude.

Upcoming Fall Break 
As a reminder, Fall Break is coming up. On Monday, November 11th, schools will be closed for Remembrance Day, followed by Fall Break commencing Tuesday, November 12th, until Thursday, November 14th. Schools will also be closed on Friday, November 15th, as a day in lieu of parent/teacher interviews.

Why do we have Fall Break? The reprieve is intended to support staff and students' mental health, easing stress and enhancing wellness. A Fall Break benefits mental health by reducing stress and offering a quick reset and refresh, and numerous post-secondary institutions and school jurisdictions have adopted this approach.

Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools Education Foundation 3rd Annual Christmas Cash Raffle Fundraiser
If you are over 18 and live in Alberta, please join us for our 5th Annual 50/50 Christmas Cash Raffle Fundraiser, which will support the GSACS Education Foundation.

Funds raised will support classroom needs which demonstrate enhanced learning opportunities for students within Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools, evoke or promote student passion and engagement, support innovation within the classroom, and promote faith, the development of relationships with one another and with God, foster community spirit, and build hope. AGLC License # 704691

  • Ticket sales end: December 3rd, 2024; 6:00 pm
  • Draw Date:  December 5, 2024 - 7:00 pm; École Secondaire St. Albert Catholic High School
  • Supporters can access half the final pot, a MIN of $4,000 up to $10,000, in extra Christmas Cash.
  • Purchase your tickets here!

Wrapping up a Wonderful Catholic Education Week!
Thank you to all the families, students, and staff who came together in faith, learning, and community. It was heartwarming to see so many of you at masses, gatherings, and events, celebrating the beauty of Catholic education. Your involvement and support make a difference, strengthening the spirit that binds our school communities. Together, we honour our shared values and commitment to faith-based education, and we’re grateful for each of you who helped make this week so meaningful. Let’s carry this spirit forward throughout the year!

Reminder for GSACRD Families!
There’s still time to have your say on the review of our trustee electoral ward boundaries! The Board of Trustees is considering several options to adapt to population changes and ensure fair representation. This process focuses on trustee electoral boundaries only (not school attendance areas), and we value your input!

  • Final Public Meeting: Morinville – Tues, Oct 29, 2024 | 7:00-8:30 PM | Morinville Community High School
  • Survey Deadline: October 31, 2024
    If you can’t attend, please complete our online survey—your feedback is essential.
  • For details on the options and survey link, visit our website: https://www.gsacrd.ab.ca/.../board-of-trustees-ward

Thank you for helping shape the future of our governance!

Professional Learning Communities at GSACRD
Our Professional Learning Communities are at the heart of ongoing growth and success in our schools. They bring together teachers from each grade level to foster collaboration and share best pedagogical practices to enhance student learning and outcomes. Through these PLCs, educators work collectively to review, refine, and elevate their teaching strategies, ensuring each classroom benefits from the latest evidence-based approaches. This collaborative environment not only strengthens the skills of our educators but also creates a ripple effect, where every student benefits from a unified, research-driven approach to learning.

Litany of the Saints of Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools
As we prepare to celebrate All Saints' Day, we remember the example of the saints, who show us what it means to live with courage, compassion, and faith. The saints are more than role models; they are our friends and intercessors, praying for us and guiding us closer to Christ. Through their example, we are inspired to be more loving, humble, and faithful in our own lives.

Let us now open our hearts in prayer (from MyCatholicPrayers.com), asking for the saints' intercession as we seek to follow their path of holiness and deepen our relationship with God. May their lives inspire us, and may their prayers help us on our journey.

Dear God,

thank you for the example of the Saints.

I desire to join in their company,

worshiping you forever in Heaven.

 

Please help me follow their footsteps,

and yours, Jesus Christ.

 

Please help me to conform

myself to Your image,

seeking Your will in all things,

as the Saints did.

 

Please help me to devote myself,

and all that I do, to Your glory,

and to the service of my neighbours.

Amen.

May God bless you and your families now and always. All the holy angels and saints…pray for us!

With heartfelt gratitude,
Dr. Clint Moroziuk
Superintendent of Schools