Courtesy: HFCRD
HFCRD Board of Trustees August Meeting Highlights
(September 3rd, 2024)
HFCRD Board Elections & New Trustee
The HFCRD Board of Trustees elected their Board Chair and Vice Chair.
The Board Chair for the 2024-2025 School Year is Kelly Whalen
The Vice Chair for the 2024-2025 School Year is John Kuran
Kelly Whalen enters his 11th year as Board Chair, with 14 years of total service to date
John Kuran enters his 3rd year as Vice Chair, with 7 years of total service to date
Personal Electronic Devices & Social Media Access in Schools
As per the Ministerial Order from Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides, the Alberta Government introduced new restrictions on the use of personal devices and access to social media for students. Banned personal electronic devices include tablets, laptops, or smartwatches. We are asking parents to encourage their children to leave those devices at home. Use of Cellphones will only be allowed outside of class time, unless authorized by the teacher for instructional purposes, special learning needs, or allowed for health or medical reasons.
HFCRD Principals are tasked with coming up with a system that works best for their school. All social media platforms will be blocked for students on school wifi from 8:00-3:30 Monday through Friday.
Staff will be encouraged to lead by example, but currently no rules are in place. TBAC will be tasked with coming up with any protocols needed for staff.
Update on St. Thomas More
HFCRD has received the signed Ministerial Order to officially transfer St. Thomas More School in Fairview from Grande Prairie & District Catholic Schools to Holy Family Catholic Regional Division. The transfer of the Ward, including the school and other assets, will go into effect on September 1st.
The Portable School is in place on the St. Thomas More School grounds. It’s expected to be open for K-9 students by October 1st.
Space has been secured at the Fairview Provincial Building to set up a temporary school for K-6.
The Library Building at Northwestern Polytechnic Fairview Campus will be the location for the High School (Grades 10-12), and also the temporary location for Junior High (Grades 7-9).
3-Year Faith Plan
The 3-Year Faith Plan for 2024-2027 is Disciples on a Journey – Our Path (year 1), Our Accompaniment (year 2), Our Encounter (year 3).
Faith Focus: Youth and young adults begin their discipleship journey in baptism and continue on that journey when they come to love Christ and follow His ways. Our journey will help answer the question of “Who am I?”
Toonies for Tuition
The Board has decided to continue to endorse HFCRD Schools to support Toonies for Tuition with fundraising activities throughout the school year. Full public funding for Catholic schools only exists in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Northwest Territories & Yukon. HFCRD wants to continue to give the gift of Catholic Education, with fundraising
initiatives throughout the schools within the division.
Truth and Reconciliation
As part of our ongoing Trustee Professional Development, the Board, Superintendent, and Senior Staff have been reading Valley of the Birdtail. One of the Board of Trustees Areas of Emphasis: “Develop authentic ways to honor Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action fully, and continue to nurture relationships and engage with Indigenous communities.”
The Board has chosen to continue with this area of emphasis and will start reading “This Place” later this Fall.
