News Archive

Blessings to our incredible staff and students on the first day of school! 🌟🙏 We're filled with excitement and anticipation for a fantastic year of learning, growth, and new beginnings. Welcome Back!

Join us as we pray for blessings on our new school year! 🙏

Calling all Okotoks students! Check out Okotoks Got Talent and sign up today. All funds raised stay in our community and help support our Family School Liaison and Connections programs. Sign up today. Deadline is Sept. 15.

Before and After School Care is now available at St. Francis of Assisi Academy and École Good Shepherd School ! Care will be available to registered students in kindergarten to Grade 6 from 7 am - 6 pm including non-instructional days and early dismissal days. Registrations are first-come, first-served basis. Spaces are limited, register today! Subsidies are also available. For more information, please visit https://www.1stclassafterclass.com/1stclass_st_francis_of_assis.html or https://www.1stclassafterclass.com/1stclass_ecole_good_shepherd.html Parents can also call (403) 836-6090 for more information and to register!

Congratulations! See full post below regarding a St. Luke's student and his entire family who were recently baptized into the church! 🙏#IBelieveinCatholicEd

Let us pray for the great gift of Catholic Education as we walk together in faith and advocacy for Catholic Education. We invite you to read a letter prepared by the Catholic Bishops of Alberta and the Northwest territories for Catholic Education Week (May 5-10). For full English and French versions click here: https://www.redeemer.ab.ca/news/letter-from-the-catholic-bishops-of-alberta-and-the-northwest-territories-1666811132630

At CTR Catholic we are blessed with school communities that are fueled by compassion and generosity. This #NationalVolunteerWeek (April 14 - 20) we extend heartfelt gratitude to all our incredible volunteers who selflessly give their time and talents to enrich the lives of our students and enhance our school family. Your dedication embodies the spirit of service. Thank you for making a difference every day! 🙏💙

Check out the March Board of Trustee Highlights from its regular meeting held March 28 at the Catholic Education Centre in Okotoks.

Christ The Redeemer (CTR) Catholic Schools is pleased to announce Jamie Leidl as Principal of St. John Paul II Collegiate. Current principal Marco Pacione will be transitioning to division office as the Director of Learning for Secondary. For full announcement for Mr. Leidl, visit our website: https://www.redeemer.ab.ca/news/leadership-announcement-principal-st-john-paul-ii-collegiate-1712762030928

On Monday, April 8, there will be a partial solar eclipse in our area. It is expected to begin at 11:48 am, peak at 12:46 pm and finish by 1:38 pm. For many of our schools, this partial solar eclipse occurs over lunch hour. Although people can safely observe the eclipse by wearing special glasses, the timing of the eclipse, over lunchtime, means students will be playing outdoors for lunch recess and may not take the precautions needed to safely view it. Out of an abundance of caution, our elementary schools will be adjusting their schedules and activities that day to keep students indoors during the time of the eclipse. Students in junior high and high school will follow a regular schedule and will be permitted to leave the school over lunch hour. If parents prefer to have their children in Grades 7 – 12 stay in the school building, we ask that you have that conversation with your child/ren. The school will provide a space indoors. Click here for more information about the eclipse: https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in/canada/calgary?iso=20240408 Click here for information from the Canadian Association of Optometrists: https://opto.ca/eye-health-library/solar-eclipse-safety

Hope In The Resurrection - As we rejoice in the beauty of God's resurrected Christ, may His immense and unending love fill your souls with joy and great hope. Christian hope is not wishful thinking. It draws deeply from faith, and is the assurance that God does what He promises, and will see His plan through to the end. Let this Easter season be a time of newfound joy, faith, and hope in the blessings bestowed upon us by the resurrection of God who is with us. May the spirit of Easter inspire us to express our gratitude for His great gift through love, compassion, and unity within our schools and beyond. Let us reflect on the resurrected Jesus this Easter season and strive to live conform ourselves to Him in all that we do. May the abundant blessings of our God fill this Easter with peace, happiness, and the beauty of God's grace for you and your family. Alleluia! He is risen!

On Monday, April 8, there will be a partial solar eclipse in our area. It is expected to begin at 11:48 am, peak at 12:46 pm and finish by 1:38 pm. For many of our schools, this partial solar eclipse occurs over lunch hour. Although people can safely observe the eclipse by wearing special glasses, the timing of the eclipse, over lunchtime, means students will be playing outdoors for lunch recess and may not take the precautions needed to safely view it. Out of an abundance of caution, our elementary schools will be adjusting their schedules and activities that day to keep students indoors during the time of the eclipse. Students in junior high and high school will follow a regular schedule and will be permitted to leave the school over lunch hour. If parents prefer to have their children in Grades 7 – 12 stay in the school building, we ask that you have that conversation with your child/ren. The school will provide a space indoors. Click here for more information about the eclipse: https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in/canada/calgary?iso=20240408 Click here for information from the Canadian Association of Optometrists: https://opto.ca/eye-health-library/solar-eclipse-safety

A reminder to CTR families, all schools will be closed this Friday, March 30 for Good Friday and will remain closed until Monday, April 8 for the Easter break. Blessings to each one of you for a peaceful Easter!

Students! Recruitment for the 2024/25 Minister’s Youth Council has begun. The Ministry of Education is looking for approximately 40 junior and senior high school students between the ages of 14 and 19, with diverse interests, identities, backgrounds and perspectives from across Alberta to join next year's council. Of the 40 council members, they will accept up to eight returning members and at least 32 new members. Participating in the council will give students the opportunity to make an impact on Alberta’s education system, build their leadership skills, and leave a legacy that will last for generations to come. The deadline for students to apply is April 30, 2024. For more information, please visit https://www.alberta.ca/student-engagement#jumplinks-1

Christ The Redeemer (CTR) Catholic Schools is pleased to announce Aileen Taylor as Coordinator of Mental Health Services. For full announcement please visit our website: https://www.redeemer.ab.ca/news/staff-announcment-coordinator-of-mental-health-services-1711051331153

On this International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, CTR Catholic stands in solidarity with those who have suffered racism or prejudice. As reflected within our Catholic Social Teachings, every person is created in the image and likeness of God, and so deserves respect, dignity, and love. As a Catholic school division, it is not enough to value our diversity and inclusivity. Solidarity requires us to see the other as another self, suffer with them, and love them as we would want to be loved. Join us in prayer today as we ask our God, who stands in solidarity with us, to help us confront racism wherever it may be, and build a more just and peaceful world. 🙏

Please be advised that with the anticipated snow and winter-like driving conditions, there may be delays in bus services tomorrow in some, or all, of our communities. CTR Catholic will continue to monitor the weather and road conditions and notify our families by 6:30 tomorrow morning if buses aren’t running either through text, the Spotfinder app, or Southland drivers will reach out to families directly. Families can also check our website for up-to-date bus route information at https://www.redeemer.ab.ca/transportation-status or continue to monitor our social media. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate any deteriorating road conditions.

A reminder to families that Parent/Teacher Interviews will take place in the afternoon on Thursday, March 21 and there are no classes on Friday, March 22. Contact your school to set up an interview with your child's teacher.

CTR Catholic has been hosting Parent Faith Information Evenings across the division. Meaningfully engaging families is part of the new diocesan pastoral renewal, and we hope that these evenings will give parents some information into how we are forming our staff and students in the faith, how parents can bring our faith theme into your homes, and how parents can continue to support publicly funded Catholic education in Alberta. Thank you for your support for Catholic education and your attendance at these events!