Superintendent's Letter to RDCRS Parents, Guardians and Staff - February 2023

February 28, 2023

Dear Parents, Guardians and RDCRS Staff,

As February comes to a close, Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools (RDCRS) is thankful to the many people involved in working alongside our students in extracurricular activities including staff, parents, and community volunteers. We have experienced a very successful basketball season, outstanding school productions, and rewarding community service projects.

This past Wednesday, RDCRS staff within our school communities came together to receive ashes on their foreheads to recognize Ash Wednesday. This very special day within the Catholic faith, marks 40 days before Easter and the beginning of Lent, allowing us time to focus our hearts on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. As the first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday awakens us to Jesus’ entry into the desert preceding his death.

Throughout Lent, the symbol I hold very close to my heart is that of Jesus’ cross. I am reminded by Bishop Baron that Jesus is telling all of us to actively take up our crosses, to seek them out, and to carry them as he willingly carried his. Baron says, “What Jesus did on the cross, was to bear the burden of the world’s sin and he bore our burdens with unconditional love.” I encourage you to actively seek out ways to lighten other people’s loads. As you go throughout these next 40 days with your family on this Lenten journey, please look for ways to carry others' crosses, to help lighten their loads. It's in the little things that give the greatest impact in life; a smile, a hug, a thank you, a compliment. They, in turn, may do the same for you.

This month was also a time for learning for our staff. After the Family Day long weekend, staff engaged in a Division-wide Professional Development (PD) Day where 160 sessions were provided by Division staff. A huge congratulations and thank you to the ATA Local PD Chairperson and the PD Chairs from our school communities who helped in planning and implementing this day of learning. In addition, many thanks to the various presenters who unselfishly shared their knowledge and expertise with our staff. We are so very appreciative to all who made the Division PD Day a huge success! Staff were also involved in school-based PD as well as the annual two-day Teachers’ Convention.

As we continue to prepare for the opening of St. Lorenzo Ruiz, the core team has compiled data on grandfathering and continued focus remains on ensuring an efficient transportation system is in place as per the guidelines established by the Board of Trustees. Please see the January 2023 Superintendent Parent letter for this information.

A reminder to families who are choosing to grandfather, transportation will be provided for one year only. Following that year, transportation will be at the parents' expense and responsibility to organize their child(ren)’s transportation, for example, The City of Red Deer Transit System. Red Deer Catholic busing will not be available to transport your child after the grandfathering year. This may impact your decision-making in regard to grandfathering. If you are unsure of what school is your child's catchment school, please access the boundary information on our Division website by clicking here. Please contact your school administrator if you need assistance.

As March approaches, parent-teacher interviews will take place and provide a unique opportunity for families and teachers to collaborate, celebrate student success and focus on areas that need strengthening. Parents and teachers have an important partnership in supporting children’s learning and these conferences are a great forum to help promote positive outcomes. Thank you for working together with your children’s teachers and schools in a meaningful way as you engage in conversations on your child’s learning journey.

Wishing you continued blessings on your Lenten journey; a time to turn our hearts to God and reflect.

God bless,

Dr. Kathleen Finnigan

Superintendent