It is the most wonderful time of year! It’s almost back to school time! We at Fort McMurray Catholic Schools are very excited to welcome everyone back for the 2018/19 school year. We look forward to another great year of celebrating learning and achievement!
This year we are celebrating the opening of Elsie Yanik Catholic School in Parsons Creek! The grand opening is only a month away now! We are also celebrating Enhanced Kindergarten Programming in several elementary schools. Our high schools are always pillars in the community and we are in awe of the skills our students are able to show us each and every year.
Fort McMurray Catholic Board of Education Chair Paula Galenzoski is thankful for all of the work that has happened over the summer, “Welcome back to our returning staff, and a huge welcome to new staff joining us for the first time! And as always, we are so thankful for the administrative and maintenance staff who work tirelessly through the summer so every child is welcomed into a clean, safe, school. We know our teaching and support staff never really stop thinking about their students even on summer holidays, but we really hope everyone got some rest, some sun, and lots of sleep!”
Fort McMurray Catholic Schools Superintendent George McGuigan says the start of a school year always brings a sense of renewal, “Back to school each year represents a new beginning. For students, it is full of optimism to have a great year, renew friendships, develop new ones. It is our responsibility to ensure that optimism maintains and ultimately, grows. For me, personally, love the excitement of seeing colleagues, parents and students, sharing stories of our summer experiences.”
Chair Galenzoski says it’s always a good time of year when it’s this time of year, “Back to school is always exciting for me to see the kids reunite with friends they haven’t seen all summer, and there’s always a bit of relief for me to get back to some structure. For our board of trustees, I’m very much looking forward to going through some critical strategic planning for the board and district, and to continue to get to know and work together as a team. The stronger we are as a leadership team, we can do so much more for our students, families, and staff.”
“Each year is different,” adds McGuigan, “That’s why I love Education, there is always something new. I look forward to continued student success and being able to celebrate it. It’s who we are as a Catholic School System. Fort McMurray Catholic Schools is blessed to have a dedicated staff. Whether it be a teacher, EA, Admin Assistant,CEC staff or caretaker, we all have a role to play. We all share a common bond of seeing that roll as a vocation. We truly are a family.”
If you have a question about back to school this year, please contact your neighbourhood school or read our Back to School guide on our website and social media. The first day of school is September 4th, 2018. Have a great 2018/19 school year!
