Better Together

We are the Fort McMurray Catholic Schools family – that’s not just a statement, it is part of our sense of community. We are a family – we belong together, and together we are all stronger.

The Fort McMurray Catholic District (FMCSD) is now proud to have 12 schools in our family with the opening of Elsie Yanik Catholic School this fall in Parsons Creek. Over 6,000 students come through the doors of the Catholic schools, each year.

Superintendent George McGuigan says working with FMCSD is not a job “to be an educator requires a passion and vocation of a life of service. This is our calling for all who work within the Fort McMurray Catholic Schools family. It is who we are and what we are called to do.”

This year, we are very excited to expand programming for our youngest members, as Enhanced Kindergarten programming will be of great assistance to many families.

FMCSD Early Learning Consultant Janice Molloy shares it’s been well received by the community, “As soon as we were able to announce this in the spring, our families have been reaching out to us and register. We are very pleased to see how happy this pilot option of full-day kindergarten programming is making our families. It is them who we are here to support.”

In addition to Enhanced Kindergarten programming, we are increasing our Out of School Care programming with the opening of Elsie Yanik Catholic School.

It is an absolute honour to open a school with the name of this beloved Elder in our community. We are very excited to have the grand opening of Elsie Yanik Catholic School on September 25, 2018 (the day on what would have been her 101st birthday).

FMCSD provides the opportunity for all. From 10 Leader in Me elementary schools to two incredible high schools. Both of our high schools offer academy programming, and more dual credit opportunities come every year.

Holy Trinity High School is home to the beautiful Suncor Energy Centre for the Performing Arts. We are blessed to be able to use the facility daily.

Father Mercredi High School is home to the Science and Technology Centre that brings world-class opportunity to students on a day to day basis.

We have a Student Services team that goes above and beyond to make sure all students have an opportunity for success. We are proud of the work within the Fort McMurray Catholic Schools family and with our community involvement.

Fort McMurray Catholic Board of Education Chair Paula Galenzoski says it’s about always thinking of our children, “The Fort McMurray Catholic Schools family embodies the “student first” principle. We have an incredibly dedicated, faithful staff group that collectively believes in loving and caring for the development of faithful and engaged citizens, above and beyond their academic success. Student success is so much bigger than grades and academic outcomes. While those are an important part of our education goals, of course, our district empowers our students to know themselves, know their faith, and to learn and grow in the safest, caring places.”

Galenzoski explains we at Fort McMurray Catholic Schools are always moving forward preparing for the future and supporting families, “In Fort McMurray, we have such a diverse community of students and families. Our world is changing very quickly, and every day there are new and different career paths emerging,” she said.

“It is crucial that, as a district, we continue to learn and grow, and be adaptable to shifts in societal and cultural expectations. Our faith grounds us as we move through a world that is sometimes unfamiliar and uncertain, but the unfamiliar and uncertain can also be exciting.”

For the latest information on the Fort McMurray Catholic School District, please visit our website at fmcsd.ab.ca, search for the Fort McMurray Catholic District on Facebook, follow us on Twitter (@FMCSD) and find us on Instagram @fortmcmurraycatholicschools.

Did You Know?

• The FMCSD’s First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) high school completion rate is 90% – almost higher than the provincial average.
• All Fort McMurray Catholic elementary schools are ‘Leader in Me’ schools!
• Fort McMurray Catholic school’s ‘Out of School Care’ is available in nine elementary schools.

Photo: Sister Mary Phillips School staff and students show off their ‘Better Together’ spirits on May 22, 2018. Supplied photo