Board News
June 20, 2022 Board News
Inclusion initiatives like Cup of Joe’s Coffee Shop, are helping students learn and prepare for an active role in the workplace. The Professional Learning Support Team and Catholic Family Services are supports available to our Division families.
École Catholique Louis Riel is on schedule to open this September. Staff transferring to the new school are packing and getting excited to move into their new classrooms at Louis Riel. In order to prepare for the move, the last school day for students at École St-Gérard is Friday June 24.
Construction on St. Patrick Catholic School has begun. The school is on schedule to open for September 2023.
The Board of Trustees approved the May 2022 GPCSD Four Year Assurance plan, which will focus on three goals: Inspiring Learners, Creating Connections, and Believing in the Love of Christ.
Sacrament Preparation is provided for grades 2, 3, and 6. Monthly Mass is celebrated at all schools. Our students are able to participate in social justice initiatives as a class, school and community.

May 30, 2022 Board News
High school graduation season is here! St. John Paul II is hosting grad on June 2 at 12:00 pm, and St. Joseph is hosting grad on June 3 at 12:00pm. All Grande Prairie graduation ceremonies will take place at the Bonnets Energy Centre. The St. Thomas More graduation ceremony will take place in Fairview on June 3 at 1:00pm.
St. Thomas More Travel Request - Ireland April 2023
The Board of Trustees approved students and staff of St. Thomas More Catholic School to travel to Ireland from April 6-15, 2023 with EF Tours.
Budget 2022-2023 Approval
The Board approved Budget 2022-2023. The Division is opening a new French Immersion school in September and expanding its programs, resulting in an increase in staffing FTE.
Our Board Meetings can be viewed here. https://www.gpcsd.ca/apps/pages/BoardMeetingVideos
- The local GrACE committee planted trees at every school to celebrate Catholic Education week.
- Grade 6 students participated in faith retreats to prepare for the sacrament of Confirmation.
- Three representatives from Camp St. Martin visited all GPCSD schools to share upcoming Summer Camp opportunities.

May 9, 2022 Board News
St John Paul II and St. John Bosco’s graduation celebrations are on Thursday June 2nd. St. Joseph and St. Thomas More are on Friday June 3rd.
- The local GrACE committee will be planting trees at each school to celebrate Catholic Education week 2022.
- This year’s theme is Rebuild, Restore, and Renew Together.
- Across Alberta, Catholic schools are celebrating Catholic Education week with a host of activities and ceremonies.
Secretary Treasurer Chelsea Nestibo presented the 2022-2023 draft budget to the Board.

April 25, 2022 Board News
1. Students Arrive from Ukraine
In April, the Division welcomed two new Ukrainian students into our schools, as a part of the ongoing efforts to assist families displaced by the conflict in Ukraine.
Every year across Alberta, unique courses are developed by various school divisions. The Board approved the 2022-2023 list of Senior High Locally Developed Courses for GPCSD high schools.
3. School Travel Requests
The Board of Trustees approved requests for St. Mary Catholic School (Beaverlodge) students to travel to Toronto from May 17-28 2023 and St. John Paul II Catholic School students to travel to Switzerland from April 6-16 2023.
- Holy Week occurred and schools took part in Easter ceremonies.
- Grade 6 students began preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation.
- Students took part in Earth Day prayers and activities centered around Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’.
- Catholic Education Week is May 24-27.

March 21, 2022 Board News
1. ASBA Friends of Education Award
The Board of Trustees selected the GPCSD Education Foundation, as their 2022 Alberta School Board Association Friend of Education nominee.
The Board of Trustees selected St. Mary Beaverlodge Grade 2 teacher Madisyn Gorman as their 2022 ASBA Edwin Parr Award nominee. Congratulations Madisyn!
3. Naming of O’Brien Lake West Catholic School
Administration will be engaging with stakeholders to provide suggestions for names for the O’Brien Lake West School facility. Three choices will be brought forward to the Board, for consideration at the April 25, 2022 Board Meeting.
Our Board Meetings can be viewed here. https://www.gpcsd.ca/apps/pages/BoardMeetingVideos
- There was Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday kicking off the season of Lent.
- The National Evangelization team (NET) visited schools, providing faith retreats for all Grade 8 and 10 students.
- Staff had the opportunity to attend mentorship and faith formation sessions.
- Students participated in celebrations for the sacraments of First Eucharist and Reconciliation.

February 14, 2022 Board News
Our Board Meetings can be viewed here. https://www.gpcsd.ca/apps/pages/BoardMeetingVideos
Celebrating our Faith
Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday
The Lenten season is fast approaching, beginning with Shrove Tuesday on March 1 and Ash Wednesday March 2.
January 31, 2022 Board News
Henri Chauvet, Michel Lemay, and Roger Lauck presented three scenarios regarding the utilization of O'Brien Lake West and the current École St-Gérard.
We are asking families for their feedback on each scenario from the GPCSD Facility Utilization presentation. Results will be gathered and submitted to the Board for review. Access to the feedback form can be found at www.gpcsd.ca.
Grande Prairie & District Catholic Schools welcomed new Trustee Gaytane Moskalyk. She was sworn in and joined the Board at the January 31st Public Board Meeting.
Our Board Meetings can be viewed here. https://www.gpcsd.ca/apps/pages/BoardMeetingVideos
Celebrating our Faith
All GPCSD Schools participated in a variety of faith-based activities during the week of prayer for Christian unity. There were classroom prayers, a high school bible study and reflection activities.
Eucharist prep has started in grade 3 classes across the District.
All schools in the District were provided with copies of liturgical year resources; Daily Prayer 2022, 2022 Ordo, and Children's Daily Prayer 2021-2022.
December 20, 2021 Board News
-Completing Christmas cards for soldiers stationed overseas
-Assisting local parishes with snow removal and organizing food donations
-Raising money to support local children with medical needs
-Supporting local food banks in our regional communities
-Sewing hats for the St. Lawrence Centre.

November 22, 2021 Board News
Learn more about our school division by checking out the full AERR report at https://www.gpcsd.ca/apps/pages/plans
The Board had a discussion on the status of the St. Patrick replacement school project and the current St. Gérard facility.
A By-Election is being held in Ward 3 Fairview and the surrounding area. The deadline for candidates to submit nominations is noon December 13, 2021.
Celebrating our Faith
Over 300 students across grades 2, 3 and 6 registered for Sacramental Preparation for 2022. Teachers who are new to those grades will receive Professional Development around the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation.
All grade four students will receive the gift of a bible. These bibles are presented to students at a local bible celebration.
Schools will be offering virtual Christmas concerts and Advent Celebration throughout the month of December.
November 1, 2021 Board News
Board Meeting Highlights
Our new Board Chair is Russ Snoble and our new Vice-Chair is Michelle Boisvert. Congratulations!
Our Board Chair Russ Snoble will represent our district at the Grande Prairie Remembrance Day ceremony on November 11th. All schools will acknowledge Remembrance Day in a variety of ways.
We are proud of our Catholic schools! Our latest report from Alberta Education shows that stakeholder satisfaction remains high, particularly in areas such as Student Engagement, Citizenship, Education Quality, Safe and Caring Environments, Access to Supports, and Parental Involvement.
Our Board Meeting can be viewed here: https://www.gpcsd.ca/apps/pages/BoardMeetingVideos
Celebrating our Faith
Catholic Education Sunday is Nov 7th. This year’s theme is Rebuild, Restore, Renew Together. Catholic Education Sunday is an annual event that serves to celebrate the importance and critical role that our Catholic schools play in the province of Alberta. Our trustees will be attending mass in each of the local parishes. We welcome you to join us!