The Lloydminster Catholic School Division is looking to celebrate diversity, their expanding programs and faith as they go into their 60th year.
“As we welcome teachers that are coming to us from around the world with many languages and the number of students and the diversity that’s growing in our schools those are real elements to celebrate after 60 years,” says Director of Education Nigel McCarthy.
On Thursday, the teachers in the division came together to kick off the 2018-2019 school year with a day focused on personal professional development. The staff were accompanied by gospel singer Steve Angrisano who shared stories with the group of how to incorporate faith into their classrooms.
The school division will be basing their 60th year around the theme of Many and One, which is based off a song written by Angrisano.
“It was pretty rewarding to see that that was chosen as a theme because you write a song and you hope that it connects with people, but then it’s humbling to see that people know it and choose it.”
Kindergarten Teacher at Ecole St. Thomas Carmen Nahirney says they hope to integrate the theme throughout the year with music.
“We have assemblies together and our principal is going to instruct our students on our theme throughout the whole year. At the end of May, we will be gathering as a school division to celebrate World Catholic Education Day with all of our students and have a big celebration to end our 60th year. ”
Nahirney says the school divisions faith integration team has grown to have a faith leader in each school.
“In each local building, there’s somebody that you can come to if you have a question, if you’re unsure of how to approach a certain thing with your students, if you’re looking for resources or you need help with finding things for your classroom.”
Certain schools will be implementing new programs for the fall including, a new music and movement program, a ballet program and the expansion of their technology program. McCarthy says it is apparent that the school division is growing with their programs and enrolment as they approach 3,000 students this year.
“It’s never about the number. It’s about the successes you have with the children and the families that trust you, which is most important.”