Superintendent's Message
Superintendent’s Message
2010-2011 has been another exciting and successful year for Yellowknife Catholic Schools. Our priorities, as identified by the Board of Trustees, continue to focus on three areas:
Spirituality
Academic excellence with a focus on literacy
Aboriginal Student Achievement
We continue to make strides in all these areas and search for new initiatives to put in place to continue to strengthen our programming and increase student achievement. During the 2010–11 school year we were proud to be the first district in the NWT to offer Advanced Placement in Math and English as ESPHS was approved as a certified Advance Placement school. This opportunity was also available in French Language Arts to our French Immersion students. This program continues to grow next year beginning in Grade 9 with Pre-Advanced Placement courses.
Each of our schools have identified a specific topic to work on in relation to their instructional focus. ESJS will be placing a stronger focus on critical thinking skills, WCS on literacy support at all levels for those struggling to those who need enrichment, and ESPHS will continue to move forward on the use of formative assessment to improve student achievement.
In the Spirituality aspect, our theme “Hearts On Fire” challenged students and staff to take a look at how they could ignite their spiritual fire and reach out to those in need. There were many social justice activities that schools have been involved in both in the community of Yellowknife, in the NWT and for third world countries. Our parents and the community of Yellowknife, as a whole, have always been and continue to be very generous when it comes to the fundraisers that our students have been involved in.
For the 2011-12 year we have chosen ”Just Believe” as our theme. We are looking forward to where this theme can take us in working with both staff and students. There are many aspects to this theme. First of all “Just Believe” in God to be there to support you and guide you in whatever you are doing. “Just Believe” in yourself and your potential, your gifts from God. “Just Believe” in others and what they have to offer to help make this world a good place to live in.
Our Do Edaezhe project expanded this year to students from Grades 1-5. We are very pleased with the results that we are beginning to see from this project in the areas of student attendance, increased participation in school activities, increased parent involvement and the development of leadership skills in our youth. We look forward to the benefits that will be gained over the next three years as we continue to receive funding from the Federal government.
Technology has been a strong focus in our schools for several years but over the past few years we have been striving to increase the use of technology throughout all subject areas. We are very excited as we move into a new year whereby all students from Grades 1-8 at Weledeh Catholic School will have their own computer for use both in the classroom and at home.
Our Bilingual Pre-school program at ESJS was a great success and will continue to be a part of our programming. This allows parents to have their children get exposure to what it is like to learn a second language and assist parents in making decisions as to whether to enroll their child in French Immersion or English Kindergarten.
I have only touched on a few initiatives taking place in our district. The opportunities provided for our students both in and out of the classroom continue to amaze me. We are blessed to have such dedicated staff and supportive parents. For more information please visit us any time at ycs.nt.ca.
Claudia Parker, Superintendent
He took a little child and put it among them; and taking it into his arms, he said to them,
"Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me." (Mark 9:36)