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Thinking of Running as a Catholic School Trustee? A Handbook for Prospective Candidates

This handbook has been created to guide prospective candidates - both new and incumbents - as you consider running in the next municipal election. It provides essential information about the role of Catholic school board trustees, and the unique mission of publicly funded Catholic education. 

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Strong Catholic school board trustees are essential for guiding separate schools in their mission to integrate faith and education. They play a pivotal role in shaping policies that reflect our Catholic values, supporting students in their spiritual, academic, and personal growth, and ensuring that the distinctive identity of publicly funded Catholic education is preserved for future generations. 

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Catholic Ed Talks takes place on the second Wednesday of every month at 7:30pm MT

  • February 2024, Kate Mallon, Executive Director, GrACE & Michael Hauptman: "From Maintenance to Mission: Strengthening the Sacred Triad."
  • March 2024, Dr. Caroline Maillet-Rao, Elle est coordonnatrice du Conseil pour l’éducation de la foi chez les francophones de l’Alberta (CÉFFA) et conseillère pédagogique en catholicité/spiritualité pour deux conseils scolaires: Conseil Scolaire Centre-Nord et Conseil Scolaire Centre-Est, sous le titre d’Animatrice de la Vie Spirituelle et de l’Engagement Communautaire: "La place de la religion catholique dans notre société moderne"
  • April 2024, TBC
  • May 2024, TBC
  • June 2024, TBC

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2025 ACSTA Symposium

Friday, February 21st - Saturday, February 22nd

Corpus Christi Parish Hall - 2707 34 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6T 1P5

 The role of Catholic school trustees has become increasingly crucial—and increasingly complex.

On February 21 and 22, we invite you to join us for the 2025 Alberta Catholic School Trustees’ Association (ACSTA) Symposium. This event will provide clarity on the role of the trustee, their legal and fiduciary responsibilities, and their capacity to fulfill these responsibilities while preserving constitutionally established Catholic education.

Together, we will address the challenges that have contributed to the erosion of Catholic school trusteeship and discuss actionable strategies for bringing renewed purpose and relevance to this role.

Grounded in the theme, "Answering the Call with a Servant’s Heart," the symposium will be guided by the inspiring words of the prophet Isaiah: “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here I am; send me.’”

 

 Program        Register Now

 

speakers 

Archbishop Emeritus Thomas Cardinal Collins will inspire with his insights on evangelical stewardship, calling trustees to nurture both the students and the faith that defines Catholic education.

*Speaker Added* Honourable Adriana Lagrange will speak to her experience as Alberta's Minister of Education, President of ACSTA, President of CCSTA and trustee for Red Deer Catholic. 

The Honourable Madame Justice Anna Loparco will shed light on the constitutional roots of Catholic education and the pivotal role of Catholic trustees in Alberta.

Dr. Dwayne Zarichny, Superintendent of Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education, will share practical strategies for trusteeship, focusing on governance, leadership, and fostering faith-centered school communities.

Dr. Dean Sarnecki, Trustee with Elk Island Catholic Schools, will address the evolving role of Catholic trusteeship, balancing commitment to faith with innovative, Gospel-aligned governance.

Accommodation:

Edmonton Hotel & Convention Centre
A limited number of rooms have been blocked from Wednesday, February 19th, to Saturday, February 22nd, for the guests attending the Symposium.  To obtain the special discounted rate, rooms must be reserved prior to Wednesday, February 19, 2025. Reservation requests received after this date may be at a higher rate per night.

Click here to book your accommodation

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The ACSTA's annual Blueprints Retreat brings together members of the Catholic school communities to collaborate and explore current issues in Catholic education.

Featured for Catholic School-based Administrators, Catholic Central Office Administrators, Catholic Trustees, Curriculum Leaders, Parish Priests and Religious Leaders.

 

2025 Blueprints Retreat

Tuesday, May 6th - Friday, May 9th

Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge                                                                                                

1 Centennial Drive, Kananaskis Village, Alberta T0L 2H0  Canada   Phone:  403/591-7711 / Map and Directions

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Join us for a transformative retreat journey in 2025, as we embrace the Jubilee theme through scripture, reflection, and community!

The ACSTA's annual Blueprints Retreat brings together members of the Catholic school communities to collaborate and explore current issues in Catholic education.

Blueprints is featured for Catholic School-based Administrators, Catholic Central Office Administrators, Catholic Trustees, Curriculum Leaders, Parish Priests and Religious Leaders.

Led by David Wells, this year's retreat dives into St. John’s Gospel, exploring the bread of heaven as a symbol of communion with God and each other. Discover how we are nourished, awakened, and sent forth to become what we have received.

Blueprints will conclude with a collaborative and Spirit-led discernment session, culminating in reflections on hope as our foundation, inheritance, and legacy.

Let us gather to rest, renew, and journey together in hope, inspired by God’s Word and guided by the insights of Spes non Confundit.

 

2025 Blueprints Program      Poster      Attend Blueprints for Credit!

REGISTER HERE

Registration Fee:  $930.00 (GST exempt)

The fee includes registration, materials and meals (Accommodation is not included)

ACSTA must receive all registrations no later than Monday, April 7, 2025.

Invoice/Payments:  The registration fee can be paid via e-transfer (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), or a check can be mailed to ACSTA, Suite #205, 9940 - 106 Street, Edmonton AB T5K 2N2. If you have any further questions about the payments, please call 780-484-6209 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  All payments must be received prior to the Retreat. Thank you.

Music:  If you play a musical instrument, please bring it to the Retreat and join in the daily celebrations and social get-togethers.

Please note:  This is a working Retreat; all components of the program (daytime and evening) are an integral part of the Retreat and are designed to build community among the Retreat participants. Therefore, bringing spouses and other family members who are not registered is not encouraged.

Due to health regulations, Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge does not allow pets in any gathering and eating areas (this includes the Gold/Silver Room, Bronze Room, Convention Lobby, Walker Room, Champion Room, Rockies Room, Sinclair Room, Conference Boardroom, and Pocaterra Room). Please respect other participants' comfort and those who have allergies.   https://lodgeatkananaskis.com/stay/pet-policy/

If your registration confirmation email does not arrive in your inbox, please check your spam or junk email folder.

Cancellations:  The Registration fee is non-refundable; however, replacement names will be accepted.

Terms and Conditions:  If you have any concerns about the information that is submitted through this form, please read the ACSTA Privacy Statement https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eDsQQr-RqK50qccqEcCEeqPbUKI0tE3X/view?usp=sharing . The registrant consents to the use of his/her image or likeness incidental to any transmission or reproduction of the event.

Accommodation

​Please get in touch with the ACSTA Office (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) if you are having trouble reserving a room under the ACSTA Room Block.

 

We kindly request that you book your hotel accommodations only after completing your registration. This process will allow ACSTA to manage the room block effectively and ensure availability for all registered participants.

A room block is reserved by the ACSTA for Blueprints from Tuesday, May 6 - Friday, May 9, 2025. The registration fee for the Retreat does not include accommodation. You are responsible for booking and paying for your own accommodation directly with the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge.

To ensure a smooth and organized process, we will be monitoring the room block and verifying that bookings are made in accordance with your registration. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping us facilitate these arrangements.

Occupancy for Single, Double, Lofts and upgrades are available. If you are sharing a room with another registrant(s), you are personally responsible for any arrangements for the room and charges.

You can enhance your stay with Marriott Bonvoy Points. For more information, please visit https://www.marriott.com/loyalty.mi

To book your room, the following are available:

All reservations must be accompanied by a first-night room deposit or guaranteed with a major credit card. The hotel will not hold any reservations unless secured by one of the above methods.

Your special group rate (Start Date: Monday, May 05, 2025 - End Date: Thursday, May 08, 2025):  Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, Autograph Collection for $237.00 CAD - $337.00 CAD per night.

Cut-Off Date:  Reservations by attendees must be received on or before Monday, April 7, 2025, for Blueprints.

 

 

 

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ACSTA Website Tutorial

 

Rich Text Editor Tutorial

 

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Catholic schools are part of the dual system of public education in Alberta. They are publicly-funded, and operate under the same provincial legislation (the Education Act) as non-Catholic public schools. Catholic schools have been operating in Alberta since the 1840's, before Alberta became a province of Canada.

But what is unique about Catholic schools? The Declaration on Christian Education, published in 1965 following the Second Vatican Council, describes the purpose of a Catholic school as trying "to relate all of human culture to the good news of salvation, so that the light of faith will illumine everything that the students will gradually come to know about the world, about life, and about the human person." Parents, teachers, administrators, trustees, and the entire Catholic community are entrusted in this vital mission.

Parents are recognized as the primary educators of their children, and they choose how their children will be formally educated. Teachers play a crucial role in leading students to an understanding of the world which is illuminated by "the light of faith", and administrators create the environment in which this understanding takes place. The Catholic community is involved through local parishes, which work closely with schools in areas such as sacramental preparation; individually, through the allocation of property taxes; and through the Church, represented by the local Bishop, who is responsible for approving the religious education program taught in the school.

Catholic trustees have a significant role within this partnership. They oversee the operation of their local school district on behalf of the provincial government, and on behalf of the Catholic community who elect them. As such, they are both political and faith leaders in their communities. To support trustees in this unique role, and provide an opportunity to discuss and report on issues significant to Catholic education across the province, the ACSTA was formed in 1966.

As an incorporated society, the ACSTA operates under a set of objectives, and is guided by a mission statement which is developed and approved by the membership.

Today, the Alberta Catholic School Trustees' Association (ACSTA) represents all 24 Catholic anglophone and francophone school boards, and 153 trustees, who in turn serve more than 183,500 students in 450 Catholic schools. Our membership includes the Catholic districts of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories, Yukon Territory and Lloydminster, which is designated as both an Alberta and Saskatchewan jurisdiction. The non-denominational St. Paul Education Regional Division is also a member of ACSTA.

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Bylaws

Policy Handbook

Strategic Plan

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