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<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">On Saturday, November 2, 2024, an Installation Mass and Ceremony were held for the new Holy Spirit Catholic School Division Superintendent of Schools, Ms. Chantel Axani. The Mass was held at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in South Lethbridge, officiated by Bishop William McGrattan from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The Installation Mass was well attended by Holy Spirit Catholic School Division staff, Board of Trustee members and supporters, as well as members of the Congregation. Holy Spirit is blessed to have Ms. Axani as our new Superintendent of Schools and we look forward to the incredible work she will be doing for the division and community.</span></p><table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 233.333px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/448e4c53-980a-4cc2-977c-70e7d2e72c25?fingerprint=ppb20251217011311" alt="IM2" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 233.333px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/2d77eeab-db8d-49ef-a506-6031eef67133?fingerprint=ppb20251217011121" alt="IM1" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 233.333px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/d8cbb77e-b14a-4d54-814f-0f0e2c48018f?fingerprint=ppb20251217012532" alt="IM6" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p></th></tr><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 233.333px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/85f72d93-d139-4edc-9c2d-d0c597acae34?fingerprint=ppb20251217011817" alt="IM3" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 233.333px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/a6d6318c-9748-4b9b-992b-d8da0762d1d4?fingerprint=ppb20251217012109" alt="IM5" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" style="text-align: center;"><br></p></td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 233.333px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/4adb86c2-2a28-43b4-ac0d-cb18e31ca5cd?fingerprint=ppb20251217011338" alt="IM4" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr"><u><b><strong class="editor-text-bold editor-text-underline" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Holy Spirit Catholic School Division to review attendance areas ahead of new West Lethbridge Elementary School opening in 2026</strong></b></u></h3><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The Holy Spirit Catholic School Division and Board of Trustees is getting ready for the exciting construction of our new West Lethbridge Elementary School and its opening in 2026. To prepare for this opening, we will be adjusting our attendance areas to ensure enrollment in this new school and others across Lethbridge is equalized. Due to increased enrollment across the division, we must also use this opportunity to alleviate enrollment pressures at schools across Lethbridge.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Holy Spirit’s Board Chair, Dr. Carmen Mombourquette, states “In each of the past three years our school division has grown in student enrollment equal to the size of a small elementary school. A benefit that will come with this new school will be an easing of the space crunch being faced in many of our schools.”</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">To ensure everyone’s needs are being met, we will be involving parents from all Lethbridge Holy Spirit Catholic School Division schools in the decision making process before we begin developing a plan. This will include Board of Trustee led community consultations on how to make these changes in a manner that best supports all students. We will use this feedback from the initial round of community consultations&nbsp; to inform the design of a tentative plan, which will once again be consulted on with parents prior to finalization. Parents will receive a direct invitation to the first community consultation via SchoolMessenger in early January 2025.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Mombourquette, affirms, “Through the process for setting new attendance boundaries parents will be first consulted and then a plan of action will follow. Parent voice is extremely important and valued and that is why we will talk first, show the current attendance data, get suggestions on a way forward, and then plan. We look forward to the engagement sessions and to hearing from you.”</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The new West Lethbridge Elementary School is a large project that we at the Holy Spirit Catholic School Division are excited to bring to the City of Lethbridge. Construction is anticipated to begin in fall of 2025 and expected to be fully operational and welcoming students in September 2026. The funding for the new West Lethbridge School was announced on April 27, 2023 prior to the Province of Alberta’s September 2024 funding announcement of $8.6 billion to build new schools in Alberta. The address of the new school is 423 Caledonia Blvd West. To view the exterior design of the new school as well as the interior floor plan and location, </span><a href="/documents/3a56ef98-228f-4b90-a78f-11644768383f/West%20Side%20School%20Floor%20Plan%2C%20Rendering%20and%20Overhead%20Map.pdf?fingerprint=ppb20251217011220" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Click Here</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Sincerely,</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Dr. Carmen Mombourquette, Board Chair</span><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Holy Spirit Catholic School Division Board of Trustees</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" style="text-align: start;"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><img src="/images/e0c0cc0e-680e-438c-a748-67d31bc733d9?fingerprint=ppb20251217012610" alt="ShoesforKids2" width="397.65625" height="264.961198317925" style="float:left"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Catholic Central High School, Faith-in-Action Students devote 40 hours in their grade 12 year to volunteer with local organizations. CCH believes this supports their students to demonstrate their faith and live the&nbsp;virtue of charity; specifically, supporting Non-profit organizations who could use an extra hand. CCH is very blessed to have this requirement for grade 12 graduating students as it sets them up to see the real world while opening students' eyes to support services heavily relied&nbsp;upon in the community.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">"Faith-in-Action gets us out into the community and show kindness and be helpful while giving the school a good name," said Grade 12 student, Papa Darku. "Since we're a Catholic School, I think it's important to do what God would do for others, be kind to others and go out into the community and help others."</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">"We have many grade 12's that have given 40 hours to various local non-profit organizations like the Soup Kitchen and other non-profits," said Mallory Kristjanson, a Family School Liasson Councillor with CCH and the President of Shoes for Kids YQL Foundation. "This is setting youth up to become not only future leaders but to also be able to understand that the reality and the struggle for many people in our community is real, including some of their friends."</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This year, three students, Austin Jones, Ronin Walcheske and Everett Hauck&nbsp;have stepped up to serve with Shoes for Kids YQL.&nbsp;These students believe that every child and youth in our community deserves a brand new pair of shoes. </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">"I think this is a great cause and I feel really good about myself because the kids need shoes and we're putting in this work which is really important," said Grade 12 student, Austin Jones. "I just think this is really great what we're doing to help the kids in our community and help everyone who needs a new pair of shoes."</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">"This year alone and this month alone, we have supported over 500 students with a brand new pair of shoes for the first month back into their education endeavors, for elementary, middle school and also high school students across southwest Alberta," said Kristjanson. "These students are supporting us by getting information letters out to local businesses. They are collaborating with their hockey teams, their friends, their family, just to get the word out that we have students in this community, in Lethbridge, who do not have a pair of shoes to be comfortable to attend school."</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">CCH students have been busy supporting Shoes for Kids with information letters out in the community, organizing and inventory counts of brand new shoes, along with getting shoes out into our community.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">To donate to Shoes for Kids YQL Foundation, you can drop off donations of new shoes at Freddie's Paint or make a cash donation at any local Royal Bank of Canada.</span></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><img src="/images/f39f0920-7cbd-4fdd-a5ce-9bcff7402f30?fingerprint=ppb20251217012729" alt="Chantal Axani" width="325.65625" height="325.65625" style="float:left"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Holy Spirit Catholic School Division is pleased to announce that Ms. Chantel Axani has accepted the role of Superintendent for the Holy Spirit Catholic School Division, beginning in November 2024.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Chantel Axani's 18-year journey at Lakeland Catholic School Division has been marked by unwavering dedication and a deep commitment to Catholic education. Serving as a teacher, administrator, and most recently as Deputy Superintendent, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the lives of over 2,700 students across Bonnyville, Cold Lake, Lac La Biche, and Weskatenau.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Axani's contributions extend beyond the classroom. Her leadership roles with the Council of Catholic School Superintendents of Alberta (CCSSA), including her current position as Vice President, demonstrate her commitment to advancing Catholic education on a provincial level.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Receiving her Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta and a Master's of Education from the University of Calgary, Axani brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. Her focus on curriculum, teaching, and learning has enabled her to foster a culture of leadership among her colleagues. Known for her tenacity and collaborative spirit, she has been instrumental in enhancing the quality of Catholic education and creating a supportive environment for both staff and students.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Axani's deep faith is evident in her leadership style. She embodies the spirit of a true disciple of Christ, leading prayers, delivering inspirational messages, and putting the needs of others before her own. As she assumes the role of Superintendent at Holy Spirit Catholic School Division, her commitment to serving the school community and her unwavering belief in the power of Catholic education will undoubtedly continue to inspire and guide her leadership.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">“The Board of Trustees is looking forward to Chantel Axani's leadership of the school division as we move into the second quarter of the 21st Century,” says Board Chair, Carmen Mombourquette. “Chantel has a distinguished record of school and school division leadership in Catholic education. Of particular note is Chantel's commitment to the faith and the ways in which it forms the basis of her leadership style. We warmly welcome Chantel and her family to the Holy Spirit family of schools."</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">“I am deeply humbled and excited to serve the students, staff and families of Holy Spirit Catholic School Division. I am honored to work alongside the Senior Administration team to continue to provide an excellent and faith filled education for all students," said Ms. Chantel Axani.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The 2024/2025 school year is about to begin and the Holy Spirit Catholic School Division can’t wait to see all the students back in class. To get everyone ready and back to school for the September 3</span><sup style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span>rd</span></sup><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> start, when it comes to busing for those traveling in and to Lethbridge, please head to the </span><a href="https://www.southland.ca/lethbridge/" class="editor-link"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Southland Transportation Ltd.</strong></b></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> website where you can find bus maps, routes and schedules.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Rural riders (From Coaldale, Coalhurst, Mountain Meadows, Picture Butte, Stirling) travelling into Lethbridge should look under the “CCHE / St. Francis / St. Mary / Rural” tab.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">In regards to the MyBusStop App, the School Codes can be found </span><a href="https://www.holyspirit.ab.ca/school_bus_codes" class="editor-link"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">here</strong></b></a><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">and you can view a breakdown of how to download and use the app on the </span><a href="https://www.holyspirit.ab.ca/mybusstopapp" class="editor-link"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Holy Spirit Catholic School Division website</strong></b></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">. Further information regarding busing and transportation can be found in our </span><a href="https://www.holyspirit.ab.ca/transportation" class="editor-link"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">“Transportation”</strong></b></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> section of the website here.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">In addition, messaging regarding busing for ALL LETHBRIDGE &amp; RURAL SCHOOLS will be changing this year. Route updates can now be found on our new and updated website by clicking on the bus icon in the top right corner of your school website or the "Transportation Status" button on the Menu Bar. This will include bus route delays and cancellations. We ask that parents and families please </span><u><b><strong class="editor-text-bold editor-text-underline" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">check this daily before sending students to wait at their bus stop as emails and texts won’t be sent out</strong></b></u><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">. Major alerts regarding things like snow days and Division wide route cancellations will still be sent out via email and texts as well as updated on the website. Messaging for some of our rural schools may still be sent out via update platforms from our partner school divisions. Holy Spirit Catholic School Division will ensure this information will be updated on school websites as soon as possible.&nbsp;School websites will have have their bus routes updated under the school bus icon and on the Transportation Status page as soon as the information is available to us.&nbsp;Please refer to your past method of checking bus route schedules until this issue has been resolved. </span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Please take note that this new method does not include any students/families that use a Blood Reserve Bus or a Peigan Board of Education Bus.</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">For further questions regarding transportation for the 2024/2025 school year, you can contact your school office.</span></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><img src="/images/57ff44bd-f68a-4790-bee0-29e592566111?fingerprint=ppb20251217011451" alt="Blackfoot Ceremony 20" width="inherit" height="inherit"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/cchschoolcougars/videos/857265358344298" target="_blank" title="Blackfoot Naming Ceremony Video" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Blackfoot Naming Ceremony Video</span></a></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">On Wednesday, October 28, 2020, a small group met in the Catholic Central High School Theatre to partake in a smudge, face painting, and special naming ceremony for the entire school by Kainai Elder, Tom Little Bear (Kaataomaahka - No Runner)</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Mr. Little Bear began by speaking about the cultural significance of the number “four,” and how appropriate it is that Catholic Central High School should be the fourth institution in the City of Lethbridge to receive a name.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">He went on to talk about his youth, explaining how fortunate he was to have a strong traditional Blackfoot upbringing, where his grandparents were leaders in the sacred community. Alongside his education at home, he experienced an education rooted in the Catholic faith having been a student of Ecole St. Mary, St. Francis Junior High School, and Catholic Central High School. Models of prayer were everywhere for him - in the morning seeing his grandmother greet Creator and creation, in the evening when his grandfather conducted smudges, and through the kindness and guidance of his teachers at school, some of whom were Sisters of the Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ).</span><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Woven into the story of his youth, Elder Little Bear spoke about the annual Sundance held on the Kainai reserve. This significant cultural event brings the Kainai people together to refresh themselves and reinforce their spiritual and traditional ties to the land, the Creator, and each other. He explained that, though many tipis gather at Sundance, it is always the centre tipi that is considered to be the most sacred.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">And, from this tale, he bestowed Catholic Central High School with its new name:</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Taatsikioyis - “Centre Tipi”</strong></b><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The sacred centre of one of the most important events in the Kainai tradition.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Those present were visibly moved.</span><br><br><img src="/images/355aa22e-89e2-546a-affc-03baa9ce7c3c?fingerprint=ppb20251217011152" alt="Joanne Polec, Emily Fox, and Annette Bruised Head around Tom Little Bear before he paints their faces." width="inherit" height="inherit"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Principal Joanne Polec remarked that, when she heard the name, “It truly felt like we were on holy ground, a most sacred space. Words cannot express how blessed I feel to have had the opportunity to be present in this moment of reconciliation today. Together with the administrative team, with the continued leadership of our Division First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Principal, Annette Bruised Head, and with the guidance and collaborative support from our elders and First Nations Workers, I have no doubt that we will endeavor to live up to the name we have been given.”</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">“I felt so privileged to have been a part of this powerful and beautifully moving ceremony; listening to Elder Tom Little Bear’s wisdom about the interconnectedness of our faith and the cultural beliefs and ways of being of our Blackfoot people,” said Superintendent Ken Sampson. “As a Catholic school division, we continue to be truly blessed by the presence and leadership of the First Nations people of our communities.”</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">“Many of our Blackfoot Community know the significance of the name and the honor to have received it is incredible,” expressed Annette Bruised Head, Division Principal of First Nations, Metis and Inuit Education. “In my experience of the Taatsikioyis, it is a place of sacredness, learning and relationship. It is where the Blackfoot gather each summer to renew our relationship with all creation and Creator. Now our school is the place where the spirit of that sacred renewal is lived out. Our Blackfoot students can be connected even further and come to fully realize the significance of learning and prayer, in the way that their parents, grandparents, and relatives who have attended our Holy Spirit Catholic Schools; and to fulfill the wishes of those that went before them...get an education, pray, and have courage.”</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Catholic Central High School’s new Blackfoot name will be prominently displayed in the school’s front foyer, reminding all who enter that they are in a sacred place.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/cchschoolcougars/videos/857265358344298/?notif_id=1603901401196207&amp;notif_t=page_post_reaction&amp;ref=notif" target="_blank" title="Opens the livestream of the ceremony in the CCH FB Page in a new window. " class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">livestream of the ceremony</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> can be accessed on the Catholic Central High School Facebook Page. For more information, please contact:</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Joanne Polec, Principal, Catholic Central High School</span><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Email: polecj@holyspirit.ab.ca</span><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Phone: 403-327-4596</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Ken Sampson, Superintendent, Holy Spirit Catholic School Division</span><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Email: superintendent@holyspirit.ab.ca</span><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Phone: 403-327-9555</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><a href="/documents/753d19eb-411e-5454-8606-ab6d33189c64?fingerprint=ppb20251217011700" target="_blank" title="Opens pdf of Press Release" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Printable version of release</span></a></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><img src="/images/0946fddb-edd6-5ddd-bae7-87a2d9286f19?fingerprint=ppb20251217010827" alt="All assembled pose for a picture" width="inherit" height="inherit"><br><i><em class="editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">From left to right: Elder Tom Little Bear, Division Principal Annette Bruised Head, CCH Associate Principal Lise Schmidt,</em></i><br><i><em class="editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">CCH Associate Principal Aaron Skretting, CCH Principal Joanne Polec, CCH Associate Principal Anthony Vercillo,</em></i><br><i><em class="editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">FNMI Support Worker Emily Fox, Trustee Danny Ponjavic, Superintendent Ken Sampson.&nbsp;</em></i></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br><br><br></p>