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Together We Belong: Honouring Family, Teachers and Community
February offers our Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD) community a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the relationships that sustain us—within our families, our schools, and the broader community we serve. Rooted in our shared commitment to dignity, respect, and care for one another, these values guide our work as a Board and shape the learning environments we strive to provide for every student entrusted to us.
Family Day reminds us that family lies at the heart of Catholic education. Families are a child’s first teachers, nurturing faith, values, and a sense of belonging long before a child enters the classroom. It is a privilege for our schools to walk alongside families in this shared responsibility, strengthening partnerships that support the growth and well-being of every student.
February also includes the Alberta Teachers’ Association annual Teachers’ Convention, a time dedicated to professional learning, collaboration, and renewal. I am deeply grateful for the dedication of our teachers and staff, whose commitment to continual growth reflects their deep care for students. Each day, they do more than deliver curriculum—they inspire curiosity, build confidence, and help students discover their God-given potential.
This month, our schools recognize Black History Month, honouring the histories, contributions, and lived experiences of individuals whose impact continues to shape our communities and our country. This learning encourages reflection, respectful dialogue, and a deeper understanding of the diversity that enriches our schools. Grounded in our Catholic belief that each person is created in the image and likeness of God, these conversations affirm human dignity and foster a sense of belonging.
February also marks Anti-Bullying Week, including Pink Shirt Day, a visible reminder of our shared responsibility to create safe, respectful, and welcoming school communities. In our Catholic schools, respect for the dignity of every person is foundational. Creating environments where students feel safe, valued, and heard requires the collective commitment of educators, families, and students to choose kindness, speak up for one another, and act with compassion. As Scripture reminds us, “Encourage one another and build one another up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
Together, these events invite us to reflect on what it truly means to be a faith-filled community – strengthened through partnership and sustained by mutual care and respect. As a Board, we remain committed to responsible stewardship, ensuring our decisions reflect our Catholic identity and support environments where students and staff can thrive academically, spiritually and socially.
May we continue to walk together as a district, guided by faith and united in our shared mission to grow in hope and compassion – Creating Calgary Catholic Together.
Lory Iovinelli, Chair, CCSD Board of Trustees
