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Red Deer Catholic announces education funding distribution

Jun 16, 2017 | 2:59 PM

In June 2017, the Red Deer Regional Catholic Education Foundation announced funding for 16 school based projects ($31,722) and two Division projects ($13,978) for a total of $50,000. In addition to funding these projects, the Foundation will award $2,500 in scholarships to five students during the fall of 2017.

School Based Projects

1. École Camille J. Lerouge School – Ambassadors Group

Grade 8 and 9 students will have the opportunity to participate in an Ambassadors Group, who are responsible for representing the school at masses, celebrations and special events. This group will inspire students to model the actions of Jesus as a school leader. This initiative has been allocated $500.

2. École Camille J. Lerouge School – Making a Prayer Table at Home Project

Grade 2 students will bring home a backpack filled with items to create a prayer table and examples of different types of prayer (praying in colour, rote prayers, intentions and meditations). A journal will be included in the backpack that students will use to draw or write about their use of prayer centre, a favourite prayer or an intention. This project was given $800.

3. École Mother Teresa Catholic School – Hands of Mother Teresa

An ambassador group will be developed to foster a missionary spirt in the school. Students will be able to help the school community by organizing charitable initiatives, performing tours, facilitating wellness programs, arranging special events and welcoming families at celebrations. This initiative has been allocated $2500.

4. École Our Lady of the Rosary School – Bridging the Gap

The school will continue to partner with Sylvan Lake’s seniors lodges and extended care centres to bridge the gap between generations. This project goal is to improve the well-being for all who participate by showing regardless of age; everyone can make a difference in the lives of others. This project has been given $500.

5. Father Henri Voisin School – Packing up for Literacy

Grade 5 students will create literacy backpacks for elementary students. These backpacks will contain pictures and a variety of activities which will incorporate reading, writing, speaking, listening and viewing to help the reader better understand the text. This allows students to foster an enjoyment of reading and help students become stronger in their literacy skills. This project has been given $600.

6. Father Henri Voisin School – Servant Leadership

Grade 5 students can participate in a servant leadership group, which serves the school community. Students will be able to take on leadership roles as faith, literacy, and active living mentors, as well as participating in literacy, spirit, art, games and technology groups. This initiative has been allocated $1000.

7. Holy Family School – Living the Faith Retreats

Students in Grade 1 to 5 will attend Our Lady of Victory Camp for a full day to focus on the virtues of friendship and kindness. These retreats will have emphasis on empowering students with a missionary spirit to be transformational in society. This initiative has been allotted $4500.

8. Holy Trinity Catholic School – Positive Mental Health Resources

The school will use the allotted $3300 in funds towards self-regulation items and resources to help students strive for positive mental health. These tools allow students to focus on their needs, such as self-control, social skills, self-esteem, anxiety, etc.

9. Maryview School – Our Lady of Victory Camp Retreat

Students in Grade 3 to 5 attend Our Lady of Victory Camp for a full-day of faith-based activities that are based on the faith theme “All are welcome. All belong.” This retreat offers students to encounter Jesus, the Bible and a prayer community. This initiative has been allocated $1240.

10. Maryview School – Passionate Leaders

Teachers will select students in Grades 3 to 5 who excel in their studies and have leadership potential will be invited spend a day with community experts in an effort to discover, develop and deepen their passion for an area of study. Seminar topics include: faith leaders, newspaper reporters, engineers, architects, city council/mayor, farmers, criminologists, scientists, bankers, etc. Students will also have the opportunity to choose a service group to work with, such as Ronald McDonald House. This program has been allotted $1432.

11. St. Elizabeth Seton School – Kind Kids Club

A Kind Kids Club will be developed for Grade 3 to 5 students to create and enhance the school community. This group will organize school activities, promote positive mental health and implement initiatives to improve the well-being of students by using the medicine wheel as a guide. This project has been given $600.

12. St. Francis of Assisi Middle School – Living the Faith Retreats

Grade 7 and 8 students will attend retreats at Our Lady of the Victory Camp that focus on faith development and confirmation. This initiative has been allotted $4050.

13. St. Francis of Assisi Middle School – Health & Wellness Project

As a continuation of a positive mental and physical health program that was developed last September, students will be able to participate again in this project for the upcoming school year. The goal of this project is for students to develop leadership skills and modelling positive behaviours, while improving aspects of mental and physical health. This project has been given $2500.

14. St. Joseph High School – Chapel Supplies

The school will purchase a mass kit to allow students to participate regularly in mass, which emphasizes the centrality of the Eucharist while forming leaders inspired by Christ and His Church. The school has been given $6000 for these supplies.

15. St. Teresa of Avila School – Bucket Filling for Jesus Retreat

The Bucket Filling Brigade is a group of Grade 4 and 5 students who choose to be leaders in the school community. Students who are part of this group support mental, emotional and physical health initiatives. The program has been allotted $900.

16. St. Teresa of Avila School – Kind Kids Club

In response to high demand and increased number of students, the Kind Kids Club will continue next year at the school. This group meets weekly to discuss and create activities to promote faith, kindness, acceptance and positive mental health in the school community. This initiative has been given $600.

17. St. Thomas Aquinas Middle School – Faith Retreats

Grade 7 and 9 students will participate in NET retreats in the fall, which focus on kindness and mercy in relationships, as well as God’s love. Grade 6 and 8 students will Our Lady of Victory Camp and be involved in a variety of faith-based games, sessions, skits, music, and prayer. These retreats have been allotted $5000.

Division Wide Initiatives

1. Middle School Faith Day

In conjunction with youth ministry, middle school students will get the opportunity to participate in a Faith Day at St. Joseph High School. This event will allow students to grow in the Catholic faith and become leaders in their schools. $4000 has been allocated towards this event.

2. RDCRS READS 2017 Summer Reading Program

The RDCRS READS Summer Reading Program is an exciting way to encourage our students to read throughout the summer months. Sixteen of our schools have chosen to participate in this program with approximately 2,600 students involved in the summer of 2016. $9978 has been allotted towards this program.