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Grand Opening of St. Lorenzo Ruiz Middle School: A State-of-the-Art Learning Haven in Red Deer

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1 year ago

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Atticus and Amelia Graham, the first two students registered with St. Lorenzo Ruiz Middle School, cut the ceremonial ribbon at the St. Lorenzo Ruiz Middle School grand opening on October 26 as dignitaries look on. From left to right: RDCRS Board Vice-Chair Dorraine Lonsdale, RDCRS Board Chair Murray Hollman, Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides, and Red Deer Mayor Ken Johnston.

News release from Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools

Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools is delighted to announce the successful grand opening of St. Lorenzo Ruiz Middle School.

This momentous event took place on October 26, 2023, in Red Deer’s Kentwood neighbourhood. The school, with its innovative design and cutting-edge facilities, represents a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to providing exceptional educational experiences for students in grades 6 to 9.

St. Lorenzo Ruiz Middle School was delivered using Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) methodology utilizing the expertise of the design and construction team from conceptualization through construction.

The IPD team consisted of Group2 Architecture, WSP Mechanical Engineering, WSP Electrical Engineering, Read Jones Christofferson Engineering, Clark Builders, World Class Contracting, AltaPro Electric, Collins Steel, Kerr Interiors and KTJ Consulting.

Clark Builders, the project’s contracted construction company, along with the remainder of the IPD team played a pivotal role in turning the architectural vision into reality. The successful completion of this ambitious project underscores the commitment and professionalism of the  entire construction team.

Construction of the two-storey school commenced in early 2022, and the successful opening marks the realization of a collaborative effort between educators, community members, and the build team.

Murray Hollman, Chair of the Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools Board of Trustees, expressed his delight, saying, “The opening of St. Lorenzo Ruiz Middle School is a testament to our commitment to providing students with an exceptional learning environment. This school represents not only bricks and mortar but also dreams and opportunities for the future. We are proud to offer a space that encourages students to explore their passions and reach their full potential.”

Superintendent Kathleen Finnigan shared her excitement for the new school, stating, “St. Lorenzo Ruiz Middle School reflects our dedication to preparing students for a rapidly evolving world. With its innovative design and modern amenities, the school empowers students to engage with learning in meaningful and exciting ways.”

Principal Rob Coumont was thrilled to be part of such an incredible event. “Our staff and I are thrilled to welcome students, and parents to our incredible new learning facility. Our focus is not only on providing high-quality catholic education with a focus on academic success and Authentic Learning but also on creating a nurturing and inclusive community where every student feels valued and inspired.”

The inauguration of St. Lorenzo Ruiz Middle School marks a significant milestone in the journey of education in Red Deer. As students step into the halls of this modern institution, they embark on a path towards academic achievement, personal growth, and a future brimming with possibilities.

Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools serves over 10,085 students in 21 schools in Red Deer, Sylvan Lake, Rocky Mountain House, Innisfail, and Olds. It also supports the learning of over 600 students in a Home Education Program. The Division is committed to serving children and parents with a complete offering of learning opportunities delivered within the context of Catholic teachings and within the means of the Division.

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DEI

University System of Georgia to ban DEI, commit to neutrality, teach Constitution

Published on November 23, 2024

By

The University of Georgia in Athens

From The Center Square

By Tate Miller

“The basis and determining factor” for employment will be “that the individual possesses the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the role, and is believed to have the ability to successfully perform the essential functions, responsibilities, and duties associated with the position for which the individual is being considered.”

The University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents has recommended a number of new and revised policies for its institutions, such as a commitment to institutional neutrality, the prohibiting of DEI tactics, and a mandatory education in America’s founding documents.

The University System of Georgia (USG) is made up of Georgia’s 26 public colleges and universities as well as Georgia Archives and the Georgia Public Library Service.

“USG institutions shall remain neutral on social and political issues unless such an issue is directly related to the institution’s core mission,” the board’s proposed revisions read.

“Ideological tests, affirmations, and oaths, including diversity statements,” will be banned from admissions processes and decisions, employment processes and decisions, and institution orientation and training for both students and employees.

“No applicant for admission shall be asked to or required to affirmatively ascribe to or opine about political beliefs, affiliations, ideals, or principles, as a condition for admission,” the new policy states.

Additionally, USG will hire based on a person’s qualifications and ability.

“The basis and determining factor” for employment will be “that the individual possesses the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the role, and is believed to have the ability to successfully perform the essential functions, responsibilities, and duties associated with the position for which the individual is being considered.”

Beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year, the school’s civic instruction will require students to study founding American documents among other things.

USG students will learn from the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights, the Articles of Confederation, the Federalist Papers, the Gettysburg Address, the Emancipation Proclamation, and Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from Birmingham Jail, as well as the Georgia Constitution and Bill of Rights.

When reached for comment, the Board of Regents told The Center Square that “these proposed updates strengthen USG’s academic communities.”

The recommended policies allow a campus environment “where people have the freedom to share their thoughts and learn from one another through objective scholarship and inquiry,” and “reflect an unyielding obligation to protect freedom, provide quality higher education and promote student success,” the board said.

The board told The Center Square that it proposed strengthening “the requirements for civics instruction” with the inclusion of “foundational primary sources” because of higher education’s duty to students.

Colleges and universities “must prepare [students] to be contributing members of society and to understand the ideals of freedom and democracy that make America so exceptional,” the board said.

As for ditching DEI, the board explained that “equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of USG.”

“The proposed revisions among other things would make clear that student admissions and employee hiring should be based on a person’s qualifications, not his or her beliefs,” the board said.

The Board of Regents also said it wants to “ensure [its] institutions remain neutral on social and political issues while modeling what it looks like to promote viewpoint diversity, create campus cultures where students and faculty engage in civil discourse, and the open exchange of ideas is the norm.”

USG’s Board of Regents recently urged the NCAA to ban transgender-identifying men from participating in women’s sports, in line with the NAIA rules, The Center Square previously reported.

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Red Deer

Judge upholds sanctions against Red Deer Catholic school trustee who opposed LGBT agenda

Published on November 18, 2024

By

From LifeSiteNews

By Anthony Murdoch

Monique LaGrange was ousted last December from the Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools’ board for comparing the LGBT agenda targeting children to brainwashing.

A Canadian judge ruled that a school board was justified to place harsh sanctions on a Catholic school trustee forced out of her position because she opposed extreme gender ideology and refused to undergo LGBT “sensitivity” training.

Justice Cheryl Arcand-Kootenay of the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta ruled Thursday that the Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools (RDCRS) Board’s sanctions placed against former trustee Monique LaGrange will stand.

LaGrange had vowed to fight the school board in court, and it remains to be seen if she can take any further actions after the decision by Judge Arcand-Kootenay.

The judge ruled that the RDCRS’s policies in place for all trustees, which the board contended were breached, were “logical, thorough, and grounded in the facts that were before the Board at the time of their deliberations.”

As reported by LifeSiteNews, the RDCRS board voted 3-1 last December to disqualify LaGrange after she compared the LGBT agenda targeting kids with that of “brainwashing” Nazi propaganda. As a result of being voted out, LaGrange later resigned from her position.

The former school board trustee initially came under fire in September 2023 when she posted an image showing kids in Nazi Germany waving swastika flags during a parade to social media, with the bottom of the post showing an image of kids waving LGBT “Pride” flags along with the text: “Brainwashing is brainwashing.”

After her post went viral, calls for her to step down grew from leftist Alberta politicians and others. This culminated in her removal as director of the Alberta Catholic School Trustees’ Association (ACSTA).

In September 2023, the RDCRS passed a motion to mandate that LaGrange undergo “LGBTQ+” and holocaust “sensitivity” training for her social media post.

LaGrange, however, refused to apologize for the meme or undergo “sensitivity” training.

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