Reflections on School Trusteeship   by Adriana LaGrange:

As I near the end of my first term as school board trustee with Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, the best word to describe to describe the experience is “Wow”! 

“Wow” where has the time gone- it seems just yesterday that a trustee suggested that I consider running.  My first reaction was an absolute “no” – I was way too busy as a wife and mother of seven, running a farm, active in ministry at St. Mary’s, involved with other community volunteer commitments, and on and on!  But the Lord had other plans and here I am – a trustee!  I have gained a deeper knowledge and appreciation for what it means to be a trustee – a role I take very seriously.  As a trustee, I am called to serve our Catholic community in a very unique way.  Sometimes it involves attending meetings and voting on policy.  Other times it involves making difficult decisions following very difficult discussions.  Other times it involves celebrating the  joys and successes of school/faith life and other times call for mourning the death of a school family member.  At times I am called to speak out – other times to listen and learn.  Always the position calls for a bringing of your whole self to the table –body, mind and soul.

“Wow” what a great Division!  It is now apparent to me that Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools is second to none.  Not only is it proactive and committed to ensuring that our students have access to the very best Catholic faith-filled high quality education, it is also often held up as a leader and example to the other school jurisdictions.  We’re not afraid to “think outside the box” and try new initiatives.  I’m always so proud to say that I am a trustee with Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools when I am out and about in the province and I love to hear the positive feedback from others about the great things they hear happening in our schools.  Thanks to the dedication of the administration, educators, support staff, church partners, community partners and parents,  I have been blessed to experience some of the many ways that our students witness the Love of Christ.  I believe that it enriches the educational experience of students and provides them with a strong foundation to continue on their life and faith journey.

“Wow” thank-you for your encouragement and patience as I worked through and continue to work through the huge learning curve.  It is energizing to work in an environment of mutual respect, where there is an attempt to hear and address the needs of every voice.  It has been for me a real honour and privilege to be part of such a great community effort – the education of the next generation.  There is still good  work to do - with all our schools full to overflowing (what a great problem to have)  we need to garner new infrastructure, we need to continue to be vigilant in spending our dollars wisely, we need to find new ways to engage our students both academically and spiritually, we need to continue to value and protect Catholic Education, and the list goes on.  Should I be re-elected l promise to  continue to do my very best to ensure that the Red Deer Regional Catholic School Division continues on it's positve path forward.                

Highlights of the Past Trustee Board Term (2007-2010):

• Initiated the position of  Youth Ministry Co-ordinators in our high schools
• Enhanced Community Engagement (ie. Sacramental  Prep, Embedded Professional Development)
• Implemented Embedded Professional Development Model
• Proactive Fiscal Accountability to meet challenging times
• Ongoing Review / Updating of policies.
• Comprehensive 3 yr. education plan with emphasis on high academics and permeation of faith
• Continuing the positive path forward laid out by the previous board

Who is Adriana LaGrange?

• Life-Long Catholic and servant of the Lord
• Happily married to Darren for 26 yrs and mother of seven children (all have attended Red Deer Catholic Schools)
• Honours Diploma in Rehabilitative Studies working with the mentally/physically disabled
• My husband and I own and operate the family farm

Highlights of my Community Involvement over the years: (those underlined I Am still actively involved with)

• Active Member of St. Mary’s Parish Family (Past Chair of Parish Council, Proclaimer, Elizabeth Ministry, Youth Ministry)
• Member of Catholic Women’s League
• Member of the Union of Catholic Apostolate
• Educator and Past President of Red Deer & District Prolife- I have been an active member for over 20 yrs.
• Involved in Numerous Fundraising Events (recently fundraised for the Notre Dame Fine Arts Performance at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival)
• Co-ordinator for the Annual Inter- church Curling Bonspiel
• Past Involvement includes: Chair of the Life Issues Advisory Committee for the Archdiocese of Edmonton, President of the Alberta Assoc. of Rehabilitative Practitioners, Adult Education Co-ord. for St. Mary’s, World Youth Day Red Deer Co-ord.(attended 2 world youth days), Red Deer District Classroom AgriculturalProgram Coordinator, etc.

I look forward to hearing from you. In addition to this web page, I can be reached at lagrang@telus.net, or 403-396-9912.

“Education is simply the soul of a society as it passes from one generation to another.”  Gilbert K. Chesterton

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