Theme for staff faith development in LOCCSD

While academics are certainly the focus of every school year, Light of Christ School Division staff are also focusing on creating a sense of hope and encouragement for their schools and for their community.

Following the theme from the document "Build Bethlehem Everywhere," staff from all the schools, and from the board office, are working to build on the "metaphor of Bethlehem." The mention of Bethlehem, for many people Christians and others, brings to mind the nativity, or "the story of Christmas [which] continues to encourage and empower" and to bring hope to those "who may be tired and discouraged." It is this hope, and sense of empowerment that is driving the faith direction for LOCCSD staff, in the school and in the community.

In the schools, hope and empowerment are building community through initiatives like lunch programs, grief groups, prayer chains, clothing drives and special liturgies. St. Mary Elementary School provides further support to its community through special programs like the Christmas shopping event that allows students to purchase Christmas gifts for family members, and the Dream Broker program, which assists students in becoming active in after school programs.

Michelle Sarenco, principal of St. Mary School, explains the Dream Broker is a worker who comes into the school, twice a week, to meet with individual families and through building relationship, helps them identify, and remove, barriers that might keep their children out of life affirming activities.

Sarenco explains that like many programs offered throughout the division, "the Dream Broker empowers families," and empowerment can lead to hope.

"Building Bethlehem" does not stop at the school doors. Monday teachers, support staff and central office staff were out in the community donating their time, effort and support. It was an opportunity for staff to walk the talk; to be "Bethlehem" at home by reaching out to those who can use some hope and kindness.

According to Tom Hawboldt, manager of Business and Instructional Technology for the division, "Our board has chosen the theme this year - follow our faith compass: live, breathe and share our gifts - which nicely ties into the build Bethlehem theme. As a staff we need to not only build Bethlehem in our schools, but we also need to share that opportunity with our community at large."

In the spirit of hope and empowerment, the staff and Board of LOCCSD will continue to reach out to various members of the Battlefords, through our schools and through our various communities.