28 2017 ELECTION PREVIEW


Alicia Doud


1 This is a very serious and very real possibility facing Catholic education. In fact, it is one


of the main reasons for my decision to seek election this term. However, as was the case in Saskatchewan, the legal process can be very drawn out, and it is my hope to be part of the discussions before it gets to that point. The fact is, and hopefully Albertans will see it more clearly than our neighbours, is that students have the right to a faith-based education, whether they are Catholic or not. As for what to do if this change in funding ever does occur, all I can say at this point is that I will be watching Saskatchewan’s response very closely come June 2018.


2


I don’t think I would call it the “right balance,” but rather a co-existence of faith-based teaching and curriculum education in our schools. Naturally, the basic curriculum requirements are top priority. However, the current presence of religious studies, along with such things as school masses, assemblies, faith-based field trips, all help foster the Catholic faith in our students without neglecting the basic curriculum in any way. Even very small initiatives can further promote faith in our schools — like one in place at my children’s school where the hallways have passages written on random floor tiles for the kids to stop and read in their travels. Again, all of this is part of a strong, successful co- existence of religion and education.


3


I think this pilot program, as supported by the NDP, is a great idea. Any chance to teach children about the importance of healthy eating and healthy lifestyles should be welcomed. However, I don’t completely agree with the implementation of the program, as it is only offered to two of our nine schools. In my opinion, if the provincial funding was discontinued, I would explore other ways for the MHCBE to implement a smaller scale program across the division.


3 VOTE


Hugh English for Medicine Hat City Council


Phone 403.502.5863 hugh4council@telus.net HughEnglish.ca


Election Day is October 16, 2017


Robert Risling


1 Sadly, Catholic education is under attack, and while this hostility flows partly from a secular humanistic ideology that has little tolerance for God in the Public Square, the


paramount motive is “funding.” For every non-Catholic student attending the separate system, the public system loses much sought-aſter funding. Historically, Catholic schools have always received funding for non-Catholic students and vice versa and I believe parents right to choose which educational system best fits their child’s needs and family values must remain protected.


As a Trustee, I would meet this challenge, with the same vigor, enthusiasm and dogged determination of our forefathers who had the wisdom and foresight to ensure the constitutional guarantee of publicly funded Catholic education in the province of Alberta. I would continue to strive to ensure that our students receive the highest quality of Catholic education, for the greater benefit of society.


2


This question lends itself to the misunderstanding that Catholic education is simply public education with the addition of a religion class. Not so! For a school to be truly Catholic, it must be founded on Jesus Christ the Redeemer of the world. Christ is not an add-on, he is the source and summit of the entire enterprise, and the one who enlightens every student. The specific character of a Catholic school is the development of the whole person (body, mind, spirit). It is the school’s task to help its students to awaken to the living presence of Jesus who is always with us, and calling to us in every aspect of life’s journey. Therefore, Jesus' call in Mk 1:15 (to change one’s way of thinking) Metanoia/Repent and believe in the gospel, demands that the gospel spirit should “permeate” all facets of the educational climate, including the curriculum.


In the Catholic Church, feeding the hungry is considered a corporal work of mercy. Through community partnerships MHCBE is striving to support the hungry children of our community. In our resourcefulness, MHCBE has been able to stretch the grant funding received for a one-school nutrition program into a program for two schools. We’re also proud of our Parent Council at St. Michael's School, who by their own initiative and resourcefulness implemented their own breakfast program. (Children feeding Children)


At MHCBE we are committed within the limits of our resources to support the creation of school environments that promote wellness and facilitate healthy lifestyle choices for staff and students. If government funding was no longer available for a nutritional program, this commitment would not change, nor would we stop striving to support the hungry children of our community.


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