Hallways and classrooms across the Lloydminster Catholic School Division (LCSD) are set to reopen on Sept. 1 as the division prepares to welcome students and staff back for the 2026-27 academic year.
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Following a summer dedicated to facility upgrades, professional development and strategic planning, division leadership says staff are ready to kick off the new term.
“There is something pretty special about the first few days of a new school year,” said Glenda Kary, director of education for the division. “Our buildings have been busy all summer, but they aren’t really schools until our students and staff are back in them”.
New Facilities and Digital Updates
Among the additions this fall is the opening of a multi-sport artificial turf facility at Canadian Natural Resources Field. The venue debuted Friday with an exhibition football game. Division officials note the facility was designed to support multiple athletic programs and potentially host future provincial or national sporting events.
The division has also launched newly redesigned school and division websites aimed at improving navigation, accessibility and communication for families accessing mobile resources and event calendars.
Leadership and Community Focus
The upcoming year brings several administrative changes:
- Holy Rosary High School: Kristen Raines joins the administration team as vice-principal alongside Aaron Oakes.
- St. Mary’s Elementary School: Mitch Cherry assumes the role of principal, introducing a new mascot and logo for the St. Mary’s Royals.
- École St. Thomas: Former St. Mary’s principal Susan Grams transitions to vice-principal.
Staff gathered ahead of the start date for professional development and a commissioning mass centred around this year’s division theme, “ROOTED in CHRIST,” featuring guest speaker David Wells.
Kary noted that while new infrastructure and leadership are key additions, the core focus remains student support.
“We have new facilities, new technology, new staff and some exciting ideas ahead of us, but the heart of LCSD is strong,” Kary said. “It’s our students, our families and the people who show up every day to support them”.
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