Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

Gift of Technology from the Basilian Fathers Ensures Students’ Access to Education

November 30, 2020

A gift of technology from the Basilian Fathers has granted students at a Catholic elementary and junior high school in the Edmonton Catholic School Division access to education during the pandemic.

This year, parents and guardians were faced with choosing between sending their children to school during the pandemic or staying home and participating in the classroom virtually. In some cases, a lack of access to a device was a barrier to choosing online learning. Thanks to a gift of 30 Chromebooks, valued at $11,000, a lack of technology was no longer an obstacle for families at Ben Calf Robe St. Clare Catholic Elementary/Junior High School.

“Many of our families who chose online at home learning these past months for reasons of health and safety did not have an appropriate device for the children to engage with our Google Classrooms and Microsoft Teams. When I asked, ‘Would you need a Chromebook to help with your child’s learning, as our priest and his community have donated some for us?’, I could feel their sense of relief on the phone, that at least one next step along the way is coming with ease,” wrote Suzanne Szojka, principal of Ben Calf, a kindergarten to Grade 9 school that focuses on teaching First Nation children and Cree culture within the Catholic tradition.

The funds were provided by the Congregation of St. Basil’s General Council to the parishes of St. Alphonsus and St. Clare in Edmonton, Alberta to help the poor. Father Glenn McDonald, CSB serves as pastor of the parishes, which is associated with Ben Calf, and the Division Chaplain for the Edmonton Catholic School Division. He is also involved with the Braided Journeys program that connects him with First Nations, Metis, and Inuit students. Through these roles, he was aware that many of the school’s families did not have access to a computer and without one had no way to connect to their classrooms virtually.

The Chromebooks were distributed to those in need at the beginning of the school year. The donation arrived in time because due to a rising number of positive cases of Covid-19 in the community and to comply with the province’s measures to prevent further spread of the virus, Ben Calf is moving towards online learning for a greater percentage of its student body.

This gift demonstrates the Basilians’ commitment to their charism of education and ensuring each child has access to education regardless of their financial background.

Related Links

Categories

Discerning, a Vocations Blog
General News
Stirrings
Uncategorized

Basilian Archives Finds New Home

The General Archives of the Basilian Fathers is moving to its temporary home at Fr. Henry Carr Farm in Beeton, Ontario. St. Michael’s College School plays a pivotal role in […]

Read More

Basilian Associates Welcomed into Local Community

The process of becoming a Basilian Father begins with the Congregation’s associate program. At this stage, discerners are invited to meet members of the community virtually and in-person. In Medellin, […]

Read More

Newly Installed Archbishop of Toronto Visits with Retired Basilians

One of Archbishop Francis Leo’s first stops as Archbishop of Toronto included a visit to the distinctive worship community of Presentation Manor. Presentation Manor is a seniors residence for religious […]

Read More

Basilian Leadership Inspires Community Renewal

Witnessing the Basilians’ commitment to restore chapels in a low-income area in Mexico City inspired the local community to join in the reconstruction efforts. Mexico City is the largest urban […]

Read More

Students at Basilian High Schools Raise $1.6 Million for Tuition Assistance

Student-led fundraising initiatives at two Basilian high schools raised a record-breaking $1.6 million for tuition assistance. Detroit Catholic Central’s annual DRIVE week brought in $802,814 and St. Thomas High School’s […]

Read More