Monsignor Fee Otterson Catholic School currently serves students from Kindergarten to Grade 8. This temporary grade configuration supports the transition to Father Michael McCaffery Catholic High School, which welcomes Grade 9 students from designated areas.
The school will return to a Kindergarten to Grade 9 model once the new Catholic K-9 school opens in Cavanagh.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Farewell celebrations typically occur at the end of the school year for grade 9 students. Will there be a farewell celebration for the Grade 8 students? Will it be together or separate?
Yes, there will be a farewell celebration for the current Grade 8 students. Farewell celebrations and the associated logistics are organized by the site-based administration. More details regarding the year-end farewell will be communicated by the school as we get closer to the end of the school year.
- Will the Grade 9 teachers at our school be automatically assigned to Father Michael McCaffery High School?
Through our spring staffing cycle, each school will develop a staffing plan. Teachers identified for priority placement will have opportunities to express interest in positions at Father Michael McCaffery Catholic High School.
- If we reside in a neighbourhood where we only have On Demand Transit from ETS, how will the student get to school?
In some neighbourhoods, students will be required to access On Demand Transit until ridership warrants the implementation of School Specials bus routes. The Division continuously advocates for ETS School Specials where sufficient demand exists.
- What will athletic teams look like at St. Thomas Aquinas (STA) and Monsignor Fee Otterson (MFO) without the Grade 9s?
Schools can decide to field a junior team, or depending on the skill level of the players, they could have a senior team (they would just have Grade 7 and 8 students). This is a school-based decision and based on coach availability.
- Will STA/MFO bring back the Grade 9’s once a new school is built in Cavanaugh?
Yes, this is a temporary change for both school sites. When the new school K-9 school is opened in Cavanagh, both schools will revert back to a K-9 grade configuration and Father Michael McCaffery Catholic High School will serve Grades 10-12.
Father Michael McCaffery Catholic High School Attendance Boundaries
- I live in the catchment area for the new Father Michael McCaffery Catholic High School and I’m currently registered at an ECSD high school outside the McCaffery designated attendance area. Do I have to move schools next year?
If you are entering Grade 11 for the upcoming school year and live in the boundary for Father Michael McCaffery Catholic High School, you have the option to stay at your current high school or attend Father Michael McCaffery Catholic High School.
- I am a Grade 9 student at St. Thomas Aquinas and am being designated to attend Father Michael McCaffery Catholic High School. My sibling is currently attending an ECSD high school other than McCaffery . May I register at the High School my sibling is attending?
If you are currently in Grade 9 and your designated high school for the upcoming school year is Father Michael McCaffery High School, you may apply to attend a different high school. However, the principal at the receiving school will only consider your application after all students within their catchment have been processed and if there is available space and resources.
- If we reside in a neighbourhood where we only have On Demand Transit from ETS, how will the student get to school?
The Division continuously advocates for ETS School Specials where sufficient demand exists. However, in some neighbourhoods, students will be required to access On Demand Transit until ridership warrants the implementation of School Specials bus routes.
- Prior to this change our family did not require a bus pass to attend school for their Grade 9 year. Due to the decision made, our child now needs to access bus service to get to Father Michael McCaffery Catholic High School for their grade 9 year. Will the Division provide a free bus pass for my child to get to and from school?
Yes, fees will be waived the first year and then will apply for all students starting in Grade 10.
- How did you decide on this attendance boundary?
This attendance boundary was determined to ensure that the current and future growth of the feeder school communities allows for gradual growth at a sustainable pace without drastically reducing enrolment at other high schools. The Division considers factors such as the school’s capacity in relation to the number of students that currently live in the area and the projected growth when all residential development is built out. Program continuity was also considered.
More Information:
If you require more information on the temporary measures, contact Educational Planning at 780-441-6010 or ecsdplanning@ecsd.net. Transportation inquiries may be directed to 780-441-6078 or transportationservices@ecsd.net.