Good afternoon Fort McMurray Catholic Schools families,

Fort McMurray Catholic Schools is closely monitoring the situation around Alberta Wildfire MWF-017. We know this is a time of great anxiety for many in the Fort McMurray region. We share our prayers for the firefighters and emergency responders working so hard to ensure our safety. 

We know many have questions about the operational status of Fort McMurray Catholic Schools tomorrow (Monday May 13, 2024). All decisions will continue to be made with the best information available at the time in consultation with Alberta Wildfire, RMWB Emergency Management, and official sources. 

Important Information:

• All schools will be open. 
• We recognize some families will not send their children to school tomorrow. We understand this decision, as this is always at the discretion of the parent/guardian. Please notify your school via Edsby to excuse this absence. 
• If a school would ever need to be evacuated during the day we would notify parent/guardians/emergency contacts immediately. This may serve as a good reminder to make sure your contact information is up to date with your school. 
• PATs will be deferred to a later date. More information for our grade 9 students and families will come when it is available.

Wildfire and Air Quality Reference Information:

Fort McMurray Catholic Schools uses and shares trusted sources of Wildfire and Air Quality information. Please see our website at https://www.fmcschools.ca/wildfireinformation for wildfire and air quality information including wildfire dashboards, emergency alert info, smoke forecasts, traffic updates, and air quality updates. 

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

We pray for Your protection in these trying times.

Our minds and hearts are filled with memories and worry,

As we face the fires burning near our municipality. 

Send the Holy Spirit to calm our worries and ease our fears.

Still the winds and bring forth the rains 

Upon our community and the surrounding forests,

To help extinguish the fires and renew the earth.

Send Saint Florian to protect our firefighters,

Who are courageously battling this fire 

And keep them safe as they work to protect our community. 

We ask all this, in the name of Jesus, Your Son.

Amen