About Us

Mission Statement

St. Michael’s School is a living faith community focused on Christ – our Teacher, Model and Inspiration. We support the Catholic community by imparting the beliefs and traditions of our Faith. We provide a holistic education which recognizes the uniqueness of each individual and which challenges him or her to excellence.

Our Mission

The Catholic Schools of Nelson Diocese, in partnership with the home and Church, strives to educate the whole child with the Gospel message of Jesus Christ as its foundation. By priests, administrators, teachers, support staff, parents, and parish members all working together, the students of CISND will reach their maximum potential spiritually, intellectually, physically, emotionally, and morally in a faith-filled community and become life-long learners and fine contributing Christian members of society.

History

St. Michael's School began as a Catholic kindergarten, operated by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace in the hall of St. Anthony's Parish. On March 11, 1949, a planning committee met to explore the possibility of establishing a full-fledged school. The late Kevin Molloy has been recognized as the driving force behind the project. St. Michael's School opened in 1953, staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph. At that time, the school had four classrooms and an enrollment of 105 pupils, in kindergarten to grade 4. In 2003 the School celebrated 50 years of Catholic education in the Trail area. Today the school enrolls students in kindergarten to grade eight. There are eight classrooms, a library, and a computer lab in the original facility. In April 1988 the newly constructed Catholic Education Center was opened. This extension includes a seminar room, a fully equipped kitchen, and a large gymnasium. The resource room and the Religious Education office are also located in the addition.

School Governance

St. Michael's School - a Catholic Elementary School serving the needs of Trail area Catholic parishes, operated by and governed by... St. Michael's Catholic School Council - consisting of parish representatives from St. Rita’s, Sacred Heart, St. Francis/St. Anthony, and O.L.P.H. and clergy who set policy and determine budgets, and are responsible to... Catholic Independent Schools of Nelson Diocese (CISND) whose overall role is to govern the schools of the diocese (Kelowna, Westbank, Penticton, Cranbrook, Nelson, Trail) through policy development and fiscal planning. The President of C.I.S.N.D. is administrator Bishop Eugene Cooney. Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Ms. Bev Pulyk, who is the Chief Executive Office of the C.I.S.N.D. and whose role is to implement the policies of C.I.S.N.D. and oversee the educational operation of all schools. Ministry of Education through the Independent School Branch who ensures standards are maintained in educational programs, staff qualifications and facilities.

The Federation of Independent Schools Association (FISA) is a liaison group between the government and the various independent school groups, of which the Catholic schools are a member. The role of FISA is to lobby government and other groups to promote and support independent schools. A copy of the Diocesan and Council policy handbooks is available for parent use.

Daily Time Schedule In order to accommodate our extended curriculum, we have an extended day, which means our instructional day is longer than that required by the Ministry of Education. Our daily schedule is as follows: 8:40 - School Day Begins 10:10 - 10:25    Morning Recess 12:00 - 12:15    Lunch 12:15 - 12:55    Lunch Recess 2:55 - Dismissal   Note: The Kindergarten schedule is the same on Monday - Wednesday - Friday   RECESSES:   During outdoor recess, students must go outside unless they have a note from their parents, are working with a teacher, or serving a detention. Supervision Students are supervised 15 minutes before school, during recess, lunch, and while boarding the buses after school.