Holy Spirit wants to hear from public on new school name

By Lethbridge Herald on April 26, 2025.

Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman The Holy Spirit Catholic School Division is consulting with stakeholders to name their new elementary school being built in West Lethbridge.

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Lethbridge Herald

The Holy Spirit Catholic School Division is asking stakeholders and members of the community to help them name the new elementary school in west Lethbridge. 

Superintendent of schools Chantel Axani says it is very important to give families, stakeholders and members of the community to participate in the naming of the new school. 

“This is a celebration of Catholic education, and we want to ensure that our families have the opportunity to weight in and give us their insight and input on our school’s name,” says Axani. 

When talking about the procedure for naming the new school, Axani says they have an administrative procedure they are following to ensure that all of the stakeholders are consulted and included. 

The Naming of Educational Facilities Administrative Procedure 127 outlines how Holy Spirit Catholic School Division involves students, staff, community members, and Trustees in the process of naming new or modernized school facilities. 

The chosen name must reflect Catholic values and align with the division’s mission, vision, and core commitments. Guidelines emphasize choosing names tied to the Catholic faith, discourage naming after living individuals, and include processes for public feedback and Board approval. It also allows for the dedication of parts of facilities and the gifting of Blackfoot names, ensuring cultural and community respect.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the new school will take place next week and even thought the name will not be ready by then, Axani says they are hoping to have one before the end of the current school year. 

For Axani as superintendent of schools, the experience of being part of the process of not just naming the school but being able to witness the building and opening the school, is something that she says is hard to put into words. 

“I am so blessed and humbled to be superintendent and participate in this very exciting and long-awaited building of our new west side elementary school,” says Axani. 

She says a lot of hard work and dedication has been put into the process by the board of trustees and Alberta Education.

“So, to be able to be superintendent as we begin construction and to get to see the completion of a new elementary school is beyond my wildest dreams,” says Axani.

She says she has never had the opportunity to experience this, and she is very excited, not only for the Holy Spirit Catholic School Division, but for Catholic education in Alberta.