February 2026

Dear YCS Families, Students, and Staff,

Welcome to the month of February! This is a vibrant time in our schools, filled with opportunities to reflect on our faith, celebrate our diverse cultures, and cheer on our talented student-athletes. It is truly a joy to see our hallways buzzing with activities that inspire thinking, cultivate well-being, and build the strong relationships that define our district.

This month marks a significant time in the liturgical calendar as we prepare for the season of Lent. Under the guidance of Father Mick, our staff and students will engage in meaningful celebrations for Ash Wednesday. We kick things off with Shrove Tuesday (February 17th), where our dedicated staff will be serving up wholesome pancake breakfasts; a wonderful tradition of community and preparation before Lent.

We also look forward to celebrating St. Valentine’s Day. While often seen as a secular holiday of cards and candy, in the Catholic tradition, we remember St. Valentine as a third-century martyr who stood for the sanctity of marriage and the power of sacrificial love. It is a beautiful reminder to love one another as Christ loves us.

February is a powerful month for our YCS community as we reflect on the stories and values that shape us. It is Indigenous Languages Month, a vital time for us to celebrate and honour the Wılı̀ı̀deh Yatı language; we remain deeply committed to ensuring the heart of this land’s culture continues to beat strongly within our classrooms. Simultaneously, we are observing Black History Month, and it was such a joy to see our schools buzzing with preparation as early as January. Those beautiful bulletin boards and activities are wonderful tools to help us recognize the profound contributions of Black Canadians. Finally, on February 25, we will celebrate Pink Shirt Day. By standing together in pink, we reaffirm our district’s unwavering commitment to inclusion and our collective promise to work every day toward ending bullying in all its forms.

I want to wish a huge "good luck" to all our student-athletes as we head into the excitement of Cager season! For our younger players competing in the Junior Cager from February 12–15, I hope you have a fantastic weekend of competition; remember to play hard, make some new friends, and most importantly, have a lot of fun on the court. Later in the month, from February 26 to March 1, our Senior Cager will take center stage, and we can’t wait to see our Grade 8–12 students showcase their incredible skills and school spirit.

I am excited to join our teachers and Classroom Assistants at the NWT Educators’ Conference (Feb. 18-20). This is a crucial time for our staff to engage in professional development that directly supports student achievement and inspires new ways of thinking.

A huge congratulations to École St. Joseph School for a successful Culture Night! It was inspiring to see students teaching their parents the Wılı̀ı̀deh Yatı language, participating in cultural activities, and, of course, enjoying some delicious bannock.

Our Grade 7 students from WCS and ESJS recently had an incredible "Sample a Skill" day at the École St. Patrick High School Kimberlite Career and Training Centre. From the professional kitchen to the hairdressing classroom, our students explored the world of trades and technology. A special thank you to our Grade 8 ESPHS mentors who guided the younger students through the day, answering questions and showing true leadership.

Thank you for your continued support of Yellowknife Catholic Schools. Let’s make this February a month of kindness, learning, and community.
 

God Bless,
Adam Murray