TCDSB Policy Register      

BLESSING AND OFFICIAL OPENING OF SCHOOLS S.08  

Policy: 

An appropriate ceremony shall be arranged for the blessing and official opening of a new school or an addition to a school. 

Regulations: 

The following procedure shall be adopted with respect to solemn blessing and official openings of new schools and new additions. 

1.                  At a meeting convened by the principal the program will be planned by a committee comprised of the principal, teachers, supervisory officer, the Senior Manager of Public Affairs,  the local pastor,  the local school trustee, the Chairman of the Catholic School Advisory Council and in the case of secondary schools, the President of the Student Council.  

2.                  The official guest list will include:  

the Archbishop, Chair of the Board, all trustees of the Board, parish priest, senior board officials, architect, contractor, the mayor, the city councillors, and provincial and federal representatives. 

3.                  The order of speakers on the program will be as follows:   

Principal of the School ‑ Chair

Chair of the Board

Archbishop/Bishop

Minister of Education

Appropriate Trustee

Local Member of Provincial Parliament

Local Member of Parliament

Representative of the Municipality

Director of Education

Chair of Catholic School Advisory Council

Parish Priest 

4.                  Others to be invited should include students, parents, pastor(s) of neighbouring parish(es), principals of neighbouring Catholic and public elementary and secondary schools, chairman and senior officials of the Board of Education. 

5.                  The ceremony for the blessing of the school will be planned in consultation with the pastor.  

6.                  An annual budget will be set for the costs of the blessing and official opening of schools.