St. James Catholic School has received funding from the Ministry of Education for action research on Boys’ Literacy. The goals of this initiative are to improve boys’ attitudes toward reading and ultimately to improve their literacy skills. The school is purchasing reading materials that engage all readers, but in particular young male readers. Items such as nonfiction materials, humour books, action and adventure series, and sports cards and magazines are part of the strategies of the Literacy Program.

On the morning of May 18, 2006, St. James School will launch its Boys’ Literacy Project. Role models from the community will be attending to celebrate “Travel the World of Literacy.” The day will begin 9:15 a.m. with Gerry Lougheed Jr. delivering a keynote address. The students will then proceed to different stations as guests from the Greater Sudbury Community share a favourite form of reading material (not limited to books), with the primary division. The list of guests include Michelle Toner, Alan Nursall, John Kennedy, Constable Corrine Jutila, Brent Battistelli, Father Tony Man-Son-Hing, and others.