The Sudbury Catholic Schools Science Fair will be held on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at St. Francis Catholic School from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the school’s gymnasium. The fair will feature projects completed by the Board’s Grade 7 and 8 students throughout the region. Teachers, judges and students will be on site to answer questions and provide additional information regarding the science fair. The public may view the exhibits at 12:00 noon with the awards ceremony taking place at 1:00 p.m.
Month: February 2008
Marymount Academy Wraps up Heart and Stroke Campaign
Marymount Academy launched the start of its Heart and Stroke campaign on February 12, in the school gym with a series of skits, physical activities and short speeches from special guests, Michel Toner, MCTV News Anchor and 8-year-old Celina McKinnon, Spokesperson for the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Representatives from the Marymount MC3 Catholic Charities Council and the Heart and Stroke Foundation were in attendance to help raise awareness for the kick off.
The actual blitz took place on February 20, 2008 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with students canvassing the areas encompassing the Marymount community. The school also raised money for the Heart and Stroke Foundation by participating in a “Red & White Day” on Valentine’s Day. Students paid $2 to dress in red, white and pink and will be directing the funds raised in this event to the Heart and Stroke Foundation as well bringing the total donation to close to $1,000.
Congratulations Marymount Academy.
St. Charles Catholic Elementary School Launches BestStart Hub
Following in the footsteps of sister schools, (Pius XII and St. Francis), St. Charles Catholic school launched the start of its BestStart Hub today in Chelmsford.
Children and families from the school community joined child care agencies and Sudbury Catholic Schools’ Director of Education, Catherine McCullough, Senior Administration and Board staff in helping to celebrate the grand opening. The Best Start Program referred to as “Hubs” is a one-stop centre for families, bringing together kindergarten, childcare, parent-child programs, parenting supports and a wide range of specialized services. The Hubs are located in schools or other locations that are closely linked to schools. Best Start is an initiative of the Provincial Government but is directed at the local level by a Best Start Network which is made up of representatives from the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, the City of Greater Sudbury, all four school boards, and the child care, family support, health and specialized children’s services sectors.
The Best Start Hubs incorporate services for families such as kindergarten, childcare and family supports, tot playgrounds, workshops for parents, dad and baby night as well as access to other services. Over time, more services such as selected Preschool Speech and Language and Health Services will be offered in the hubs. The goal of the Best Start Hub is to integrate all of these services so that they are all working together and providing families with seamless services.
For more information on Best Start Hubs, please call 311 to find a Best Start near you!
Sudbury Catholic Board Places Schools Under Accommodation Review
In accordance with the its Pupil/School Accommodation Review Regulation BR 10, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board is in the process of conducting an Accommodation Review for its South/Central and North/West family of schools. Schools were selected for review purposes based on their potential for growth over the coming years (given the present trend) and the possibility that they may qualify for funding to build new schools under the Ministry of Education’s Prohibitive to Repair grants. Sudbury Catholic Schools Director of Education, Catherine McCullough will recommend an action plan to Trustees on the meeting of May 6, 2008.
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is committed to providing a full range of educational opportunities equitably distributed across a broad and diverse geographical area. Due to ever-changing factors such as mobile population, changes in funding, new legislation, changing in educational objectives, community aspirations and physical limitations of buildings, the Board is mitigated to monitor and evaluate all schools on a regular basis.
Given the present state of its priorities, the Board will be focussing its attention on the “South/Central” and “North/West” schools planning areas for the purpose of this Accommodation Review which will include the following schools;
South/Central Elementary:
Corpus Christi, Marymount Academy (Elementary),
St. Christopher, St. David, St. Francis, St. James, St. Joseph, St. Michael, St. Theresa
South/Central Secondary:
St. Benedict CSS, Marymount Academy (secondary)
North/West Elementary Schools:
Immaculate Conception, St. Anne, St. Charles (elementary), St. Mary
North/West Secondary:
Bishop Alexander Carter CSS
The School Accommodation Review may result in such changes as boundary adjustments, major additions, renovations and alterations to school buildings, blending or twinning arrangements for school organization and/or programs or school consolidations
The Board is in the process of informing parents, staff, school councils, and school communities of the logistics and time lines regarding its Accommodation Review. The Sudbury Catholic District School Board has hired the firm of CN Waston and Associates, (one of Canada’s leading economic firms) to prepare population, household, employment and student enrolment forecasts in the City of Greater Sudbury and more specifically in the planning areas of the schools under review. This information will greatly assist the Sudbury Catholic District School Board in assessing opportunities for long term growth and development and help guide the Board in the implementation of accommodation strategies that will serve to enhance student learning.
Accommodation Review Committees (ARC’s) will be created to provide the Sudbury Catholic District School Board with information re School Valuation Framework and applying this framework to the schools under review, giving consideration to the value of the students, community, school board and the local economy.
The members of the ARC’s will include representative membership from the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, each school, school community and a municipal representative from each of the local municipalities in which the school(s) under review are located.
George Middleton, Chair of Sudbury Catholic Schools welcomes the Accommodation Review. “The Accommodation Review is a process that all Board’s in Ontario undertake in order to continually update their long term capital plans,” stated Middleton. “It provides our board with the opportunity to update student enrolment perspectives and assess long term capital expenditures to provide optimum programs and facilities for our students. This is the start of a year long process and decisions will be made only after an extensive review is conducted. Through consultation, a plan will be developed to benefit students and a business case will be presented for funding from the Ministry of Education whether it be for expansion of some schools or to build new school(s).
Sudbury Catholic Schools Celebrate Grand Opening of St. Francis Best Start Hub
Children and families, child care agencies along with community and school staff joined Sudbury Catholic Schools Trustees and Senior Administration and Board staff in celebrating the grand opening of the City of Greater Sudbury’s Best Start Hubs at an Open House held at St. Francis Catholic School on Wednesday.
The Best Start Program referred to as “Hubs” is a one-stop centre for families, bringing together kindergarten, childcare, parent-child programs, parenting supports and a wide range of specialized services. The Hubs are located in schools or other locations that are closely linked to schools. Best Start is an initiative of the Provincial Government but is directed at the local level by a Best Start Network which is made up of representatives from the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, the City of Greater Sudbury, all four school boards, and the child care, family support, health and specialized children’s services sectors.
The Best Start Hubs incorporate services for families such as kindergarten, childcare and family supports, tot playgrounds, workshops for parents, dad and baby night as well as access to other services. Over time, more services such as selected Preschool Speech and Language and Health Services will be offered in the hubs. The goal of the Best Start Hub is to integrate all of these services so that they are all working together and providing families with seamless services.
For more information on Best Start Hubs, please call 311 to find a Best Start near you!
Math is Fun for Students and Parents at St. Christopher Catholic School
St. Christopher Catholic School hosted its first ESSO Family Math Night last evening at the school, much to the delight of students, parents and the school community. Two math programs were presented during the evening which both challenged and entertained students and parents in the primary and junior divisions.
ESSO Family Math Night is an initiative operating out of the Faculty of Education at the University of Western Ontario. Its goal is to assist parents and families who would like to help their children experience success in math. Family Math sessions educate parents to work with their children in order to develop positive attitudes toward mathematics. Parents and children attend the Family Math Night together and are both actively involved in doing mathematics.
St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School Students Participate in “Benefair”
St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School students will be participating in Benefair on Thursday February 21, 2008 at College Boreal.
Benefair is a pro-active effort to recruit volunteers to help community organizations fullfill their mandate. Seventy-eight community organizations, not-for profit and charitable will be on site to offer students volunteer opportunities. Students will have the ability to sign-up with the organization of their choice. They will also have the opportunity to meet a contact person from that organization that will help them reach their 40 hours of community service.
For additional information, please contact Maurizio Visentin, Guidance Counsellor at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School at ph. 523-9235.
St. Christopher Catholic School Presents “ESSO Family Math Night”
St. Christopher Catholic School will be hosting its first ESSO Family Math Night on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m at the school, 2843 CKSO Road. There will be two math programs provided during the evening; one for students in JK, SK, and Grade 1 and another for students in Grades 2 to 6.
ESSO Family Math Night is an initiative operating out of the Faculty of Education at the University of Western Ontario. Its goal is to assist parents and families who would like to help their children experience success in math.
Family Math sessions educate parents to work with their children in order to develop positive attitudes towards mathematics. Parents and children attend the Family Math Night together and are both actively involved in doing mathematics. Teachers facilitate the sessions, introducing the games and activities and provide assistance with the completion of the tasks. Family Math Night is designed to reinforce math concepts while fostering an enjoyment of mathematics in a non-threatening and entertaining environment.
Sudbury Catholic Schools Director of Education, Catherine McCullough and Board Vice-chair Paula Peroni will be in attendance.
Lent and Almsgiving at Immaculate Conception Catholic School
The students at Immaculate Conception Catholic School have come to realize that the Lenten season calls us to pray, to fast and to give alms. By giving alms, Jesus teaches us to make the needs of others our own, especially the needy of our world. Throughout the school year and during this season of Lent, the Staff and students at Immaculate Conception School show their love and support for their foster child, Chisinsi Sinoya and her small village. Chisinsi’s community is situated in Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, the region that is part of the Central African Plateau.
Students and staff organize fundraising activities to support Chisinsi in attending primary school that provides her with a nutritious meal, medical assistance, and a good quality of life.