As part of Government Week, Students at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School took part in a parallel election and held a student vote on Friday October 22, 2010. On hand was M.P.P. Rick Bartolucci who congratulated the students for getting involved and explained to them the significance of their participation. “Local government includes school board trustees, and that has a direct impact on you and your education,” Bartolucci said. “By learning about your local government, you are learning that voting is something you should take very seriously, and this will be the foundation piece for your future activity as responsible citizens in your community.”
Also addressing the students was St. Benedict Principal Karl Dreger who reinforced Bartolucci’s message regarding the importance of their participation in the vote.
Marli Kicz, St. Benedict student and Sudbury Catholic Student Trustee also spoke to the students about the significance of students getting involved and the power of the student voice. “By getting involved,” Kicz said, “students can have a positive impact – it is very empowering.”
The program run by Student Vote, in partnership with the Ontario government, encourages youth under the voting age to participate in the democratic process through parallel elections, and develop voting habits they can apply as adults.
Over 640 students at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School participated in Friday’s parallel election and Student Vote will share their results after the official polls close on October 25.
Month: October 2010
St. David Catholic School Partners with Aboriginal Best Start Hub to Celebrate Community
St. David Catholic School and Better Beginnings, Better Futures Aboriginal Best Start Hub proudly partnered Wednesday evening to welcome their community for a free community dinner and celebration. Families gathered for corn soup and bannock as well as fruit and homemade desserts. School Board personnel and Best Start Hub employees worked together to teach all family members how to make a rattle craft. Entertainment was provided by the grade 8 students of the school and community volunteers worked to set up and prepare for the evening. All children in attendance received gift bags from Better Beginnings filled with toys and school tools. “It was a wonderful celebration and showcase of what community can do when we all work together. St. David School is very proud to be a part of such a community based, fun, opportunity for learning and laughing with our local families”, said Tina Timpano, vice principal of St. David School. Lana Trudeau, the Aboriginal Support Worker for SCDSB stated, “We are off to a fantastic start and look forward to many more celebrations similar to this in our future partnership with Better Beginnings. Everyone had a great time, laughed a lot and filled their bellies. We appreciate Better Beginnings and everything they offer the community”.
Parent Council Commissioning Celebration
Parents, principals, vice-principals and other Sudbury Catholic staff gathered at the board office on October 18 to come together as a catholic community to take part in the annual Parent Council Commissioning celebration. After a short prayer service, parent council members each contributed a small school banner which served as a puzzle piece which, when connected, created a cross that represented all of the Sudbury Catholic Schools. “The cross really shows how our schools are a part of a bigger picture – a sign of our faith,” Catherine McCullough, Director of Education said. “By coming together, our school communities are represented and we are responding to God’s call to journey together.” After the presentation of banners, the parent council chairs were blessed and asked that they work together with the schools towards the common goal of creating Sudbury Catholic Schools…Schools to believe in.
St. Anne Celebrates School Spirit
The staff and students at St. Anne school pride themselves on being an integral part of their school community. Recently, the school celebrated the first of its monthly School Spirit Days. The theme was to wear the school colours of blue and gold or any shirts where the school mascot appeared. Mrs. Lafrance’s Grade 3/4 class really got into the swing of things in what they wore, as well as participating in face painting to highlight school spirit from head to toe. Way to go St. Anne Angels!
Mayoral candidate Visits Grade 8 Students at Pius
Mayoral candidate Ted Callaghan visited Pius X11 School recently to discuss his platform with Mr. Horn’s grade 8 class. Students listened attentively and voiced concerns that they had about the city. Mr. Callaghan answered all the questions and a thought provoking discussion ensued.
St. Charles College Scores Big in Golf
St. Charles College won the city golf championships for team play in recent weeks finishing one stroke ahead of St. Benedict. John Maley finished second in individual play with a score of 73. For NOSSA, the boys finished a close second to North Bay. For individual play at NOSSA, Stephen Gonko finished tied for third with a score of 73 followed closely by Evan Purcell and John Maley. The Cards displayed outstanding shot making but came up just short to qualifying for OFSSAA. Team members were John Maley, Stehen Gonko, Even Purcell, Ryan Purcell and Brady Reilly.
St. James Students Create Portfolios
Just as artists, investment brokers, architects, and other professionals use portfolios to showcase their best work, the French Immersion students of Mme Narozanski’s class from St. James Catholic school are developing portfolios to highlight their best schoolwork. With teacher guidance, every student chooses work samples to place in the portfolio as the year progresses. The content in portfolios is built from class assignments and as such corresponds to all areas of the curriculum.
In this process the students are also learning how to evaluate their own work and how to set goals for future growth. Also two student-led parent conferences will take place before each report card allowing students to share their own evaluations of their work and personal goals for improvement with their parents.
St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School Celebrates Academic Excellence
Students at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School gathered on October 6, 2010 to celebrate and recognize student achievement in academic excellence for the 2009-2010 school year. Many of these achievements included awards and bursaries that are recognized by employers, colleges, universities, as well as community partners. On top of these awards, students were also acknowledged for their commitment, dedication and outstanding work ethic resulting in a spot on the Bears Honour Roll Club which includes students who have an overall average of 80% or higher and not one grade under 70% on eight credits. One hundred and sixteen students were recognized for this achievement. As well, one hundred and fourteen students who had an average above 70% and no mark under 60% on their best eight credits formed the St. Benedict Bears Club. Thirty-four graduating students were recognized as Ontario scholars as they achieved an overall average of 80% on their top six courses.
The following students achieved the highest results within St. Benedict:
Pascal Mathematics Contest – Zachary Laframboise
Cayley Mathematics Contest – Tate Conlon
Fermat Mathematics Contest – Christopher Petryna
Euclid Mathematics Contest – Florence Chong
Governor General’s Academic Medal – one of the most prestigious academic awards that a student in a Canadian educational institution receives – awarded to the student who achieves the highest average upon graduation from a secondary school – Florence Chong
COIN Accounting Contest, run by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario, Sudbury Region – Senior Accounting Contest – 1st place Florence Chong
OBEA Accounting Contest, run by the OBEA (Ontario Business Educators Association), Sudbury Region – Grade 12 – 1st place Florence Chong
– Grade 11 – 1st place Alex Battistelli
Highest Academic Standing in each grade level – recipients received Outstanding Achievement Trophy, Certificate of Achievement, a cheque from Vale INCO
Grade 9 – Hilary Hancock
Grade 10 – Robin DeAngelix
Grade 11 – Kyle Ierino
Grade 12 – Alexander Prescott
In Thanksgiving
The grade 7/8 students at St. James Catholic school in Lively participated in a celebration of Thanksgiving, lighting candles in a symbolic gesture to thank God for providing them with what they need and sometimes granting wishes for things they don’t really need.