In support of the annual St. Charles College canned food drive, St. Bernadette students got a head start with their own canned food collection. In two weeks time, the New Sudbury elementary school collected a total of 1700 cans to add to the St. Charles College collection in support of the Sudbury Food Bank. Diana Salvador, St. Bernadette principal was thrilled with the student support for this initiative. “Our students really answered the call when the challenge was put forth by our St. Charles College family.” Salvador stated. “I am quite proud of their efforts, and congratulate them for once again helping to support such a great cause!”
Month: October 2011
St. Anne Students Celebrate Thanksgiving from Harvest to Feast
If you sit down with the students in the English Early Learning Kindergarten Program at St. Anne School and ask them why they feel like the very first settlers at Thanksgiving, they can tell you why. They feel they’ve lived it! In part, they actually have!
Through inquiry, these youngest students within the Catholic Board tried to discover all that they could about the season of fall. Fall is a time of rest for Mother Nature and a time of harvest for people and many of the animals. The students took a trip to a local garden where they actually had a chance to see what happens to plants when they are ripe. Even though some of the students were familiar with gardens, many were not. Who knew that cheese didn’t come from the garden or that so many potatoes could come from one plant?
After “harvesting” carrots, potatoes, pumpkins, and celery, the students returned to school where they began talking about the celebration of Thanksgiving. It was no surprise that they started making connections between the first Settlers and Aboriginal Peoples celebrating their harvest with the traditional holiday they were getting ready to celebrate with their families. The students decided to relive the first Thanksgiving. They wrote and sent home their own invitations, peeled and cooked their garden vegetables, dressed in a type of Thanksgiving costume, and sat down with their parents, grandparents, relatives, and friends to enjoy their own Thanksgiving. All week one English E.L.K.P student, Mae Lin Zoldy, spoke of “being so excited for the class celebration”. She and her classmates weren’t disappointed! With good food such as carrots, potatoes, and turkey on the menu and the great company of their families, these children got a realistic experience of Thanksgiving. Can these St. Anne School English students understand the meaning of Thanksgiving? You bet they can! From harvest to feast, this Thanksgiving was a connection they will never forget!
Supporting the Terry Fox Foundation at St. Paul
On September 28th, dressed in the school colours of red and white and many sporting Terry Fox hats or banners, the staff and students of St. Paul the Apostle School walked skipped or jumped in support of the Terry Fox Foundation. The students and staff raised $1218 for this very worthy cause. Pictured are Cassidy McLardie and Sydney Timony wearing their Terry Fox hats and holding a Terry Fox book.
Pius Students Learn About Fire Prevention
In preparation for fire prevention week, early learning kindergarten students and staff at Pius XII school welcomed firefighters from the Minnow Lake fire station. Students learned about fire safety, firefighters’ protective equipment and explored the cabin of the firetruck. They practiced techniques such as “stop, drop and roll” and learned about the importance of fire detectors and evacuation plans. ELK students enjoyed sitting in the driver’s seat of the firetruck and many were overheard telling friends “when I’m older I’m going to be a firefighter too!”
Corpus Christi Called to Life a Culture of Faith and Community
One of the Strategic Priorities at Sudbury Catholic Schools is “WE ARE CALLED TO LIVE A CULTURE OF CATHOLIC FAITH AND COMMUNITY”. To enhance the faith at Corpus Christi School, all teachers,students, support staff and parents met together outside at the flagpole at 9:00 a.m. for opening exercises. Together they sang O Canada and recited the Pledge of Citizenship. They prayed together as a faith filled school community. Each class recited prayers of thanksgiving and gratitude for God’s gifts. This was a special way to share their faith and continue to build school community. What a blessed way to begin the Thanksgiving weekend.
A “Snakesational” Visit at Immaculate
On Thursday, September 29th, Immaculate Conception students learned about “Reptiles at Risk” from the Reptiles at Risk: On the Road team which is funded by the Ministry of Natural Resources. Reptiles at Risk is an outreach education program which is designed to spread the important message of reptile conservation in areas where these reptiles are actually found.
The Reptiles at Risk: On the Road program is an exciting, hands-on program featuring live reptiles. Did you know that snakes and turtles are at risk in Ontario? Immaculate Principal, Louisa Bianchin was excited for the students to experience these reptiles. “This program teaches students the importance of protecting these reptiles so that they exist for future generations.” Bianchin stated. “Many snakes in our geographical area are harmless and should not be persecuted, turtles that often cross busy roads need to be saved and avoided by drivers, This program encourages all of our students to recognize the importance of all living creatures.”
Students were so excited to handle corn snakes, rat snakes and garter snakes which were brought into the school. Those who wanted to handle a snake were given this awesome experience and learned that it is their responsibility as the future generation to protect all reptiles so that they do not become endangered species.
St. Paul Gives Thanks!
St. Paul the Apostle School Community gathered to give thanks to God for all His wonderful gifts on Friday October 7th. The staff students and special guests met in the gym to sing, pray and listen together. Everyone was encouraged to enjoy family, friends and food together this weekend and to remember to give God thanks by attending Mass at their home parishes. All sang: “Alleluia Praise the Lord.” Pictured is Mrs. Rossella Bagnato the school’s superintendent, Mrs. Henry the principal and several students.
Catholic School Community Comes Together to Celebrate Each Other
A group of Sudbury Catholic Administrators, principals, vice-principals, and staff, as well as school faith leads, trustees, parish partners and parental representatives joined together at the Diocesan Centre on St. Anne’s Road on Thursday, September 29 for a common goal – to celebrate and unite as a Catholic community. Leading the conversation was John Kostoff, Director of Education for the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board and author of “Auditing our Catholic Schools – A Process of Discernment, Discussion and Action”. Kostoff spoke to the group about being the “most authentic, faithful, community that you can be.” The connection between school, home and parish, Kostoff explained, is the triad that allows for this authenticity that is the foundation of the Catholic School system.
To start off the day, the group celebrated mass with Bishop Noel Simard, and then began to dialogue by sharing best practice and positive experiences with each other. Breaking off into groups – which included school administration, teachers, and parish partners – the conversation inspired new ideas and a common focus. “ We are so fortunate to be able to come together as a Catholic community – school, parish and parental partners – and communicate with each other our hopes and ambitions,” Catherine McCullough, Director of Education for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board stated. “It is inspiring to be a part of something much larger – and have the opportunities to be able to contribute ideas and share our faith – we are truly strengthened as a Catholic community as a result.”
St. Anne School Makes Learning “Beary” Exciting!
The E.L.K.P. students within the English Early Learning Program at St. Anne School have been working very hard trying to recognize some signs of fall during their first month of school. Part of their discussions focussed on the characteristics of wild animals, such as bear hibernation. After spending time learning factual information, their classroom teacher decided to involve the student’s own bears in learning activities. Teddy bears that is! The teddy bears came to the Hanmer Catholic School and were used in numeracy measurement and sorting activities. The bears were sorted and organized by size and colour. After an afternoon filled with learning, both students and their bears had a chance to relax before the bears were returned to their homes. Any way they looked at it, the students agreed. Learning about them or with them, bears have a lot to offer!