In like a lion, out like a lamb is the old saying to predict the unsettled weather that March can bring. With huge amounts of snow at the beginning of March, the students within teacher Lois Lambert’s Grade 1-2 classroom at St. Anne School wondered if there would be any snow left once they returned from their March Break. Deciding to take no chances, these students within the Sudbury Catholic System strapped on their snowshoes for their gym class. The children were able to walk the perimeter of the school yard which was quite a distance for these six and seven year olds. Some students fell and some students were wet, but in the end, a good time was had by all. Their classroom teacher, Mrs. Lois Lambert, stated, “I want the children to have a safe March Break and maybe inspire them to find other enjoyable activities to participate in while the weather is nice.” Spring may be just around the corner, but these children proved that winter fun can be very exciting!
Month: March 2012
Pius XII Celebrates Franco-Fun Day
Grade 4 to 8 students from Pius XII School celebrated Franco-Fun day on March 20, 2012 which included a dance featuring popular French music. A few of teacher Jill Loranger’s Grade 4 students displayed their spirit for the day by dressing in green and white, the colours of the Franco-Ontarian flag.
Trustee Scappatura Congratulates St. James Student
As part of the Sudbury Catholic Board’s celebration of the International Day of La Francophonie, students in all schools across the board were involved in designing a button that reflected their perspective on celebrating and acknowledging the French language.
The first place winner in the Sudbury Catholic Board’s Francophone button contest was Roman Leblanc, a grade 8 French Immersion student at St. James School. Roman “designed the button to represent our French culture. The button includes the Canadian and Franco-Ontarien flags and the flags are surrounded by the international French colours”.
Roman’s button was distributed to students boardwide as part of Sudbury Catholic’s Franco-Fun celebration.
On hand during the festivities at St. James was school trustee Estelle Scappatura who congratulated Roman on his unique design for his button.
Franco-Fun Day at St. James School
Students, staff and community partners celebrated the International Day of La Francophonie on March 20th at St. James Catholic School. Gathered in the gymnasium everyone participated in DPA (Daily Physical Activity) by exercising, dancing and singing “en français” thanks to an electronic presentation created by French Immersion teacher Madame Rocca and her students.
The “Dragon’s Den” Hits St. Anne Catholic School
On Friday, February 24, 2012, students in grade 8 at St. Anne Catholic School in Hanmer, participated in their annual science fair. This year, the science fair took on a whole new look, and became an inventor’s fair. During the morning, all grade 8 students displayed their inventions in order for the entire school community to view and celebrate their achievements. The inventions were evaluated by members of the community, and ten
inventions were selected to present their inventions to the panel of Dragon’s in the afternoon. The dragons consisted of, Mr. Mathieu, principal of St. Anne School, Ms. Ubriaco, curriculum coordinator at SCDSB, Ms. Langlois, physics teacher at Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School (BAC), and Jessica Vaillancourt, grade 12 student at BAC. “It was a very refreshing and innovative way to approach science fair. It was very obvious that the students were totally engaged in their work and were very proud to share it with others. It was a great experience for both the students and
myself as a judge. Definitely a venue worth exploring further for all of our students,” said Connie Ubriaco. Students worked diligently over the past 6 weeks, planning, constructing, interviewing, testing, and marketing their new inventions. Their innovations demonstrated the development and evaluation of innovative devices, models, techniques or approaches in technology, engineering or computers (hardware and software). With the help of their teachers, Jody O’Daiskey and Julie Caissie, students integrated several technologies, inventions or designs and constructed innovative technological systems that could have human and/or commercial benefits.
St. Anne Angels created highly original products that demonstrated resourcefulness, and creativity in design. Some of the top products were the “EZ Carry”, created by Caleb Beland, which aids in the carrying of numerous bags, as well as the “Skaterz Friend”, created by Chris Rowsell, which helps teach children how to skate. “I personally had a great time with the Dragon’s Den. I especially think that the creativity of everyone made
this Science Fair the best of all,” said Caleb Beland, inventor of the EZ Carry. “The science fair at St. Anne’s was one of the best I have seen,” said Jody O’Daiksey, grade 8 teacher at St. Anne Catholic Elementary School. “Students demonstrated engagement from the minute the Dragon’s Den concept was introduced. Their ideas and final products were better than we could have ever expected.” “It was exciting to see student’s applying all of the research skills we have been developing together all year,” said Julie Caissie. “These Dragon’s Den projects were an amazing opportunity for students to really showcase their abilities.” The Sudbury Catholic District School Board held a board wide science fair on Thursday, March 1st, and four projects from St. Anne Catholic School in Hanmer were among the projects featured.
Franco-Fun Day Celebrated at St. Charles School
Things are alive and well at St. Charles Catholic Elementary School. On Tuesday, March 20th, as they celebrated “la journée de la francophonie” and fun was had by all.
The day started with M. Viau’s Gr. 7/8 French Immersion class who presented Improv skits to various classes.
Franco-Fun Day at St. John
On March 20th, French Immersion students at St. John’s school participated in a myriad of fun activities to celebrate Franco Fun Day along with millions of other French speaking people from around the world. Students and teachers alike had a wonderful morning while the Grade 3/4, 5/6 and 7/8 FI students visited the Dépatie Maple Sugar Farm. A Franco Fun time was had by all!
St. Andrew School Prepares for Easter
Gr.2/3 teacher, Mrs. Onucky-Vervega prepares her Gr.3 student Ryan Vendette for Easter. Each year, the students participate in a traditional Easter art activity. All students deocrate egg cartons. Each egg carton holder represents an Easter symbol, beginning the with the colour purple that represents Lent.
Angels Donate to a Good Cause
On March 8, Danielle Long, a student from St. Anne School in Hanmer, finally reached her goal. She cut off her 14 inch braid to donate to the “Angel Hair for Kids”. Danielle is a grade 6 student at St. Anne School. She has been working towards this hair donation goal for approximately a year and a half. This will be Danielle’s third time donating her hair to this amazing cause. She was inspired to do this when a family friend passed away from cancer. “It felt good to do this today,” said Danielle. “It’s fun to do. It is nice to give someone my hair for them to feel good about themselves.”
Makayla Bertrand, a grade one student from St. Anne School is also ready to take on this challenge. Makayla has been growing her hair for about 2 years to make sure she has enough hair to donate. She is planning on donating approximately 10 inches of hair in May, Cancer Awareness month. Makayla was inspired by her mom, Melissa Bertrand who donated her hair to this cause 8 years ago.
All of their hair will be sent to A Child’s Voice Foundation, “Angel Hair for Kids”. Angel Hair for Kids is a program that provides wigs and hair loss solutions to financially disadvantaged children in Canada who have lost their hair due to a medical condition or treatment. Using hair that is generously donated to the program, the foundation can create wigs and hair systems and provide them at no cost to the child’s family. It takes 10-12 donated ponytails to make one hair prosthesis and $800 to $1000 is budgeted by the foundation to cover manufacturing and related costs.