September 28 is International STAND UP to Bullying Day. To date more than 3100 schools and workplaces representing more than a million people have taken part in this celebration. St. David Catholic School celebrated STAND UP TO BULLYING day by asking all students and staff to wear pink. School staff reinforced that bullying can be verbal, social, physical or can happen on the internet. Students were reminded that if they witness any bullying in the school yard, it is important that they report it to their teacher or school staff immediately. Teachers reinforced how to protect yourself from being bullied and how to support friends who are victims of bullies. “Wearing pink today represents our school message to all bullies: We are standing up as a community againstt bullying –so we are wearing our pink shirts with pride and confidence recognizing that each of us has the power to make a difference”, stated Mrs. Jennifer Gran, St. David School grade 4/5 teacher.
Month: September 2012
“Peace and Respect” at St. John
The entire student body at St. John Catholic Elementary was treated to a live, interactive performance on Wednesday, September 19th, 2012. Musical entertainer, Errol Lee performed for the primary, junior and intermediate students to spread his message of peace and respect. Entitled “Building Positive Relationships” this interactive muliti-media performance had the students, singing, dancing, signing to Lee’s songs about the importance of respect and peace for themselves and others. Phrases like “the pathway to peace is respect”, “behaviour is a choice”, and “if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem” were repeated by the students as Lee encouraged them, through song, to like themselves and understand the significance of these words. Accompanied by a skilled breakdancer, Lee’s performance engaged the students and had them completely involved with the movement and lyrics. Carmela Pitman, princpal of St. John was thrilled to have Lee perform for the school. “Students respond well to music – especially when it incorporates such a strong and positive message,” Pitman said. “We have had Errol at many of the Sudbury Catholic Schools for several years because the students thoroughly enjoy his music and most especially his positive message.” Lee feels that what sets him apart from other performers is that he believes “positivity is for people what water and sunshine are to flowers. It nurtures, it enriches, it feeds, it generates growth.” As well as the morning performances, Lee also held workshops about respect, positivity and peace for students in the afternoon.
Successful Open House for St. Anne Angels
St. Anne Angels celebrated another successful Open House on Wednesday, September 13, 2012. The halls of the Catholic elementary school in Hanmer were filled with smiling parents and students as they explored the classrooms and met the staff. Students, volunteers, and staff members worked as a team to organize what many are saying is the best Open House St. Anne hosted in years. Families were invited to a free barbeque, refreshments and desserts, along with students having the chance to have their face painted and get some physical fun on a bouncing inflatable pirate ship. “We had an extremely successful Open House this year. We have noticed an increase in enrolment, and we are happy that many of our new families had an opportunity to see how amazing St. Anne Catholic School truly is,” said Guy Mathieu, Principal.
Pennies for Pediatrics at Pius XII
Pius XII Care and Development student, Nicholas Groulx, gets assistance from his classroom teacher, Noreen Pellatt by putting pennies in the jug. Pius XII students are participating in a fundraiser called ‘Pennies for Pediatrics’. The students are donating their pennies so that they can help the Children’s Treatment Centre and Health Sciences North raise money to make improvements to their hydrotherapy pool — a pool that is used by some Pius XII students.
Grade Nine Students ‘Miming’ for Spirit
On September 20th, a full days worth of events were planned to build spirit and community among grade nine students at St. Charles College. The annual spirit day allows students to feel a part of a team and engage in activities so that they can get to know one another.
David DiBrina, student council President says “grade nine can be an awkward year for students. They are trying to fit in and find their place here at St. Charles College. We believe that having fun and having friends to lean on takes the stress and anxiety out of the beginning of grade nine.”
There are more than two hundred grade nine students registered at St. Charles College this year.
St. Francis Students Supporting a Friend
Avery Houle and Emma Hickey, two Grade 4 students at St. Francis Catholic Elementary School took it upon themselves to try to lend a helping hand for a fellow student. These young ladies demonstrated Christian kindness and empathy through their actions to help Karissa Kruk, a student from St. Francis who was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia this past summer. Avery and Emma, over the Labour Day weekend, sold lemonade for 50 cents a glass, for Karissa resulting in an outstanding $285.35 raised! They were helped by Emma’s grandparents, John and Denise Hickey, who gave them the idea. Congratulations to these two students for their hard work and caring. They plan to sell more lemonade in the very near future. Well done ladies!
As reported by: Emma Riley Grade 4
Healthy Start To School Year
Pius XII Catholic Elementary Grade 6 student, Abigail McDonald, gets off to a healthy start to the school year by bringing a salad for lunch. “I love salad, especially with fresh cucumbers and tomatoes”. Vice Principal, Tina Timpano states that “good food, daily physical activity and a healthy environment supports learning and growth that are vital to helping students reach their full potential. It is amazing to see the students making healthy choices on a daily basis.”
St. Anne Catholic School Welcomes New Angels
The first day of school is often a day that has students filled with excitement as they begin a new chapter in their lives. On September 4, 2012, St. Anne Catholic School in Hanmer welcomed its new students with brightly decorated halls, welcome messages on bulletin boards, prize displays for the upcoming fundraiser, and Catholic Virtue words that encourage all students to be leaders.
Three students from the Full Day Kindergarten program shared their excitement as they had time to interact with others and begin their inquiry-based learning. All of them were happy to share their feelings about the day. “I liked making new friends,” said Kaitlin Lacroix. “I liked going outside,” said Payton MacDonald. Caedene Troscinski, a student who is new to St. Anne Catholic School said, “I like meeting new friends because I’m new here.”
St. Anne Catholic School is a growing Catholic school community that strives to incorporate technology into student learning with MacBooks, iPads, and access to a school-wide wireless network.
Marymount Academy Celebrates School Spirit
As part of the school’s annual spirit week, students at Marymount Academy showed up for class dressed in their finest superhero garb on September 17, 2012. Each year, the Girls Athletic Association plans a week of events that helps build school spirit and allows the students to get to know each other on a more informal basis outside of the classroom. Some of this year’s activities include superhero day, pop culture day, western day, pyjama day and the cartoon spirit which involves team activities with the entire school at Delki Dozzi park. Lucie Cullen, Principal of Marymount Academy looks forward to spirit week every year. “It is such a great opportunity for the girls to get to know each other and really reinforces the unique and collegial element at Marymount Academy,” Cullen stated. “All of the activities and events really create a positive and welcoming environment, not only for those students new to the school, but for all of our students.”