On October 31st, all students from St. James Catholic Elementary School participated in different Halloween activities. There were many different costumes throughout the school but Avery Blanchard, a grade four student used the metaphor “a fork in the road” to create her unique costume.
Month: November 2012
St. Charles Students Remember
Students from St. Charles Elementary look on as JK students Sophie and Gavin Patterson, along with their grandfather, George Patterson bring up a cross remembering those who served in the Korean War. It was a privilege to have members from the Royal Canadian Legion – Branch 553 Chelmsford join the school, including Mr.Rogerson, a parent legionnaire, in our Remembrance Day Celebration. We remember, we will never forget.
Take Our Kids To Work Day at St. Benedict
St. Benedict Catholic Secondary students proudly participated in the Take Our Kids to Work Day on November 7th, 2012. These students got to learn first hand what skills are required in today’s work environment. But before they went out to the workplace, Monica. Dailey, co-op education teacher explained to them the importance of students rights and responsibilities in a safe work environment.
POSITIVE LIVING SKILLS with Terry Orlick Ph.D – November 13, 2012
POSITIVE LIVING SKILLS with Terry Orlick Ph.D., presentation at St. Raphael School, Nov.13th, 6:30-7:30 pm
Promoting PEACEFUL SCHOOLS: Enjoy the ‘simple joys of life’
As part of Peaceful Schools and building healthy relationships, living a life of joy and happiness can be achieved when we learn to think positive and embrace the simple joys and happy highlights in our lives. This allows us to live life to our true potential.
Charlie Large, SK student at St. John, is holding a Spaghetti Toes CD and a Highlight clicker. These are tools that Terry Orlick PhD, has developed for children. St. John School will be introducing a special evening, with guest speaker, Terry Orlick, PhD. on Nov.13th, from 6:30-7:30 pm. at St. Raphael School. The evening session is meant for parents/guardian, educators, coaches, any adult who works with children.
The CD allows children to learn how to relax during stressful times in their lives whether at home or at school.
The highlight clicker is a great way to help children and youth feel happier, less stressed and more confident within themselves when they CLICK happy moments in their lives. The clicker keeps track of all the happy moments, such as being thankful for the sunshine, enjoying time with a friend, having fun in a game, learning at school etc….
Research demonstrates that Highlight Clickers helps children and adults of all ages become more positive, more relaxed, more joyful, and more focused on the good things in themselves, in others and the contexts they are in.
When you begin to look for, find, embrace and appreciate the simplest Highlight or simplest joys in every day, not only do you feel better, you also reduce the unnecessary stress, worry and negativity in your life.
Traffic Survey Fires Up Math Lesson
Teacher Nancy Perron’s grade 3 class at St Bernadette Catholic School recently completed a traffic survey on Auger Street in Sudbury. It was all part of a hands-on lesson in math. Students brainstormed possible makes, colours and types of vehicles they might see and then sorted them into categories. They then took their worksheets to the street. Despite the cold, every student captured their findings. When they returned to their classroom, they tallied their results. “Every student had the opportunity to interpret their data and represented their results in bar graphs,” said Mme Perron. “This survey provided an authentic learning experience and supported their learning of data management in a fun way.”
Water Walk at Holy Cross
On Friday, November 2, Holy Cross teacher Shanna Whalen’s Grade 3/4 class and teacher Eva Scola’s Grade 3 class, set off to obtain some understanding of how difficult it is for those living in Africa. They took with them their water bottles, one huge jug, and a jerry can, to collect water from the water filling station on Countryside. Both classes have been learning about the poor water conditions in Africa, and how children there need to walk for 2 hours and 10 000 steps to get water- dirty water. Upon arriving at our destination, Ms. Scola lead the students in a water prayer, a prayer for those who do not have the wonderful, clean water that we do, and usually take for granted. On the way back to the school, the students took turns carrying the heavy containers of water. The two classes have been introduced to Ryan’s Well, and have been given the task of educating the whole school about the water conditions in Africa and how we can make a difference. They want to make others realize that they can be kids and think about Africa too.
Hands On Learning with Shakespeare
Students in Marymount Academy teacher Allison Cameron’s grade 9 English class had a unique lesson on Shakespeare recently. In order for the students to become more engaged with this unit of study, Cameron had each of her students create a mask reflecting their book study on Romeo and Juliet. As part of this lesson, students brought in different sorts of crafts and decorations that would be used to create unique masks. “When you give students the opportunity for hands on learning, they are much more likely to connect to the lesson,” Cameron stated. “The students have fun and get to be totally creative, all the while they are really learning on a deeper level. It is a great way to engage the student and make the lessons come alive!”
Sudbury Catholic Principal Keynote Speaker at L.U. Event
Sudbury Catholic principal, Cassandra MacGregor, was asked to be the keynote speaker at a Laurentian University event recently. As part of the Community Stars Celebration, MacGregor was asked to address students in the concurrent education program to speak to the importance of connecting to community in the education field. This event was an information fair for the students, and MacGregor was asked to speak as a principal who is making a difference in the community. Reflecting on her past experience as principal of St. Albert Adult Learning Centre, her lecture, Connecting to Community, spoke to the importance of building positive relationships with community organizations, and the positive outcomes from creating these connections. Students were encouraged to seek out these alliances as they allow for better opportunities for students and schools alike. As well as the keynote address, the Laurentian University students also visited several booths and displays set up by numerous community organizations that support their learning and the community as a whole.
Holy Cross Celebrates Official Grand Opening
On Thursday, November 1, 2012, students, parents, staff, and community partners gathered at 2997 Algonquin Road for a joyous celebration. Holy Cross Catholic Elementary School held its official grand opening and all in attendance were thrilled with the morning’s events. Bishop Plouffe began the ceremony with an opening prayer, and several invited guests spoke to the wonderful celebration and school opening including M.P.P. Rick Bartolucci and Mayor Matichuk. The entire group was welcomed by the school principal Louise Franklin as well as Director of Education Catherine McCullough. As part of the celebration, the school choir performed and a slideshow was shown highlighting the building and students now occupying the school. After the official ribbon cutting, the guests were invited to a reception and tour of the school facility.
Barry MacDonald, Chair of the Board was on hand during the celebration and was delighted with the morning celebration. “This is truly an occasion of great significance as its completion has occurred through the hard work of many dedicated individuals and strong community partners. This outstanding school was created with the communities of Corpus Christi, St. Theresa and St. Christopher coming together as one, and building on positive relationships,” MacDonald stated. “This new school’s commitment to excellence embodies the true spirit of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board positively supporting our students, and providing an outstanding and exceptional learning environment. On behalf of the Sudbury Catholic Board of Trustees, I congratulate all involved in this project, and look forward to the years to come watching the future growth of the school, and its students.”