Sudbury Catholic District School Board

Month: November 2013

St. Ben’s Robotics Team Mentor Rookie BAC Team

Posted on by admin

On November 14th, 2013, seven St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School students along with the teacher lead, Julianne Falconi, conducted grade level presentations to Bishop Alexander Carter students.

St. Benedict was the first school in the Catholic Board to participate in FIRST Robotics, an innovative competition that combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. Under strict rules, limited resources, and time limits, teams are challenged to raise funds, hone teamwork skills, design, manufacture, and program robots to perform prescribed tasks againstt a field of competitors (www.usfirst.org). Last year, team ‘RoBenedicts’ attended a regional competition in Toronto as well as the World Championships in St. Louis, Missouri.

St. Benedict is excited to announce that there will be two new schools joining in on the robotics program: Bishop Alexander Carter and St. Charles College. St. Benedict will be mentoring and guiding these two teams throughout the off-season, robot build-season, and competitions. “We are happy to be mentoring other schools that are participating in FIRST Robotics. The experience is incredible and it’s exciting to see more people getting involved,” said Team Captain, Mark Abantao.

The goal of the presentation was to spark student interest and recruit members for the newly formed BAC team. Overall, it was very successful, and the St. Benedict students will be attending St. Charles on Monday November 25th.

In attendance from St. Benedict were Mark Abantao (Team Captain), Max Bennett and Brendan Sullivan (Engineering Leads), Elisa Basik and Francesco Modesto (Business Leads), Carter Bourette (Programming Lead), Owen Sarmatiuk (Strategy Lead), and Ms. Falconi (Teacher Lead).

St. James Students Winners in Community Writing Contest

Posted on by admin

Local newspaper Walden Today held a writing contest for their students about helping the environment. St. James Catholic Elementary School was recently notified that four of their students were winners in the contest. In Gr. 2 Lucas Mullaly took First Prize, Gr. 4 Jackson Drigo took Third Prize, Gr. 6 Claire Niemelainen took Second Prize and Patricia Deschenes took Third Prize. The students will attend a formal celebration at Tom Davies Arena to receive their prizes. Congratulations Bears!

“Check….mate!”

Posted on by admin

Students in Grade 7 and 8 at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School have come up with a great way to spend part of their lunch break. Several of the students have formed a Chess Club and each Tuesday and Thursday they battle againstt each other for chess board supremacy. New students can join, and all skill levels are welcome. The students in the chess club would like to thank Richard Ouellette, the grade 8 French Immersion teacher, for helping them get this club started and making sure they have everything they need for this game of strategy.

Students Teaching Students About Bullying

Posted on by admin

Talking to or at students doesn’t always get an important message across to kids or teenagers.  That’s why students in the senior Leadership class at St. Charles College were in charge of this year’s grade 9 anti-bullying retreat.

 Grade 11 student Owen Krystia created a 40 minute highlight video featuring popular You Tube videos including Amanda Todd and Emily Osment who experienced cyber bullying.

 The students then reported to their second class of the day and discussed a series of value statements with the leadership students to generate discussion and debate relating to issues such as social media and bullying. 

 Teacher Beverley Belanger who teaches the Leadership class says “the students teaching students approach works because kids can relate better to each other and feel more comfortable when opening up especially with such a sensitive topic like bullying.  Just allowing the kids to watch this video is eye opening – there was not a dry eye in the house and no one needed reminders to be quiet.”

 Grade 9 students were also encouraged to sign an anti-bullying banner and to think twice the next time they find themselves in a situation where they have the choice to “stamp out bullying”. 

A Needle in a Haystack

Posted on by admin

On Wednesday, November 20, 2013, St Paul witnessed a true expression of joy and family togetherness! Charli, a grade 2 student, came into the school after recess with a flood of tears…she had just lost a tooth somewhere in the school yard that had come out earlier in the day. However, this was not just any tooth, it was her First lost tooth!! Despite the incredible odds againstt finding the little tooth – like finding a needle in a haystack – teacher Tammy O’Shaughnessy’s Grade 7/8 French Immersion class set out with Charli back to the school yard in search of the prize. Sure enough, the tooth was found, and a great big smile back on Charli’s face….less one tooth of course!! Great job Panthers!!!

World Renowned Scientist/Environmentalist Speaks to St. Charles College Students

Posted on by admin

Scientist and environmentalist David Suzuki met online with hundreds of high school students across the country on November 20 including science students at St. Charles College in Sudbury.  The focus of his talk was the Earth and its water. 
 
Other speakers included CBC meteorologist Johanna Wagstaffe and Canadian Olympic rowing medallist Adam van Koeverden who trains and spends many hours a day in the water.
 
St. Charles College student Emily McKeown was selected to ask a question about Suzuki`s favourite body of water.  His reply was the Hart River in the Yukon, where his daughter got engaged.

Shadow Day at Pius XII

Posted on by admin

Brodie Dionne, a student at Pius XII from the Care and Development class was thrilled to have Isaac Oliveira, Grade 9 Bishop Alexander Carter Secondary School in his class on Nov. 6th for Shadow Day. Isaac shadowed his mom, Nancy Oliviera (Educational Assistant) for the day. Nancy states ‘I really do appreciate the opportunity to allow my son to shadow me at work. This allows me to share how interesting and exciting my day is working with these unique and special children”. During Shadow Day, Isaac was learning from Brodie how he communicates with his teacher, educational assistants and friends using his communication board. Isaac states “I loved working with the students and really enjoyed their great sense of humour. I had a great day at Pius XII and I hope to come back soon”.

Register Now! E-mail Copied to Clipboard