Every year at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, nominations are sought for the Chairperson’s award. This award is given to a person or persons who makes outstanding contributions to the Catholic school system. The Board believes in the importance of recognizing employees who embrace Catholic values, demonstrates initiative and ingenuity, and contributes positively to the lives of students and staff. At the board’s annual retirement dinner, on June 11, 2014, Sudbury Catholic staff Eileen Kennedy was presented with this year’s award. Kennedy has been a deaf/blind intervenor for the board for the past 27 years working in both the elementary and secondary school level. Currently, Kennedy works with students at St. Charles College and was nominated by several of her school co-workers as well as board office staff. Jody Cameron, Chair of the Board, presented Kennedy with her award and spoke about Eileen’s contributions to the Sudbury Catholic community. “In her role as an intervenor, she constantly strives to find unique and fun ways to encourage these most challenged students to communicate. She researches best practices and activities that will help these students find success in the classroom,” Cameron stated. “She is dedicated to preserving and ensuring the dignity of her students, and her disposition and open-hearted kindness is admired by all who have had the pleasure of working with her.” Cameron cited many examples of how outstanding an educator Kennedy is, and thanked her for her selflessness, and dedication to the Sudbury Catholic students. A very humble person, upon receipt of the award, Kennedy was quick to explain that educating this group of students takes a real team effort. “Over the years, I have worked with some amazing Board administration and teachers,” Kennedy explained. “I would also like the trustees and administration of our board to know that our Intervenors and EAs have been envied all across the country. I’ve had the pleasure of speaking at conferences in Winnipeg and Vancouver and have come to know that we are valued here more than anywhere. You respect our knowledge and experience and we truly appreciate that.” Kennedy described many of her experiences where she was able to positively connect with and engage the students as “this helps their world seem a little less overwhelming and more meaningful.” Kennedy closed her speech by expressing that she was honoured to be the first educational assistant to be chosen by the board for this award, and that she is happy to have the privilege of having a career all these years doing what she really loves, and that the award is “icing on the cake!”
Month: June 2014
Smudging Ceremony For New School Site
On Tuesday, June 10, the entire St. David Catholic Elementary School joined their community partners at the location for the new school’s site. Just off of Frood Road, between the Spectrum and CTV buildings, approximately 250 students and staff joined Sudbury Catholic board staff as well as other community organizations to smudge the new site with elder Vince Pawis. Dawn Wemigwans, principal of the school welcomed all the students, staff and guests, and after a prayer by student Czesh Malik, the group listened to student singers/drummers while Pawis smudged the site to bring good feelings to the space. Wemigwans explained to the group that, “today we are smudging the space for our new school. We are doing this to clear any negative energy and bring only good thoughts and prayers into the building of our new school.”
Michael Bellmore, Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees also addressed the crowd during the ceremony. “It is very exciting for us to be part of such a unique building opportunity that embraces the natural space around it, and incorporates nature as a focus in its design,” Bellmore stated. “We are so pleased that the architects’ design for the school is so forward thinking – having both nature and culture taking centre stage, and allowing for a distinct and remarkable space for our students.”
The new school is scheduled to be open in September, 2015, and will be a Full Day Kindergarten to Grade 6 elementary school.
Ten Year Anniversary for Johhathan Hetu Walk at St. Charles Elementary
For the past nine years, students and staff of St. Charles Catholic Elementary have taken part in the Johnathan Hetu walk. Johnathan Hetu was an exceptional student at the school and passed away in 2004 after a two-year battle with leukemia. Teacher David Nicholls, who was to have Johnathan in his class that next year, felt compelled to do something to honour Johnathan’s memory – thus the creation of the Johnathan Hetu walk. Students were asked to raise funds, and all the monies were donated to the Northern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer (N.O.F.C.C.). This year, students and staff once again participated in the walk and raised an outstanding amount of $7112. 77 bringing their grand total to close to $60,000 for their ten year anniversary of the walk. Once again, Johnathan’s family joined the school for the walk and the entire school community celebrated Johnathan’s spirit and inspiration.
School principal, Dave Soehner, was overwhelmed with the school’s spirit once again. “I am extremely proud of my students and staff for continuing to honour our former student and his family through this walk and their donations,” Soehner stated. “The Johnathan Hetu walk brings us closer as a school community, allows us the opportunity to celebrate one of our own, as well as give back to our own city in a very positive and direct way through N.O.F.C.C.”
Sudbury Catholic Elementary Track and Field
Sudbury Catholic elementary students have participated in the board’s track and field meets over the last couple of weeks. Luckily, with the great weather, the students competed under sunny skies and all the events went off without a hitch. Thank you to the many staff who volunteered to help organize these events, and congratulations to all of the students for your participation and positive attitudes!
Bears Soccer Finish 4th in Ontario
The St. Benedict Bears Sr. Boys Soccer team finished 4th at OFSAA in London, Ontario (June 5-7, 2014). This is the second straight final 4 appearance for the team at the provincial championships. The squad won their round-robin pool with a perfect 3-0 record. The squad then won the quarter-final 3-1 over Port Hope. Unfortunately, the Bears would fall 2-0 to Glegarry SS from Ottawa in the semi-final, who eventually went onto win the gold medal. The Bears lost a close 2-1 match to Ridley College from St. Catharines in the consolation game. The team finished with it’s best results in program history and a season record of 13-2 (only losing on the final day of the season). Coaches were Giuseppe Politi, Giorgio Urso, and Aaron Dent. The squad members include: Brad Mansfield, Brandon Moxam, Cody Boyle, Cody Nkongolo, Cody Piche, Connor Vande Weghe, Curtis Carpino, Elliot Swan, Jon Zanini, Josh Rancourt, Matthew Bertuzzi, Nathan Shane, Nick Filippetto, Nick Hechler, Rudy Giusti, Ryan Keenan, Ryan Phillips, Shawn Wilcox, Josh Girolametto, David Portelance, and JC Carriere.
St. Benedict Graduate Now a Published Author
St. Benedict graduate, Michaela Smet is now a published author. Available through Friesen Press, Smet’s novel, Promise, tells the story of a girl who has big ambitions and overcomes many obstacles to keep a promise to herself for a better life. According to the website, Smet’s desire to become an author “stems from her passion for writing and a desire to share her dreams and memories. She is currently dividing her time between writing and completing a degree in Architecture.”
Art Club Blossoming at St. David School
The teachers and staff at St. David Catholic Elementary School appreciate that good education is based in holistic instruction. Art develops the whole brain. Art strengthens focus and increases attention, develops hand – eye co-ordination, requires practice and strategic thinking and involves interacting with the material world through different tools and mediums. Art builds self esteem, increases motivation and can strengthen our relationship with the environment.
Mrs. Elissa Zuliani, the school’s primary prep teacher offers her time each week after school for those students interested in expanding their knowledge of visual arts. The St. David School Art Club is offered every Wednesday from 3 – 4 pm. Participating students work with various mediums (paint, oil pastels, marker, etc.) and learn about famous artists and their styles. All students bring their artwork home at the end of the program in a portfolio after it is showcased in the school. Healthy after school snacks and drinks are provided to all student participants each week. To date, the students have learned about Pablo Picasso, Wassily Kandinski, and various Inuit artists.
According to Mrs. Zuliani, “Art is good for the soul and anyone can paint. This is our motto. We welcome all grade 2 and 3 students at all levels of ability and celebrate each other’s talents”.
Author Chad Solomon visits St. John/ St. James School
Graphic novelist and creator of Rabbit and Bear Paws, Chad Solomon visited both St. John and St. James Catholic Elementary Schools. The Rabbit and Bear Paws series involves heroes that share humourous adentures based on tradition Aboriginal teachings. The students at both schools had an opportunity to learn some traditional Aboriginal teachings, as well as, the creativity and innovation that is involved with designing graphic novels.
St. Benedict Off to OFFSA
After a 1st place finish in the Sudbury regular season and a playoff city championship in Sudbury (8-0), the St. Benedict Bears Senior Boys Soccer team beat Chippewa Secondary School (of North Bay) 4-0 on Friday afternoon in North Bay. The squad remains a perfect 9-0-0, with 29 goals for and 1 againstt. The Bears beat the Raiders by a score of 4-0, with goals by Shawn Wilcox (3) and Josh Rancourt (1). The shutout was recorded by Connor Vande Weghe. With the win, the squad returns to OFSAA (hosted in London this year on June 4-7) where it earned a 4th place finish last year.