Sudbury Catholic District School Board

Month: June 2015

St. David School “Planting for the Future”

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Together with St. David students and staff, Local Ojibwe artist and educator, Will Morin conducted a planting ceremony at the school to support the students transition to the new school site. Fifty two planters were filled with sweetgrass seeds. The newly planted seedlings will be cared for over the summer by Mr. Morin and his family and in the fall will be transplanted at the new St. David School site.

As part of the Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury, Mr. Morin was selected as a Project Impact recipient. This project included involving students in the regreening of a native species plant, sweetgrass. Sweetgrass is also a First Nation traditional medicine.

As part of the ceremony, the outgoing students in grade 6, 7 and 8 were honoured by the school community. Mr. Morin stated, “We all plant seeds to prepare for the future. It is only together that we can nurture their growth and ensure their success”.

St. David Catholic School Offers the Community a Chance to Say a Last Goodbye to the Building

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The staff, students and families of St. David Catholic School are preparing for a September move to a new building at 549 Frood Road. As construction continues on the new school, the staff prepare for the big move by packing books and school tools, resources and student technology.

St. David has been a constant in Sudbury’s Donovan area for over 70 years. The school has had many renovations over the years, but in 2010 received funding for a new building. The school’s new K – 6 building features a creative design blended into the natural environment and landscape that will surround the school. It will have generous daylight, warm wood features and a safe, green school yard for students to play with their peers.

The school recently hosted an open house. St. David School opened its doors to the community and former students to reminisce about years gone by and take home memorabilia that reminds them of their time at the school. Many former students stopped in for great conversation with former classmates, cake and coffee. St. David parent, Theresa Lalone, stated that all 6 of her children attended St. David School. Four of them, Stephanie, Amanda, Justin and Rebecca, are previous graduates and her two youngest, Noah and Nic, still attend the school.

The school staff would like express its appreciation to the community and to the many families who have made St. David their home over the past 70 years. It is with a heavy heart and great respect that the school prepares for their new, exciting home!

St. Mark Learns About the Positive Impact of Going Green

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Students at St. Mark Catholic Elementary School are learning about the positive impacts of going green. Through funding from the TD Friends of the Environment (TD FEF) grant, (sand table), the Metro Green Apple School Program (the soil/ plants/ seeds) and Freskiw farms (provided discount prices and gardening education and guidance), the students created posters and media presentations informing their audience about human impacts (positive and negative impacts such as littering and the importance of eating local). Students gave back to these three organizations by giving them a planted bean in a recycled bowl or in a decorated Tim Horton tin can with two pictures of them in front of their garden and new school yard apple trees; which read “Thank you! from St. Mark School” on the pictures.

Learning About Residential Schools at MMA

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On Friday, May 22, Marymount Academy had Elder, Gert Nootchtai come and speak about her residential school experience. Students TiCarra Paquet, and Starr Trudeau, along with aboriginal support worker, Carla Petahtegoose coordinated the event. Students from Gr 9 – 12  were able to shed some light on a very dark part of Canadian history. Elder Nootchtai spoke about how she wasn’t allowed to speak her language, or practice her culture  at residential school, there were punishments in place according to what you did. Elder Nootchtai shared most of the time she did what she was told to avoid punishments . She also touched upon the “1960’s scoop,” when aboriginal youth were taken from their families by Indian Agents hired by the government, and then put into the residential schools or child protective services. At times  her memory is unclear if her guardians were aware of what was happening or if they just took her to school without consent. On a lighter note she did mention some fun activities for her at Spanish Residential School was when the Native teacher was hired and she took them outdoors for walks a lot and the kids would always sign up for this to get out of school. Following Elder Nootchtai’s shared experience, staff and students participated in an activity that allowed students to experience what it felt like to be removed from a community. of Residential School survivors.  In recognizing the trauma and historical truths of Canadian history, it was a very educational day, and Marymount Academy looks forward to embracing more FNMI culture in the school.

St. David School Proudly Supports Student Well Being Through Tae Kwon Do Lessons

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St. David Catholic Elementary School continues to offer grades 3 – 5 students Tae Kwon Do lessons every Monday for an hour at lunch. The program focus remains the 5 tenets that Tae Kwon Do practitioners live their lives by:
Courtesy
Integrity
Perseverance
Self Control
Indomitable Spirit

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s CCAC Health Nurse, Roland Dutrisac, uses Tae Kwon Do as an effective strategy to encourage students to live healthy lives through physical activity as well as learn such important skills as: focus, concentration, discipline, self control and perseverance. The Tae Kwon Do program also stresses the importance of confidence and how to deal with conflict in a proactive manner.

Next year, the school will move from its original location on Jean Street to a brand new home at 459 Frood Road. The program has seen such success that it will continue to be offered at the new location. The school hopes all returning students and new registrants will continue to take advantage of this inter disciplinary opportunity. The school would also like to take this time to thank Mr. Roland Dutrisac for his wonderful contribution to the St. David School community!

SCC Supports Bill 45

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In support of World no Tobacco day, which is May 30th, youth advocates from St. Charles College showed their support for the recent passing of bill 45 in the Ontario Legislature. The students wanted to raise awareness of the bill, which has the goal of enhancing public health by putting restrictions on flavoured tobacco, e-cigarettes, and on tobacco in public spaces. The SCC students created a sign along the Falconbridge highway to raise awareness of the passing of the bill. Please share #thx4bill45 if you would like to see a smoke free Ontario, and an Ontario where no youth feels the need to inappropriately use tobacco products.

Larocque and Taylor-Horeck – 2015 Chairperson’s Award Winners

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Every year, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board of Trustees selects a recipient for the Board’s prestigious Chairperson’s Award – someone who embraces Catholic values, demonstrates initiative and ingenuity, and contributes positively to the lives of students and staff. On May 28, at the Board’s Retirement Dinner and Celebration for 25 year employees, two Sudbury Catholic employees were presented with this year’s Chairperson’s Award -Jean-Gilles Larocque, a teacher at Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School, and Kim Taylor-Horeck, the Board’s Attendance Counsellor.

Jean-Gilles has been with the Sudbury Catholic District School Board for over 12 years, and has been a teacher at Bishop ACCSS beginning September, 2003. He was nominated by staff for being a leader within the school, and for his dedication and ambition in setting the school apart. Larocque is also an outstanding coach and mentor, and encourages students to become involved in sports and extra curricular activities in the school. According to the school’s principal, Cassandra MacGregor, “Jean-Gilles fosters the search for meaning as a lifelong spiritual and academic quest in our students – he consistently encourages students to think, reflect and fully evaluate situations when solving problems. He models being a lifelong learner and encourages students to set and reach their personal goals and beyond.”

Taylor-Horeck, began with the Sudbury Catholic Board as an educational assistant in 1986 and then took on the role of Attendance Counsellor in 1993. Marymount Academy principal, Lucie Lapalm-Cullen nominated Taylor-Horeck as “Kim always has a very positive and compassionate way of dealing with our most sensitive students. She never gives up on them and is very patient, positive and professional. She will drop everything she is doing to help a student get their life back on track…” According to staff, Taylor-Horeck is quick to help line up students with the services and supports they need and does not “close” their file when she is done. Kim stays in touch with the students, checks in on them and continues to advocate for them.

Jody Cameron, Chair of the Board of Trustees presented both Larocque and Taylor Horeck with their awards. “ Jean-Gilles and Kim are very deserving recipients of this year’s Chairperson’s Award,” Cameron stated. “These two employees truly exemplify staff who embraces Catholic values, demonstrate initiative and ingenuity, and contribute positively to the lives of students and staff. We thank them both for their outstanding contributions to the Sudbury Catholic Community, and congratulate them for receiving this year’s award.”

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