St. Francis Catholic Elementary School staff and community partners participated in ‘Roc your Mocs’ campaign. The campaign is helping a resurgence of pride in North American Tribes. In support of this campaign, even ‘Baby Riley’, Roots of Empathy baby in the FDK class wore her mocassins during her monthly visit to the classroom.
Month: November 2015
St. David “Rocs Their Mocs”
The staff and students at St. David Catholic School participated in the “Roc your Mocs” campaign, a fun way to celebrate their diversity and heritage. The “Roc you Mocs’ day started as a social movement in the United States, but has moved into Canada as a way to celebrate individual diversity and raise awareness for Indigenous peoples throughout the world. Cultural pride, comfortable footwear and a lot of fun were the themes of the day!
SCC presents: Christmas Arts Spectacular – Dec. 10
“Everyone is a Mathematician at St. David School!”
On November 18th, St. David Catholic Elementary School welcomed parents and family members into the school community to enjoy a morning of math games with their children. All family members started their sessions off with a coffee and a warm welcome from the school principal and vice principal, who explained the school’s math improvement goal and how each family could support their children at home become successful, confident students of mathematics. All family participants received a “math gift bag” to encourage the continuation of math games at home. Each bag not only included some basic math tools and activities, but also included the Ministry of Education parent handbook entitled, “Doing Mathematics with Your Child – a Parent Guide”.
Families enjoyed a variety of simple math games with their children as well as used the time in the school to help build community and model what a trusting school / home relationship looks like. Laughter could be heard throughout the building as well as student and parents’ growing confidence in mathematics. “It is important for our families to understand the math curriculum and the simple ways that they can support their child’s success at school. Our students set goals for themselves in literacy and mathematics and when we all work together to provide safe and accepting learning environments their goals are reachable. It is vital that all students see themselves as successful math learners and that families and school staff work as a team to support student confidence building and academic success” stated Megan Murphy, St. David Catholic School Vice Principal.
SCDSB Embraces Equity and Inclusivity with D’Souza Presentations
“I want you to be nice to me…because I’m UNIQUE, I’m different from the rest…because I’m UNIQUE, and I deserve respect!” Simple yet powerful words are being sung by both students and staff at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board as all four secondary schools, several elementary schools, as well as all staff at the November 16th Professional Activity Day had the opportunity to listen to Equity and Inclusivity Activist Chris D’Souza perform his song “Unique” and listen to his impactful presentation.
D’Souza has taught at both elementary and secondary levels, and was the Equity and Diversity Officer for 5 years with the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board. Currently teaching part time with this board, D’Souza has conducted over 5000 Equity and Anti-Oppression workshops to educations, Law Enforcement, Community Services, Corrections Officers, Corporate Institutions, as well as thousands of students. He is also the founder of the Equity Summit Group, a collaborative of over 26 school board equity representatives in Ontario. D’Sousa is also the author of three books, which address common stereotypes and are being used in over 6000 schools, in over 7 countries.
With it being Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week (November 15-20), the timing was perfect with D’Sousa kicking off the week for all SCDSB staff at St. Charles College with his very powerful and engaging presentation. With guitar in hand, D’Souza read aloud his stories, and the songs got the groups out of their seats. The message was clear, equity and inclusivity is the only option, anything else is not tolerated. This same message was shared with Sudbury Catholic students at over 10 schools during his three-day visit. Jennifer Connelly, Assistive Technology teacher with the board, accompanied D’Souza to each of the venues, and was absolutely moved by the impact he had on his multiple audiences. “From our staff P.A. day, to the younger elementary students, to the older secondary students, Chris’s message of equity resonated with every single group.” Connelly stated. “ We are very fortunate as a board that we have a senior administration team that recognizes the importance of equity and inclusivity in our schools, and provide such tremendous opportunities like having Chris D’Souza present to students and staff. We know from a parent perspective and staff perspective, we are supporting safe and inclusive learning environments for their children, as well as for all staff.”
Don’t Be A Bully…Be a Good Sport at St. James
Staff and Students at St. James Catholic Elementary School wore their favorite sports jersey and pink to support good sportsmanship and anti-bullying. Daily announcements and prayers during Bully Awareness Week are centred around the message of being kind, patient, fair and just with one another.
Bishop ACCSS Recipients of the Dr. Bette M. Stephenson Award
On Tuesday, November 17, Cassandra MacGregor, Principal of Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School, along with teachers Robert Boucher and Marah Pardoe were presented with the Dr. Bette M. Stephenson Recognition of Achievement Award for 2015 from the provincioal Education Quality and Accountability Office at the Sudbury Catholic Board meeting. The group from Bishop had attended a recognition ceremony that took place on Wednesday, October 28, 2015, in Toronto. This recognition program was established by the EQAO board of directors in 2009, as a tribute to Dr. Stephenson’s lifelong commitment and contribution to education and public service. The award was given to Bishop ACCSS, one of the 18 elementary and secondary schools in the province to receive this honour, to recognize this school’s community for its efforts, over many years, at improving student achievement and for its use of EQAO results to improve student learning. Mike Young, Principal, School Support and Outreach for the E.Q.A.O. office was on hand at the board meeting to present the group with a plaque and to explain why Bishop was selected. According to Young, the school has used three important initiatives – using all human resources available, using technology in the classroom, and collaborating with the feeder schools. Jody Cameron, Chair of the Board for SCDSB congratulated the group for their efforts. “We want to publically recognize the hard work happening out at Bishop and congratulate them on their outstanding achievement,” stated Cameron. “We know this hard work is paying off, as our Bishop data is indicating, and we are very pleased to see that our teachers continue to make our students’ successes a priority.”
SCDSB Celebrates LDAS 2015 Teacher of the Year
On Tuesday, November 17, Sudbury Catholic Itinerant Resource Teacher. Tanya Marcotte was recognized as the Learning Disabilities Association of Sudbury 2015 teacher of the year at the SCDSB board meeting. L.D.A.S. Chair, Liz Brett-Dickie was on hand to present Marcotte with the award. Brett-Dickie explained that Marcotte was selected as she “consistently supports the needs of students with learning disabilities, and tirelessly works to ensure their success.” Marcotte’s co-workers nominated her for this award and felt that she was an excellent candidate. Brett-Dickie read aloud an excerpt from the nomination letter for Marcotte.
“Tanya has been working as a special education resource teacher for over 12 years. She embraces our Catholic faith and it’s seen throughout her work with special education students. Tanya lives by the belief of getting to know students (learning needs/preferences) and then responds through the opportunities provided in the classroom.
Tanya works tirelessly behind the scenes not only supporting students with Learning Disabilities but also supporting teaching staff. She provides them with proven strategies that assist students to become the best they can be.
Tanya also plays a key role in assisting the school board to organize its yearly summer camps. She is able to recommend specific students who would benefit from this intervention.”
Marcotte, accompanied by her husband and parents, was visibly moved by the award, and explained she was very honoured and humbled. “I can’t do what I do with out the teachers I work with – who challenge and inspire, my parents who instilled in me my strong work ethic, and my husband who puts up with my worries daily.”
St. Charles Elementary Students Pledge to Stop Bullying and Hang It Out to Dry!
During Bullying Prevention and Awareness Week (November 16-20), students at St. Charles have been engaged many activities to raise awareness around the topic of bullying.
Students in all three FDK classes, with help from their teacher, Ms. Posso, have taken a pledge to stop bullying! They have read books and talked about what bullying means and together made this pledge:
I am a kid againstt bullying! And I will…
– Speak up when I see bullying
– Reach out to others who are bullied
– Be a friend whenever I see bullying.
Students in Grades 2-8 have each created a pink shirt with a message about bullying on them, and these shirts have been strung up down the halls to show they are “Hanging Bullying Out to Dry”. On Wednesday November 18, there was a flourish of pink throughout the school as staff and students wore their pink shirts.
Other activities include a visit from Sergent Randy Hosken from the GSPS, a MADD presentation for students in grades 6-8 and students in grades 4-8 gave their input into our Safe School Survey called OurSchool (formerly Tell Them From Me). Also, Amanda Lantheir, a SCDSB child and youth worker continued to share with groups about the FRIENDS program and Kelso’s Choices, and students learned Chris D’Souza’s new song “I Want You to be Nice to Me”.