Mira Lahoud, kindergarten student at St. David Catholic School beats the heat at the Victory Park Splashpad with her class to celebrate the beginning of summer.
Month: June 2016
Marymount Family Tree
In 2015, Miss Simpson’s Church and Culture class established the Marymount family tree. “Rooted in Faith” was designed with all Regals in mind. Intertwined with the roots of the tree are the signatures of the Sisters of St. Joseph, the nuns who founded Marymount Academy 60 years ago in 1956. The hands of the MMA staff, our school board, and the trustees represent the grass supporting the tree. The handprints of Marymount students are the leaves of the tree, and they surround a beautiful owl painted by our visual arts teacher, Mrs. Fairgrieve. While the owl represents wisdom and education, to many of us it also represents Kodee Daoust who was a student in the religion class until the end of October when she passed away in a car accident.
The family tree is a living legacy for all Regals. Every year, just like all of us, the mural will change and grow as new students and staff add their handprints to the tree. “Rooted in Faith” reminds us that we will always be part of the Marymount family.
Dancing under the sun
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board hosted a secondary Powwow on June 1st 2016 at St. Benedict School. This was an opportunity for our Indigenous community to share their culture with non-Indigenous community members. Some of the dancers at the Powwow were secondary school students who attend our schools. It was exciting for our participants to see the dancers. Students were also able to share their culture and the style of dance. Those who partook in this event were able to celebrate Indigenous tradition and culture.
Through SCDSB we integrate First Nations, Métis, and Inuit cultures, history and perspectives in our curriculum. As an indigenous support worker we try to bridge gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. Having a celebration like this brings people together.
The Pow wow celebration was our first this year for our Catholic secondary schools. Many of those who attended the Powwow have never experienced a cultural activity such as this. It is with hope that with the continued support of secondary staff we can strive for more exposure of First Nations, Inuit and Metis Culture. Our students and faculty were given the opportunity to see dancers in full regalia. The students shared songs and the drumming was breathtaking Miigwetch.
The Arts are alive and well at St. David School
On Wednesday, June 22 2016 Jeff Stewart from the Spirit of World Drumming spent the day at St. David Catholic School, drumming with students ranging from kindergarten to grade 6. In the drum circles, students were introduced to a variety of drums and percussion instruments from around the world. Music concepts, verbal / non-verbal language and mathematical awareness were integrated into cultural awareness to create a fun learning experience for all students!
“Mr. Stewart was a wonderful teacher, not only for our students, but also for our staff members. He re-inforced the importance of the arts in the curriculum and its positive impact on both literacy and mathematical achievement. He also spoke of music supporting students find their voice. It was a wonderfully positive and fun day.” stated Cindy Blinn, kindergarten teacher at St. David School.
Connecting to the land
Recently our secondary schools students had an opportunity to attend a sweat lodge building and ceremony as part of the “Bundle Roots Program”. The event was hosted by Indigenous Education Secondary Support staff & teachers. At this event we had students from various cultures take part. The turnout was great and the weather was wonderful. There were three secondary schools that took part in this activity. The Sweat lodge was held on Atikameksheng Anishnawbek territory.
The sweat lodge is a structure, which is dome shaped made using natural materials given to us by the land. sweat lodges are used by Indigenous people on Turtle Island for ceremonial prayers. The ceremony and traditions associated with the sweat lodge vary from region to region but are similar in nature.
Students were able to partake in constructing the sweat lodge which was a rich learning experience for all staff and students. All the young men and women took part in constructing the sweat lodge. The Elders were both helpful and insightful for the youth and the staff, and shared their knowledge.
We completed our very full day with a very delicious feast, along with a spirit plate given back to our sacred helpers during this ceremony.
St. David School celebrates National Aboriginal Day with a fun filled outdoor playday
St. David Catholic School celebrated National Aboriginal Day with a school wide Indigenous themed payday. The students learned about First Nation identity and culture while having fun outdoors. All students received a complimentary pizza lunch by local company, “Over the Atlantic” owned by former St. David School student, Joseph Mansourian. “Caring for each other, teamwork, and overcoming obstacles were the theme for the day. The students enjoyed the outdoor experience and opportunity to be leaders”, stated Lindsay Michel, FDK teacher and National Aboriginal Fun Day planner.
St. Charles College celebrates National Aboriginal Day
It’s National Aboriginal Day and here at St. Charles College we not only embrace all cultures but we also celebrate the diverse culture and unique heritage of our First Nation, Inuit and Metis people. This day also marks the Summer Solstice.
Two weeks ago, a number of our students participated in a pow wow aimed to bring children from all four school boards together in song and dance.
The “Honouring our Youth” Pow Wow was also an opportunity for our SCC students to showcase their talents.
Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson from UCLA Visits Sudbury
On June 8, 9 and 10, selected teachers and educational assistants from SCDSB attended a PEERS training session held at Laurentian University. The training sessions were lead by Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson, assistant professor from UCLA. Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson is the founder and director of the UCLA Peers Clinic. The PEERS-Program for the Evaluation and Enrichment of Relational Skills is a parent assisted intervention focusing on teens in middle school and high school who are having difficulty making or keeping friends. The training session focused on social skills such as having conversations, entering and exiting conversations, using electronic forms of communication, choosing appropriate friends, handling teasing, bullying and other forms of social rejection experienced by students. Many strategies were discussed and provided to also address social skills for students with developmental and autism spectrum disorders.
St. James student throws ceremonial pitch for the Blue Jays
June 1st was a special day for Lauren Jolette, a student from St. James Catholic School in Lively. She was chosen to throw the ceremonial first pitch at the Blue Jays game to launch the Deafblind Awareness Month. She was surrounded by family and many friends, as well as her intervenor, Doris Connors, from the Sudbury Catholic School Board.
“There’s so many people here and I’m so nervous!” exclaimed Lauren as she stepped foot onto the field and looked out at the bleachers.
Lauren tossed a perfect pitch to Josh Thole, the team’s catcher, with dad and Ace, Blue Jays’ mascot, by her side.
Congratulations, Lauren!