It was “buddies day” at Holy Cross School ! In preparation for Catholic Education Week next week, classes decorated their own fish art. Like a school of fish, we are many, we are one!
This year’s theme is “Catholic Education: We are Many, We are One.” From May 1 to May 5, 2023, Sudbury Catholic Schools will join Catholic schools across the province to engage in a variety of activities and events that celebrate the unique identity and contributions of Catholic education.
Since 1992, St. Albert Learning Centre (SALC) in Sudbury has been providing learners with opportunities in an alternative setting. Programs aim to meet each individual’s needs while providing flexibility of time, which allows for greater success when compared to traditional classroom settings.
SALC is a unique, inclusive learning environment that offers a variety of programs to accommodate different needs and learning style. SALC prepares learners for their future goals in the workplace, post-secondary or an apprenticeship role.
At SALC, the programs and learning environment align with its mission, vision and values.
Mission:
We are committed to providing a Catholic, caring and supportive environment meeting learners where they are in their educational journey and helping them achieve their goals.
Vision:
We welcome all learners and provide flexible programs to meet the needs of diverse students and the community, as a whole.
Values:
We are committed to providing:
Real world experiences;
Flexible programming needs; and
A supportive environment.
As well, one-on-one counselling allows SALC to determine the fastest route to achieving educational and/or career goals.
SALC takes a two-fold approach to learning:
To identify and meet the academic needs of adults returning to school; and
To provide on-site and off-site community supports and services to manage the challenges of returning to school.
SALC is proud to have helped thousands of people graduate and enter post-secondary education or find meaningful employment. There are a few different options to consider including for those 18+.
One such option is the PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition) Challenge for Credit and for Mature Students. This program allows adult students to use their life and work experience to earn credits towards an Ontario Secondary School Diploma.
What makes the PLAR program unique is that it recognizes skills and/or experiences people have had in their lives and grants high school credits for these experiences. If you worked in an industry and have pay stubs or a letter from the employer indicating your role and job description, you may be able to obtain credits. Learners can also earn credits for being a parent and managing a household.
“St. Albert Learning Centre offers a wide variety of programming. From upgrading skills, to earning credits for a high school diploma, or getting you job ready in one of our specialized programs such as PSW or cleaner training program, we will help each learner achieve their goals,” says Principal Cassandra Tenbergen. “St. Albert offers a warm and welcoming environment, and we want each learner to achieve success, whatever success means to them. We will help people achieve their goals.”
Debra R. receives support through the Ontario Disability Support Program. Debra struggled with addiction and at age 15, dropped out of school. Now 50 years old, Debra would like to earn her Gr. 12 diploma in a year and secure a part-time job. “With the PLAR process, one-on-one assistance from my teacher and possible co-op placement, I will be able to achieve my goal!”
Maria R. is a retired entrepreneur who ran four local businesses over a span of 30 years. Without a formal education, she immigrated to Canada when she was 16 years old and worked full-time at a bakery and convenience store. After ten years of working, she decided to attend Cambrian College as a mature student, to complete a three-year degree and graduated with honours. She says, “I found out that through the PLAR process I could be granted equivalency credits for my college education and would only need to take one senior-level course to earn my secondary school diploma. I will be graduating in June 2023 with my Gr. 12 diploma!”
New eight-week certificate programs with on-the-job training: Cleaner, Retail Worker and Cook’s Helper; and
English as a Second Language (ESL) for credit courses – speaking, listening, reading and writing, to give students a well-rounded understanding of the English language.
One on one credit counselling for immigrants to support them in attaining their Ontario High School Diploma
Want to learn more? Visit the SALC website for more information or contact SALC today and get ready to start your journey – it’s never too late! Registration is now open. Onsite daycare services available.
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is gearing up for its annual week-long celebration of Catholic Education Week. This year’s theme is “Catholic Education: We are Many, We are One.” From May 1 to May 5, 2023, Sudbury Catholic Schools will join Catholic schools across the province to engage in a variety of activities and events that celebrate the unique identity and contributions of Catholic education.
The week will be divided into five sub-themes:
When we see
When we listen
When we reflect
When we learn
When we act
OCSTA Resources
The Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA) has developed and shared daily resources and lesson plans for classrooms to participate in. With the support of the OCSTA and the Catholic community, Catholic education in Ontario continues to thrive.
You can view the official Catholic Education Week song below:
Board-Wide Celebrations
Catholic Education Week is a special opportunity for the Catholic community in Sudbury to come together and celebrate the unique identity and contributions of Catholic education. From Toonies for Tuition Day to the Catholic Education Week Mass, there are a variety of activities and events that we have planned for this special week.
Toonies for Tuition Day
On May 1st, schools are encouraged to dress up like a bee or wear yellow and black to participate in Toonies for Tuition Day. Staff and students are encouraged to bring a toonie to support Toonies for Tuition, which will be donated to the Canadian Catholic School Trustees’ Association Endowment Fund for distribution to Catholic families in need.
Catholic Education Week Mass
A Catholic Education Week Mass will be held on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. His Eminence, Thomas Cardinal Collins, will be celebrating the Mass. Schools across the province are invited to participate virtually in this celebration of the Eucharist.
May 1-5th is also Children’s Mental Health Week. Members of the Mental Health team will be completing activities in schools to engage staff and students. Schools will also be encouraged to wear green on Thursday, May 4, to promote children’s mental health.
Skills Ontario Provincial Competitions
Thirteen secondary students from St. Charles College and two students from Bishop Alexander Carter will compete in the annual Skills Ontario Provincial Competitions at the Toronto Congress Centre from May 1-3.
PEACE program students were proud to be able to help Caruso Club – Società Caruso members celebrate their membership banquet on March 25th. Students personalized over 400 wooden spoons!
PEACE Pens has completed orders for many organizations including Workforce Planning Sudbury and Manitoulin, Old Rock Café, Lake City Reality, Caruso Club, Tony V’s, the Art Gallery of Sudbury, and Dominion Sewing Centre. The program provides students with hands-on learning opportunities using a variety of design technologies and business planning experience. All pens and other products in the PEACE shop are custom-made and created from start to finish by students in the program. Each item has its own unique style reflective of the creator. The project allow students to earn credits through the workshop co-op. Through the initiative, students develop their computer skills, design skills, business skills all in a safe and healthy work environment.
“Working on these projects lets me focus on doing hands on activities outside of my schoolwork. It has been really fun to create things like the spoons for the Caruso Club,” said student Pierce Langill.
“Learning how to properly and safely use the engraver has been a great experience. I really enjoy learning about the process of creating products and how to successfully run a business such as this one,” said student Emma Flear.
“The team at St. Albert Learning Centre is always looking for innovative ways to promote experiential learning opportunities and to expand our partnership with community partners. We thank our community partners for giving our students the various projects to keep them engaged in their learning!” said Christina Raso, Vice Principal of St. Albert Learning Centre.
What a wonderful day for St Charles College students and staff as they celebrated the various cultures and diversity at the school by hosting their annual International Dessert Fair.
There were over 40 student booths with a variety of countries being represented. Students travelled to Nigeria, Italy, Greece, Ukraine, Mexico, France, Canada, Brazil, China, Japan, Lebanon, Norway, Philippines, Honduras, Austria, Korea, Spain, Chile, Zimbabwe, Bahamas, South Africa, Germany, Tibet, India & Israel, and go to enjoy bite sized desserts from each country. School Principal Mr. Aaron Barry was blown away by the various desserts and booths, after spending the afternoon conversing with many students and learning about their culture & foods, he said he has definitely added a few places to travel on his bucket list.
The event was a huge hit raising funds for the Northern Cancer Foundation. The event was planned by the schools’ international clubs, student council, foods classes and the amazing teaching staff involved.
St. Charles College students Parker Tilbury, Kyle Nyereyemhuka and Brady VanDruenen all placed first in the Skills Ontario Qualifying Competition held at Canadore College on April 1, 2023.
Parker took home gold in the Individual Carpentry competition while Kyle and Brady wrote, filmed, and produced an innovating short film on climate change which earned them the gold medal in the TV/Video Production category.
“There were some requirements before heading to Canadore. We had to do a storyboard, a production brief, and a script. We came prepared, were dead set to win and we really wanted to move onto Toronto. Overall, we’re really proud of our efforts” said Brady VanDruenen, St. Charles College Student.
“After two years of virtual competitions, it feels good to compete in person! We’re excited to meet the other students involved and excel at the Provincial level next month,” said Kyle Nyereyemhuka, St. Charles College Student.
Teacher mentors Chris Kohut (Construction SHSM Teacher) and Christina Thompson (Digital Media SHSM Teacher) are very proud and excited to see their students compete at the next stage.
“It was great watching Parker apply his skills and knowledge throughout the competition. Winning the gold in North Bay has made him even more focused on his goal to reach the podium in Toronto, and after that, maybe even the National competition. We’re very proud of his efforts so far and can’t wait to see what he accomplishes!” said Chris Kohut, Construction SHSM Teacher at St. Charles College.
The students will next compete against the best in Ontario at the upcoming Skills Ontario Provincial Competitions. A total of 13 secondary students from St. Charles College and 2 students from Bishop Alexander Carter C.S.S will represent the Sudbury Catholic District School Board at the Toronto Congress Centre from May 1 –
3, 2023. Contests will include Carpentry, TV/Video Production, Graphic Design, Auto Service Technology and Photography. Participating students will have an opportunity to win medals, be awarded with scholarships and bursaries, and qualify for the National Skills Competition in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Kyle Nyereyemhuka (left) and Brady VanDruenen (right) with SCC Teacher Mentor Christina Thompson (middle).Parker Tilbury competed in the carpentry competition.
St. Anne Students travelled to the traditional lands of Wahnapitae First Nation to participate in a Water Walk with the support from Ms. Carissa, the school’s Indigenous Support worker. They read the story “The Water Walker” and received personalized letters from local author Joanne Robertson. Students sang, feasted, laughed, celebrated, and learned about the importance and sacredness of water . They then gathered to give thanks and offer semma (sacred tobacco) to the waters of Lake Wahnapitae.
Chi-miigwetch to Caroline Recollet and Tammy Cheverette from the community who shared traditional knowledge with us, Jamie Macdonald, Anishinabek Student Support Counsellor, and other members from the community that helped make this learning opportunity available to our students.
Registration is now open for Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s (SCDSB) annual Carousel Event hosted by the Parent Involvement Committee (PIC)! Learn about different topics, network with others, and engage in great conversation.
When: Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Where: St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School
Address: 2993 Algonquin Drive
Carousel topics will include:
Supporting Mental Health & Well Being, Cyber Safety, Building Resiliency, Homework Support, Special Education, Coding, Preparing Your Child for Post-Secondary, Literacy: Supporting Reading @ Home, and Learning About Secondary Programming. Click here to view our session descriptions!
Staff and students at St. James school came together in celebration of Holy Thursday.
Holy Thursday is the commemoration of the Last Supper of Jesus Christ, when he established the sacrament of Holy Communion prior to his arrest and crucifixion. It also commemorates His institution of the priesthood. The holy day falls on the Thursday before Easter and is part of Holy Week.
