Sudbury Catholic District School Board

Leading with Kindness: The Sudbury Catholic District School Board Recognizes This Year’s Winners for the Chairperson’s Award 

Each year, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board recognizes employees who embody the Board’s mission, vision and values. The Board is pleased to recognize Maurice Martin and Sheri Neuts as the two recipients of the 2023 Chairperson’s Award.  


Maurice Martin is a Grade 2 Teacher at St. John School. He is described as a positive, kind, and generous teacher and is well recognized by the students, staff, and families as a leader. Maurice fosters a sense of belonging and inclusivity – he ensures that all students feel welcomed and valued. As a teacher, he leads by example and teaches his students how to be collaborative contributors and a responsible and caring member of society. Maurice is also seen as an active member of the St. John School community – he is regularly involved in planning faith celebrations, assisting with school assemblies, and organizing special events such as Franco Fun days. He continually supports his colleagues and always makes time to listen, lend a hand, share a story, and have a laugh. Maurice makes learning fun for all and is well respected by all who work and learn alongside him. 

Sheri Neuts is an Educational Assistant at St. Charles Elementary School in Chelmsford. Sheri is seen as the ‘face of friendship’ at the school and her loyalty, kindness and sincerity have resulted in long lasting connections with students, staff, and families throughout the years. She is credited by her colleagues for creating a safe space for learning. Sheri works hard each day to showcase and celebrate the unique gifts and talents of all students. Whether helping to organize a collaborative school activity, or dedicating extra time to learning how she can support students – Sheri is aware of the needs of the students and her fellow colleagues. She is the first person to volunteer to organize an event or assembly and is always available to support staff members. Sheri’s positivity and generous spirit shines through, and she is an invaluable member of the St. Charles School community. 

“We are very honoured to celebrate this year’s Chairperson’s Award recipients. As Board Chair, it is such a privilege to take the time to recognize Maurice and Sheri – both of whom are well-respected by their school communities and by the Board as a whole,” said Michael Bellmore, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “They each embody our mission and vision effortlessly, and are proof that leading with kindness and generosity creates a more positive and nurturing learning environment for all. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we thank all those who nominated individuals this year, and we are especially grateful to our two recipients for their ongoing commitment and service to our school system and to Catholic education.” This year’s award winners will be recognized at the annual Employee Recognition Event happening on June 6, 2023.

National AccessAbility Week & Red Shirt Day

May 28 to June 3, 2023, is National AccessAbility Week!

National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) is an annual initiative that celebrates, promotes, and showcases the diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in our country, and highlights some of the important initiatives aimed at creating an accessible Canada. Since 2019, Easter Seals Ontario has recognized the Wednesday of National AccessAbility week as the Red Shirt Day of Action for AccessAbility and Inclusion. Everyone is encouraged to wear a red shirt to raise awareness for accessibility and disability inclusion and make a pledge to help remove physical, attitudinal, and systematic barriers in their schools, workplaces, and communities.

The following educator resources are available: 

Elementary: English | French

Secondary: English | French

Red Shirt Day

Red Shirt Day is an Easter Seals initiative and was first celebrated in 2019. The 2023 Red Shirt Day takes place on Wednesday, May 31. Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCDSB) students and staff are encouraged to wear red on Red Shirt Day to promote messages of support for people and families living with disabilities.

About Red Shirt Day 

Red Shirt Day of Action for AccessAbility and Inclusion is a day when people across Canada come together and wear red in schools, workplaces and spaces everywhere in order to create a visible display of solidarity: to show their support for persons and families of those who are living with disabilities, celebrate the achievements of people living with disabilities, and to pledge their commitment to help create a fully accessible and inclusive society that honours and values the contributions of people of all abilities in all aspects of life in Canada. Learn more!

Resources 

Red Shirt Day Resources

Easter Seals Website

Rick Hansen Website

Poster

Handout

Pledge

Pledge Examples

Colouring Sheets

Books & Reading Materials for Kids

Books & Reading Materials for Kids

Films & Documentaries for Adults

Ted Talks

St. Benedict Teacher Chosen to Take Part in the Leader Training Program Presented by Let’s Talk Science 

 Erika Weber, Science Teacher at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School has been selected for the Teacher Leader Training Program offered by Let’s Talk Science for the 2023-2024 School Year. 

The Teacher Leader Training Program is a professional development opportunity for teachers looking to help other educators deliver enriching learning in the classroom through STEM. A Teacher Leader is responsible for the following: 

  • • Support educators in STEM-based learning and teaching. 
  • • Join other Teacher Leaders from across the country to form a community of best practices. 
  • • Facilitate professional learning experiences for fellow educators using curriculum-aligned, easy to use resources. 

Candidates participated in three levels of interviews for this unique position. Erika hopes to build confidence in her fellow educators who are not familiar with science education and assist them in feeling comfortable with completing hands-on experiments and modelling STEM in their own classrooms. 

“Through this experience, I will be a permanent member of a community of passionate STEM educators from across Canada. I am hoping to gain new strategies, best practices, and resources that I can share with my colleagues at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. When passion is put to practice, it inspires others; I look forward to learning from this program so that our students can put their best foot forward in a fast-paced and competitive industry,” said Erika Weber, Science Teacher at St. Benedict C.S.S. 

“Mrs. Weber’s passion for STEM education is contagious. She is continually looking for engaging and meaningful opportunities for her students, which in turn sparks a love for science. Her leadership in the areas of science, robotics, and coding has enriched St. Benedict, and I am excited to see what her next adventure brings!” said Beverly Belanger, Principal of St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School. 

Let’s Talk Science is a national charitable organization committed to preparing youth for evolving career and citizenship demands in a rapidly changing world. Learn more about the Teacher Leader Training Program and the organization HERE

Staff and Students Bear Witness To Jordan’s Principle

On Wednesday, May 10th, staff and students honoured the memory of Jordan River Anderson and took the time to Bear Witness. Bear Witness Day serves as a reminder – and a day for us all to “bear witness” that First Nations children receive the services and supports they need, when they need them. Below are a few examples of activities that took place in our schools:

Holy Trinity Students brought in their favourite stuffed animals and learned about the importance of Bear Witness Day.

Kindergarten students at St. Anne School brought their teddy bears outside for Teddy Bear Picnic.

LSC203 staff and students at St. Benedict C.S.S learned about Jordan while having a tea party. Afterwards they coloured teddy bears in his honour.

Join Us During Our Online Information Sessions With MLI Homestay

You’re invited! Join us on May 24, 2023, during our online MLI Homestay information sessions. During this information session, you will:

  • Learn about the benefits of hosting an international student.
  • Learn about the application and approval process.
  • Hear first-hand from current hosts and international students!

There will be two different time slots available. Please register for one of the following 45-minute Zoom sessions:

Please see the attached poster for more information. 

Bishop Student Appointed to Student Trustee at Sudbury Catholic Schools 

Grade 10 Bishop Alexander Carter C.S.S. student Julia Parenteau has been appointed as the newest Sudbury Catholic District School Board Student Trustee for the 2023-2025 terms. The appointment took place at the April 18, 2023 Board meeting. Julia will join fellow Student Trustee Catena Hayden beginning August 1, 2023. 

Julia is a devoted leader both on her school’s Student Council and on the Student Senate. Seen as an active member of the community, Julia spends much of her time volunteering at her local church and serving as a member of the Saint Vincent de Paul Committee. She has also devoted time to serving food to veterans and their families and volunteering at various events for the Maison Sudbury Hospice. 

Julia is strong advocate for student voice and believes it is a necessary for student development and growth. She hopes to bring more attention to mental health and well-being within schools and create resources to help students and school environments navigate appropriate solutions. 

“I believe it’s important for students to be involved in their education because, with an absence of involvement, their lives and our school communities would lack growth. When a student is involved in their education, they ask questions and make a point to self-assess their progress and attitude towards school. It’s these kinds of students who not only better themselves but also their school environment because they set examples and show good habits that other students may feel they need to pick up on,” said Julia Parenteau. 

“Julia is a passionate and dedicated individual. Her commitment to bettering our school system and helping her fellow students is inspring not only to her peers but to us as well. We look forward to working alongside her, as we continue to champion Student Voice at the Board table ,” said Michael Bellmore, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees. 

Step into the Classroom with SCDSB’s Welcome to Kindergarten Nights

Sudbury Catholic Schools are holding in-person Welcome to Kindergarten Nights. We’re thrilled to offer an in-person experience where you and your child can explore our schools, meet our dedicated Kindergarten Team, and participate in fun classroom activities. This event is not only an opportunity for your child and family to become familiar with their new school, but also a chance for us to warmly welcome you and your family to our SCDSB family. No matter if you’ve already registered or not, we invite you to attend and look forward to seeing you soon!

Attend a Welcome to Kindergarten Night

Below is a list of all the dates and details available for upcoming Welcome to Kindergarten nights at Sudbury Catholic Schools. Please contact the appropriate school for more information and to register.

SchoolDateTime
St. AnneWednesday, May 17, 20236:00 – 7:00 p.m.
St. Charles SchoolWednesday, May 3, 20235:00-6:30 p.m.
St. David SchoolMonday, June 26, 20231:00 p.m.
St. Francis Thursday, June 8, 20235:00 – 6:00 PM
Holy CrossWednesday, May 31, 20235:00 – 6:30 PM
Holy Trinity Wednesday, June 7, 20235:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Immaculate ConceptionThursday, May 18, 20234:30-6:30 PM
St. JamesFriday, June 2, 2023
St. JohnThursday, May 4, 202311:00-12:00 PM
St. JosephN/AN/A
St. MarkN/AN/A
St. PaulWednesday, May 3, 20234:30-5:30 PM
Pius XIITuesday, May 23, 2023 4:00 – 6:00 PM

View our Kindergarten Program Brochure 

St. Albert Students Participate in Brain Buster Quiz with Let’s Talk Science

On day four of Catholic Education Week, students at St. Albert Learning Centre participated in a special Brain Buster Quiz show organized by the team at Let’s Talk Science.  

Students tested their knowledge about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in a fun and engaging activity. Students learned new vocabulary such as “umami” all while earning points and having a great time!  

At the end of the game, students were given the opportunity to ask questions to game host Nick Butt about his experience studying STEM. Nick is the Outreach Delivery Coordinator at Let’s Talk Science who studied physics at Memorial University of Newfoundland and then earned his masters degree in Educational Research specializing in Curriculum and Learning.  

We would like to thank the team at Let’s Talk Science for organizing this event, sharing their passion about STEM but most importantly for celebrating Catholic education week with us! 

Congratulations goes out to Fisher, Curtis and Kayla for earning the highest scores and winning gift cards!

Pius XII Community Gives Generously Through Smile Box Campaign for Sudbury Women’s Centre

This year during Catholic Education Week, the focus is “We Are Many, We Are One”. To demonstrate this, students and families at Pius XII School donated new and unused toiletry items. Students in grade 5 and 6 decorated shoe boxes and filled them with these toiletry items. The “Smile Boxes” were then donated to the Sudbury Women’s Centre. 

“I am forever grateful to have so many students and families at Pius XII that were giving of their time and supportive of this initiative. It is very important to me for our students to understand how integral community partnerships can be,” said Amanda Schiafone, Grade 5/6 Teacher at Pius XII.

The Sudbury Women’s Centre was so appreciative to the community at Pius XII and the generosity they showed during this fundraiser!

“We are incredibly grateful for the many shoeboxes donated by Pius XII Catholic School this past week. Our clients have shared with us the impact these boxes have had on them. In particular, the various inspirational quotes and sayings in the boxes have left clients feeling cared for. We are so grateful for community partnerships such as these that provide our clients with dignity,” said Giulia Carpenter, Executive Director of the Sudbury Women’s Centre. 

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