Children’s Mental Health Week (May 6-12)

Posted on April 30, 2024April 30, 2024 by Erin Kendall

May 6–12 is Children’s Mental Health Week across the province of Ontario. Sudbury Catholic Schools will celebrate the opportunity to make intentional connections of caring for ourselves, mind, body and spirit. This year’s Mental Health Week is centred on the healing power of compassion and will explore how compassion connects us all!

Did you know? As many as 1 in 5 Ontario children and youth in Ontario will experience some form of mental health problem – that’s about 500,000 kids. Of those kids, 5 out of 6 will not receive the treatment they need.

Join us for CMHW 2024 and help raise awareness for child and youth mental health and well-being! 

Children’s Mental Health Week 2024

Activities & Events Planned for Sudbury Catholic Schools:

Hope Clouds

On May 6th, the Mental Health Team has organized an activity for schools centred around the theme of Hope. Participating students will craft their own “Hope Clouds,” reflecting on their aspirations and dreams. They will also consider actionable steps toward achieving these aspirations and identify sources of support.

Learn More

Hope Cloud Template

Love Rocks!

Classrooms signed up to receive supplies to craft rocks adorned with inspiring messages to spread love, kindness, hope, and encouragement throughout the community during May 6-10.

Wear Green for Children’s Mental Health Week

Schools are encouraged to wear green on Friday, May 10, to promote Children’s Mental Health Week and show support for children with emotional disorders.

Free Community Events & Activities

The Compass Youth Advisory Council and community partners have planned events and activities for the upcoming Child and Youth Mental Health Week.

This year, free community events include:

Urban Air Drop In on Monday, May 6 from 4-6 PM
Craft day at the Sudbury Youth Wellness Hub on Tuesday, May 7 from 3-7 PM
Inspired Tots Drop In on Wednesday, May 8 from 2 – 6:30 PM
Ice Cream at 3 Cows and a Cone on Thursday, May 9 from 11 AM – 8 PM
safeTALK Training on Friday, May 10 at 9 AM
Swimming at the Espanola Recreation Complex on Friday, May 10 from 5-6:45 PM
Swimming at YMCA Sudbury on Saturday, May 11 from 1-2 PM
Bowling at Plaza Bowl on Saturday, May 11 at 6 PM and 7:30 PM
Buy 1 Get 1 Free ice pops from Papaya Pops on Sunday, May 12 from 11 AM – 8 PM
Art and sticker design contest
Plus, we’re handing out free wellness kits full of your self-care necessities

The full schedule of activities and links to register can be found on the Compass website.

Compass – Event Schedule for Families

CMHA Resources

CMHA – The Practice of Self Compassion

CMHA – A Week of Compassion

CMHA – Toolkit for Teachers

CMHA – The Mental Health Impacts of Compassion

CMHA – What is Compassion?

CMHA – Poster

If You Need Support

You are not alone. If you need support, please reach out to your doctor, family member or a trusted adult. You can find a variety of mental health and well-being resources and supports available at school and in the community highlighted on the Mental Health and Well-Being section of our website.

Mental Health & Well-Being

Internal Page

Safe & Accepting Schools

Internal Page

Mental Health Newsletter

Internal Page

Catholic Education Week (May 6-10)

Posted on April 30, 2024April 30, 2024 by Erin Kendall

Each year, the Catholic community of Ontario engages in a week-long celebration of the unique identity and distinctive contributions of Catholic education. This year’s celebration is entitled, “Catholic Education: We Are Called to Love” and will be celebrated during the week of May 5 – May 10.

The five sub-themes for Catholic Education: We Are Called to Love are:

As people of hope
As people of faith
As people of mercy
As people of justice
As people of joy

Catholic Education Week 2024

Activities & Events Planned for Sudbury Catholic Schools:

Catholic Education Week is a special opportunity for the Catholic community in Ontario to come together and celebrate the unique identity and contributions of Catholic Education. There are always a variety of activities and events that Sudbury Catholic Schools have planned for this special week.

Board-wide activities involving families and students include:

May 6: Toonies for Tuition Day

On May 6, schools are invited to come together to “fan the flame of hope” by dressing in bright colours like red, orange, and yellow to make Sudbury Catholic Schools shine bright for Catholic Education Week. 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.

May 8: Catholic Education Week Mass

A Catholic Education Week Mass will be held on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. His Eminence, Gerard Bergie, Bishop of St. Catharines and President of the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario, will be celebrating the Mass. Schools across the province are invited to participate virtually in this celebration of the Eucharist.

Live Stream

May 8: OCSY Day Conference

Secondary Students from Sudbury Catholic will participate in the 2024 Ontario Catholic Student Youth (OCSY) Day Conference. This event will also take place on May 8^th and is being planned and coordinated by the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association’s Catholic Board Council, with support from OCSTA. The 2024 OCSY Day Conference will be hosted virtually.

More Information

Children’s Mental Health Week

May 6-12 is Children’s Mental Health Week. Members of the Mental Health team will be completing activities in schools to engage staff and students. This year’s Mental Health Week is cantered on the healing power of compassion. #BeKind

Learn More

CMHA Website

May 10: Wear Green for Children’s Mental Health Week

Schools are encouraged to wear green on Friday, May 10, to promote children’s mental health and show support for children with emotional disorders.

Skills Ontario Provincial Competitions

Secondary Students from Sudbury Catholic will participate in the 2024 Skills Ontario Competition. The Skills Ontario Competition will be held at the Toronto Congress Centre on May 6-7 followed by a closing ceremony on the 8th.

Love Rocks!

Classrooms will receive supplies to craft rocks adorned with inspiring messages to spread love, kindness, hope, and encouragement throughout the community for Catholic Education Week. Help us promote kindness and positivity within our community by sharing your Love Rocks with us on social media! Tag us @sudburycatholicschools #SCDSBLoveRocks

Hope Clouds Activity

On May 6th, the SCDSB Mental Health Team has organized an inspiring activity for schools centred around the theme of Hope. Students can craft their own “Hope Clouds,” reflecting on their aspirations and dreams. They will also consider actionable steps toward achieving these aspirations and identify sources of support.

Learn More

Hope Cloud Template

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.

Note: Resources are available in both English and French.

Access CEW Resources Here

You can view the official Catholic Education Week song below:

St. Benedict Student Appointed as Sudbury Catholic Schools Next Student Trustee

Posted on April 26, 2024January 10, 2025 by Erin Kendall

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is pleased to announce that Grade 10 St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School student David Madiba Akero was appointed as Student Trustee for the 2024-2026 term by the Board of Trustees at their April 16th meeting.

David is a passionate student leader, with a strong work-ethic, determination, and desire to help others through leadership. He has served as the Grade 8 Valedictorian and has been the recipient of the RJ. McCarthy Award, the 2023 Grade 9 honour roll student and Soccer Coaches Award, the 2024 Milk-Up Ontario Soccer Leadership Award, and has been a NOBEEP Entrepreneur Feature. David is deeply involved in community service, volunteering over 70 hours of his time to support youth groups, and collaborating with the Kenyan Canadian Association to launch a new initiative that promotes community engagement through soccer.

David’s unwavering commitment to community service is further exemplified through his steady involvement in the Northern Ontario Black Economic Empowerment Program (NOBEEP). In addition to being featured as an entrepreneur/client in NOBEEP, David is an active volunteer and continues to support their work of providing assistance and resources to Black entrepreneurs and business owners to help foster economic growth and inclusion in Northern Ontario.

David is a strong advocate for student voice and believes it is necessary for student development and growth. He hopes to bring more attention to elevating post-secondary support within schools in order to further empower students in building their post-secondary portfolios and navigating their educational and career pathways effectively.

“I am honoured to be chosen to represent the Sudbury Catholic District School Board as the next Student Trustee. I wish to serve as an example to people of all backgrounds and show how we as students, have both the capacity and the opportunity to shape their learning experience. I believe that student voice and involvement are crucial elements for an effective education
system. When students are engaged, schools have a better understanding of their needs and can continue to implement changes and updates that coincide with generational developments that help students excel in their education.” Said David Madiba Akero, Student Trustee.

“We are immensely proud to have David Madiba Akero represent the Sudbury Catholic District School Board as the Student Trustee,” said Michael Bellmore, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees. “David’s exceptional leadership skills, dedication to community service and student involvement make him an exemplary ambassador for our community. We have full confidence in his ability to advocate effectively for the voices and interests of fellow students and are excited to have him join us at the Board table next year.”

David Madiba Akero will officially assume his role as Student Trustee alongside fellow Student Trustee Julia Parenteau on August 1, 2024. His appointment reflects the Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s commitment to fostering student leadership and engagement, ensuring that student voices are heard and valued in the decision-making process.

David Madiba Akera and SCDSB Chairperson Michael Bellmore

Happy Administrative Professionals Day from the Sudbury Catholic District School Board!

Posted on April 24, 2024April 24, 2024 by Erin Kendall

Wednesday, April 24th, 2024 is Administrative Professionals Day!

Today, we celebrate our administrative professionals for their pivotal role in ensuring our School Board’s success. Their warm smiles, willingness to lend a helping hand, and exemplary service to others make them true role models for our entire community.

On behalf of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, we would like to extend our warmest thanks to all our hardworking, dedicated administrative professionals. We are grateful for your exceptional service and unwavering commitment to our staff, schools, and students. Each of you embodies our Board’s vision, mission, and values, and we appreciate your dedication to Catholic education. We recognize that your contributions are crucial to the growth and prosperity of our schools, and we value your commitment every day of the year.

Small Hands, Big Impact: Pius XII Students Celebrate Earth Day with Schoolyard Cleanup

Posted on April 22, 2024April 22, 2024 by Erin Kendall

In honour of Earth Day, students at Pius XII, including those in the Full-Day Kindergarten program, are participating by picking up garbage in their schoolyard. Students wore protective gloves and disposed of the collected trash with the help of our educators. This initiative reminds us that no matter how small we are, we can make a big difference in protecting the environment by working together. By participating in such activities, we nurture meaningful lessons and discussions about the importance of sustainability and conserving natural resources for future learners.

Today, as we celebrate our beautiful planet, we reflect on how we can protect and preserve it for future generations. Every action counts, from reducing energy consumption, recycling, planting trees, cleaning our local neighbourhoods, or spending more time outdoors.

Thank you to Pius XII for nurturing an insightful lesson that will support their school community’s efforts to keep the planet clean and beautiful.

Shaping Careers: Sector Partnership Enhances Skilled Trades Learning at St. Charles College

Posted on April 20, 2024April 19, 2024 by Erin Kendall

In partnership with Lopes Limited and Coniston Industrial Park Limited, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board is excited to announce that St. Charles College has enhanced its learning facilities with cutting-edge resources and state-of-the-art equipment to help support student development in the skilled-trades.

In February, the school welcomed new equipment funded by Lopes Limited and Coniston Industrial Park Limited. The donation included three multiprocessor welders, two fume extractors, two pallets of welding consumables, safety gear, personal protective equipment (PPE), and four SMART TV monitors. In addition, the school also received six new garage bay doors for both automotive and construction shop areas that were recently installed over the March Break. These contributions will bolster the school’s learning programs and ensures students have access to state-of-the-art equipment that supports their engagement in areas such as welding, metal working, construction, automotive, and more.

Felix Lopes Jr., president of Lopes Limited, passionately encourages today’s youth to get into the trades, “As leaders in the trades industry, we believe it’s our social responsibility to remove barriers and create meaningful pathways for our youth to pursue a career in the trades.”

The newly added equipment aims to ignite an interest and passion amongst students in the skilled trades, potentially shaping the career paths of tomorrow’s workforce. The initiative, organized and generously funded by Lopes Limited and Coniston Industrial Park Limited, will help support students to engage in further hands-on learning opportunities that could potentially lead them to choosing a career in the skilled trades.

“St. Charles College is proud to work with such amazing local partners and is committed to providing its students with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the skilled trades. The new resources installed at our school this year will make a massive difference in the learning experience for our students. We extend our deepest gratitude to Lopes Limited and Coniston Industrial Park Limited for their generous contributions.” Says Principal Aaron Barry.

Enhanced Promotion of Skilled Trades in Ontario schools:

The Ontario Government is taking proactive steps to boost awareness and engagement with skilled trades in schools, aiming to provide students with opportunities to cultivate interests and skills that pave the way for successful careers. Currently, there are more than 140 skilled trades in Ontario. They fall under four sectors: construction, industrial, transportation and service. The skilled trades present a compelling array of fulfilling and financially rewarding paths for students. Through specialized training and hands-on experience, these professions offer secure employment, excellent compensation, and personal satisfaction. Visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/skilled-trades-ontario-schools for more information about the promotion of skilled trades in Ontario schools.

“The ongoing promotion of the skilled trades within our schools is essential. By 2026, one in six job openings are projected to be in the skilled trades. This inevitable outcome means ensuring we have cutting-edge learning environments to promote the skilled trades within our secondary schools is now more important than ever.” Says Dan Levecque, Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program and Specialist High Skills Major Secondary Consultant with Sudbury Catholic. “The newly added resources will encourage students to cultivate a genuine passion and skills for the many thrilling opportunities awaiting them in the skilled trades sector.”

Peter Prochilo, Superintendent of Education adds, “Not only will these new resources enhance the facilities in one of our largest school communities, it will further support our students in reaching their full potential, which always remains a top priority.”

2024 Carousel Event Recap: A Night of Education, Connection, and Community

Posted on April 19, 2024April 19, 2024 by Erin Kendall

Earlier this week, on April 15th, 2024, parents, guardians, educators, and community members gathered at Holy Cross Catholic Elementary School for the highly anticipated Carousel Event hosted by the Sudbury Catholic District School Board and the Parent Involvement Committee.

The event, designed to engage, educate, and empower, featured workshops on Children’s Mental Health, Cyber Safety, The Foundations of Reading, Building Resilience, Autism Support, French Language Learning, Online Well-Being, Secondary Pathways, and more. With a diverse range of sessions, there was something for everyone to explore.

Before diving into the evening’s workshops, guests enjoyed a complimentary pasta dinner, fostering connections and anticipation for the educational feast. While parents, guardians, educators, and community members immersed themselves in learning, a dedicated team of early childhood educators treated attendee’s children to an evening of supervised activities and games. The free childcare ensured parents with young children and toddlers could fully engage in the workshops while their children remained close by.

Reflecting on the evening, one of the highlights was undoubtedly the sense of community and collaboration that radiated throughout the event. From the arrival, attendees forged connections, exchanged experiences, and shared invaluable strategies and ideas for supporting their children’s educational journey. Educators and fellow presenters seized the opportunity to engage directly with families, fostering deeper partnerships and a shared commitment to nurturing future generations.

Participants departed with actionable insights and resources to enrich their children’s learning and well-being as the event ended. The Carousel Event once again underscores the significance of collaboration between parents, educators, and the broader community in shaping the future and education for current and prospective students.

Thank you to the members of the Parent Involvement Committee, including PIC Chair Amanda Dittrich and Vice-Chair Paola Stefanuto, for their work in organizing a successful event. Thank you to Holy Cross School and the staff and student volunteers for ensuring a smooth and seamless venue for learning to flourish. Thank you to our external and internal presenters, who provided excellent workshops featuring valuable resources and handouts to allow attendees to explore relevant topics further.

To all who attended and contributed to the success of the Carousel Event 2024, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board would like to thank you for your enthusiasm, participation, and commitment to education. Together, we continue to make a difference in the lives of students, families, and our educational community. Here’s to another year of learning, growth, and connection!

Holy Cross Admin & Student Volunteers & PIC Vice Chair

Dinner

Building Resiliency Session - Ana Santos

Welcome Table

Compass for Secondary Success - Monica Dailey

Secondary Pathways

School Based Mental Health Services - Laurie Milling

The Foundations of Reading - Stacey Copeland

Supporting Autism - Sherrie Belzile

Supporting Autism - Natalie Lippert-Murdoch

Supporting French Learners - Camille Heaton

Cyber Safety - Kathryn Howard

Welcome Table

Online Well-Being - Peter Prochilo

YMCA Booth

Student Volunteers

Childcare

Holy Cross Exterior

Thank you!

Did you miss this year’s Carousel Event?

Mark your calendars for next year’s edition. Our annual Carousel event normally takes place in the spring, but if you have questions, ask your school council chair for more information. Your presence and participation are invaluable as we strive to build a stronger, more vibrant community through education.

Boost French skills: Canadian Parents for French Ontario provides free programs for FSL students

Posted on April 16, 2024April 16, 2024 by Erin Kendall

Canadian Parents for French Ontario is offering FREE French enrichment programs funded by the Ministry of Education for FSL (French as a Second Language) students from SK to Grade 12. The program is offered after school in May at 4:00pm, 5:00pm or 6:00pm, featuring a daily 45-minute class over a two-week session. Virtual Programs will be led by OCT certified teachers or Teacher Candidates in an Ontario Bachelor of Education program. Register here for our programs in May today!

May Program Registration – Canadian Parents for French

St. Charles College Elementary Choir Wins Silver at Sudbury Music Festival

Posted on April 12, 2024April 12, 2024 by Erin Kendall

St. Charles College students showcased their skills and musical prowess at the 2024 Sudbury Music Festival. Among the standout performances, the Elementary Choir captured hearts and acclaim, earning a Silver Award for their performance. Congratulations to the St. Charles College Elementary Choir for their remarkable achievement, marking another milestone in St. Charles College’s rich tradition of artistic excellence.