Sudbury Catholic District School Board

Month: January 2026

Family Literacy Day

Posted on by Erin Kendall

Family Literacy Day is January 27.

This annual celebration highlights the importance of literacy and the essential role families play in supporting children’s learning and development. Research continues to show that reading together, engaging in regular conversation, and encouraging independent reading helps build strong literacy skills and supports long-term student success. That is why schools across the Sudbury Catholic District School Board will once again provide opportunities for families to come together in celebration of Family Literacy Day.

Family Literacy Day 2026 Theme:

Make mealtime family learning time

Preparing for mealtime is a fun (and tasty) way for families to learn together. Whether it’s following recipes, making shopping lists, or sharing stories at the dinner table, make your mealtime family learning time. In addition to school-based activities, families can explore additional Family Literacy resources through ABC Life Literacy Canada.

Resources

ABC Life Literacy Canada – Family Literacy Day

Activity Sheet

Activity Book

Poster

Bookmark

Growing Skills for Lifelong Learning

Literacy goes beyond reading and writing — it includes understanding, communicating, and using information in everyday life. These skills support academic achievement, build confidence, and foster lifelong learning.

Did you know?

  • Research shows that families with children who are read to, spoken with regularly, and encouraged to read on their own develop stronger literacy skills and are more likely to succeed in school.
  • Families play a vital role in nurturing literacy at home and in our communities. By working together, we continue to create a learning environment where every child feels supported, confident, and inspired to read, learn, and grow.
  • Simple activities like reading together, visiting the library, telling stories, or talking about books can make a big difference. These shared experiences help build vocabulary, comprehension, and a love of learning.

Visit ABC Life Literacy Canada for more information about Family Literacy.

SCDSB Learning at Home – Literacy Resources

Director’s Annual Report 2024-25

Posted on by Erin Kendall

We are pleased to share with you the Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s 2024–2025 Director’s Annual Report. This report highlights the many achievements across our system and reflects our collective efforts to advance the goals of our three strategic pathways.

These successes would not be possible without the faith-filled action and dedication of a committed team and passionate learning community.

We extend our sincere gratitude to all our staff, students, families, Board of Trustees, Senior Administration, volunteers, and parish and community partners for their continued dedication and support. Your commitment continues to play a vital role in strengthening Sudbury Catholic learning communities and helping our students grow in faith, learning, and well-being. 

Together, we lead.

Yours in Catholic Education,

Morris Hucal

Director of Education

Wear Blue & White for Bell Let’s Talk Day!

Posted on by Erin Kendall

To raise awareness of the importance of open dialogue surrounding mental health, Sudbury Catholic District School Board invites students, staff, and community members to wear blue and white on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. By wearing blue and white (symbolic colours for the Bell Let’s Talk Day campaign), our hope is for our Board community to unite and visually and emotionally show our support for mental health initiatives.

Share With Us!

The Sudbury Catholic School community is encouraged to share their actions with our Board by tagging us on social media and sending pictures, captions, and highlights to info@sudburycatholicschools.ca

About Bell Let’s Talk Day

Bell Let’s Talk Day is an important event celebrated annually worldwide and is dedicated to raising awareness about mental health and breaking the silence around mental illness.

Sudbury Catholic recognizes the importance of mental health and well-being for our students. Mental health is a critical component of overall health and well-being, and it plays a vital role in the success of our students both in and out of the classroom.

We also acknowledge the importance of reducing the stigma around mental illness and encouraging open and honest conversations about mental health. The more we talk about mental health, the more we can help those struggling and support them in getting the help they need.

That is why we encourage all of our students, staff, and families to participate in Bell Let’s Talk Day activities. Whether it’s through social media, in-school events, or one-on-one conversations, every action counts in the fight against mental health stigma.

This year’s Bell Let’s Talk Day campaign highlights ways we can all create meaningful change and take action by doing one or more of the following:

  • Choose a mental health organization to learn about or support
  • Help a friend struggling with mental health issues by learning how to support them
  • Ask about how your school, workplace or community is creating change for mental health
  • Nurture your own well-being by practicing and learning mental health strategies 
  • Get involved in a mental health initiative or organize an event to support mental health 
  • Engage in conversations about mental health to fight stigma

On January 21, let’s continue to work together to create a safe and supportive environment for all our students. Let’s break the silence around mental health and support each other in promoting mental wellness.

To learn about the activities and events planned for Bell Let’s Talk Day, and view a variety of resources, check out our Bell Let’s Talk Day 2026 resource page.

Click Here!

Educational Assistant (EA) Appreciation Day

Posted on by Erin Kendall

Happy Educational Assistant (EA) Appreciation Day!
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Today, we recognize and celebrate the remarkable contributions of our dedicated Educational Assistants (EAs).

EAs are essential members of our school communities, playing a vital role in supporting the success and well-being of our students. They go beyond assisting—they create meaningful opportunities for students and families to thrive on their educational journey. Through their compassionate care, steadfast support, and invaluable guidance, EAs help foster a nurturing, inclusive learning environment where every student feels valued and empowered to achieve their full potential.

Join us in expressing our heartfelt gratitude to our Educational Assistants for their exceptional dedication and the profound impact they have on our schools.⁠

St. Benedict Students Celebrate Success at Accounting Competition

Posted on by brooklyn

Each year, Freelandt Caldwell Reilly LLP (FCR) hosts an accounting case competition for secondary students, challenging participants to apply their knowledge to real-world business scenarios. This year’s competition tasked students with analyzing a case study based on a Sudbury theatre organization and challenged them to develop practical, implementable business solutions. 

The competition provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate creativity, professionalism, and problem-solving skills while applying accounting concepts to real-life scenarios. Participants also benefit from feedback and evaluation by practicing accountants, offering valuable insight into industry expectations. 

Among the 13 teams that participated, two teams from St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School achieved exceptional results, earning both first-place positions in the competition. Each team was awarded $1,000, for a total of $2,000, which was shared among the student participants. One of the first-place teams was led by student captains Zayle Boyuk and Wesley Wei. 

The outcome exceeded expectations for the St. Benedict teams, with both groups delivering strong presentations under the competition’s time constraints. While the students felt confident in their work, earning both first-place positions came as a proud and unexpected result that reinforced the school’s reputation for excellence in business studies. 

“I think honestly, for both our teams it was a little bit of a shock because we didn’t think we would both get first place, but then when we did it was a big moment of pride because I think St. Ben’s is known as more of an academically strong school especially in business. So, I think that reaffirms that we have that business excellence,” said Zayle. 

Both student captains have developed a strong interest in pursuing accounting at the post-secondary level, crediting their business education at St. Benedict as a key influence.  

“To be honest, this is all because of Mr. Politi. The first time I took a business class was in grade 10 and taught by Mr. Politi, and then it just kind of sparked an interest for me. So, I took grade 11 and grade 12 accounting classes and became interested in accounting,” said Wesley.  

Zayle agreed, and shared “For me, last year I had grade 10 business and it was the subject that clicked most. I like Mr. Politi a lot as a teacher as well. I learned that I have a business mindset, so I started pursuing things like marketing and accounting.”  

When reflecting on advice for future competitors, both students emphasized preparation and leadership. Zayle highlighted the importance of having a strong leader who can guide a team under pressure, while Wesley stressed the value of entering the competition with a solid foundation of knowledge. Preparation, they noted, was essential to success, with Zayle adding that reviewing past competitions and understanding what led to previous wins helped inform their approach this year. 

“Experiential learning opportunities like the FCR Accounting Case Competition allow students to explore career interests, develop practical, real-world skills, and gain valuable exposure to post-secondary and professional pathways,” said Morris Hucal, Director of Education. 

“We are proud of the work Mr. Politi and his students have done at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School, and we welcome opportunities like this that help prepare students for success beyond secondary school.” 

For more information on programs at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School, visit https://st-benedict.sudburycatholicschools.ca/.  

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Sudbury Catholic Secondary Schools Host Grades 7–12 Open Houses

Posted on by Erin Kendall

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is pleased to invite students entering Grades 7–12 in the Fall 2026 and their families to attend the following upcoming Secondary School Open Houses, offering an exciting opportunity to explore academic programs, student life, and pathways to success at Sudbury Catholic Schools.

These Open Houses are designed to help students and families make informed decisions as they prepare for the next stage of learning. Guests will have the opportunity to tour school facilities, meet qualified teachers, educators and administrators, connect with current students, and learn about the wide range of academic, extracurricular, faith-based, and student support programs available that make Sudbury Catholic unique.

Secondary Open House Schedule

Sudbury Catholic’s secondary schools offer programs in both English and French Immersion, with strong pathways in academics, skilled trades, arts, athletics, leadership, and faith formation. These Open Houses provide families with the chance to discover how Sudbury Catholic supports students in becoming confident learners, compassionate leaders, and engaged citizens in Sudbury and beyond.

For more information about our 2026 Open Houses and secondary programming, visit:
www.sudburycatholicschools.ca/blog/2025/12/04/secondary-open-houses/

About Sudbury Catholic Schools

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board serves more than 7,000 students across 17 schools in Greater Sudbury. Rooted in Catholic faith and traditions, Sudbury Catholic Schools provide comprehensive education from Kindergarten to Grade 12, nurturing the development of the whole child — academically, spiritually, socially, and emotionally. Through strong partnerships with families, parishes, and the community, Sudbury Catholic continues to build welcoming, innovative learning environments where every student can thrive.

For more information about Sudbury Catholic Schools, visit:
www.sudburycatholicschools.ca

Kindergarten Registration Night on January 15 

Posted on by brooklyn

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCDSB) invites early learners and their families to attend its Kindergarten Registration Night on Thursday, January 15, 2025, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at any SCDSB Elementary school. To register for Junior Kindergarten, children must be turning four years old on or before December 31 of the current year.  

Kindergarten Registration Night offers families an opportunity to learn everything they need to know about preparing their child for school as a first-time student. Attendees will meet welcoming staff, explore the SCDSB’s modern facilities, discover the wide range of programs available in English and French Immersion, and see why the Sudbury Catholic District School Board is an ideal place for their child to grow and thrive.  

“The start of kindergarten is a meaningful milestone, not only for our young learners, but for their families as well,” said Director of Education, Morris Hucal.   

“Our Kindergarten Registration Night is designed to welcome families into our Sudbury Catholic community, ease any questions or concerns, and help parents feel confident and supported as they take this important first step. We look forward to welcoming our new and returning families as they begin what we hope will be a long, joyful, and enriching educational journey for their child.” 

To assist families, the SCDSB has created a Kindergarten Registration Guide, which can be found at https://www.sudburycatholicschools.ca/early-learning/kindergarten-program/.  

The SCDSB invites families to register for the 2026/2027 school year online. Staff will be onsite to assist families with the registration process. Tablets and screens will also be available for parents and guardians to use during the event. 

For more information, visit https://www.sudburycatholicschools.ca/register-for-kindergarten/.  

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