Sudbury Catholic District School Board

SCDSB 2013 Badminton Tournament Results

On April 20th and 21st, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board hosted a board-wide badminton tournament. Listed are the final results. Congratulations to all the participants!

Boys Singles
1st Place Elliott Barbeau (St. Raphael)

2nd Place Tyson Kiley (St. James)

3rd Place Cameron Keenan (St. James)

Girls Singles
1st Place Kaitlyn Simard (St. Charles elementary)

2nd Place Enara Iturregui (St. James)

3rd Place Erica Bichel (Marymount Academy)

Boys Doubles
1st Place Cameron Keenan and Tyson Kiley (St. James)

2nd Place Kolter Weaver and Brandon Soucy (St. James)

3rd Place Elliott Barbeau and Andrew Landriault (St. Raphael)

Girls Doubles
1st Place Kaitlyn Simard and Sarah Hancharyk (St. Charles elementary)

2nd Place Millana Marcon and Kaitlyn Adam (St. Benedict)

3rd Place Chiara Salvador and Erica Bichel (Marymount Academy)

Mixed Doubles
1st Place Elliott Barbeau and Kayla Folz (St. Raphael)

2nd Place Brandon Soucy and Enara Iturregui (St. James)

Hockey Blast at Pius XII

Pius XII Catholic Elementary School grade 4-8 students had a ‘blast’ recently when they partnered up with the Knights of Columbus Council #10888 to participate in a Hockey Blast Competition. Students from grades 4-8 were able to show off their stickwork and accuracy in the competition. Learning Strategies Teacher, Kathleen Donnelly says, “The Knights of Columbus Council #10888 have been actively involved in the school by volunteering their time for events such as the Freethrow Competition, Hockey Blast, Grill Cheese Day and Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day) — it is awesome to have them volunteering in our school!”

St. David School is now Idle Free

On Earth Day 2013, the students and staff of St. David Catholic School launched an “Idle-Free Campaign” in partnership with the Earth Care Sudbury. An idle free school is one where all non-moving vehicles on school property do not have their engines running. Parents waiting for their children will keep their engines off. Studies by Health Canada and community health departments show a direct, significant link between air pollution and respiratory health. When a vehicle is idling it releases more carbon dioxide than when it is moving.

St. David School, with support from Jennifer Babin-Fenske, Earth Care Sudbury, thought it appropriate to launch the Idle -Free Campaign on April 22 – Earth Day. The school’s student led Green Team discussed the importance of having an idle free area by their school as well as other earth day campaigns active in the school community. According to grade 3 student, Alyssa Gasper, “the pollution from cars affect the plants and animals and our health in negative ways”.

Megan Murphy, school vice principal assisted the students in posting Idle-Free signs and banners throughout the school. “Our students are genuinely concerned and active in caring for our environment not only on Earth Day, but throughout the year. Our students are passionate about educating their peers and family members about the importance of being environmentally conscious.”

St. Charles Elementary Celebrate Earth Day

Students at St. Charles Elementary engaged in literacy-based activities for Earth Day 2013, to increase awareness and share what they have learned about Stewardship with others. Mrs. Maxwell’s student council members chose the activities for the day based on submissions by students.

Primary students were treated to a read aloud by fellow student Connor Mackey, who read The Tree. To go with the story, students created the ‘Tree’s Song’ and discussed what they can do to help the Earth!

Older students read Imagine a Place, and created their own page of an e-book that will be shared with the school once complete.

Thank you to Mrs. Maxwell and her council for organizing such a rich day for our students!

St. Anne Authors Share their Amazing Stories

Grade 3 and 4 students showcased their writing and story telling skills during March at St. Anne Catholic Elementary School. Each child wrote, illustrated and published a book and then read it to younger students. The “authors” were excited to share their hard work and the audience was thrilled to listen to the stories and see that even kids can be authors.

“They loved us!” commented Hayden Rainville, after he presented his book to a grade 1 French Immersion class. “They couldn’t stop laughing.” Students enjoyed their time in the limelight so much that they’re anxious to write and tell other stories. Move over Robert Muncsh. There is steep competition at St. Anne Catholic School!

SCC Students Take Part in a G.R.E.A.T. Adventure

Recently, 20 students from St. Charles College had the opportunity of a lifetime. These students from the Life Skills program spent three days and two nights at the Tim Horton’s Camp near Parry Sound where they took part in leadership workshops. At the camp, the students were given the opportunity to grow and learn as a group working through such topics as role-modelling, overcoming obstacles, and decision making. All activities were done in an outdoor environment, which made it a unique and exciting adventure for the students. Part of the program involved the G.R.E.A.T. bead program which was created to highlight the achievements that the campers experience at the camp. The different coloured beads – which stand for Goal setting, Responsible leadership, Environmental awareness, Adventure and creativity and Teamwork and friendship, are earned and become a take home reminder of all that they have accomplished at the camp. Patricia Demore, one of the teachers that accompanied the students was extremely proud of her class as they “exemplified true Catholic students during their stay,” Demore explained, “During their whole experience, our students showed compassion, citizenship and a real sense of community. They had an amazing time and some really strong friendships were formed between our students and others that also attended the camp. We are really hoping to make this an annual event as it was a priceless opportunity for us all.” Demore, the students who participated, and the rest of the St. Charles College staff want to thank Tim Hortons once again as not only did they organize the event for the students, they also covered all expenses for the entire trip.

Vince Pawis, Elder / Instructor Presented with Award for Excellence in Aboriginal Education from SCDSB

On Tuesday, April 16, Sudbury Catholic District School Board trustees presented Vince Pawis, a traditional elder, with an award for Excellence in Aboriginal Education. Pawis is a traditional Elder from Shawanaga First Nation that has been working in all Sudbury Catholic schools with students from as young as Junior Kindergarten through to grade 12 for the past six years.

In order to continue to build community and capacity within Sudbury Catholic Schools, as well as continue to implement the “Ontario First Nation, Metis and Inuit Education Policy Framework”, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board has implemented the “Elders in the School” project. This project offers all schools the opportunity to work with Vince.

Through the “Elders in the School Project”, Vince actively promotes an increased awareness, understanding and appreciation of the rich histories, cultures and perspectives of First Nation, Metis and Inuit peoples to staff and students in the Sudbury Catholic District School Board.

Vince helps to create culturally inviting school atmospheres that welcome Aboriginal families, honour diversity and respect the beauty and history of traditional teachings. He supports our schools in developing innovative approaches to meet the needs of First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students. As well, Pawis works with Aboriginal youth and families who require support through mentoring projects and traditional counseling.

Dawn Wemigwan, principal of St. David has had the opportunity to work with Pawis on a number of occasions and spoke to the trustees about the outstanding contributions Vince has given to the Sudbury Catholic community. “What started off as a conversation with Vince to help us get us two teepees six years ago, has blossomed into the most beautiful relationship with our school board,” explained Wemigwans. “Our students look up to him, and respect him, as he shares his triumphs and life experiences with us. By doing this he breaks down barriers and builds positive relationships. It is through this sharing of traditional Native culture, that Pawis provides knowledge, understanding and appreciation to all who hear his message – this not only includes the students, but also the staff and community members.”

Vince is the owner/ operator of White Buffalo Road Healing Lodge. He has worked with Corrections Canada for almost 20 years, providing traditional knowledge and building cross-cultural understanding. Vince continues to work with youth involved with the courts system promoting pride and building cultural esteem.

For his accomplishments, Pawis was awarded the Minister’s Award for Exceptional Achievement in Corrections last year. He received the award, which is given by the Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services to those who have demonstrated outstanding bravery, community service and have made exceptional contributions to the field of corrections.

Vincent Pawis was recently appointed to the Order of Ontario and the Queen’s Jubilee Medal for his work in the community. The Order of Ontario is the highest honour given out in the province. Vince was recognized for his decades of service to the community, working with youth at risk, and with those in the corrections system as well his work on developing a different kind of parole hearing for First Nation offenders.

Jody Cameron, Chair of the board presented Pawis with the award and shared his gratitude with the group. “We are so honoured to have Vince work so positively with our students and staff,” Cameron stated. “Vince helps to create culturally inviting school atmospheres that welcome Aboriginal families, honour diversity and respect the beauty and history of traditional teachings. He supports our schools in developing innovative approaches to meet the needs of First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students.”

After receiving his award, Pawis spoke to the crowd. “ It has been an incredible honour as I have been blessed to do this type of work. I was taught never to look for recognition so I struggle with receiving an award, but the Creator works in mysterious ways so I am very grateful for this achievement and look forward to doing more work.”

St. Charles College gets ‘All Dressed Up’ in Preparation for Graduation Festivities

On April 15, 2013 St. Charles College held a graduation gown giveaway event for girls in grade twelve.

The project, put on by the Guidance Department in collaboration with the Sudbury District Health Unit, aims to ease the financial burdens of graduation gown costs and builds self esteem for girls.

The event was held in the Student Success Center and allowed the soon-to-be graduates a selection of over two hundred gowns in varying sizes, colours and styles.

Student Success Teacher Anastasia Rioux organized the first-time event at the school. Rioux says “There is so much for a girl to think about in their graduating year. Applications to university and college cost money. Then there is the hair, the dress and the shoes to contend with as well. Anything we can do to help kids cut costs, we are willing to do. The student council also got involved in putting up posters and making announcements to raise awareness about the event.”

Rioux got involved with the All Dressed Up program a couple years ago after conducting a dress drive of her own and raising twenty-one dresses that were donated to the worthy cause.

A number of students in their graduating year ended up coming into the Student Success Center to browse and take one home. A couple of students even stopped by from neighbouring schools who had heard about the invite through social media and decided to check it out.

The school plans to hold a similar event again next year.

Bringing Spring into the Classroom at St. Charles

Spring has arrived in the JK French Immersion classroom at St. Charles Catholic Elementary School in Chelmsford. The students have been learning about flowers and plants and have been enjoying exploring in the dramatic play centre, “La boutique à fleurs.” On a snowy spring day, the students were captivated by the visit from local florists, Joanne and Morlie, from Fleurs Magiques Flower Shop.

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