On the eve of December 14, over 100 Donovan area families gathered for a festive feast at St. David Catholic School. Better Beginnings, Better Futures hosted the event and provided all the trimmings for the evening. All families received a full Christmas meal, including turkey and ham. Inspector Bob Keetch, Constable Randy Hosken and Sargent Mark Brunette graciously served the meal. Children were entertained by Patches the Clown, the raffling of door prizes, and of course the jolly old man himself — Santa Claus. Santa Claus gave out surprise bags to each child and he also had outer wear for those children in need. “This was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the season as a community. The children were so excited to see Santa and the families seemed to appreciate the time and energy that went into the planning of the event”, stated Samantha Beaudry, Youth Engagement Officer for the Better Beginnings, Better Futures SmART Attack after school program at the school.
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St. Bernadette and St. Charles College Partner for Very Special Project
St. Charles College student, Jamie Rieux and Grade 1 student Mia Woodbury at St. Bernadette Catholic School are working together to complete a very special project: a reproduction of the manager where Baby Jesus was born. This is a yearly tradition between the two schools in which older student is paired off with a younger partner to create a beautiful replica manger which students are so proud to bring home and share with their families.
St. Charles Elementary – Movember Challenge
During the month of November, Core French teacher, Mr. Belanger, at St. Charles Catholic Elementary Catholic School challenged all male staff to grow a mustache for the month of “Movember” in order to support the prostate cancer awareness campaign. The students were asked to bring in loose change during the month of Movember to raise money for the Northern Cancer Research Foundation and that is exactly what they did – students raised a total of $759.51. ” It was really great to see almost every student in our school wear a mustache on our Mustache Day. This was an opportunity for not only school spirit but it showed the importance of community involvement. Students appreciate that they are part of a global effort in the fight againstt cancer”.
Kids helping Kids in Capreol
It has been said that the cornerstone of a true community is the way in which it reaches out to its’ less fortunate in times of need. On December 8th 2011, students from St. Mary Catholic School walked to the local post office and sang Christmas carols in hopes they’d receive monetary donations for children in our community who are in need.
The students and staff began singing and their angelic voices did not go unnoticed. In fact, in one visit to the post office, the students collected a substantial amount of money that will be used to create baskets to support children who are in need in Capreol.
“These are the kind of activities that bring our faith to life,” said Principal Sherry Bortolotti. “This kind of service seems to just spring seamlessly from our students and staff and it is an essential part of our mission as Catholics.”
Teacher Jennifer Bruneau said, “The students recognize that it is their beautiful singing that draws the crowds and motivates people to give generously. We are so thankful to the people of Capreol. This community has a lot of heart and people always pull together for each other when they need to the most.
School Council Chair Erin Gauvreau, Ms. Waern and Ms. Bruneau decorated a Christmas tree with beautiful ornaments tagged with our school name. The tree stands in the post office and community members have been bringing donations of hats, shoes and socks and placing them under the tree. Our school volunteer Cathy Mohn plans to uses these generous contributions as part of the baskets she will assemble and deliver before the holidays.
The staff and students plan to carol two more times in support of Capreol’s less fortunate this Christmas
Santa’s Helpers at St. Andrew
Gr.6 students, Brett Jacklin and Matthew Matheson are Santa’s helpers, helping out the Nursery School located at St Andew School. The Nursery School hosted a special Christmas party for their parents and students. Brett and Matthew used to attend the Nursery School when they were toddlers and now, in Gr.6, they are delighted to assist the young ones and return the favour to help.
Santa’s Helpers at St. Andrew
Gr.6 students, Brett Jacklin and Matthew Matheson are Santa’s helpers, helping out the Nursery School located at St Andew School. The Nursery School hosted a special Christmas party for their parents and students. Brett and Matthew used to attend the Nursery School when they were toddlers and now, in Gr.6, they are delighted to assist the young ones and return the favour to help.
St. Paul’s Parent Engagement Night a Huge Success
Studies show that parent engagement is important to the learning process. On the evening of December 9th, about one hundred students and parents filled the school gym for “popcorn and a movie night”. The evening was geared to parents and kindergarten to grade four students.
It was also an opportunity for parents to get comfortable with the school surroundings and enjoy an evening of entertainment with their kids — as well as other parents and kids.
The event was so well received that the School Council is already making plans for the next parent engagement night.
Sudbury Catholic Celebrates Birth at St. James
St James Catholic Elementary Catholic School hosted a Drum Birthing ceremony on Tuesday, December 13th. Students from grades three to six watched as their peers awakened their drums through the guidance of Verna Hardwick, Ojibwe Language Teacher. In September, students had the opportunity to attend a three day retreat at the Killarney Shebanoning Outdoor Environmental Education Centre and participated in everything from scraping the hide to stretching it and preparing their rings. Drum Maker, Clyde Migwans, instructed students on the process and art of drum making. Students walked away with a deeper understanding and appreciation for the hard work that goes into making traditional hand drums and gained valuable lessons in patience, stewardship and respect.
In the spirit of the season of Advent, it was appropriate that the students were able to celebrate the birth of the drums. Much like Christmas they shared in celebration with berries, corn soup and wild rice.
Drum makers hailed from St James, St David and St Benedict Catholic Secondary School and were proud to extend the invitation to share in the experience with the St James School Community and Atikameksheng Anishinawbek.
SCC Mock Trial Team Learning from the Best
Students from the St. Charles College mock trial team had the opportunity on December 14 to work with Honourable Patirica C. Hennessy, a judge of the Superior Court of Justice. SCC teacher Jaime Sauve was contacted by Hennessy’s office to see if her students wanted the chance to work with Hennessy. Sauve immediately said yes as she knew that this was an amazing opportunity for her students to build on their law experience. Honourable Hennessy then visited the students to help facilitate a discussion on careers in law, as well as coach the students on how to conduct themselves professionally and courteously in court. These students were the City’s Mock Trial Champions at last year’s competition.