In support of the annual St. Charles College canned food drive, St. Bernadette students got a head start with their own canned food collection. In two weeks time, the New Sudbury elementary school collected a total of 1700 cans to add to the St. Charles College collection in support of the Sudbury Food Bank. Diana Salvador, St. Bernadette principal was thrilled with the student support for this initiative. “Our students really answered the call when the challenge was put forth by our St. Charles College family.” Salvador stated. “I am quite proud of their efforts, and congratulate them for once again helping to support such a great cause!”
Author: admin
St. James Students Complete a Marathon for Terry Fox
Canadian icon Terry Fox continues to inspire the students at St. James Catholic School. Every student at St. James participated in the annual “Toonies for Terry” Walk and over $500 in donations were forwarded to the Terry Fox Foundation. Mrs. Denomme’s Grade 8 students added a mathematical dimension to their walk. After watching a video about Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope, Grade 8 class came up with the idea of running a combined distance of 26 miles. In the video, Terry Fox’s brother explains how Terry ran 12 miles every morning and 14 miles every afternoon (a marathon each day). The grade 8 students calculated the number of laps in the school yard that would be equivalent to a mile (208 laps). The Grade 8 class invited the intermediate students to be part of their marathon. In order to track the length of the marathon each intermediate student was given a handful of linking cubes. Every time a student ran past the bucket, he/she dropped in a cube. Collectively the intermediate students matched a day of running in Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope.
A “Snakesational” Visit at Immaculate
On Thursday, September 29th, Immaculate Conception students learned about “Reptiles at Risk” from the Reptiles at Risk: On the Road team which is funded by the Ministry of Natural Resources. Reptiles at Risk is an outreach education program which is designed to spread the important message of reptile conservation in areas where these reptiles are actually found.
The Reptiles at Risk: On the Road program is an exciting, hands-on program featuring live reptiles. Did you know that snakes and turtles are at risk in Ontario? Immaculate Principal, Louisa Bianchin was excited for the students to experience these reptiles. “This program teaches students the importance of protecting these reptiles so that they exist for future generations.” Bianchin stated. “Many snakes in our geographical area are harmless and should not be persecuted, turtles that often cross busy roads need to be saved and avoided by drivers, This program encourages all of our students to recognize the importance of all living creatures.”
Students were so excited to handle corn snakes, rat snakes and garter snakes which were brought into the school. Those who wanted to handle a snake were given this awesome experience and learned that it is their responsibility as the future generation to protect all reptiles so that they do not become endangered species.
Catholic School Community Comes Together to Celebrate Each Other
A group of Sudbury Catholic Administrators, principals, vice-principals, and staff, as well as school faith leads, trustees, parish partners and parental representatives joined together at the Diocesan Centre on St. Anne’s Road on Thursday, September 29 for a common goal – to celebrate and unite as a Catholic community. Leading the conversation was John Kostoff, Director of Education for the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board and author of “Auditing our Catholic Schools – A Process of Discernment, Discussion and Action”. Kostoff spoke to the group about being the “most authentic, faithful, community that you can be.” The connection between school, home and parish, Kostoff explained, is the triad that allows for this authenticity that is the foundation of the Catholic School system.
To start off the day, the group celebrated mass with Bishop Noel Simard, and then began to dialogue by sharing best practice and positive experiences with each other. Breaking off into groups – which included school administration, teachers, and parish partners – the conversation inspired new ideas and a common focus. “ We are so fortunate to be able to come together as a Catholic community – school, parish and parental partners – and communicate with each other our hopes and ambitions,” Catherine McCullough, Director of Education for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board stated. “It is inspiring to be a part of something much larger – and have the opportunities to be able to contribute ideas and share our faith – we are truly strengthened as a Catholic community as a result.”
Corpus Christi Called to Life a Culture of Faith and Community
One of the Strategic Priorities at Sudbury Catholic Schools is “WE ARE CALLED TO LIVE A CULTURE OF CATHOLIC FAITH AND COMMUNITY”. To enhance the faith at Corpus Christi School, all teachers,students, support staff and parents met together outside at the flagpole at 9:00 a.m. for opening exercises. Together they sang O Canada and recited the Pledge of Citizenship. They prayed together as a faith filled school community. Each class recited prayers of thanksgiving and gratitude for God’s gifts. This was a special way to share their faith and continue to build school community. What a blessed way to begin the Thanksgiving weekend.
St. Paul Gives Thanks!
St. Paul the Apostle School Community gathered to give thanks to God for all His wonderful gifts on Friday October 7th. The staff students and special guests met in the gym to sing, pray and listen together. Everyone was encouraged to enjoy family, friends and food together this weekend and to remember to give God thanks by attending Mass at their home parishes. All sang: “Alleluia Praise the Lord.” Pictured is Mrs. Rossella Bagnato the school’s superintendent, Mrs. Henry the principal and several students.
St. James Parents Creating Hopes and Dreams
Parents at St. James Catholic School have the opportunity to write good luck wishes and messages to their child(ren) on the “Wall of Fame”. Located in the front foyer of the school the “Wall of Fame” reflects the Sudbury Catholic Board’s vision “Sudbury Catholic Schools…Creating hopes and dreams through excellence.” Parents can express in writing their personal hopes and dreams for their own children for this school year.
St. Anne School Makes Learning “Beary” Exciting!
The E.L.K.P. students within the English Early Learning Program at St. Anne School have been working very hard trying to recognize some signs of fall during their first month of school. Part of their discussions focussed on the characteristics of wild animals, such as bear hibernation. After spending time learning factual information, their classroom teacher decided to involve the student’s own bears in learning activities. Teddy bears that is! The teddy bears came to the Hanmer Catholic School and were used in numeracy measurement and sorting activities. The bears were sorted and organized by size and colour. After an afternoon filled with learning, both students and their bears had a chance to relax before the bears were returned to their homes. Any way they looked at it, the students agreed. Learning about them or with them, bears have a lot to offer!
Thank You Teacher!
Since 1994, World Teachers’ Day is celebrated on October 5. It is a day to celebrate the profession and to promote international standards for the teaching profession. The theme for this year is : Teachers for gender equality. Today, Daven Neddo, a Grade 3 student at St. Charles Elementary Catholic school, said thank you to his classroom teacher, Mrs. Harris, by reading her the book ‘Thank You Bear’. Today, all St. Charles Elementary students said a special blessing and thank you to all of their teachers to show them how grateful they are for all that they do. Tina Timpano, vice principal of the school encouraged all of the students to express their gratitude to their teachers. “Being a teacher is a very hard job,” Timpano said. “We want our students to recognize the dedication, hard-work and passion of our teachers in making our students the very best they can be – and we are very thankful to them.”