St. David Catholic School has embraced the Healthy Food guidelines in the school and has taken the program one step further. To encourage parent engagement as well as build a deeper understanding of the principles behind the program, the school tried a new approach when planning their annual September open house. Parents and family members were invited to the school’s open house by the children themselves. The children prepared healthy, “good tasting” after school snacks for their parents and family members. Parents and community members had the opportunity to not only meet new teachers and see their children’s classrooms, but also were able to taste delicious healthy snacks prepared by their own children. “The after school event was a total success”, declared grade 2/3 teacher and Dearness Conservation representative, Terri Lynn Lepage. “Through this activity, we were able to show students how healthy eating can be very simple and easy to do. During the open house, our students were proud of their snacks and were the ones sharing that same message with their parents”. Principal, Dawn Wemigwans, said, “The event, from beginning to end, was very fun, extremely educational, provided a wonderful opportunity for our students and teachers to participate in hands on learning — and was a great ice breaker with parents, family members and community partners”.
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Making School and Parish Connections at St. Andrew
Father Sam, new parish priest at St Andrew the Apostle, is making connections with St. Andrew school. Father Sam visits to the school every second week, and is a welcome guest for all students as he meets the students in all classrooms from JK-GR.6 and revitalizes student’s Catholic faith through dialogue and discussion. On Wednesday, Oct. 5th, students will walk to church and attend mass where they will bring along photos of their pets for a special blessing since they will be celebrating the feast of St. Francis of Assisi known as the patron saint of animals.
St. Anne Early Learning Students “Dig” Fall
Students within the English Early Learning Program at St. Anne School in Hanmer recognize the many changes that fall brings for animals and plants. After brainstorming about their own activities, the children were able to understand that people are also making changes as Mother Nature prepares to rest. Their classroom teacher, Cheryl MacRury, invited the English Catholic students to her father’s home in order to allow the children to participate in a fall “garden harvest”. Dressed in boots and gloves and armed with their own shovels and smiles, the students moved through the garden pulling carrots and celery, picking pumpkins, and digging for potatoes. Before the harvest, some of the students were sure that carrots originated from stores. Since the visit, these young children not only recognize where vegetables come from, but they are also aware that harvesting in the fall will help to keep them fed now that days grow colder!
Novel Approach
St. Benedict Book Club got the school year off to a good start by taking a field trip to Chapters Book Store for their first meeting. Each student hunted for a book that interested him or her to read for the next book club meeting. Rather than having every student read the same book, students were encouraged to talk about different titles, as it stimulates interest in the others to read the new novels discussed. Nicholas Ryma is keen about history and said, “I bought a book about WWII scientists”, while Matthew Poloni said, “I’m so happy to have something to read for the weekend”.
“Tasty” Learning at St. Francis
Students in some of the Grades 5 and 6 classes at St. Francis Catholic Elementary School had the opportunity recently to take part in a very “tasty” project. As part of the O.R.E.O. project, students all over the world collected data on how many cookies could be stacked. O.R.E.O. stands for Our Really Exciting Online Project and involves literacy and numeracy activities including data collection, scientific experimentation, and, of course, nutrition. Teachers Donna Rinaldi and Lyanne Marion felt it was a great way for the students to take part in some hands on learning. “The O.R.E.O. project encompasses a broad range of learning for our students,” Marion stated. “With oreos being the hands on activity tool, the classes were so excited to take part in all of the experimentation including stacking, research, and estimation.” As a treat, the grade 5 and 6 students enjoyed a big glass of milk with their cookies once all the hard work was done.
Sharing Best Practice and Honouring Culture
Visitors from the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board were in town on Wednesday, September 29 to learn more about the inclusion of aboriginal culture within the school system. Dufferin-Peel CDSB’s Director of Education John Kostoff, Superintendent Clara Pitoscia and General Manager of Communication and Media Relations, Bruce Campbell visited with administration from the Sudbury Catholic District School Board to discuss the inclusion of aboriginal culture into the teaching and learning practices at the Sudbury Catholic Board. The group visited three of the Sudbury Catholic schools including St. Charles College, St. David Catholic Elementary School and St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School. At each of the sites, the principals, teachers and students spoke about the importance of the presence of aboriginal culture physically in the learning spaces, as well as embedded in their curriculum and teaching.”At Sudbury Catholic, we are so privileged to have key people in place in our organization who are passionate about honouring aboriginal culture in our educational community,” Catherine McCullough, Director of Education for the Sudbury Catholic Board stated. “We always welcome the opportunity to share what we continue to learn, with other Boards across the province.”
St. Charles College on Par with Golf
Congratulations to the St. Charles College boy’s golf team who won the Sudbury District Secondary Schools Athletic Associations (SDSSAA) golf tournament September 22 led by Stephen Gonko who also finished second in individual play at the tourney. The win qualified the boys for NOSSA play. At NOSSA the boys played extremely well with Ryan Lafreniere shooting 73 followed by Stephen Gonko with a score of 74. They placed both first and second in individual play. The team itself then had to play an extra hole breaking a tie with Franco-Cite from Sturgeon Falls. In the playoff, Ryan Lafreniere drove the green and two putted for birdie. The team proceeded to take the team competition thus qualifying them for OFSAA October 11-13 to be held in Belleville. Members of the golf team are: Stephen Gonko, Ryan Lafreniere, Joel Charlebois, Evan Purcell and Stan McGillis.
Marymount Students Learn to “Take a Stand”
On Tuesday, September 27, all grade 7 and 8 students at Marymount Academy were given a message- “Stand up for yourself!” As simple as it seems, this message was delivered with a powerful presentation. Through the efforts of Constable Victor Leroux, School and Police Liaison, Crime Prevention Officer Denise Fraser, and Vice Principal Lori Holden, the grade 7 and 8 students learned the harsh realities of bullying – from the perspectives of the bully and the victim. Whether it is called bullying, harassment, assault etc, the girls learned that it all starts with intent. As long intent can be proven, the students are now of an age where there are much harsher consequences for these crimes. “This is why it is so important to stand up for yourselves.” Denise Fraser stated when speaking to the students. She went on to inform the students that there is always someone to turn to when you feel bullied – whether it be a parent, relative, friend, teacher – talking to someone you trust is the first step in getting help -and by doing this – you are taking a stand. On the flip side, Fraser spoke to the different actions that would be considered bullying, as in each bullying situation, there is always intent, repeat of actions and the wanting of power. “Through the use of words, (verbal, written or electronic) and actions, the act of bullying,” Fraser said, “is a crime that you can be charged with now at your age.” As well, the girls learned that standing aside and doing nothing when witnessing bullying is also a huge part of the problem.
Lori Holden knew that this presentation was one that her students needed to hear. “We always want to encourage respectful relationships and equity and inclusivity at Marymount Academy,” Holden stated. “This presentation informs our students of the consequences of bullying, and allows them to focus on making the right decisions and positive choices in their lives.”
St. James hosts “Evening with the Stars” Open House
St. James Catholic School held an “Evening with the Stars” Open House to welcome new and familiar parents and students back to school. Each family participated in a scavenger hunt to locate photos of famous people hidden in each classroom. The scavenger hunt allowed parents to tour the entire school and introduce themselves to all staff as well as their child(ren)’s teacher. Families also had an opportunity to meet their school trustee Mrs. Estelle Scappatura, St. Pius X parish priest Father Terry Fournier, School Council Chair Mrs. Jane Saal, Atikameksheng Anishnawbek (Whitefish Lake First Nation) Education Officer Mrs. Kimberly Nootchtai and Community Partner Best Start Hub.