Despite the rainy weather, it was a spectacular day for the third annual Sudbury Catholic Outdoor Adventure Race in Killarney on June 8, 2011. Students from all four of the Board’s secondary schools entered teams to take part in a four part outdoor race which included biking, canoeing, orienteering and a mystery challenge which involved a first aid rescue exercise. A total of fifteen teams with three students per team participated and, although rain-soaked for part of the race, managed to keep smiles on their faces throughout the entire challenge. The past two years has seen St. Charles College and then St. Benedict take home the coveted banner, and this year St. Charles managed to win back the first place spot. A team from St. Benedict won in terms of time, however, due to a small mistake in the orienteering section, they were given a 5 minute penalty which put the St. Charles team consisting of Adam McKibbon (Grade 12), Michael Wandziak (Grade 11) and Jonah Lynott (Grade 11) in first place. Awards were also given out for first place for a co-ed team as well as an all-girls team.
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Grade 12 Courtyard Officially Opens at Bishop ACCSS
Immediately after the ribbon cutting, students at Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School stormed the pathway into the school’s new courtyard on June 9, 2011. At the official opening for the courtyard, staff and students joined together to celebrate the vision of many of the students. This courtyard has been a space that the school had been planning for several years and had finally come to fruition as a result of a speak-up grant that was applied for and granted by the Ministry of Education. Grade twelve students from last year had been collectively planning for a quiet restful place to gather between classes and during breaks, but until this past year, the monies were unavailable. Because of the funding from the successful Speak Up grant application, the school officially open their courtyard on June 9, 2011, which includes several picnic tables, a lush green lawn, a bricked pathway and several benches and picnic tables – which were built by the school’s woodshop classes. Lori Roy, a Bishop teacher who worked with the students and their applications was thrilled with the space and the happiness of the students. “Before, this space was just rocks and dirt, and a few holes in the ground as a result of some unsuccessful attempts to make it into something better,” Roy stated. “ Now, it is a quiet, reflective, positive gathering space for our grade twelve students and as a result they are just ecstatic. The only sad part, is that the students who were successful in their grant application have already graduated so they weren’t able to be here for the official opening. I really hope they will come back to visit to see that their dream became an actuality – our presents students will be forever grateful for this gift.”
As part of the Ministry’s Student Voice Initiative, Speak up Grants allow for projects inspired by students’ ideas to become a reality.
Wishing for September at St. James School
Whereas the school year is winding down, some students at St. James Catholic School can’t wait until September comes. All new JK students who have registered to start in September were invited to an open house at the school. The various stations of activity gave families an opportunity to connect with kindergarten teachers, school and board resource personnel, and staff from the Best Start Hub. Each student received a “Welcome to Kindergarten Bag” full of early learning resources to help children prepare for school in September. Anxious to begin school this September is Larkin Philipps receiving her Welcome to Kindergarten bag from vice principal Mrs. Corelli.
Thinking About our “Dear Daddies”
Students in the St. Raphael Early Learning Kindergarten class participated in a very timely writing and drawing exercise. The students have been thinking about what makes their fathers so special in preparation for Father’s Day.
Student responses varied from “my dad takes me to the movies” to “my pops plays outside with me”.
“Apple-icious” School Gets Provincial Healthy School Designation
St. Raphael School is being recognized by the provincial government for actively promoting a healthy environment. The students have been eating apples together each month to bring awareness to the benefits of eating the cheap and healthy fruit.
The school has also been including nutrition facts and tips in its monthly newsletters to raise parent/guardian awareness.
The students have taken an active role in the washing and distribution of the apples each month. The grade seven students also provide the students with apple related trivia to get them into the spirit before each big crunch.
Vicki McGuire, the principal of the school says “the students look forward to the apple crunch a month and many have been asking if the program will continue next school year.”
The Ministry of Education has provided the school with a pledge certificate and a healthy school banner to help celebrate the schools achievements.
International Welcome at St. Anne School
“Welcome, bienvenue, youkoso!” These were the International greetings that family members heard when they came to visit their children within Mme Proulx and Mme Dutrisac’s Gr. 1/2 and Gr.3 French Immersion classes at St. Anne School in Hanmer. The primary students recognize different cultures daily within the dual-track Catholic Board School, so studying cultures in different countries around the world just seemed like an extension of their everyday routines. The children had worked on individual projects for the country of their choice. A final culminating activity was the presentation and sharing of an International meal. The children sent invitations to their families.
On the day of the meal, parents, grandparents and even some younger brothers and sisters joined in the festivities. They were greeted by students dressed in authentic kimonos (brought over from Japan by a relative of Mme Proulx) as well as a pathway of flags from foreign locations around the world. The primary children sang songs in English, French, and Japanese to their guests. After the singing, both students and their families enjoyed a variety of foods representing the different countries. When asked about the afternoon, Gr. 2 student, Alexandra Tremblay said, “It felt good to present to our families. They were happy for us because we had done a really good job with our projects. Our parents were glad to come to school.”
Judging by the small amount of leftovers, the projects, singing, the costumes and the food were all big hits! These French Immersion students really know how to make guests at their school feel welcome in any language. Way to go Angels!
From left to right, Gr. 1 students Alexis Marshall, Hailey M’Aughey, Lincoln McCourt, and Alexandra Tremblay get ready to greet family at St. Anne School in Hanmer. The students are dressed in authentic kimonos as part of an International Day celebration that highlighted their efforts in learning about countries around the world.
Immaculate Conception School is Drug Aware
On Wednesday, May 25, 2011- Immaculate Conception School held its first Drug Awareness Community Partnerships Night. James Bolan, Substance Abuse Counsellor, Brenda Stankiewicz, Public Health Nurse and Constable Julie Midena shared valuable information with parents and community partners about the different types of street drugs that are out in our community. James Bolan shared stories and information which captivated everyone sitting in the audience. His message is very clear when it comes to drug use, “Be aware of drugs, don’t start and say “No”. Nurse Stankiewicz and Constable Medina presented all the known drugs in the community. They spoke about the health and social consequences of alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, prescription drugs, ecstasy, heroin, methamphetamines, crystal meth, datura, and even homemade drugs that are made to look like candy. Constable Medina explained the role of the police when they are called in regarding the presence of drugs and drug use. Nurse Stankiewicz encourages parents to talk to their children about personal safety, dangers of drugs use and keeping medication and alcohol out of sight at home.
After the formal presentation, parents had the opportunity to mingle with our guest speakers and ask questions. Constable Medina announced that a Drug Awareness Community Partnerships Night would be held this fall in November. Immaculate Conception Principal, Louisa Bianchin was pleased with the event and said that she “hoped that all parents and community partners learned a lot from the evening and that they find the time to attend the next information session.” She also expressed her thanks to the following people for attending and participating in the Drug Awareness evening – James Bolan, Brenda Stankiewicz, Constable Julie Medina and Trustee Michael Bellmore.
St. Mary’s Friends – Across “The Pond”
St. Mary students had a first hand glimpse into the celebrations surrounding the recent Royal Wedding of Will and Kate when letters and pictures from their Pen Pals in England arrived. For the past two years, letters, gifts and even school apparel have been exchanged with St. Nicholas Church of England Primary School in Rayleigh, England (a distance of fifty-one kilometres from London, and a distance of 5646 kilometres from Capreol).
Last school year a link was made with Mrs. Lorna Pigman, Headteacher at St. Nicholas. Student letters were soon exchanged. Information about our Pen Pals was displayed on a central bulletin board so that all could read about our new friends. It was interesting to see that both schools have the same school colours, blue and gold.
This last set of letters included information about the Royal Wedding. The school had a street party in the playground. Students all brought food and were able to play party games. Everyone wore the colours of red, white and blue on the national holiday. St. Mary students will soon be writing about the end of year activities and their summer plans.
Pichi Ngamo at St. James Catholic School
Lana Trudeau, Aboriginal support worker with the Sudbury Catholic School Board has the led the Pichi Ngamo Program (Robin Sing) at St. James Catholic School. The Pichi Ngamo program is a seven session Aboriginal focus lunch program, which builds cultural esteem and pride. The students involved in the project had the opportunity to create cultural crafts such as Medicine bags, handshakers, and beaded key chains. Also included in the Pichi Ngamo program, is the tradition of the Talking Stick. In this tradition the Talking Stick is passed around the circle and whoever is holding the stick can speak of any moment in their personal history. The Talking Stick is a symbol of respect for the thoughts and stories of all participants and what is said in the circle remains there.